Algebra 1 2011 – 2012                                                                                                   Mr. Ferrante

                                                                                                                        E-mail: eric_ferrante@fuhsd.org

Voice:  (408) 366-7380 x4845

Course Description

Algebra 1 is a college-prep course that covers the California State Algebra 1 Standards, builds critical thinking skills, encourages algebraic reasoning and communication skills, and prepares students for the STAR test in late spring.  Topics covered include solving linear equations, properties of exponents, quadratic equations, graphing linear and quadratic functions, systems of equations, inequalities and absolute value, rational expressions and equations, radical expressions and equations, relations, and functions.  The goal of Algebra 1 is to develop mastery over time through long-term repetition within a variety of contexts.  Topics and skills will be repeated and developed throughout the course and student performance data will be correlated to the California State Algebra 1 Standards.

Textbook

· Primary:  CPM Algebra Connections, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2
www.cpm.org (ISBN-10: 1931287465, ISBN-10: 1931287503)

· Supplementary: Prentice Hall:  Algebra 1 California Edition
www.phschool.com (ISBN-10: 0130442631)

Grades

Grades are weighted as follows:      Tests/Quizzes  70%     Homework/Classwork  30%

A ³ 90%            B ³ 80%            C ³ 70%            D ³ 60%           F < 60%

Grades will be accessible online via a School Loop link that points to my own website.

Classwork / Homework

Classwork and homework will be assigned daily.  Classwork and homework are graded based on completion, effort, and neatness to a degree.  Students are expected to give 100% effort to every problem assigned.  During class we will often correct homework for accuracy and allow time to fix errors and make corrections.  Homework takes between 20 and 60 minutes every night and is a major key to your success in this class.  If you don’t do homework or you try to slip by copying answers from other students or from the online help, there’s almost no chance you’ll pass the class.  In order to grow you have to do your own work.  It’s like weightlifting.  If you want to get stronger, you have to lift the weights yourself.

Tests / Quizzes

Tests and quizzes this year will be standards-based.  Each question will be mapped to a California State Algebra 1 Standard and progress over time will be measured and used instead of overall test scores.  Students will have the entire semester to improve their performance on any given standard.

Supplies

Required supplies:

· Math 3-ring binder (with notebook paper and graph paper)

· Math book

· Pencil and eraser

Help

Lots of help is available.  The library has a free tutoring center after school, there is a Parent / Tutor Guide freely available for our textbook, there are many of good YouTube math tutorials, there is a free solution guide for our textbook at Hotmath.com, there is a list of paid tutors in the Guidance Office, there is a 40-minute tutorial class twice each week, and there are additional computer-based Algebra tutorials available for use at home and at school.

Tardies

You are allowed three tardies each quarter.  A fourth tardy and every second tardy thereafter earns a 30-minute administrative detention which will impact your grade if not served.  On the other hand, your faithful attendance will earn extra credit:

                                    No tardies:        5 extra credit participation points

                                    1 tardy:             2 extra credit participation points

                                    2 or more:         0 extra credit participation points

Attendance

Students who attend school with perfect attendance do much better than those who don’t.  If you miss class, you won’t make it in high school.  Always try.  If you’re having problems, talk to me or another adult.  There are lots of us at Cupertino who care about helping you out.  If you miss school for an excused absence you have as many days as you were absent to make up homework while keeping up with the current homework.  If your absence is unexcused you are not allowed to makeup work for the day you missed.

Bathroom Passes

You are allowed two bathroom passes each quarter.  If you require a pass to use the restroom, or for any other reason that is not office/teacher directed, you must use one of your passes.  If all your passes are used and you need to go to the restroom, you must spend double the time at lunch or after school the same day.  Failure to do so results in a 30-minute administrative detention.  Extra passes at the end of each quarter are worth 3 extra credit participation points each.

Cell Phones, MP3 players, etc.

If you carry them in your backpack and the sound is turned off, that’s fine.   However, if I see or hear anything, it’s my job to turn them in to the office.

Parents

Please feel free to contact me whenever you have questions or concerns.  E-mail is the best way to reach me:  eric_ferrante@fuhsd.org.  You can also leave me a voice message at school:  366-7388 x4845.  If you have Internet access, please register for School Loop.  All of your student’s teachers will be using it for communication.  Register at http://cupertino.schoolloop.com.

Student Signature ____________________              Parent Signature ____________________

Student Name _______________________              Parent Name _______________________
                                    (Print)                                                                           (Print)

Visit

http://www.MrFerrante.com