Class: College Algebra Course Number:
0467
Office: Room 146
Classroom: Room 145
Website: guilford.rps205.com/godtland
Email:
jeffgodtland@hotmail.com
Telephone: 815-654-4868 Ext. 13531 or 815-540-9942
(Home)
Course Description:
To put it simply, this course will require you to
THINK. The goal is
not to just do, but to understand and learn the topics
of a second algebra course. To some, this course may
come easily, while to others it will be a challenge.
Plan to work on assignments every day. Topics included
equations and inequalities, polynomials, functions,
logarithms, systems, conic section, sequences and series
and probability.
Course Text: College Algebra, Thompson
(Brooks/Cole) - Publisher. The replacement cost of the
book is $77.00. In addition a CD which accompanies our
textbook will be issued. The replacement cost of the CD
alone is $20. The student will be expected to pay 100%
of the cost if these materials are lost or unusable.
Materials: (You will NOT be excused to
go to your locker to pick up these materials.)
n Pencils
- ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE COMPLETED IN PENCIL. It is
your responsibility to be prepared with a pencil. I will
not supply you with one.
n Books
- You are required to bring your book to class every
day unless told otherwise. If you do not, you will
receive a classroom detention after school.
n
Calculators – We suggest the Texas Instruments
(TI-84+ Silver Edition) or alternatively the TI-83
graphing calculators. (Please do not purchase a TI-86 or
TI-89 - they are not newer models of the above.) We will
use the calculators throughout the year and in addition
they will be used in both precalc and calculus following
this course. Although the district does not require you
to purchase a graphing calculator (we have classroom
sets for use in school) - the vast majority of students
do eventually purchase their own for both home and
school.
Class Expectations:
n GHS
“House Rules” should be followed at all times.
n Attendance
is a critical ingredient for success. For planned
absences (doctors, dentists, excursions, sports, etc.)
talk to me BEFORE you are absent. This may
be done in person, by email, or over the phone.
n Be on time,
be prepared, and be on task. You are tardy if you are
not in your seat when the bell rings. Pencil sharpening
should be done BEFORE the tardy bell unless special
permission has been granted during the classwork time.
Multiple tardies will result in an after-school
detention. Being unprepared or off task may also result
in detention with the teacher after school.
n Do your
homework! Homework also carries the expectation that you
read the textbook. It is not a punishment. Math, unlike
many subjects can and needs to be practiced. I expect
you to be prepared to ask questions about your
assignments. I can not help you if you do not ask for
it. Using one’s talents wisely also includes
contributing to the class as a whole through discussion
and aiding peers. Be prepared to do both.
n Have
respect for EVERYONE and EVERYTHING in class. (i.e. Make
fun of NO ONE)
n Take care
of personal business and social conversations outside of
class.
n There will
be no talking at all during a test or quiz. Any offense
will result in a grade of zero for the test or quiz.
n Excessive
disruptive behavior will result in detentions, parental
contact, or referrals to the administration.
n Put all
trash in the trash can.
n No food,
drinks, gum chewing, radios, electronic signaling
devices, CD or tape players will be allowed in the
classroom. Cell phones must be put away and turned off
at all times. If your phone rings, it will be
confiscated and turned into the office for parental
pickup.
n All
students should feel welcomed, included, and free from
harassment based upon race, religion, gender, size, or
sexual orientation. If you feel at any time that this is
not the case either because of my behavior or that of
your classmates, I hope you will let me know. I try to
be aware of what goes on in class and of the comfort
levels of students, but especially when I am focused on
mathematics I don’t always see, hear, or understand all
that transpires. I believe it is crucial that we strive
to provide an inclusive learning environment at Guilford
and I hope you will each help me make that a reality in
this classroom. Follow all other school-wide rules.
Academic Dishonesty: Academic
dishonesty is a serious offense that will not be
tolerated. If a student is found cheating on any written
work, a grade of zero will be given on the work. For
repeated incidents parents will be contacted, and the
incident will also be reported to an administrator.
Grading Policy:
District Grading Scale:
Daily Work (Weekly Homework Quizzes)
25% A 90 - 100
Projects: 10%
B 80 - 89
Tests/Quizzes: 65%
C 70 - 79
**Students will also
have a Semester Exam that
D
60 - 69
will count 20% of their final grade. **
F
59 and below
Daily Work is the points earned on "homework
quizzes". These quizzes of about 5 to 10 questions will
be administered in class for the previous week’s work
and should average no more than 10-20 minutes of a class
period. Students will be able to use their homework
papers from the previous week to complete the quiz.
Students must use THEIR OWN WORK - No photocopies or
printouts from online will be allowed. All homework used
will be attached to the quiz and collected at the time
the quiz is taken. Homework must be done in pencil, it
must be properly labeled as described in class, and
all work (steps) must be shown.
I will be maintaining a website that will contain
all lesson plans and copies of completed homework from
my notes. Students are expected to check their work with
the website notes and make corrections as needed.
Classroom time will then be used to introduce new
topics, begin new homework assignments, and discuss any
problems or questions from the previous work. Only
problems which students need extra assistance or
explanation will be routinely discussed. Not EVERY
problem will be done in class as it is the student’s
responsibility to check the posted notes online.
n Tests
will be given over each chapter. Sometimes longer
chapters are divided up into smaller tests so that it
can be completed within the class hour.
Make-up work: After an absence, you
must make up the missed work in a timely manner. This
means both "Homework Quizzes" and Tests. Typically
"Homework Quizzes" will be done the day you return to
class. Unit tests must be made up AFTER school and
should be arranged the first day you return while
planned absences should already have been prearranged.
Obviously if it is not made up, then a zero will be
recorded. It is YOUR responsibility to find out what
work you need to complete. Lesson plans are posted on
the classroom website so there is no excuse for you not
knowing the work assignments/tests that you miss.
Also most worksheets are available in electronic form on
the website for you to print at home. Remember that 0’s
do not average well.
Communication: Email is the easiest way
to communicate with me. I will try to return all
communication within 24 hours. Please remember my
schedule limits when I can get back in touch with you,
please be patient. Email at jeffgodtland@hotmail.com.
If you call I suggest calling the home number list
below and leaving a message there if I do not answer.
The school number should be be NOT be used for leaving
messages. My class schedule allows for calls between
8:30 and 10:00 am. at 815-654-4868 Ext:
13531 (school). At other times you may call me at
815-540-9942 (Home)
Class Website: My website is -
http://guilford.rps205.com/godtland
. This is the direct link - alternatively you may go to
the Guilford website at
http://guilford.rps205.com and click on any
of several choices: "teacher websites" tab (opening page
- upper right corner) , or click on "departments", then
math and then my name, or click on "contact us", then
choose staff listings then click on my name. This
website will have weekly lesson plans, individual
progress reports, and also links to helpful information
and websites related to this class.
Extra Help: Extra help is available
after school if requested by the student. Bus
transportation is available at 4:45 if students need a
ride home. Drops are at various middle and elementary
schools throughout the city. When coming in for help, be
prepared with specific questions. Show me that you put
some time, thought, and work into the problem that you
are questioning. Whether using a math tutor, a study
buddy, or seeing me for extra help, do not wait until
the last day before a major test to get extra help.
Parents: I believe every student can
succeed in math. Some may reach this success easier than
others do but all can succeed. Your child may need
one-on-one instruction outside the classroom. I ask that
you encourage your child to take advantage of after
school help when there is a need. This is a free service
and strongly recommended. Please e-mail me if you have
any concerns at: jeffgodtland@hotmail.com. I also
encourage you to check the website regularly for
progress reports which are available on the website for
your convenience. Simply click on the link, choose your
child’s class, and then enter their student number. The
reports are updated after major tests or quizzes or
about every 10 days or so depending on the time of the
quarter.
