This course is designed to instill in the students an understanding in, and prowess with, algebraic thinking. The key aspects of this course are related to:

The 7 Systemic Parts of Algebra:

1: LINEAR MODELS

2: THE CONCEPT OF A VARIABLE

3: GEOMETRIC INSIGHT

4: PATTERNS IN DATA

5: MEASUREMENT

6: EXPONENTIAL MODELS

7: QUADRATIC MODELS

Students who successfully complete this course will be well prepared to continue their study of mathematics at FHS. Focus will be on the collection of data and the analysis of that data with the use of technology. An underlying concept of this Algebra program is the 4 Overarching Processes: Reasoning and Problem Solving; Communication; Connecting or linking knowledge, skills and other understanding within and across disciplines to "real-life" situations; and Internalization or acting on the learning to make it meaningful and worthwhile. More information about Mr. Young’s Algebra 1 course may be discovered at http://fasst.fayar.net/Algebra1.htm.

Students in the course will be responsible for knowing and following the Fayetteville Computer and Network Use Policies that can be found at http://fps.nwsc.k12.ar.us/admin/technology/plcy4202.html as well as the guidelines in the FHS Student Handbook. In addition, students must have an ECS1 account. Please email me all your email addresses and your parents email address, if you wish to have me contact them.

Hardware: As in all secondary mathematics courses in Fayetteville, we will use a graphing calculator. This needs to be a TI-83. If you already own a graphing calculator from your previous mathematics experiences in Fayetteville, and it is not a TI-83, then you may continue to use that one (if it is a TI-82 or a TI-81). If this is the case, you will be limited in your ability to do some of the work in this class, but I will work with you, as is needed. The important parts of the TI-83 that relate to this class are its ability to name list, to link between calculators, and to link with the computer, and, to a lesser degree, the ability to do certain statistical tests. EAST campus has a calculator leasing program for those students who may not be able to purchase the calculator at this time. Students with other calculators, such as the Sharp, HP, and CASIO graphing calculators, may do OK in this class, but I will be limited in the amount of help that I can provide. Other technological items that will be used in this class, include the computer, printer, the CBR (Calculator Based Ranger), CBL (Calculator Based Lab) with various probes, the Calculator Graph Link, and a Digital Camera. These will be provided, as needed. You should have items such as 3.5 inch computer disks, a metric ruler, a protractor, pen or pencils, graph paper and regular paper.

Software: We will use in school, Windows 95, Graph Link, Graphical Analysis, Netscape, Pegasus Mail, and Microsoft Office 97. Students will have open access to this software when they get their ECS1 account.

Your grade will be calculated using the scores from your Portfolio, which is submitted each nine weeks (2/5 + 2/5) and the Semester Final (1/5). As you do things in this class, you will be assigned grades, or given checks for the work. These scores may appear on progress reports, but you need to know that your total grade comes from your Portfolio, which may or may not contain these individual pieces of work. The Portfolio will consist of 7 items falling in the categories listed below. :

Overarching Processes (1 item): This item will come from the 4 Overarching Processes (Reasoning and Problem Solving; Communication; Connecting or linking knowledge, skills and other understanding within and across disciplines to "real-life" situations; and Internalization or acting on the learning to make it meaningful and worthwhile.). It should be an item that reflects the student’s involvement in that process. {10%}

7 Systemic Parts of Algebra (1 item): This item will come from the 7 Systemic Parts of Algebra (Linear Models, The Concept of a Variable, Geometric Insight, Patterns in Data, Measurement, Exponential Models, and Quadratic Models). This should be an item that reflects the student’s involvement in one of these parts. {20%}

Evidence of Your Ability to Test (1 item): An examination taken during the nine weeks that includes the original work as well as corrections with reflections on the mistakes that were made (why the questions were missed). Your Cover Instrument reflection should address the issue of showing what you know on an examination. {30%}

Image of You Working with Technology (1 item): Products, or other items that show your involvement in using technology. The level and context of your involvement should be addressed in your Cover Instrument reflection. {10%}

Growth Example (1 item): Some indicator of your growth as a person learning Algebra. This could be an example of your best learning experience, some written communication relating to a particular investigation, in the context of growth, or other work. An explanation of how this item reflects growth should be included in your Cover Instrument reflection. {10%}

Free Choice (1 item): A Quiz or some Homework from the current nine-weeks that you feel is grade worthy and that does not seem to fit in the other categories may be provided. Your CI should explain why this work is of value. {10%}

Journal (1 item): Responses to prompts given by me, and additional reflections or thoughts you have as we progress through the term. You are required to write in your Journal at least once per week and you must address all prompts from me. Journal entries must be dated, and the restatement of prompts is required with your response. This item also requires a Cover Instrument, and the Journal should always contain all the writings from the start of the year. {10%}

Portfolio Cover Instrument (CI): Each item in the Portfolio will include a Cover Instrument (CI). The CI will contain:

Identification: (Which of the 7 items from the list of required Portfolio Items is this?)
Name: (Your name.)
Grade Level: (10^th, 11^th or 12^th)
Class and Period: (The class you have and the period that you have it.)
Date: (The date that the attached item was completed.)
Time: (Approximate amount of time spent on the task attached, including time to prepare the Cover Instrument.)
Assistance: (Outside assistance information, who helped you on the attached item, in what way, and to what degree.)
Documentation: (What is the actual piece of work used and where is it physically located?)

\Reflection: (Why did you choose to use the attached work for this part of the Portfolio? What does it show that makes it Portfolio-worthy?)

When items are turned in, it is best if you make a back-up copy and to place the work in the hands of the instructor. Please note the guidelines for late and make-up work.

Guidelines for late work: The student will lose 7% of the grade made on an assignment for each school day the work is late, unless the work falls under the provisions of the make up policy.

September 18: Draft Portfolio due, with CIs.

October 7: Portfolio due for first 9-weeks.

November 9: Complete Journal due, with CI.

December 11: Portfolio due for second 9-weeks.

December: Final Examination for the Fall Semester.

February 3: Draft Portfolio due, with CIs.

March 12: Portfolio due for third 9-weeks.

April 19: Complete Journal due, with CI.

May 14: Portfolio due for fourth 9-weeks.

May/June: Final Examination for the Spring Semester.

My planning period is 3^rd period at which time I will be in the FASST Center. I will be in the Math Study Lab on Mondays. In addition I will meet with students by appointment. Feel free to contact me at 444-3050-147 or Email me at: dayoung@ecs1.nwsc.k12.ar.us.

FASST Center - FHS

David A. Young, Director

1001 West Stone Street

Fayetteville, AR 72701

http://fasst.fayar.net.

Please fill out the form below, sign it and return to Mr. Young as soon as possible.

Student Information:

Name: ______________________________________Grade: ____________

Address: ______________________________________________________

City: _________________State: ______________Zip: ______________

Phone: ________________________________________________________

E-mail: _______________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Name: ________________________________________

Phone: _______________________________________________________

Course: _________________________________________ Period: ______

I have read, and understand the Course Expectations/Syllabus outlined above.

Student Signature: _____________________________________________

Date: _____________________

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