Mrs. Willson’s Class Syllabus                          2011/2012                                                            ROOM: 11

TEACHER:   Mrs. Jan Willson                                                                         

CONFERENCE TIME:  5th hour, 12:20 - 1:10

SCHOOL PHONE:   969-2545

E-MAIL:   jwillson@crescentok.com

WEB PAGE:   www.crescentok.com, High School, Jan Willson

GRADING POLICY: 

Daily Grades:   20%          

Project/Activities/Notecards: 30%                           

Tests/Quizzes: 50%                                       

SUPPLIES:

spiral 3 x 5 Notecards - 1 each semester, 2-mechanical pencils, and notebook paper (prefer looseleaf not spiral notebook). Computer, spiral note cards, pencil, paper and headphones are required everyday in class.  While the curriculum is delivered and answered on the computer, notes will be kept on spiral notecards, and your computations and work will need to be done on notebook paper which will be turned in when a lecture is completed and will be placed in a folder that is kept by me. 

Supplies may be purchased from the teacher if available - see moodle for prices.

COURSEWORK:

• Most of the math coursework will be provided through the Acellus Learning System.  This system integrates time-proven methods of teaching with the latest advancements in technology to deliver a complete and effective learning experience. All students should benefit by improved math skills and increased confidence of mathematical abilities.
• Most lessons, problems, and tests will be computer delivered using the Acellus Learning System.  The course is progress based meaning students may work at their own pace however, they must meet the daily benchmarks set for them.  Most students will not be on the same lecture/lesson or problem at the same time.  Assignments will be posted in STI by benchmark dates. Any lessons not completed by the benchmark date will receive a zero until finished. This includes notebook and exam grades. Course completion (meeting all benchmarks set for the course in acellus) is required for everyone enrolled in a regular High School math course. Even though a student may have a semester grade of a 60 or above, they will not pass the course if they have not completed all benchmarks set.
• Students are to watch the acellus video or supplemental video before requesting help.  You will be required to keep notes on spiral notecards and do work/computations on notebook paper which will be turned in after completing a lesson.  You are required to pass each lecture with a 60 or above or you will have to repeat that lecture. If you skip a problem on a lesson, you will repeat the lesson as well. Take your time and do not rush through the lessons, but remember your progress depends on you.  So, please use your time wisely. 
• Other activities/projects will be assigned throughout the year.  These may include calculator activities, sketchpad activities, research projects, etc., and will be a part of your grade.
• I DO NOT GIVE EXTRA-CREDIT WORK.  

NOTECARDS:

• Notecards will be kept according to outlined instructions and turned in at the end of each unit for a grade.
• Notecards must be turned in before beginning a unit exam .

WORK FOLDERS:

• Showing all work is essential to learning math. Without it, it is hard to find where mistakes are being made in order to correct them. Regardless of the type of problems, multiple choice, true - false, etc., you must be able to justify why you chose an answer. Therefore, all work, including reasoning, will be shown or written on notebook paper and turned in.
• Paper showing all work on each lecture will be turned in upon completing the lesson. Several items may affect the grade you are given for a lecture. Improper headings, not showing any work or giving reasons will result in extra points being taken off the grade, and not turning in a paper for a lecture will result in a zero and repeating the lesson - I do not look for grades on lessons unless I have a paper turned in for that lesson. Lost papers will result in repeating the lesson.
• See "QUALITY OF WORK" below for expectations

EXAMS

• Exams must be done in the math classroom. Any other arrangements must be made with me prior to taking an exam. Time is negotiable, place is usually not.
• Notecards will be turned in before starting an exam.
• Answers and work will be done on an exam answer sheet provided and turned in when done. You will number the problems and show an answer for every problem. If you are not done at the end of the hour, you will turn in the unfinished exam and finish it the next class time.
• I advise studying your notecards after doing a review and before taking an exam.
• You will have only three opportunities to make 60 or above on exams.  You may only make a 100 on the first try, highest on second try is an 89, and third is a 79. The highest grade will go in STI.
• If your score on an exam is between 60 and 70 - you may choose to retake it. If your score is between a 50 and 60, you will redo the review and then retake the exam. If your score is less than 50, you will redo the necessary lessons and then redo the review and exam.
• See "QUALITY OF WORK" below for expectations.

QUALITY OF WORK

• Old Comfy Blue jean quality - getting ideas together (scratch paper that nobody else can read and not accepted by teacher)
• Casual Everyday Wear quality - (daily work) organized ideas and logical steps neatly written and easily followed without scribbled through or scratched out parts (this is your work that is turned in and expected by teacher - erasing is ok, that is why I require pencils)
• Tuxedo quality - your very best and neatest work or reasoning written on paper (this is the work expected on exams).

ABSENCES:

You are encouraged to be in class everyday as that is about the only time you will be able to access my help with the coursework.  If you are gone for any reason, you may need to come in outside of regular class time for help, to get caught up, or to get ahead if you know you are going to be gone.  With the new availability of laptops and ability to access Acellus to work on lectures and reviews from home, no excuses will be accepted for falling behind in class.

TUTORING: 

Before school: 7:00 - 8:00

After school: I am usually here until 4:00 or later on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays

TIPS FOR SUCCESS: 

• Come prepared with charged computer, pencil, notecards and headphones.
• Don’t depend on other students help, they are busy with their own work.
• Watch the lectures, especially on new concepts you haven’t seen before.
• Your attitude matters – be positive

The key to success in math is persistence and diligence. Not all of us are born with the genes to be a math genius, but we all have our chances to excel just the same. Robert Duval