Notebook/Calculator Policy  (all courses.)

NOTEBOOKS
A notebook is required for this class.  It MUST be a three ring binder (1 1/2” or 2” ring) containing loose-leaf paper.  The notebook must contain homework, tests, and any other handouts given to you. Assignments may be completed on the back of pages.   Do not start any assignment on the back of a sheet of paper.

Notebooks will be graded weekly.  Please bring your notebook to class EVERY day so you won't receive a zero.  You will not be given notice ahead of time when notebook checks are going to occur, and you will not be allowed to go to your locker if you don’t have it with you. Notebooks, along with quizzes & homework checks, are part of your daily average.

CALCULATORS

You are in a math course, and I expect you to come to class prepared. This means that if you want to use a calculator, you will bring it with you. I will not loan you a calculator because you forgot yours. Sharing calculators during a test will result in your calculator being taken up until after you complete the course.

*Note: While models other than Texas Instrument, or higher than the
TI-83+ are quite acceptable, I have found this particular model to be the most "user-friendly". In addition, I don’t have time to learn how to use every model that comes out on the market. If you don’t have the TI-83, I may not be able to help you with your particular calculator, hence, you should keep your manual with you at all times.

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES ( all classes.)

 DAILY BEHAVIOR
1)  Please come to class prepared!  This means you should have a PENCIL, paper, 
     notebook, calculator, and textbook. Bring all of these items with you each day. I
     will not supply them for you.

2)  PLEASE be on time!!!  My door will be closed as the bell begins ringing.  I
     expect you to be in your assigned seat with your book open to the last
     assignment I gave, your homework on your desk ready to be
     checked, and pencil in hand.

3) ABSOLUTELY NO TALKING DURING MORNING OR AFTERNOON
    ANNOUNCEMENTS!!!

4)  CELL PHONES, IPODS, etc. If I see or hear them, I will take them up and give them to   
     your designated administrator. If you refuse to give them to me, you will be written up for
     refusal to      cooperate.

5)  PLEASE show respect for the other members of this class and me.  I am not
     asking that you "like" me, because some of you won't.  I am not asking that
     you "like" all of your classmates, because you won't.  What I am asking is
     that you be courteous to all of those present.  We have an hour and a half
     daily to spend with each other, and it is imperative that we can get along. 
     How do you show courtesy???

Don't talk while I'm talking or one of your classmates is talking to me.
Don't get out of your seat while I'm teaching.
Don't touch anything on, in, beside, or behind my desk unless I tell you to do so.
Don't ask questions that have nothing to do with the lesson while I'm teaching.
Don't write on or erase either board unless I instruct you to do so.
Don't bring food or drink other than water in my room.
Don't make rude or obnoxious comments to or about other people in this room.
Don't work on any material other than math unless you have completely
finished any assignment I gave you.

While I am teaching, do not ask to leave the room for any reason except to check out because you are sick.  You will be given 6 "necessity" passes at the beginning of the course.  After, I have finished teaching you may use these passes to go the restroom, your locker, the library, etc.  Do not lose these passes because you will not be given replacements for any reason!!!!  When you have used all six passes, they are gone for good, and you won't be able to leave the room without one.  Use them wisely!!!  At the end of the semester, each unused pass that you return to me will be worth a bonus point on your final exam.

 ABSENCES
Be present as much as possible.  Mathematics, unlike some other subjects, is not something that is easily learned by studying on your own.  Makeup work is the sole responsibility of the student.  You will have five days to turn in homework assignments or schedule a make-up test.  Again, I will not ask you for this work.  It is your responsibility to ask me when you can make up work. It does not work the other way around.

BONUS
Don't ask for bonus work.  The answer will be "NO!"  Occasionally, I give the entire class an opportunity for bonus work.  That is the time to do it.  In addition, if you are doing what I ask of you during class, there should be no need for bonuses.

This course is designed to give students extra help with Math 1. The course changes based upon the needs of the students. The students will preview material to be learned in Math 1. In addition, they will constantly review topics they have not yet mastered in Math 1. They should also focus on vocabulary. Most of this will be done in the computer lab with the use of the Cognitive Tutor software by Carnegie Learning. Direct instruction and small group work will done as needed.

Letter to Parents

Dear Parent:

You may or may not be aware that the Georgia State Department of Education is implementing a new curriculum called the Georgia Performance Standards. In some subjects, you may not be able to tell a difference in your child’s work. However, mathematics has received a major overhaul. In the past, students entering the 9th grade took an Algebra I class or its equivalent. The new course will be called Mathematics 1, and it is a combination of Algebra I, Geometry, some Algebra II, and some Statistics. There is also a different approach to the actual teaching of this course. Your student will be expected to take a much more active role in his/her learning.

This is the first year that Math 1 has been offered at Pickens High School. So, this will be a new experience for your child and his/her teacher. We hope it will be a pleasant one for all of us. Since this is a new course, we may need to adjust teaching style or grading policies as we go. We will do this with your student’s best interest at heart.

Your child will not be issued a text book for several days. When that does happen, s/he will be assigned three different books. S/he is free to write in these books since they are his/hers to keep. All of these books are published by Carnegie Learning and entitled “Georgia Mathematics 1.” In the lower right corner you will find other labels. The largest book is labeled Student Text, a second book is labeled Homework Helper, and the third book is labeled Student Assignments. If your child loses one of these books, s/he will not be issued another until s/he pays for the lost book. The cost is $22.

Your child’s work will be graded as follows:
Tests (which could be a performance task or a pencil & paper test) will count 50% of the nine weeks grade. Daily grades (which could be homework, quizzes, worksheets, computer time, or a performance task) will account for the other 50% of the nine weeks average. In May, your child will be required to take an End of Course Test (EOCT) that will count as 15% of your student’s overall average.

We look forward to working with your child this year. We hope if s/he doesn’t learn to love math that s/he will at least be able to develop an appreciation for how important this subject is. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact either of us between 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM at (706) 253-1800. If you prefer to contact by email, the address is: gailculbreth@pickens.k12.ga.us or lynncantrell@pickens.k12.ga.us .

Thank you,
Gail Culbreth & Lynn Cantrell

Algebra II
This is a second year algebra course designed to prepare students for college level algebra. The course reviews and expands upon the linear topics learned in Algebra I. There is thorough coverage of quadratic functions. Other topics include matrices, polynomial functions, rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, and conic sections.

Letter to Parents:

Dear Parent:
I am looking forward to having your child in class this year. I hope that your child will have a love of mathematics or at least develop an appreciation for the importance of this subject matter.

I wanted to take this opportunity to make you aware of my grading policy. Your child's nine weeks’ grade will be calculated as follows.
10%                                  30%                                   60%                        
       notebook                               quizzes/worksheets                chapter tests

The final average will be calculated as follows.
        42.5%                                    42.5%                                    15%
First Nine Weeks                 Second Nine Weeks                      Final Exam

You may have noticed that homework was not listed above. Homework will be assigned on a daily basis, but will not be graded. Many students (and parents) wonder "why bother?" if it won't be graded. It is so very important in mathematics that a student learns and practices a new skill before moving on to the next one. Homework is not punishment. It is your child's "practice" session. He/she will have an opportunity the next day to ask for help on any problems that s/he was unable to successfully complete before being quizzed over the material.

Your child's membership in this class signifies his/her intent to attend college. If this is indeed the case, then s/he should be motivated enough to keep up with homework assignments. However, I have been teaching long enough to know that even the best students will occasionally let study habits slip. Therefore, I am asking that you please help me by monitoring your child's rigor with homework.

Trigonometry will be the most difficult math course your child will take in his/her high school career. You should also be aware that I do not believe in giving "bonus" work for those students with insufficient grades. If a student cannot keep up with the regular class load, the "extra" work would only compound the problem. If your child is struggling, s/he should be mature enough at this point to ask for extra help. I will be glad to schedule an occasional afternoon with your child for this purpose. If s/he feels the need for help on a more regular basis, there is a certified math teacher here three afternoons each week for that purpose.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me between 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM at             (706) 253-1800. If you prefer to reach me by email, my address is:
lynncantrell@pickens.k12.ga.us. I look forward to your child's successful completion of this math course.

Thank you,

This course was designed to prepare students for Calculus. It expands on topics previously covered in Algebra I and Algebra II. Students are also shown how the algebra and the geometry that they have learned in the past are connected to each other. Students are encouraged to use a variety of methods to approach problem solving. They may approach problems numerically, algebraically, or graphically. They are also encouraged to make use of available technology.

Letter to Parents:

Dear Parent:
I am looking forward to having your child in class this year. I hope that your child will have a love of mathematics or at least develop an appreciation for the importance of this subject matter.

I wanted to take this opportunity to make you aware of my grading policy. Your child's nine weeks’ grade will be calculated as follows.
10%                                  30%                                   60%                        
       notebook                               quizzes/worksheets                chapter tests

The final average will be calculated as follows.
        42.5%                                    42.5%                                    15%
First Nine Weeks                 Second Nine Weeks                      Final Exam

You may have noticed that homework was not listed above. Homework will be assigned on a daily basis, but will not be graded. Many students (and parents) wonder "why bother?" if it won't be graded. It is so very important in mathematics that a student learns and practices a new skill before moving on to the next one. Homework is not punishment. It is your child's "practice" session. He/she will have an opportunity the next day to ask for help on any problems that s/he was unable to successfully complete before being quizzed over the material.

Your child's membership in this class signifies his/her intent to attend college. If this is indeed the case, then s/he should be motivated enough to keep up with homework assignments. However, I have been teaching long enough to know that even the best students will occasionally let study habits slip. Therefore, I am asking that you please help me by monitoring your child's rigor with homework.

Trigonometry will be the most difficult math course your child will take in his/her high school career. You should also be aware that I do not believe in giving "bonus" work for those students with insufficient grades. If a student cannot keep up with the regular class load, the "extra" work would only compound the problem. If your child is struggling, s/he should be mature enough at this point to ask for extra help. I will be glad to schedule an occasional afternoon with your child for this purpose. If s/he feels the need for help on a more regular basis, there is a certified math teacher here three afternoons each week for that purpose.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me between 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM at             (706) 253-1800. If you prefer to reach me by email, my address is:
lynncantrell@pickens.k12.ga.us. I look forward to your child's successful completion of this math course.

Thank you,