FACULTY
Teacher: Mr. Paul Iwanaga
Office Hours: 7:30-7:55am or 3:30-4:00pm (room 235 unless I have been assigned teacher duties or meetings)
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mriwanaga.com (an updated copy of my syllabus can be found on this website)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Pre-Algebra course is an introduction to basic algebra concepts.
SUPPLIES
You WILL NEED the following items:
CLASSROOM PROCEDURES
Before the bell rings:
CLASSROOM RULES
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
Students will be expected to bring their supplies to class each day. If a student forgets their pencil or folder, that student may not go to their locker during class. A student may need to borrow a pencil and a piece of paper from someone. Students are expected to be in their assigned seat when the bell rings. If a student violates any classroom rules or expectations, they WILL LOSE BONUS POINTS and could be relocated to another desk. In addition, this student could be sent to the hallway where they will need to wait until the teacher can speak to them privately and could be assigned a detention (and parents will be contacted).
Students are expected to help promote the learning of others in class. Sometimes this means to be quiet so other students can listen to the teachers instructions, and other times this means helping your neighbor to better understand the assignment (with permission from the teacher). However, this does not mean doing the assignment for the other student.
Students are expected to use the bathroom before school, after school, during lunch, or between classes (do not be late to class). Students can learn to use their time more efficiently by planning ahead and only stopping at their locker 3 times a day (each time a student goes to their locker they should grab their supplies for the next 2 classes). Students will then be able to use the additional time they saved for the bathroom. If a student gets to class and needs to use the bathroom, they can ask the teacher for permission. Students will receive 5 passes for the semester and these passes can be used for visits to the bathroom, locker, office, nurse, etc.
ATTENDANCE
All students must be in their assigned seat when the bell rings and be working on their bell work (which is listed on the board). The door to the classroom will be closed and locked after the bell rings. Students entering the classroom after the door is closed will need a pass or they will be counted tardy and must sign the tardy sheet near the door. The first tardy in any class is a warning (tardies are cumulative for all of your classes). Any additional tardies will result in a detention and your parents will be notified. If you miss class for any reason, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to find out what you missed. You can ask the teacher, check with other students, or check the teacher’s lesson plans on the school website (www.vcstulsa.org).
PARTICIPATION
Classroom effort, good behavior, and participation will be rewarded. This means you need to answer questions, complete assignments, work problems on the board, and help others around you. If you wish to answer a question, you must raise your hand and wait for permission to speak. If you do these things, you will be eligible for bonus points that accumulate for prizes. If you have tardies, receive referrals, do not show effort, act up in class, or if you are a disruption, you WILL LOSE BONUS POINTS. Additionally, each middle school student is required to have 10 HOURS of volunteer service by the end of the school year. Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
HOMEWORK
All homework must be labeled with your full name, class hour, and date (left corner). Students will have homework assigned daily, except during test reviews, exam days, and on Wednesday. These homework assignments will be graded the following day in class. Students are expected to grade their own homework with a red ink pen. After grading is complete, if a student scores a “D” or below on an assignment (not bell work) they are allowed to write down the problems they missed and make corrections on a separate piece of paper to earn back ½ credit (all corrections must be done within 1 week of the assignment due date). Correcting homework is not a requirement and students will have to grade those corrections before or after school. ANY ASSIGNMENT TURNED IN AFTER WE FINISH GRADING IS CONSIDERED LATE. All late work is deducted 15% after the first day and 10% each additional day it is late but drops to 0% after the 5th day. For example, 1 day late = 85% maximum, 2 days late = 75% maximum, 3 days = 65% maximum, 4 days late = 55% maximum, 5 days late = 45% maximum, 6+ days late = 0%. Late work CANNOT be corrected for partial credit. All late work must be graded by the student before or after school. If a student has NO MISSING ASSIGNMENTS in a chapter, they will be allowed to use a 3"x5" notecard during an exam (NOT during retakes). Notecards must be HANDWRITTEN and students can only use 1 side (except during the cumulative semester final when students can use both sides).
EXAMS
Exams for this class will typically be given on Wednesday. Students will be given 1 class period to complete their exam and CANNOT test over multiple days. Students are only allowed to retest over incorrect answers for ½ credit. A fill-in-the-blank test will be used for any retesting (not multiple-choice). Students have 2 weeks (10 school days) from the original date of an exam to complete any retesting (test corrections). Retesting does NOT apply to semester finals. To be eligible for retesting, a student MUST have all of their homework completed (NO MISSING ASSIGNMENTS) and must show TWO COMPLETED study guides.
BONUS POINTS
Students will be able to win prizes every 6 weeks based on accumulated bonus points. To be eligible, students CANNOT have any disciplinary issues, or incorrect grading, or missing work. If there are any ties, the teacher will look at remaining unused hall passes to determine a winner. The prizes may include gift cards, pizzas, Sonic drinks & desserts, etc.
ADDITIONAL HELP
My website has lesson plans, which includes a list of daily assignments and test dates. It also has a link to a website called “Remind” where parents and students can sign up to be notified by text or email for upcoming exams & other important dates. If a student needs additional help on assignments, they can come to my classroom before school from 7:30-7:55am or after school from 3:30-4:00pm (unless assigned teacher duties or meetings). In addition, there are additional resource links available on my website. The teacher reserves the right to make any changes to the syllabus during the year and an updated copy can always be found at mriwanaga.com.
GRADING PROCEDURES
Minor = 40% (Bell Work = 10% and Homework = 30%) Major = 60% (Quizzes = 10% and Exams = 50%)
Teacher: Mr. Paul Iwanaga
Office Hours: 7:30-7:55am or 3:30-4:00pm (room 235 unless I have been assigned teacher duties or meetings)
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mriwanaga.com (an updated copy of my syllabus can be found on this website)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Pre-Algebra course is an introduction to basic algebra concepts.
SUPPLIES
You WILL NEED the following items:
- pencil and paper - you are expected to come to class every day with something to write with and write on
- 3 ring binder (with loose paper) and dividers (bell work, assignments, notes, testing)
CLASSROOM PROCEDURES
Before the bell rings:
- enter the room quietly and sit in your assigned seat (you must stay in your seat unless you have permission from the teacher)
- look on the BOARD for possible bell work
- students will stop talking, the door will be locked, and attendance will be taken
- students will finish bell work, be ready to take notes, and wait for additional instructions
- collect your items and pick up any garbage near your desk
- students cannot leave class until the teacher DISMISSES YOU (everyone must be sitting quietly in their assigned seat)
CLASSROOM RULES
- You get to do your own work and copying is not allowed (see Code of Conduct for discipline infractions)
- You get to grade your own homework and it must be done correctly (see Code of Conduct for discipline infractions)
- You get to be silent during tests & quizzes - loss of credit will result if a student communicates with other students during testing
- You get to keep your textbook(s) and desks clean and in good repair - damaging school items could result in charges
- You get to have a cell phone in your locker between 8:00am-3:30pm and it must be in the ‘off’ position
- You get to remain in the room and you must receive permission by the teacher to leave for any reason
- You get to solve math problems on paper and cannot use a calculator
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
Students will be expected to bring their supplies to class each day. If a student forgets their pencil or folder, that student may not go to their locker during class. A student may need to borrow a pencil and a piece of paper from someone. Students are expected to be in their assigned seat when the bell rings. If a student violates any classroom rules or expectations, they WILL LOSE BONUS POINTS and could be relocated to another desk. In addition, this student could be sent to the hallway where they will need to wait until the teacher can speak to them privately and could be assigned a detention (and parents will be contacted).
Students are expected to help promote the learning of others in class. Sometimes this means to be quiet so other students can listen to the teachers instructions, and other times this means helping your neighbor to better understand the assignment (with permission from the teacher). However, this does not mean doing the assignment for the other student.
Students are expected to use the bathroom before school, after school, during lunch, or between classes (do not be late to class). Students can learn to use their time more efficiently by planning ahead and only stopping at their locker 3 times a day (each time a student goes to their locker they should grab their supplies for the next 2 classes). Students will then be able to use the additional time they saved for the bathroom. If a student gets to class and needs to use the bathroom, they can ask the teacher for permission. Students will receive 5 passes for the semester and these passes can be used for visits to the bathroom, locker, office, nurse, etc.
ATTENDANCE
All students must be in their assigned seat when the bell rings and be working on their bell work (which is listed on the board). The door to the classroom will be closed and locked after the bell rings. Students entering the classroom after the door is closed will need a pass or they will be counted tardy and must sign the tardy sheet near the door. The first tardy in any class is a warning (tardies are cumulative for all of your classes). Any additional tardies will result in a detention and your parents will be notified. If you miss class for any reason, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to find out what you missed. You can ask the teacher, check with other students, or check the teacher’s lesson plans on the school website (www.vcstulsa.org).
PARTICIPATION
Classroom effort, good behavior, and participation will be rewarded. This means you need to answer questions, complete assignments, work problems on the board, and help others around you. If you wish to answer a question, you must raise your hand and wait for permission to speak. If you do these things, you will be eligible for bonus points that accumulate for prizes. If you have tardies, receive referrals, do not show effort, act up in class, or if you are a disruption, you WILL LOSE BONUS POINTS. Additionally, each middle school student is required to have 10 HOURS of volunteer service by the end of the school year. Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
HOMEWORK
All homework must be labeled with your full name, class hour, and date (left corner). Students will have homework assigned daily, except during test reviews, exam days, and on Wednesday. These homework assignments will be graded the following day in class. Students are expected to grade their own homework with a red ink pen. After grading is complete, if a student scores a “D” or below on an assignment (not bell work) they are allowed to write down the problems they missed and make corrections on a separate piece of paper to earn back ½ credit (all corrections must be done within 1 week of the assignment due date). Correcting homework is not a requirement and students will have to grade those corrections before or after school. ANY ASSIGNMENT TURNED IN AFTER WE FINISH GRADING IS CONSIDERED LATE. All late work is deducted 15% after the first day and 10% each additional day it is late but drops to 0% after the 5th day. For example, 1 day late = 85% maximum, 2 days late = 75% maximum, 3 days = 65% maximum, 4 days late = 55% maximum, 5 days late = 45% maximum, 6+ days late = 0%. Late work CANNOT be corrected for partial credit. All late work must be graded by the student before or after school. If a student has NO MISSING ASSIGNMENTS in a chapter, they will be allowed to use a 3"x5" notecard during an exam (NOT during retakes). Notecards must be HANDWRITTEN and students can only use 1 side (except during the cumulative semester final when students can use both sides).
EXAMS
Exams for this class will typically be given on Wednesday. Students will be given 1 class period to complete their exam and CANNOT test over multiple days. Students are only allowed to retest over incorrect answers for ½ credit. A fill-in-the-blank test will be used for any retesting (not multiple-choice). Students have 2 weeks (10 school days) from the original date of an exam to complete any retesting (test corrections). Retesting does NOT apply to semester finals. To be eligible for retesting, a student MUST have all of their homework completed (NO MISSING ASSIGNMENTS) and must show TWO COMPLETED study guides.
BONUS POINTS
Students will be able to win prizes every 6 weeks based on accumulated bonus points. To be eligible, students CANNOT have any disciplinary issues, or incorrect grading, or missing work. If there are any ties, the teacher will look at remaining unused hall passes to determine a winner. The prizes may include gift cards, pizzas, Sonic drinks & desserts, etc.
- Participation Bonus - points will be given to any students who come up to the front to work problems. Additional points are given to the first student who gets the answer correct. Students who help pass out papers, tutor, clean, etc will earn additional points
- Good Behavior Bonus - points can be given to students for: (1) uplifting words = complements, being kind to others, not gossipy (2) attitude = selfless, positive attitude, not prideful, not argumentative (3) working hard at desk = stay in seat unless given permission by teacher (4) participation = bring pencil & paper, Q&A sessions with class, raising hand (5) not disruptive to teacher or other students = not talking while teacher is talking, not shouting out your thoughts, not talking across the room, not being loud
- Khan Academy Bonus – bonus points and 1 assignment exemption are given for completing certain lessons on Khan Academy
ADDITIONAL HELP
My website has lesson plans, which includes a list of daily assignments and test dates. It also has a link to a website called “Remind” where parents and students can sign up to be notified by text or email for upcoming exams & other important dates. If a student needs additional help on assignments, they can come to my classroom before school from 7:30-7:55am or after school from 3:30-4:00pm (unless assigned teacher duties or meetings). In addition, there are additional resource links available on my website. The teacher reserves the right to make any changes to the syllabus during the year and an updated copy can always be found at mriwanaga.com.
GRADING PROCEDURES
Minor = 40% (Bell Work = 10% and Homework = 30%) Major = 60% (Quizzes = 10% and Exams = 50%)