Common Core Algebra 1: REGENTS IN JUNEWelcome to Common Core Algebra 1! My name is Ms. Litwin and I will be your math teacher for the 2014-2015 school year. I am excited to work with all of you! The Algebra course meets everyday with an additional lab class every other day. This Regents course prepares you for the Algebra Regents Exam this June as well as for the Geometry curriculum next year.

SUPPLIES:You are expected to bring the following supplies to class Everyday: At least 2 inch Three Ring Binder (Used for Math ONLY!) 3 Dividers for the Binder broken down as follows:

1) Classwork2) Homework3) Review Sheets/Tests/Quizzes

Loose-leaf & Graph Paper – (Put in “Classwork” and “Homework” sections) Pencils/Pens Ruler (keep in Binder) A TI-84 Plus graphing calculator, for use in math classes all four years of high school, as well as in college. **Extra Credit** Box of Tissues, Package of Pencils/Pens/Colored Pencils/Markers, Tape, etc. (Multiple items given will be rewarded with multiple points but no more than 3 items)

EXPECTATIONS: Be RESPECTFUL to teachers and classmates. Attend class regularly and arrive on time. Be ready to work when the bell rings. Your calculator and homework should be out on

your desk, and you should be working on the “Do Now.” Do homework on a daily basis. You will begin with a 100% HW Average, so keep it!

Your work will be checked every day. When absent, you are responsible for missed notes and assignments. You are

responsible for making up tests and quizzes on your own time. Participate in class: ask questions, place problems on the board, be involved etc. Maintain a current and complete notebook and binder. Notes and HW should be dated

and in order. There may be a notebook and binder check to count as a test grade.

EXPECTATIONS (cont): Stay seated until dismissed and keep the room clean. Do not open/close the windows.

Raise your hand to ask permission for the restroom.

No cell phones, i-pods, or other types of technology will be permitted in the classroom. I will confiscate any such materials and hand in to the main office to be collected by your parent(s).

No food or beverages (with the exception of water) will be permitted in the classroom. The selling of candy/food is also prohibited during class time. And of course, no hats.

Be RESPONSIBLE and POSITIVE.

HOMEWORK: Homework is assigned and checked on a daily basis. Each assignment is numbered to

keep your homework organized. You will be given a Homework Calendar to write your assignments on and to keep track

of your HW grade. Parents should check their child’s homework calendar periodically to see if their child is

keeping up with their HW. Each student starts out with 100% homework grade (Counts as a TEST GRADE!!!).

Problems must be re-copied and all work must be shown to receive full credit! You will lose points for each missing homework (up to 5 points depending on the assignment). You will also lose points for each incomplete homework (this includes not re-copying problems). You do not have to copy the directions.

Homework has to be present in class to receive credit (Students will not be permitted to go to their locker to obtain material and thus credit will not be awarded).

NO late homework will be accepted, unless you are absent or extenuating circumstances arise.

When absent, HW’s need to be made up and corrected during extra help or you will lose full credit for the assignment.

If HW’s are missed/incomplete, I reserve the right to contact your parents. Homework can be randomly collected and graded at any time! I can give “POP QUIZZES” on HW previously reviewed. Therefore, it is to your benefit to

ask questions or attend extra help when you do not understand homework problems.

TESTS and QUIZZES: You will have tests and quizzes on a regular basis. Unit tests are given approximately

every one or two weeks and are always announced in advance. Quizzes can be announced or unannounced.

Parents should check their child’s Tests/Quizzes section to see their grades. I will not give out test correction points. The grade you receive is the grade

you earned. Therefore, put your best effort on every Test/Quiz/Assignment.

EVALUATION CRITERIA: Exams, quizzes, homework grade, projects, bonus points, and participation are all

components of your grade.

ATTENDANCE POLICY: Good attendance is required for academic success. You are expected to attend class

regularly and arrive on time. If you are absent or late, for any reason, you are responsible for making up the work (notes, classwork, homework, etc.).

If you are absent on an exam day, you are responsible for making it up on your own time (not class time).

If you are late, you need a signed pass. Otherwise, a mandatory extra-help detention will be imposed for each unexcused lateness.

Lateness will not be tolerated. All latenesses will be recorded and handled according to school policy.

EXTRA HELP: Ms. Litwin is available for Extra help on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons

in Rm 302. If at ANY other time you feel you need help, just ask and I can set a mutually convenient time. I am here to help you succeed in math!

Morning sessions start at 7:10am and afternoon sessions start at 2:15pm. Any changes will be posted in the classroom and students will be notified. Students attending extra help will be required to sign-in, in accordance with school

policy.

I am looking forward to a positive and successful school year! If questions arise, please ask them during class, or come in for extra help. You will determine your own success in this class!

Instructions/Contract for Edmodo.comThe purpose of Edmodo is to provide a simple forum for teachers, students, and parents to communicate. Discussion questions on homework or upcoming tests/quizzes may take place on this website. Edmodo will make life easier for you as course information is easily shared and stored while allowing for student collaboration! Please contact me with any questions, concerns, or help on setting up your Edmodo account. Students are expected to follow the Acceptable Use Policy outlined below.

Student Instructions1. Go to www.edmodo.com2. Click “I’m a student”.3. Enter the code that was given to you in class (this ensures you are put in the correct

group).My Group Code is: _________________________________________

4. Complete the registration form, making sure to use your student e-mail address (username@bmchsd.org) You should use the same username and password that you use to sign onto the school computers. Never share login information with anyone else.

5. Enter an email address that you regularly check if you wish to receive email updates (this is optional).

6. Enter your first and last name.7. Make sure your information is correct and click “sign up”.8. This will take you to your new profile. You will be able to see any posts from me on

your “wall”.9. At the top right of your screen, click on “me”. This is where you can edit your account.10. Click “Settings”

11. Look at the box at the top left that says Email and Text Updates. This area will allow you to have updates from me or others in the class be sent to your email or by text message. This is a great feature because you won’t have to check the website on a daily basis! NOTE: If you do not wish to receive email or text updates you do not have to, just be sure to check Edmodo daily! This feature can be changed at anytime.

12. Click the down arrow under “Update Type”. You will see your email address and “text message”.

13. To have messages sent to your email, click your email address. NOTE: If you use your facebook email address, messages from the class will go right into your message folder on your facebook page!

14. A box will drop down allowing you to choose which types of communications to have sent to your email.

15. Click “save updates”. Now, based on the settings set information for your period like a message about an assignment, a reminder, or a document, you will get it in your email (if selected)!

16. If you would like to get updates via text message, click “text message” under “Update Type”. NOTE: You may choose to have class information sent only to your email, only to your cell phone, both or none at all.

17. Enter your cell phone number, your wireless carrier, and select the types of notifications you would like sent via text message. Click “save updates”. NOTE: Text message Fees may apply.

18. A box will pop up to tell you have been sent a text message with a verification code. When you get it, enter the code in the box. The next box should say “Phone Verified, Thanks!!”. Now updates, messages, etc. will come straight to your phone…so convienent!

PLEASE NOTE:Edmodo will not be used as a social network like Facebook or MySpace.  This tool will be used strictly for educational purposes using the following Acceptable Use Policy outlined below.

Please be sure to read the acceptable use / conduct policy on the following pages.

You have now set up your Edmodo account and will begin to receive information about the class as I send it. Please take a few minutes to explore your page and look at the following:

HOME – This takes you back to your “feed” like on facebook.

PLANNER – This is where I will post due dates, etc.

BACKPACK – This is where you will store files, notes, and digital documents.

PROGRESS – This is where you can see what assignments you have completed.

Acceptable Use PolicyPosting Messages:

All posts will be filtered by the teacher. Edmodo does not allow private student-to-student messaging- the site will be used to

discuss school-related content only. Post a note to the whole group if your question is about something the whole group

should know. (assignments, instructions, dates etc.) Send a note only to your teacher if you want to talk about something that does not

relate to everyone. Do not post personal questions to the group. Keep conversations on topic. If you are not sure if a word or joke is okay, then it’s probably not. Never post words

that tease, bully, annoy, spam, use sarcasm or gossip about any other member. No put-downs or sarcasm toward another’s ideas. All school rules and consequences

related to harassment apply. Students who violate the guidelines above may face disciplinary action and/or face

losing the privilege of using Edmodo.

Replying to Messages: Do not answer a question if you are not sure you know the answer. Do not reply to a question if someone has already answered it correctly.

Groups:*If you think there is something inappropriate posted in an Edmodo group, tell a teacher immediately !

Punctuation & Grammar:• Students will be required to use appropriate grammar instead of texting language. No txting lingo. We r ur teachers…show us that u have learned how 2 spell.• DO NOT PUT SENTENCES IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS.• Do not end sentences with more than one exclamation mark!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or question mark????????????• Please please please do not repeat a word more than necessary.

Edmodo Code of Conduct:1. I will use one of the avatars included with Edmodo for my profile picture or use one

that I have appropriate legal permission to use (i.e. in the public domain).2. I will use posts to discuss school-related content only.3. I will use a respectful tone of voice when posting.  All school rules and consequences

related to harassment apply.4. I will use appropriate grammar instead of texting language.5. I will not use my posts to promote personal websites or chat rooms.6. I will not use sarcasm to avoid misinterpretations.7. I will not reveal any personal information on Edmodo. This includes telephone

numbers, addresses, emails, etc.8. I will not post photos or videos showing myself or classmates without permission.9. I will only use Edmodo as/when instructed by my teacher.

All student activity on Edmodo is visible and is supervised by the teacher, and the teacher only. Any posts not related to the website’s purpose or deemed inappropriate will result in removal from the group as well as disciplinary action if necessary. Use this as a learning experience in responsible Internet use.

I look forward to a great year as we incorporate the use of technology into our classroom curriculum.  If you have any questions, please contact me at slitwin@bellmore-merrick.k12.ny.us

Parent Instructions1. If you wish, after your child has set up his or her Edmodo account, you can see a

parent code that you will use to create your account located on their homepage. This code will tie you with your child and his or her class. This code will be located on the left side of your child’s edmodo home screen. NOTE: A parent account cannot be created without a student account.

2. Go to www.edmodo.com

3. Click “Parent Sign Up” at the bottom of the page.

4. Using your parent code, follow the same steps as the student instructions above beginning with step 4.

Please Note:

While it is intended to make the information on our class Edmodo page as accurate and complete as possible, it cannot be guaranteed that every assignment, due

date, or communication/change will always be posted.

Students are responsible for also checking updates posted on the board in class and the website, www.litwinrocks.weebly.com

HW # 1***Please complete all 3 sections of this consent form below for your 1st HW

credit.

1) Class Contract section:Read the Class Contract with your parent(s) and fill out the following.Please try to get all of your supplies ASAP (no later than Friday, 9/5)

Parent/Guardian neatly complete the following in print please:

Email Address:___________________________________________

Work or Number you can be reached during the day:_____________________________________

2) Edmodo Contract section:

I ____________________________(student), have read and agreed to the Acceptable Use Policy and Edmodo Code of Conduct and understand that Edmodo is strictly for the use of enhancing learning in our course.

________________________________________________ ________________ (Student Signature) (Date)

I, ________________________________________, promise to abide by these rules throughout this school year.

Student’s name

X________________________________________ X__________________________________________ Student signature Parent signature

________________________________________________ _________________ (Parent/Guardian Signature) (Date)

3) Parents please complete the brief e-form at www.litwinrocks.weebly.com under “Contact” tab.

**If you do not have access to a computer or a smart phone then please just write the email below that you want me to include in the mass distribution list and I will do so.

Email:____________________________________

**If you do not want periodic emails regarding test/quiz dates then inform me below and I will exclude you from this email distribution.

Ms. Litwin 2014-15 School Year

Student Information Sheet

Name: ___________________________ Period: _________

Home Phone Number: _____________________________________________________________

Parents/Guardian’s Name: _________________________________________________________

Something I like about math:________________________________________________________

Something I don’t like about math: ___________________________________________________

Something my teacher did last year that I liked: _________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Something my teacher did last year that I did not like: ___________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Favorite hobbies or interests of mine: ________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Anything else I should know about you? (nickname, goals, interesting fact, art/drama/sports)