GSE STEM Accelerated Algebra I/Geometry A

Lithia Springs High School Academic Year 2015-2016

Teacher: Keenan X Lee
Email: keenan.lee@douglas.k12.ga.us

Room: B103

School Website: tinyurl.com/lithiaspringshigh

School Number: 770.651.6700
Classroom Number: 770.651.6880
Course Description
The fundamental purpose of Accelerated Algebra I/Geometry A is to formalize and extend the mathematics that
students learned in the middle grades. The critical areas, organized into units, deepen and extend understanding of
functions by comparing and contrasting linear, quadratic, and exponential phenomena. The Mathematical Practice
Standards apply throughout each course and, together with the content standards, prescribe that students
experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to make sense of
problem situations. The pacing suggested below will allow students to gain a foundation in linear, quadratic, and
exponential functions before they are brought together to be compared/contrasted in Unit 5.

Course Policies
1. Transfer of Students Averages and Report Card Nine Week Averages: The teacher will assign each grade in
the grade book with the students transfer average.
2. There will not be any make-up (or do-overs) for any assignment.
3. Students are responsible for their own learning. Students, who are absent, are responsible to come after
school to complete any missed assignments. (test, quizzes, classwork assignments, etc.) Failure to complete
before deemed deadline will result in a non-replaceable zero. The deadline will be usually during the
middle of the following unit.
4. Late assignments are not accepted.
5. Bonus points will be given to certain assignments as extra credit.
6. Students will not be allowed to use the restroom during class time.
7. Academic Honesty: Study groups on homework assignments outside of class are permitted and encouraged
as long as it is used as a learning method. However, cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of poor academic
conduct are not tolerated. Summative and Formative Assessments are designed to measure levels of
mastery and must be the individuals product. Breaches of this policy will result in consequences including
(but not limited to) a grade of zero on the assignment to a discipline referral based on teachers
discretion.
8. Incomplete Grades: Incompletes are awarded to students who did not complete their End of Course Test
upon finishing the course, did not complete their final exam, and/or have major grades missing due to an
unexpected absence or illness. For EOCTs, incompletes will be converted to a numeric grade once the
student completes the EOCT or the student is given numerous opportunities to take the test and a zero is
awarded for the EOCT score. For missing exams or major grades, students have ten days to complete the
missing items.
9. Retesting: Students may be provided an opportunity to retest on certain assignments based upon teachers
choice or preference.
10. Grade Appeal: A student/parent has 5 business days from the date report cards are issued to appeal the
final grade. The building principals decision is final.

*Any course policy may be altered or waived based on the teachers and/or building level administrators discretion.

Lithia Springs High School House Rules

Always be on time and prepared to learn.
Passes will not be issued during the last 10 minutes of class.
Hats, hoods, headbands, and/or head garments of any kind are not to be worn in the school building.
Electronic devices, including phones, iPods, ear buds, etc., are not permitted during the school day. All electronic

devices must remain turned off and out of sight or they may be confiscated. Confiscated items will only be returned
to legal parent/guardian.
Please stay in your class and in your seat until the bell rings.
Thank you for helping with assisting in keeping our high school clean by picking up around your area and
throwing your trash away. This is particularly vital in the cafeteria area.
Discipline Protocol
Minor misconduct (level one offenses such as missing ID badges, insubordination, etc.) will follow below plan:
1st Offense: Department Detention and Parent Contact
2nd Offense: Department Detention and Parent Contact
3rd Offense: Department Detention and Parent Contact
4th Offense: Discipline Referral
Major offenses (level two or three offenses) will receive an automatic discipline referral.
*See the Student Handbook for any other school-wide policies.

Course Expectations

Come to class prepared and ready to learn with notebook, supplies, and assignments.
Stay focused and on task getting out of focus leads to misunderstanding, confusion, and distraction.
Be ready to participate ask questions, explain thoughts and ideas.
Assignments are to be completed on time.
Sharpen your study skills. You will need to study/review DAILY.
Set high goals for yourself and put forth your best effort to attain them.
Take advantage of my help and your peers help. The best chance for success is to get involved in a study group.
Attendance to class is vital. Each day we will be learning new material/sharpening old material.

Students who consistently meet and exceed course expectations will be rewarded with homework passes, positive
call home to parents, bonus points on test and quizzes, etc. The decision for the reward is based on teachers
discretion.

Course Goal
The course goal is to prepare, take, and pass the Georgia Milestone with at least a 70 at the end of the academic
year. This a statewide standardized, multiple-choice assessment comprised of questions geared towards material
learned throughout academic year. The purpose of the examination is to assess specific content knowledge and
skill. Students will be encouraged to prepare and do well on the End of the Course Test all year round the
examination is 20% of course average.

Mathematics Department Grading Policy

Grading Plan
50% - Summative Evaluations: (29%) Common District Assessments, (29%) Common Unit Assessments, (14%)
Teacher Generated Assessments, (24%) Quizzes, (4%) Projects
30% - Formative Evaluations: (36%) Homework Assignments, (36%) Daily Assignments, (28%) Quizzes
20% - End of Course Comprehensive Examination: Georgia Milestones Assessment System examination or
Student Learning Objectives examination

Student Evaluations
1. Homework will be assigned almost daily and checked for completeness. Upon instructors discretion, certain
homework assignments may be collected and graded for accuracy. Daily Assignments are usually given after

every concept or topic. These assignments will be graded for accuracy. During each 9 week period there should be
at least 8 but no more than 19 homework and daily assignments depending on mathematics course level.
2. Quizzes will be given at teacher discretion to assess student success and upon completion of unit to determine
student readiness for common district assessments and common unit assessments. Throughout the academic
school year, there should be at least 10 but no more than 24 quizzes depending on mathematics course level.
3. Common District Assessments are unit tests that are created by the Douglas County School System to provide
a consistent measure of student progress across the county. Throughout the academic school year, there should be
at least 5 but no more than 12 common district assessments depending on mathematics course level. Douglas
County Schools has established an assessment plan to provide a consistent measure of student progress across the
county. Each subject has common district assessments (CDAs) that students are required to take as part of their
assessment grades. The CDA scores will be counted as a regular test grade.
4. Common Unit Assessments are unit tests created by instructors in the mathematics department. Throughout
the academic school year, there should be at least 5 but no more than 12 common unit assessments depending on
mathematics course level.
5. End of Course Comprehensive Exams:
a) Georgia Milestones Assessment System is a comprehensive exam provided by the Georgia
Department of Education to assess student content knowledge and skill in the course. This exam
will be given at the end of the academic school year to selected mathematics courses.
b) Student Learning Objective is a comprehensive exam provided by the Georgia Department of
Education and Douglas County School System given at the end of the academic school year to those
mathematics courses that will not be assessed by the Georgia Milestones Assessment System.

Grading Scale
A: 100 90
B: 89 80
C: 79 71
D: 70
F: below 70

Note: Administrators and department heads will keep a syllabus in their files for each teacher that
explains in more detail their classroom philosophy, expectations, and protocol.
Course Schedule
Unit 1:
Unit 2:
Unit 3:
Unit 4:
Unit 5:
Unit 6:
Unit 7:
Unit 8:

Relationship Between Quantities, Test: August 21st

Linear Equations, Inequalities, Systems and Functions, Test: September 28th
Exponential Functions, Test: October 16th
Sequences, Test: October 30th
Quadratic Functions, Test: December 17th
Describing Data, Test: January 15th
Transformations in the Coordinate Plane, Test: February 5th
Triangles, Test: During Finals Week

*This course schedule dates are tentative and are subject to change.

Course Material List

3-ring Binder
Dividers
1st Divider Notes
2nd Divider Classwork/Homework

3rd Divider Handouts

4th Divider Graded Assignments
Mechanical Pencils
Pens
Graphing Paper Only
Scientific Calculator Ti-30XS Multiview (recommended) or Ti-30XIIS Scientific Calculator
*Students will not receive books for this course. Teachers will provide as many resources as possible to fulfill the requirements of the course.

Course Resources
The course blog website for STEM Accelerated Algebra I/Geometry A is: lee-stemalgebra.weebly.com
This blog consist of information that pertains to the course such as announcements, homework assignments,
concept notes, class information, etc.
Note: This blog will be a helpful tool for students who are absent from class. However, it should not be used as a
substitute for not attending class.

Tutoring
Tutoring sessions will be held weekly after school determined by instructor. Available tutoring days will be
announced weekly and posted on the website.

Syllabus Verification for

STEM Accelerated Algebra I/Geometry A
Keenan X Lee
You may view the syllabus and any other information via the schools website. Go to Lithia Springs H igh
School main website, find my name on the school staff link, and then click on forms.
You may also contact me at anytime throughout the semester for a copy of the syllabus if you would like a
hard copy. Your child has been made aware that paper copies of the syllabus are available.
Video Permission
Lithia Springs High School will be engaging in a professional learning opportunity with teachers during
the 2015-2016 school year that will include videoing in their classroom in an effort to increase research based teaching practices. Each video will be used for professional learning and only viewed by certified
school personnel. By signing below you understand that during videoing, your child may be included in
the video and also understand that the video will not be published.

Please sign and return entire page.

I, ______________________________________________ (print student name) agree to the standards and rules set forth by the
syllabus for this course and comply with the video statement above.

I, ______________________________________________ (print parent/guardian name) agree to the standards and rules set forth
by the syllabus for this course and comply with the video statement above.

_____________________________________
Student Signature

_____________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature

________________________
Date

Student Email: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____

Parent Email: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Phone Number: __________________________________________________ (Home)
Parent/Guardian Phone Number: __________________________________________________ (Cell)