2116 East Haines Street

Philadelphia, PA 19138
267-336-2730

Course: Math Enrichment B – Algebra 1 (half year, 0.5 credits)

Term: 2010-2011 Semester 1
Teacher: Mr. Bujak
Room: 106
E-mail: ebujak@hopecschool.org
Phone: 267-336-2730 ext. 5612

“The person who does the work is the only one who learns.”
—from The First Days of School by Harry K. Wong and Rosemary Tripi Wong

COURSE OVERVIEW
This course is required for all students who are at least two grades behind in mathematics.
The purpose of the course is to develop skills of the students and prepare students for higher
level mathematics courses. Many basic concepts, which are essential for students to
experience success in Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2, are addressed in this course.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
Our shared goal for this course is for each student to meet or exceed the objectives presented
in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Mathematics. These standards may be accessed
on the Web at http://www.pdesas.org. This course will equip students with a solid
foundation in problem-solving and critical thinking for success in future mathematics courses.

We shall be using Saxon Secondary Mathematics which is structured to help every student
achieve success. The incremental development and continued practice and review provide
the time needed to master each concept. This lesson/practice/problem set is consistent.
Meaningful connections and real-world applications build a solid foundation and confidence
to continue taking mathematics courses.

THE SAXON PHILOSOPHY

“We believe that students learn by doing. Students learn mathematics not by watching or
listening to someone else, but by doing the problems themselves. We also believe
mathematics is not difficult, just different. In our programs, mathematics is taught (and
learned) just as a foreign language or musical instrument is taught: incrementally with
continual practice and review.”

TEXTBOOK
Saxon Algebra 1 – Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009
UNIT TOPICS – DISTRIBUTED STRANDS
 Algebra Foundations  Inequalities
 Functions and Relations  Systems of Equations and Inequalities
 Equations  Radical Expressions and Functions
 Linear Equations and Functions  Quadratic Equations and Functions
 Polynomials  Absolute-Value Equations and Inequalities
 Rational Expressions and Functions  Probability and Data Analysis

MATERIALS
Each student will be utilizing his/her individual textbook for use in the classroom from the
classroom set everyday. Each student will use only his/her assigned textbook.

Each student must bring his/her personal items to class everyday:

 Single subject notebook (one provided free by teacher)
 Single subject folder (one provided free by teacher)
 Pen/pencil (one lead pencil provided free by teacher)
 Saxon workbook (one provided free by Hope Charter High School)
These personal items cannot be stored in the class room and are necessary for the daily
homework.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS and ROOM

Direct instruction, active learning, discovery learning, modeling, cooperative groups,
projects, presentations, literacy activities, individual work, pair work, discussions, discourse,
debates, teacher-led instruction, research activities, peer tutoring, one-on-one, computer
technology, intervention and prevention.
The room is set up with one large “Harkness” table with the students and teacher seated
facing each other.

CLASS RULES/REGULATIONS and EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS

insure a safe learning environment. Listed are a few, but not limited to the following:
 Mr. Bujak follows the HOPE Charter High School Code of Conduct … all the time.
 Be respectful … all the time.
 Bring your stuff (see “materials” above) ... all the time.
 Arrive to class on time … all the time.
 Be prepared to learn … all the time.
 Be seated and stay seated unless you are speaking and/or presenting … all the time.
 No food or drink … ever.
 No use of any electronic device … ever. You cannot use your cell phone for a
calculator.
 Nothing is to be on the “Harkness” table except those items needed for this class outlined
in MATERIALS above … all the time.
 Keep the place clean … all the time.
 Speak/write using proper English ... all the time.
 Speak/write with proper mathematical terminology … all the time.
 Minimize your profanity, vulgarity, and crude jokes. One slip-up per class period. This
includes the ‘N’ word and derogatory terms when referring to sexes, races, religions,
creeds, nationalities.
 No inappropriate off-task talking … never.
 Properly do all assignments, this includes positive participation during class … all the
time.
 Follow instructions … all the time.
 Do not talk over anyone … ever.
 Do not scream or talk loudly … never.
 Take class notes in your personal notebook … all the time.
 Homework is done in your personal notebook … no exceptions.
 Homework and class notes must have the following header:
o Student’s real name
o Course name and period
o Date
o Lesson # and topic
o Example:
Frank James 9/24/2010
Math Enrichment B Period 5
Lesson 28 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides
 All problems in notebook (class notes and homework) must be clearly labeled with page
number and problem number
 Cheating is stealing. Cheating earns you a failing grade.
 Students who are unexcused absent, sent out of the class room, or cut the class earn a
zero (0).
 Passing or failing is a decision that each student must make on his/her own.

CONSEQUENCES
Student attitude is a matter of choice. Therefore any student who violates the class rules
means he/she is ready to accept the consequence(s).

TEACHER COMMITTMENT
 I shall work with each student to maximize his/her full potential.
 I shall treat each student with respect.
 I shall value my students in and out of class.
 I shall model the behavior I want my student to have.
 I shall teach skills that will take students beyond the classroom.
 I shall treat all students equally regardless of how they choose to treat me.
 I shall act in a professional manner at all times.
 I shall enforce the rules of Hope Charter School consistently.
 I shall teach every day and waste no time.
 I shall speak with proper mathematical terminology.
 I shall try to make math more easy to understand.
 I shall accommodate each student’s special needs and modify lessons to meet
Individualized Education Plans.

TARDY, ATTENDANCE, and MAKEUP POLICY

In order to be successful in this course, it is important that students attend class each day that
school is in session. Students are expected to be prompt, prepared, and read to learn. An
excess of 10unexcused absences per quarter earns a failure. Students who are absent must
bring an excused absent note. For makeup work see attached sheet “Guidelines for Students
Making Up Work After Absence or Suspension.”
PASSES
Students may leave class for emergencies only. Students may use up to 2 passes per week
and 5 per month. Passes are a privilege; which means, No Work  No Pass. The
consequence for student disrupting the class upon return is no passes for a month. There are
no passes the first 10 minutes of the period and the last 10 minutes of the period.

GRADING
 Students will earn grades according to his/her progress in learning, his/her process in
learning, and his/her product(s) produced.
 Students will be graded on homework, classwork, class participation, quizzes, tests, and
one individual student project per quarter.
 Homework is assigned almost every night. Assignments will be posted
contemporaneously in PowerSchool® Gradebook with details and links.
 There is no extra credit. Do the assigned work.
 Citizenship is part of your daily participation grade.
 Tests will be announced.
 Quizzes can be given at any time.

Grading will be weighed as such:

Tests and projects 30%
Class work and Participation 20%
Quizzes 30%
Homework 20%
Students will be graded using the following grade scale:
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
Below 60 Failure
POWERSCHOOL® GRADEBOOK
Students and parent(s)/guardian(s) can access a student’s attendance record and grades for all
the student’s subjects via a Web browser with PowerSchool® and PowerSchool® Gradebook.
The URL is http://67.102.187.94. Obtain your usernames and passwords from Mrs. Russo,
Director of Curriculum. The student username and password will be necessary for class
projects.

NOTE
The teacher reserves the right to modify this syllabus throughout the year for the good of the
class as a whole.
   THIS PAGE IS TO BE SIGNED AND RETURNED.  

MATH ENRICHMENT
SYLLABUS

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

I wish your child a successful, safe and enjoyable school year for 2010-2011. In order
to maintain the success of our students, a strong parent-teacher relationship is crucial. I shall
do my best to inform you about the studies of your child, discipline issues, behavior
problems, and the upcoming events of our math classroom.

In order to establish this strong relationship, I shall ask you to provide me multiple
ways of communication with you. Also please contact me if your phone number or email
address changes.

You can call or email (preferred) me anytime during the school year about your child.
I shall make myself available to help your child outside the classroom as long as we have
communication.

Please fill out the information below and return only this page before September 16.

Thank you.

Mr. Bujak

I have read Mr. Bujak’s syllabus. I understand that my child will be held accountable
towards all of Mr. Bujak’s classroom rules and policies.

Student’s Signature: Date:

Parent’s Signature: Date:

Address:

Phone:

Best time to contact:

Email address:

Best method to contact (phone, email, other):