Mr. Heckmann’s
Essentials Algebra 1
Information for Students & Parents
This
information is intended for students and parents for quick reference regarding
their child’s mathematics class. Mr. Heckmann’s home phone number is 724-935-3598. ALL STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO USE THIS NUMBER
WHEN AND IF NECESSARY.
Contacting Mr. Heckmann:
Parents are encouraged to either contact me at my home phone or email me
at sheckmann@northallegheny.org.
Course philosophy.—Essentials Algebra 1 is a course
offered for students who have had difficulty in past mathematics courses and/or
need remediation with concepts. Often,
lack of organizational skills, inconsistent or poor homework practices or
structure lead to such difficulties.
Policies and practices for this course are intended to address those
issues which can be controlled through providing a lower level of anxiety for
testing as well as a structured practice for homework completion in a small
group setting.
Grading procedures & practices: Recognizing the individual
differences in testing styles and anxiety levels of students, assessment for
the course will be primarily based upon short quizzes and homework. Flexibility in grading procedures is often a
key concept for motivating students in the course. Final grades for the course will be calculated on a “Total Points”
basis.
Quizzes may or may not be announced. Quizzes are used as a method of insuring the
integrity and quality of student effort put forth in homework and class. Quiz questions vary from 2-3 points each in
value, depending on the nature and difficulty of the topic/question.
Homework philosophy:
Homework is intended to help the student review and retain information
and concepts covered in class each day. It
is an essential practice that leads to success if done with a reasonable amount
of effort. In almost every case, an answer
only is not
enough, even if a calculator is used to assist!!! The standard is
to re-copy the original problem and show, through a series of steps (as modeled
in class early in the year) If a
student cannot complete the problem, it is essential to see a “trail of their
thoughts and practices” through the partial sequence of each problem. To develop this practice, parents
are requested to review and sign each math assignment until the student makes
this practice second nature. Homework value begins at 3 points per
homework, turned in on the due date (most often the next day that class meets)
and may vary during the year, based on the nature of the assignment
Absences: Because each class assignment is
highly dependent upon the daily discussion and needs of the students within
that class, students and parents can access daily assignments at the my web
page If a student is absent, (s)he is expected to gain insight to the day’s
discussion by doing one or more of the following:
1. Check the course website to view
their individual class assignment.
2. Review basic concepts of the day’s
lesson by
a. reading the appropriate section in the
text or
b. access the online textbook at www.classzone.com
c. review through the mini lesson as presented on course @Home tutor
software given to students
d. access the appropriate Powerpoint presentation through www.classzone.com
3. Call Mr. Heckmann at home to discuss
the day’s work.
Class absence due to early dismissals, athletic events,
field trips, other academic obligations or approved absences: While I am an advocate of a well rounded
education that includes both other disciplines and athletics, each student has
an obligation to my course with equal priority.
Acknowledging this, an absence from class due to any reason other than sickness
or a documented family emergency places the following responsibility on the
student:
At MMS, homework should be turned in, IN PERSON and checked
for accuracy by the student during morning homeroom period before the planned
absence. (At CMS, students should place their assignment in the “IN TRAY” on my
desk.- An answer key will be placed next to the IN
TRAY in order that students may check answers to gain insight as to success.)
Tests:
A goal of the course is to have students become more proficient and
confident in mathematics. Acknowledging
that tests and test taking preparation and skills are an essential part of
student development, chapter tests are offered to students as a
means of improving their overall 9 weeks grade.
Test achievement will be counted only to improve a student’s current
grade. Students who wish to take and end
of chapter test should make arrangements with me to do so at a reasonable time,
immediately after the completion of the chapter.
Calculator: The
Extra Credit Guidelines:
Extra credit is available to students periodically throughout
a nine weeks as offered, either through an online activity or extra
credit question or activity as part of a test or class.
Parent
Signature___________________________________(Acknowledge
of review of above syllabus)