Elementary Algebra

The following syllabus outlines class expectations, policies, and a tentative schedule. Please read it carefully, ask questions, and keep it available for your reference during the quarter.

RATIONALE :

This course is the first in a three-course algebra sequence (91, 92, and 99). These courses are designed for students who have not had a high school algebra course or who need to review the basics of algebra.

This sequence is not designed to prepare students for Pre-Calculus. We strongly recommend that students wishing to take Pre-Calculus either take the non-pilot version of Math 91, 92 and 99 or plan on taking Math 108 upon completion of the pilot series.

OVERVIEW:

Topics discussed will include but is not limited to modeling with quadratic functions , solving quadratic equations, problem solving, statistics, quadratic regression, and powers and roots. The prerequisite for this course is a minimum of 2.0 in the Math 91 pilot. If you have not met the prerequisites for this course you will be dropped from the course. Please contact your instructor immediately if you have questions concerning the prerequisites.

REQUIRED
MATERIALS:

Please bring the REQUIRED MATERIALS listed below with you to every class meeting.

Text: - ESSENTIAL ALGEBRA:CUSTOM EDITION FOR SPOKANE FALLS COMMUNITY COLLEGE (2008) by Katherine Yoshiwara & Bruce Yoshiwara – ISBN-13:978-1-4266-4731-4 (Cengage Learning)

Calculator : - A graphing calculator is required for this course. Instructional help will only be available on Texas Instrument TI-83 or TI-84 graphing calculators. Texas Instruments graphing calculators are available for rent in the MLC. Other graphing calculators are acceptable, but assistance with their use will be limited. There might be exams or parts of exams on which calculator use is not permitted. If this is the case you will be alerted before the exam.

Additional Required Supplies: Writing Paper (no spiral edges accepted on turned-in work) Rectangular Coordinate Graph Paper Ruler

EXPECTATIONS:

One of the purposes of this pilot course is to assist you in becoming a better student. The first step towards your achievement of this goal is to follow some basic premises:

Be in class every day – To be successful, you must be an active participant in class. It is your responsibility to let me know if you are going to be gone, to get caught up on what was missed, and to be prepared for the next class session.

Be respectful – Be a positive member of the class by helping to create a good learning environment for everyone. Come to class on time and prepared and stay through its entirety. Leave cell phones, pagers, PDAs, iPods, etc. turned off during class time. Use common courtesies when others are asking questions, giving responses, or making presentations.

For learning to take place, students must feel safe; this safety is due all students, not only those who share your values and beliefs . For this reason, courtesy, thoughtfulness, and acceptance are essential in our discussions in and out of the classroom. Acceptance should not be confused with agreement; one need not agree with a person to listen, and one must listen well in order to disagree respectfully. Every student in this course has a voice and so deserves the courtesy of attentive listening and the freedom to express diverse ideas.

Be proactive: - Come to class prepared. Have your required materials, pre-class preparation complete, and assigned work and questions ready every day when you come to class. Be sure to ask questions when you don’t understand. There are always others in the room with the same question. Always get help at the earliest possible time. Putting it off only magnifies the problem. Give your best effort and do high quality work. This gives you the best opportunity to learn and to be successful and me an opportunity to see what it is that I must clarify.

Be a positive group member: - Much of the work you do in class will be done in groups. For these groups to be effective in helping you gain a better understanding of mathematics you must be willing to participate in the group. Each person brings their own unique perspective from which the others in the group can learn. Be willing to share your insights and to help others within the group understand your perspective. Through this sharing of ideas everyone can come away with at more clear understanding of the mathematics presented.

COURSEWORK:

As a general rule thumb , for you to be successful in a college course you should plan on spending a minimum of two hours outside of class for every hour spent in class. This time is used for pre-class preparation, homework, projects, studying, reading, and preparing for presentations and exams. Points in this course are earned though Pre-Class Preparation, Homework, Projects, Quizzes, Exams, and a Final Exam.

PRE - CLASS PREPARATION : Students are most successful when they come to class prepared to discuss and question material in a meaningful way. This means that you must prepare prior to coming to class for upcoming topics. For this course you will be assigned preparation work on the section to be covered the following day. This work might include vocabulary lists, study guides for the assigned reading such as outlines or concept maps, problems assigned as preparation work and discussions questions. Mini quizzes will be given and you may use your notes.