Beginning Algebra Lesson Plans

Course Description: Introduction to Algebra is the study of fundamental operations of linear equations & inequalities in one unknown, absolute value equations & inequalities, operations with polynomials, factoring polynomials and selected topics. Three class hours and two laboratory hours per week. Credit: Three semester hours.

Prerequisites: Appropriate score on the assessment instrument or completion of MATH 0309 with a grade of C or better.

Course Objective: The student should attain at least a 70% average on examinations and quizzes covering the topics of fundamental operations of linear equations & inequalities in one unknown, absolute value equations & inequalities, operations with polynomials, factoring polynomials and selected topics.

Required Materials:
Textbook: Elementary Algebra, (Fourth-Revised Edition)
Larson/Hostetler
Graph Paper
Pencils and a Straight Edge

Calculator Policy : Calculators will not be allowed. Students with documented learning disabilities that may provide for a calculator accommodation should contact the Office of Disability Services for further information.

Grading Policy:
The determination of your final grade is based on the following weights: 4 Tests - 60%; Final exam - 20%; Quiz/Homework/Lab- 20%;

Final exam grade can replace your lowest tests grade if it is higher than the lowest tests grade.

Below are the letter grades that correspond to a given final numerical grade .

Other Policies:
Daily Quiz and Homework Requirements: A quiz is a short exam that will be given daily. The only exception to this rule is that no quiz will be given on a day that has a major test. All quizzes will be taken from sections completed in the prior class. Homework consists of the problems listed on your homework assignment sheet. Homework problems from the sections covered since your most recent quiz or test will be turned in with each daily quiz. At the end of the semester, I will calculate a single score
called your quiz average. The quiz average will be determined by dropping your four lowest quiz grades and then finding the mean (average) of the remaining scores.

Make-up Policy: All major exams and quizzes that are not taken will be given a grade of zero . Students are not assessed absences when representing Blinn College. If you will be representing Blinn College or observing a religious holy day and miss a test, I will allow you to take the test early or make arrangements with me for another time that you can take a similar test. Please see me before the test, if this situation applies to you.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Blinn College would like to help students with disabilities achieve their highest potential in college. In order to receive accommodations on exams or assignments, proper documentation must first be provided to the Office of Disability Services. This office is located on the bottom floor of the new Administration building in 104 (Phone #830-4157). You must then self-identify and conference with me during my posted office hours to begin receiving accommodations in the class.

Attendance Policy: The College District believes that class attendance is essential for student success; therefore, students are required to promptly and regularly attend all their classes. Each class meeting builds the foundation for subsequent class meetings. Without full participation and regular class attendance, students shall find themselves at a severe disadvantage for achieving success in college. Class participation shall constitute at least ten percent of the final course grade. It is the responsibility of each faculty member, in consultation with the division chair, to determine how participation is achieved in his or her class. Faculty will require students to regularly attend class and will keep a record of attendance from the first day of class and/or the first day the student’s name appears on the roster through final examinations. If a student has one week’s worth of unexcused absences during the semester, he/she will be sent an e-mail by the College requiring the student to contact his/her instructor and schedule a conference immediately to discuss his/her attendance issues. If the student accumulates two weeks worth of unexcused absences, he/she will be administratively withdrawn from class. Since this is a TR class, students will receive the 1^st notification after 2 days of unexcused absences and a 2^nd notification after 4 days of unexcused absences. If a student is dropped from a class prior to the “W” date, they will receive a “W” in the class. When the student is administratively dropped after the “W” date, students will receive a “WF” as stated in current policy.

Civility Statement: Members of the Blinn College community, which includes faculty, staff and students, are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all aspects of campus life. Blinn College holds all members accountable for their actions and words. Therefore, all members should commit themselves to behave in a manner that recognizes personal respect and demonstrates concern for the personal dignity, rights, and freedoms of every member of the College community, including respect for College property and the physical and intellectual property of others.

If a student is asked to leave the classroom because of uncivil behavior, the student may not return to that class until he or she arranges a conference with the instructor: it is the student's responsibility to arrange for this conference.

Classroom Policy: All the functions of all personal electronic devices designed for communications and/or entertainment (cellular phones, pagers, beepers, iPods, and similar devices) must be turned off and kept out of sight in all Blinn College classrooms and associated laboratories. No food, drinks, or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Please do not prevent others from learning by talking or interrupting.

Academic Support:

NO TESTS STARTS AFTER 1.5 HOURS BEFORE CLOSING

Eduspace course code: SAMCH-6BF8E35C73F2AC