COURSE EXPECTATIONS 2008-2009 TEACHER: Mr. Beckwith
CLASS: CP3 Algebra 1/Hblock PHONE: (978) 341-2490 x7115
EMAIL: abeckwith@colonial.net ROOM: S-27
TEXT: None
Welcome! I am looking forward to an exciting year in this class that you should find engaging, challenging, and rewarding. Below are a few guidelines to get us started...
EXPECTATIONS:
1. Be Prepared and On Time - Bring your three-ring binder, a pencil, and a calculator to
class every day.
2. Take Pride in Your Work - Be proud of what you accomplish, work hard, and do
your best.
3. Be a Team Player - Work together towards success for every member of our class.
Please offer assistance to those who need it and do not be afraid to ask for help.
4. Be Kind and Courteous - Negative comments, put-downs, and talking while
someone is speaking will not be tolerated. Repeated offenses will result in after-
school detention and a call home.

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES:
1. Pencils!! - In a mathematics class, you must use a pencil. You may have to try a problem more than once, and I want you to be able to write a lot of information on your paper without fear of making a mistake.
2. Binder - Keep your notes, handouts, and quizzes/tests well-organized in a three-ring binder. Please have some blank paper and a folder in this binder at all times.
3. Tardiness - If you are tardy, please make sure that I receive your late pass and you must sign in to the Late Book. Tardiness without a pass will result in detention.
4. Bathroom - One student at a time may go to the bathroom - please write your name on the back board so that others will know that someone is out. Unless it is an emergency, please do not go when I am introducing a new concept or checking homework.
5. Dismissal - Stay in your seat until the bell rings. Do not gather by the door. Be sure to return your chair and desk to their original positions before leaving.
6. Class Opener - At the beginning of class, there may be questions on the board or on your desk. Please begin working quietly on the problems.
7. My Absence - If I am absent, the expectations for our classroom do not change. I expect that you will conduct yourself in a respectful manner.
8. Headings on Papers - Please put your name, the assignment, and the date on every paper.
9. Calculator - You do not need a “scientific” calculator for this class - a basic one is fine.
10. Cell Phones/iPods - You must shut your cellphone off before entering my class. If your phone rings, or you are found to be text messaging, I will need to take it from you for the remainder of the class. Music players and headphones must also be put away before class begins.
11. End of Class - Before leaving the classroom at the end of the block, please pick up around your desk and slide your chair under your desk.

GRADING POLICY:
Quarter Grade: Your quarter grade will be computed by dividing the total points you have earned by the total possible points available.
Homework - 3 pts. each
Quizzes - 10-40 pts.
Tests - 70-90 pts.
Classwork/Projects - point values will vary based on assignment
End of Year Grade: Your year end grade will be computed as follows:
Quarters 1, 2, 3, 4: 20% each Mid-Year and Final Exams: 10% each
EXTRA HELP:

I am available for extra help during my free blocks (C, E, & G) and before and after school. I highly encourage students to see me outside of class to get questions answered and clear up any confusions. A math teacher is also available in the Math Resource Center (MARC), located next to the Math Office, every block but D. Don’t be shy - please ask me for help!!!


HOMEWORK:

1. Homework will be checked for completeness, not correctness. All problems must be honestly attempted, and you must show your work (a list of answers is not acceptable). If you have trouble with a problem, you must copy the question in its entirety to receive full credit. Otherwise, I will assume that you simply did not look at or attempt the problem.

2. Each homework assignment is worth 3 points. It will be graded according to the system below:
3 All problems are copied and attempted. Work is clear and neat. Work shows excellent
effort. Those with answers provided are checked for correctness. Homework is on time.
2 Most problems are copied and attempted. Average effort. Work is messy and unclear.
1 Few problems are copied and completed. Work is very messy and unclear. Little effort.
0 No problems are copied and completed/no effort OR homework is copied from another
student

3. Late assignments lose one point for each day they are late.

4. If you repeatedly miss assignments, you will have an appointment with me after school to discuss the matter.

ATTENDANCE/ABSENCES:
You are responsible for reading and following the school’s attendance policy as stated in the Student Handbook.

For one-day absences, on the day you return, you should:
• Show me the homework that was due the day that you were absent
• Pick up any handouts that you missed
• Copy down the homework assigned on the day that you were absent and complete
it for the next class period, along with the current assignment
• Take any quiz or test given on the day you were absent
• Take any test that is being given that day (even if you’re out the previous day, the
test won’t contain anything new from the day before - the day before is a review day)
• Arrange to copy any missed note from a classmate

• For any lengthy or known absence, see me to discuss a makeup schedule.

• SCHOOL POLICY: All work missed due to excused absence MUST be made up within one week of return to school, except in the case of an absence of more than one week

Unexcused Absences (“cuts”) will results in a zero on any tests, quizzes, or homework assignments for that day.
Field Trips: for any school field trip or family trip that voluntarily takes you out of school, see me before the trip to discuss how to minimize the impact of the trip on your achievement in the class