Website:

http://mrsconte.bl
ogspot.com
Rules:
Be Productive Be Prepared Be Prompt Be Positive Be Polite
Home Base I update grades frequently, so please use Home Base as a tool to monitor your grades.
Tardy
Please don't be late. When you're late you not only take away from your education, but you
distract others from their learning. If you must be late, please have a note or you will receive
lunch detention.
Supplies
Pencils, TI-83 or 84 Plus graphing calculator
If you do not already have a graphing calculator there are options:
--Edward McKays Used Books and More is a store located off of Capital Blvd in Raleigh. They
sell calculators for $40-50, you can keep it for 4 years, and then sell it for the same price (the
best value!)
-Sanderson offers a rental program that allows a student to borrow a calculator for the school
year for $25. Please ask for a rental agreement from me if needed.
-Craigslist usually has good calculators for $40-50
-Target/Wal-Mart sells them for $90-140
Quarter Grade
Points Earned x 100
Points Possible
Semester Grade
1st Quarter: 40%
2nd Quarter: 40%
Final Exam: 20%
Standard-Based
Grading
Students will be measured on a specific standard and each of the standards will be assessed
equally on a scale of 0-4. An example of a standard is "Determine the domain and range of a
relation." This will allow the student and teacher to pinpoint a student's strengths and
weaknesses precisely. Grading in this manner will allow students who want to improve their
grade an opportunity to work on a specific standard. Students can demonstrate their
understanding of a standard through class assessments, projects, or by coming to SMART lunch
to reassess. More information is provided in the FAQ sheet.
Grading Scale
Each standard will be graded on the following scale:
4- You have totally mastered the skill. This means you have demonstrated a full understanding
of the concepts involved, have clearly shown all steps of your reasoning, have used notation
correctly, and have made no algebraic errors.
3.5- You have totally mastered the skill, but you might have made a small notation error or a
very small (non-fatal) algebraic error.
3- You have a firm grasp of the skill. You possibly didnt show all steps of your reasoning, didnt
use notation totally consistently, and/or made a slight (non-fatal) algebraic error.
2- You have almost demonstrated conceptual understanding. You possibly have some
confused reasoning, did not completely answer the question but what you did complete made
sense, did not use consistent notation, and/or made an algebraic error.
1- You have demonstrated a weak conceptual understanding. You possibly have confused
reasoning, did not completely answer the question, and what you did complete did not make
sense, and/or made one or more serious (fatal) algebraic errors.
0- You left the problem blank. Or you were absent and I could not assess mastery.
Assessments
(Tests)
A student's mastery of the standards will be determined through a series of many "assessments"
or tests throughout the semester. Each assessment will cover 4-7 standards, mostly new
standards learned and some from earlier in the previous units.
Foundations of Math 1-A Syllabus & Policies
Mrs. Conte
Common Core Standards define what students should understand and be able to do in their study of mathematics.
One hallmark of mathematical understanding is the ability to justify, in a way appropriate to the students
mathematical maturity, why a particular mathematical statement is true or where a mathematical rule comes from.
Our students will learn through an investigative approach using collaborative groups.
http://www.corestandards.org/the-standards/mathematics
Classwork
(Feedback)
Students will have many formative assessments throughout the semester. These will most likely
be several questions I give throughout or at the end of a lesson, typically on the hand-held
clicker. There will also be in-class assignments and projects. These formatiave assessments act
as a way for a student to self-reflect on their learning and see how they need to improve before
taking an assessment. These are not graded, but may be put on PowerSchool for the student to
monitor progress.
Recovery:
Methods of
Reassessing
1.) Most standards will reappear on future assessments. Your grade can either improve or fall
based on what you know NOW.
2.) Coming to FLEX to demonstrate your knowledge of a standard you have not yet mastered.*
3.) Coming after school on Wednesday or Thursday to demonstrate your knowledge of a
standard you have not yet mastered.*
*Be reassured that if you come to FLEX or after school and attempt to reassess, your grade can
either stay the same or improve (it will not drop). Your score can only go down in value on
assessments, but remember that you can reassess.
Rules for
Reassessing
1.) You can only reassess one standard per day.
2.) An attempt is a testing situation and must be taken seriously under penalty of ejection.
3.) You must know which standard you want to reassess and how you would like to reassess.
Homework
Homework will be given in a packet for each unit and we will go in order, unless otherwise
noted by the teacher. I also provide a unit calendar that will tell you the lesson and homework
assignment for any given day. This calendar will also serve as a stamp page and will be
collected for a grade. I grade homework every day and I look for two things: Did you answer all
the questions? Did you answer most of them correctly? A stamp=100%, 1/2 slash = 50% and
X=0%. I collect stamp pages at the end of each unit for a grade.
Make-Up Work
Any assessment missed as a result of an excused absence will be completed either during class
upon the student's return or during SMART lunch within two days of an absence. You are
responsible for getting notes from another student for days you are absent (unless otherwise
specified).
Integrity
Don't cheat. If I catch you cheating I will void your assessment and you will have to come
during FLEX or after school for a different assessment.
Extra Help
My designated FLEX period day depends on which period you have my class. Please check the
schedule accordingly. I am also available for help after school from 2:30p.m.-4:00p.m. on
Wednesdays and Thursdays. If neither of those days work for you, please see me and we can
arrange alternative dates.
Please do you best at all times & have a safe and happy school year!