Career Link

South Seattle College

Course Math 074: Algebra I

Winter Quarter 2015
Instructors: Albert Engel
Phone: (817) 437-3220 (Cell)
E-mail: aengel@southseattle.edu
Office: Rainier Hall 311G
Room: Rainier Hall 312
Time: 2:40 pm 3:50 pm
Meeting Days: Tuesday, Jan. 1st Wednesday, Mar 16th
Office Hours: M-Th, 10:30-12:00, M-Th 1:20-2:30 pm and by
appointment

Course Description
The Career Link applied mathematics course is designed to prepare students for entry to
developmental college and introductory-level college math classes as well as make
progress toward High School Diploma requirements. Curriculum will cover basic Algebra
topics seen in typical algebra courses. Students who complete the curriculum will be
prepared for taking the HSPE, the EOC, the COMPASS, or ASSET college placement
tests.

Successful completion of the course will result in high school or college level
credits being awarded.

Course Requirements

Must meet minimum attendance and participation standards

Must complete all exams with passing scores
Must complete sufficient assignments to attain passing grade

Course Textbook/Resources

Links to Course Textbook can be found at albertmath.com

Important Dates
January 18th: No School, MLK Day
January 20th: Math EOC
January 26th: Compliance Review
February 15th: No School, President's Day
March 15th & 16th: HSPE Writing test
March 16th: Last day of winter quarter
March 17th: HSPE Reading test
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Student Responsibilities:
Attendance: Attendance is not just an expectation but part of the Career Link
curriculum. All students must maintain 80% attendance as this is the minimal
expectation for Career Link students. As per Career Link policy, students finishing the
quarter with more than 8 absences will not receive credit in the course.
Students must contact the instructor if they will not be in class and are expected to meet
with the instructor outside of class to review missed work. Instructor is not responsible
for initiating this contact or providing you with notes from the days you missed -- talk to
your classmates.
Each missed class will result in a 2.5% reduction from your attendance grade. Each
student starts at 100% and gets deducted for each absence.

Lessons: Lessons must be finished at the beginning of class that they are due. This is
usually the class after they are assigned.
All lessons to be kept in the students binder. I will grade these in the binders and assign
a grade of Incomplete, Check Minus, Check, or Check Plus. All sections must be
completed or a grade of incomplete will be given.

Missed or Failed Tests: All missed tests or failed tests (<65) will be given a grade of
zero. You will receive a 5% daily late penalty for late tests.
Retakes: Given 1 week after 1st attempt. You must complete:
All units Lessons and Bellwork
Complete and Grade the study guide
Complete and Grade the practice test
Fully correct your failed test

Bellwork: All Bellwork is to be finished by the next class period unless otherwise
mentioned. Please turn it in to the homework box.
Disabilities: If you are a student with a documented disability who will require
accommodations in this course, please register with Disability Support Services in the
Robert Smith Building, Room RS 12 (763-5137) for assistance in developing a plan to
address your academic needs.

Plagiarism or Cheating of any kind will result in a failing grade. The students name
may be sent to the Dean of Academic Programs.

Sharing Graded Homework: Giving graded homework to other students is assisting

in cheating. This will result in both students being given a failing grade.
Binders: Your math binder must go to class with you every day. No lessons will be
graded if your binder is not organized in the manner described in the binder project
instruction sheet.
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Grading and Assignments

Evaluation
Students will be evaluated on class participation and satisfactory completion of
assignments, homework, projects, and tests.
Active learning is a key to educational success; therefore, participation in class is
extremely important. Students are to involve themselves through questioning, active
listening, group activities, and discussions. Students must demonstrate mastery of
the course competencies through participation, assignments, and tests. Test
scores lower than passing (<65) will be given a score of 0.
Each homework will have a grading rubric. This rubric will describe how each
problem will be graded. You must read the rubric to figure how to answer each
problem correctly.
Calculator Policy
Unless stated otherwise, all the coursework is designed so that no calculator should be
needed. Use of a calculator is prohibited. Please see the discipline plan.
Corrections
All graded assignments can be corrected by the student for extra credit at any time. No
other extra credit is rewarded
All corrections must be done on a separate sheet of paper. Staple this paper to the
front of the original assignment. Please label each problem clearly and label the sheet
as corrections with the name of the original assignment. For example, it should read
Bellwork 17 Corrections.

The final grade is based on:

Participation (including attendance)

Tests
Lessons
Bellwork

20%
40%
20%
20%

Grading Chart:
Grade
4.0
3.9
%
98-100 94-97

3.8 3.7 3.6 3.5 3.4 3.3 3.2 3.1 3.0 2.9 2.8 2.7 2.6
93 92 91 90 89 88 87 86 85 84 83 82 81

Grade
%

2.2 2.1 2.0 1.9 1.8 1.7 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.0 NC
77 76 75 74 73 72 71 70 69 68 67 66 65 <65

2.4
79

2.3
78

Class Procedures:
Beginning of Class Procedure
1. Drop off Bellwork
2. Pick up new assignments and handouts
3. Grab any materials you need (Paper, Pencils, etc)
4. Go to desk with your partners
6. Get started on new Bellwork written on the board
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2.5
80

Tardy
If you are tardy, you need to do all of the things above. However, now you need to be a
ninja while you do it. Your goal should be to disrupt the class as little as possible. Expect
to be disoriented or confused at first. Peek at others work silently if you are confused
about what we are working on.
Coming to attention
Whenever you hear me start counting
1. Stop what youre doing
2. Be quiet
3. Turn and face the front of the classroom
If I get to 10, I will assign extra work for the ENTIRE class.
Class Dismissal
Class is not dismissed by the clock or the bell. When the end of the period comes, I will
dismiss you. Until you are dismissed, please sit quietly and dont put your work away.
Asking for help during Lecture
Please raise your hand if you are confused about a topic during lecture. I know you might
be frustrated but remember to be respectful. Also try to be specific about what part of the
concept or example is confusing. Remember, if you are confused, odds are that somebody
else is as well.
Dont be afraid to point out an error if you see me make one on the board. I endeavor to
be error-free but I am not perfect.
Asking for help during Classwork Time
1. Your support group is there to support you.
2. You are responsible for your own job and the results of the group.
3. If you have a question, ask your support buddies.
4. You must be willing to help if a support buddy asks you for help.
5. If no one can answer a question, then agree on a consensus question and appoint
one person to raise a hand for help from the teacher. Be Specific
6. If stuck, dont stop working. Skip the question and try another!
Finished Early?
Everyone completes math problems at different speeds. Speed is not an indicator of high
math skills. If you finish ahead of time, take that time to help those around you, complete
unfinished homework, and compare answers with your group members.
If you finish early, you might be able to leave class early if you:
1. Wait until lecture is completely finished (If you interrupt lecture, I will definitely
not allow you to leave early)
2. Are completely caught up with your work
3. Get your work checked by me
If you leave without my go ahead, I will mark you absent for the day and you might be
required to complete additional problems to prove competency
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Math 074 Schedule

Week 1
Syllabus
Class Procedures
Review of Integers
Week 2
Associative/Commutative/Identity Property
Distributive Property
Quick Review of Fractions
Quick Review of Decimals
Week 3
Single Step Algebraic Equations
Double Step Algebraic Equations
Writing Equations from Word Problems
Week 4
Unit 1 Exam
Graphing Linear Equations
Week 5
Equations from Linear Graphs
Midquarter Reports
Week 6
Linear Equations Applications
Solving Systems by Elimination
Solving Systems by Substitution
Week 7
Unit 2 Exam
Exponents
Week 8
Simplify Rational Expressions
Multiplying/Dividing Expressions
Week 9
Difference of Squares
Quadratic Equation
Week 10
Decimal/Fraction Algebra
Unit 3 Exam
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General Education Outcomes

Communication
Read and listen actively to learn and communicate.
Speak and write effectively for academic and career purposes.
Computation
Use arithmetic and other basic mathematical operations as required by program
of study
Apply quantitative skills for academic and career purposes.
Human Relations
Use social interactive skills to work in groups effectively.
Have knowledge of the diverse cultures represented in our multicultural society.
Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving
Think critically in evaluating information, solving problems and making decisions.
Technology
Select and use appropriate technological tools for academic and career tasks.
Personal Responsibility
Uphold the highest standard of academic honesty and integrity.
Respect the rights of others in the classroom, online and in all other school
activities.
Attend class regularly, complete assignments on time and effectively participate
in classroom and online discussions, group work and other class-related projects
and activities.
Abide by appropriate safety rules in laboratories, shops and classrooms.
Information Literacy
Independently access, evaluate and select information from a variety of
appropriate sources.
Have knowledge about legal and ethical issues related to the use of information.
Use information effectively and ethically for a specific purpose.

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