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8/01/2021

SUGGESTED Materials for Algebra 1P

1) Please pick up your textbook from the AHS Library

2) 4 Marble COMPOSITION Notebooks.
1 Notes Notebook
1 HW Notebook
Please keep these notebooks separate.
History tells us you will run out of space so pickup 2 more for a total of 4

3) Scientific Calculator
I recommend the CASIO

FX115ESPLUS





4) Pencil/Pen

5) Bring your assigned ACER Laptop. We use it!

6) 8 by 5 Legal Pads (We call these QUIZ PADS). This is a very common size. Pick up 2-3 pads. We use these daily

***If you cannot obtain any of these supplies, please see me ASAP.


LEARNING and PREPARING

Devoted Quality Time Outside of Class

Day to Day Learning and Preparing

  • Read your Notes (3-5 minutes a day): Retention
  • Find LINK: Create and Build your Vocabulary Flashcards
  • Find LINK: HW problems to practice from Textbook
  • Find LINK: Khan Academy Videos Lessons
  • Find LINK: McGraw Hill Video Lessons
  • Find LINK: My Notes posted on the class website
  • Planning Ahead: Using the On-line Class Calendar: Which Lessons? Next Test?
  • Explore your own links/sites of interest connected to class
  • Read your friend's notes
  • Read your textbook
  • Private Tutor
  • Eat Healthy Foods, Stay Hydrated, Rest/Sleep, Balance your time
  • Perseverance and Grit

Test Preparation

  • Review Problems in the Textbook
  • Practice Test in the Textbook
  • Find LINK: Practice Test posted on the class website with answers. Sometimes I post video solutions on my YOUTUBE Channel.
  • Look for a paper copy of a "older" test handed out in class
  • Study with a friend
  • Look for "thick" problems which connect multiple sections and concepts
  • Challenge yourself to master the hardest problems
  • Find LINK: McGraw Hill On-line Practice Test
  • Study your Vocabulary Flashcards
  • Review your Notes


 FEELING PREPARED USUALLY REDUCES STRESS

Class Expectations

BEHAVIORAL:

  • Follow all school rules and policies
  • Be kind and respectful
  • Be responsible for your own actions and decisions
    • “You create what is said about you.”

CITIZENSHIP:

  • Be a leader in and out of the classroom
  • Do the right thing when nobody is looking
  • In the classroom, be a lead learner and contribute.

SUMMARY OF ACADEMICS:

  • Be prepared
  • Always turn assignments in on time
  • Read directions on everything
  • Arrive early to class
  • Be present without distractions
  • Bring your supplies.
  • Complete HW, SHOW YOUR WORK in your notebook and check your answers.
  • Be very creative in your notebooks, projects and presentations
  • Use your notebook to record everything.
  • Be organized and neat.
  • The schools’ student tutoring center in the Media Center
  • Come to School Everyday
  • Study for every test

GRADE ISSUES:

  • Do not EMAIL me about grade issues
  • Do not have your parent email me about your grade issues
  • Do not approach me before or after school
  • Do not approach me just as the final bell is ringing
  • Do not approach me just before or at the start of a class
  • You should approach me privately when we are done with the class lesson and the class is given independent time to work on your own. 

SEATING AND TABLE ARRANGEMENTS:

  • Expect the unexpected. 
  • Most days, seating is on a first come first serve basis and you can sit with whomever you choose.
  • On select days, I will tell you your seating partner. 
  • The table arrangements are always changing for a number of reasons. 
  • Embrace the change and enjoy it.


EFFECTS OF MISSING A DAY:

  • You need to get the notes and in-class assignments from a friend and record them in your notebook.
  • If you miss a TEST, you will get a tentative 0% until the final 2-3 weeks of the semester. At the end of the semester, I will make a custom decision if and when your makeup will be scheduled.  
  • Studies show, there is a direct correlation between grades and attendance. 
  • Do everything you can not to miss school


Any of the preceding statements or procedures can be changed if the situation so warrants.

FAQ for Parents

Common Questions Asked by Parents

1) Where can my child get free one on one help?

  • In class when the lesson is over
  • AHS Media Center Tutoring (times to be annouced later)
2) How do I check my child’s grade?
  • Aeries Portal Site
    • I do not have your login credentials. Please ask the counseling department.

3) Why does my child have a ZERO for a in-class problems, quizzes, or projects?
  • Most days, these assessments are just one problem.
  • Most days, we take “ALL OR NOTHING” binary assessments, (100% or 0%) meaning no partial credit.
  • By the end of the semester, it is very common for students to have a much higher quiz & project average than their test average. Stay patient.
  • Tests are more demanding than quizzes covering more material over a long period of time. 

4) When is homework checked?

  • Homework is worth 0% (Math Classes Only) but if a student does ALL of the HW, Textbook Reviews, they will get a test bonus. There is no partial credit for this bonus.
  • HW will be assigned as soon as we teach that corresponding section. 
  • All HW assignments can be found on the class website. 
  • It is nearly impossible to pass without practicing through the HW. 
  • On the day of the test, we collect HW Notebooks from the students who have completed all HW and reviews.


5) When is the next test?

  • Look for the link Class Calendars near the top right margin. 
  • If you have a Google Calendar, you can import/add this calendar into your own calendar program.


6) What can we do to help my child prepare learn and prepare?

  • Click on the link that says "LEARNING AND PREPARING." I list several resources for success.


7) Are you thinking, "I get lots of e-mails from Mr. Keays but it looks like he is addressing the students." 

  • If you see an e-mail which starts, "Hey Class," That means, I sent a mass e-mail to the students and all of the parents got a copy.
  • If you see an e-mail which starts, "Hey Parents," That means, I sent a mass e-mail ONLY to the parents and NOT to the students.


8) Do you have a class wishlist where the school's budget comes up short? Yes. Please e-mail me to check if these items have been purchased or for any additional details. Thanks for reading.

Wishlist
  • Spray Air Fresheners
  • C.U.E. Education Conference (estimate $2000)





Mission Statement

I want to create a learning environment that is timeless, physically boundless, intimate and empowers students and parents. I want every student to live passionately, think creatively, expect excellence from themselves, recognize the beauty to look, see and be seen, and to control their lives from their position of authority.

SUGGESTED Materials Geometry

1) Please pick up your textbook from the AHS Library

2) 4 Marble COMPOSITION Notebooks.
1 Notes Notebook
1 HW Notebook
Please keep these notebooks separate.
History tells us you will run out of space so pickup 2 more for a total of 4

3) Any Scientific Calculator or Graphing Calculator
I recommend the CASIO FX115ESPLUS


4) Pencil/Pen

5) Bring your assigned ACER Laptop. We use it!

6) 8 by 5 Legal Pads (We call these QUIZ PADS). This is a very common size. Pick up 2-3 pads. We use these daily


***If you cannot obtain any of these supplies, please see me ASAP.



SUGGESTED Materials (AP Statistics)


AP STATISTICS Students
1) Please get your assigned Textbook from the library and keep it at home.

2) 4 Marble Composition Notebooks used for Notes and Homework
  • No SPIRAL Notebooks 



3) Pencils and Pens

4) Calculator
  • AP STAT classes= TI (Texas Instruments) TI-84 Graphing Calculator. There are several versions 84, any variation will due. Do not get the 85 or 89 models.
***If you would like to use your personal tablet notebook or laptop to take notes, that's great as well. Please see me for your expectations. Obviously, this technology is not required.

***If you cannot obtain these supplies, please see me ASAP.

SUGGESTED Materials (AP CSP, AP CSA "Java" & Python Programming Students)

AP CSP , AP CSA "Java" & Python Programming Students

1) Your Assigned ACER or your own LAPTOP from home.

  • We will use this DAILY
  • Come with a full battery or arrive early to find an outlet
2) Optional: We highly recommend a WIRELESS MOUSE to help with navigation. They can be found on-line on Amazon for under $10.

3) Optional: Bring a CELLPHONE if you have one.

4) Any basic calculator

5) Pen and Pencil

6) Headphones/earbuds

***If you cannot obtain any of these supplies, please see me ASAP.

Grading: How Does It Work?

Your grade is calculated based upon a weighted average.

Weighted Averages

Grading for AP CS Principles

Grading for AP CS A" Java"

Grading for Python Programming

Grading Scale

98.5-100
A+
91.5-98.49
A
89.5-91.49
A-
88.5-89.49
B+
81.5-88.49
B
79.5-81.49
B-
78.5-79.49
C+
71.5-78.49
C
69.5-71.49
C-
68.5-69.49
D+
61.5-68.49
D
59.5-61.49
D-
0-59.49
F

TESTS:
  • DO NOT MISS the Day of a TEST!!! You will receive a tentative 0% until 2-3 weeks before the end of the semester. At that time, I will make a decision on if and when a makeup occurs.
  • For all math classes other than CS classes, it is an AHS mathematics department policy that you have the option to replace your lowest test score with the average of the lowest test score and your final exam score. (Exception, see note below for 0% cheating grades)
  • On the average, we have about 4-8 tests assessments per semester.
  • The test assessments are more demanding than what most students expect. Test assessments require a diverse set of problems which will require you to problem solve and connect multiple skills and concepts. The tests do not resemble the easier HW problems.
  • All tests must be completed before the bell rings. Please show up nice and early.
  • Upon release, all students are welcome to see their test and answers. 
  • Support is a great time to ask to see your test and ask questions.
  • If a student is caught cheating, it is an automatic 0% and a referral to the administration. You are also placed on academic probation.

Geometry Students:
NOTEBOOKS: (We use two separate composition notebooks) 
***This doesn't apply to AP CSP & CSA classes
1) Notes Notebook 
2) HW Notebook
  • Even though Paper Notes are worth 0% of your grade, it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED you take great notes. On some occasions, your NOTES Notebook will be allowed to be used during the test. Consequently, taking better notes can lead to significant help as you prepare and during some tests.
  • Even though HW is worth 0% of your grade, it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you do every HW assignment and reviews. It is nearly impossible to pass the class unless you put quality practice into your test preparation.
  • By Completing ALL of the following for a chapter, you will get an  EXTRA 5% TEST BONUS.
    • All Assigned HW
    • All Assigned Reviews
  • Partial HW or Reviews gets you 0% bonus points. 
  • These assignments are usually due the day of the test. You cannot go back at the end of the semester and then attempt your HW
  • To get the bonus extra test points, must be 1) Complete 2) On time

AP STAT Students:

NOTEBOOKS: (We use two separate composition notebooks) 
***This doesn't apply to CS classes
1) Notes Notebook 
2) HW Notebook
  • Even though Paper Notes are worth 0% of your grade, it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED you take great notes. On occasion, your NOTES Notebook will be allowed to be used during the test. Consequently, taking better notes can lead to significant help as you prepare and during some tests.
  • Even though HW is worth 0% of your grade, it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you do every HW assignment and reviews. It is nearly impossible to pass the class unless you put quality practice into your test preparation.
  • By Completing ALL of the following for a chapter, you will get an  EXTRA 5% TEST BONUS.
    • All Assigned HW
    • All Assigned Reviews
  • Partial HW or Reviews gets you 0 bonus points. 
  • These assignments are usually due the day of the test. You cannot go back at the end of the semester and then attempt your HW
  • To get the bonus extra test points, must be 1) Complete 2) On time

IN CLASS PROBLEMS/QUIZZES/Projects: (Math Classes, not CS)
  • In class problems/quizzes/projects are usually easy and serve as a guide as we progress through the learning process. 
  • The some quizzes are usually very short with just 1 problem. (100% or 0%). 
  • The in class problems/quizzes are mostly based upon what we learned that day. 
  • These short problems/quizzes are like temperature readings as we teach new material, therefore the problems/quizzes are elementary in nature.
  • Over the course of the semester, we will take as many as 20 quizzes each worth a variety of points.
  • If you are absent the day we take a quiz, there are no make-ups. However, the next quiz you take will be worth double. If you miss two quizzes, the next quiz will be worth triple and so on.
  • Quizzes are rarely returned since you will probably know your grade right away. However, all students are welcome to see their quizzes and answers at a later time.
  • A majority of these problems/quizzes are usually taken with a buddy where you turn in 1 piece of paper with 2 names on top.
  • We use our 8 by 5 LEGAL PADS for our QUIZZES. This is why we call it our Quiz Pad.

PROJECTS/PRESENTATIONS:
  • Throughout the semester, I will assign projects and presentations on a variety of topics dealing with problem solving, creativity and exploration.
  • These projects and presentations are designed for students to challenge themselves, use their creativity, discovery new things and are non-traditional in nature.

WRITING RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • With the Common Core Standards, you will see lots of writing across all classes. 
  • You are expected to write your best work and use the standard MLA format with all papers. 
  • I suggest you use your LVUSD Google Drive account to create documents.
FINAL EXAMS
  • In the mathematics department, the first semester is given the week prior to winter vacation.
  • All finals are departmental and comprehensive

KHAN ACADEMY & SEMESTER BONUSES (Extra Credit)
***Doesn't apply to CS classes
  • See the links above for KHAN details regarding subjects to MASTER and the percentage points for each subject mastered.
  • An official due date will be announced which will be approximately 2-4 weeks prior to the end of the semester.
  • It is nearly impossible to achieve these bonuses unless you devote quality time throughout the semester. 
  • Khan has built in timers making it impossible to achieve mastery in a short time. Start early and chisel your efforts over the entire semester.






OLDER COURSES
Grading for Algebra 1P

6/01/2021

Getting Extra Help

The "CENTER" Tutoring Lab—It’s FREE! Open every day, 8:00am-8:30am.

Math Honor Students Tutors for all levels, under the supervision of Ms. Inglis. The Center is near C-2.

With Mr.Keays—Built in Support Period within class. 

Khan Academy Videos

Online Textbook: Video Lessons, Lesson Quizzes and Chapter Tests

StudyGroups—Getting together with your peers who are in the same course is an excellent method of getting extra help.

PrivateTutoring—Student or adult tutors are available for a fee. Read Tutors for additional info.

Read Advice from Former Students

Read Learning and Preparing