PURPOSE: I view homework as a tool for practicing the skills that we learn in class, so that you will have mastered the concepts before we move on to each new section. It is your responsibility as a student to utilize this tool to ensure that you understand the material thoroughly.
For this reason, I will almost always assign problems for which the answers are available in the back of the book. I expect you to check your answers as you work through your homework, so that you will be prepared to ask questions during the following lesson. The majority of homework will not be graded for correct answers, only for completion.
Occasionally I will assign a graded project. However, I will make it clear during class if an assignment will count for a separate grade.
GRADING: Daily homework assignments that are not graded separately will count toward your weekly notebook grade. This “non-graded” homework is assessed on a 0-1-2 scale in RenWeb. On-time, completed work will earn 2 points, incomplete or 1-day-late work will receive 1 point, and work not completed within 24 hours of the due date will receive 0 points. Students may submit a completed “H.O.T. Card” in place of a daily, non-graded assignment to earn 2 points.
These points are NOT AVERAGED INTO YOUR GRADE! They are used to assist me in determining your weekly notebook grade only. In the homework/daily work section of your semester grade, the only grades factored in are the weekly notebook grade and separately graded projects (which I will make you aware of in advance.)
Remember, when a graded project is assigned, it MUST be completed, even after the 50% grade deadline has passed. H.O.T. Cards will not be accepted for graded assignments and non-submitted assignments will result in an incomplete on your report card.
ASSIGNMENTS: Current homework assignments and lesson schedules can be found on RenWeb by logging in to the Parent Web and then choosing your Pre-Algebra class from the courses section.
Homework will be posted for the current chapter, and previous chapters, under the homework tab.
Please remember that homework assignments may change on the day they are assigned, depending on what we get done in class each day. You will be responsible for the assignment as it is described in class. For this reason, it is not recommended to work ahead.
mini-textbook project
During this semester, students will be creating an instructional booklet, which will be dubbed a “Mini-Textbook”. The purpose of the booklet is to introduce and define the steps for two processes that will become crucial elements of their mathematical coursework over the next few years.
The booklet will contain written instructions, examples, practice problems and real-word application problems, complete with illustrations, learning tips, and any other elements that the students feel would be helpful for learning the concepts. The students will also create a cover and a glossary for their booklet.
The two topics that will be be covered are addition and subtraction of positive and negative integers, and the use of inverse operations and/or number properties to solve basic algebraic equations involving each of the four root arithmetic functions.
Assignments related to the completion of the Mini-Textbook project will be given following the completion of the in-class lessons on the same topics. When an assignment is given, please write down the details and the due date in your math notebook.