Dear Students, Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to the exciting world of mathematics. Intermediate algebra is a course designed to equip students
with a basic mathematical proficiency and perspective of the real world. As your teacher, I am here to challenge and
excite you about math. My goal is for you to be more successful in this math class than you have ever been before.
I want you to know that you CAN do math, with success and enjoyment. This class is a collaborative effort and you
should expect to work hard and occasionally struggle. If you do not understand a concept, then I will try to find
another way to explain it, and practice with you until you feel comfortable. I believe that everyone can understand
math given enough time and I am committed to your success. As your algebra skills grow, you will overcome
obstacles and be rewarded with a deeper understanding of mathematics, an increased confidence in your problem
solving abilities, and the opportunity to be creative. Learning algebra involves problem solving, justifying ideas, and
making sense of new and complex situations. All of these are critical skills necessary to become a functioning part
of today’s society. Think of your classmates and I as a team that must work together to make this the best possible
educational experience for everyone. I expect that you attend class daily, actively participate, complete your
homework every night, and show your steps on quizzes and exams. I look forward to getting to know and working
with you this year!
Sincerely,
Trevor Streng
Required Materials & Text:
Calculator – TI-30Xa or Graphing (for all future high school & college courses)
3-Ring Binder, Loose Leaf Paper, and Pencils/Pens
Text: Introductory Algebra, 3rd Edition, Martin-Gay
Grading Policy: Grades are a measure of your success in my class. They help me to measure my
own teaching as well. Based on our mission of giving every student a chance to reach his/her fullest
potential, students will be allowed to make up work missed due to excused absences as stated in the
student handbook and are encouraged to get additional help whenever necessary for better understanding
of class concepts.
Group Activities 5% Grading Scale: Grade Percentage
Vocabulary Checks 5% A 90% - 100%
Quizzes 10% B 80% - 89%
Notebook 10% C 70% - 79%
D 60% - 69%
Homework 25%
F below 60%
Tests 45%
5% Group Activities: These activities are for individual or group completion. They are usually
hands-on or data-based activities that extend the concepts found in the chapter, allowing students to make
decisions and interpretations and to think and write about algebra.
5% Vocabulary Checks: Provides an opportunity for students to become more familiarized
with the use of mathematical terms as they strengthen their verbal skills. These appear at the end of every
chapter and will be given the day before the chapter test.
10% Quizzes: These help me gauge your individual understanding of new concepts as well as the
class. Expect one of these assessments weekly. To assess your note taking skills, these quizzes may
contain problems that are from the notes. The better you take notes, the better you may do on the quizzes.
These will come in many forms which include review exercises, group problems, and take-home
work.
10% Keeping a Binder: Organization is the key! Keeping an organized binder with clear notes
from class will help you remember more and do well in class. I will check your binders periodically to
look at your notes. Place your worked-out homework exercises in your notebook immediately after the
lecture notes from that section. This way, a section’s worth of material is together.
25% Homework: Homework is a way for you to practice what you learn in my class and it is
critically important in your own individual learning. Expect to have homework every day. To receive
full credit on a homework assignment, you must show your work and properly head your paper!! It is
very important that you practice mathematics frequently outside of class so that you become familiar with
its language, notation, and processes. Solutions to odd-numbered exercises are located in the back of
your textbook. Check your work against the solution in the text. Place a star next to any exercises in
which your solution does not agree with the book's solution. Ask about those exercises in class, or I will
provide assistance when checking your homework. Homework should be turned in as requested. Worked
turned in late earns half credit. No homework for a chapter will be accepted later than one day after that
chapter’s test. Students are encouraged to work together on homework, but the work you turn in should
be your own.
45% Tests: Here is where you show me what you have learned. There is no other way to effectively
assess what is in your brain. Tests are cumulative and will be announced in advance in class, giving you
ample time to study. The end of every chapter contains a comprehensive review of topics introduced in
the chapter, offering exercises keyed to every section in the chapter. These should be incredibly helpful
in retaining what you have learned and a useful guide for studying for tests. You may retake only one test
per quarter. You must make an appointment to retake a test and forfeit your retake if you miss your
appointment. If you know in advance that you will be absent on the day of a test, please see me ASAP so
that we can determine a time suitable for you to take the test.
Teacher Expectations:
As your teacher, I will try my best to:
Treat you with the utmost Respect and Dignity
Be Ready and Prepared for each day
Be Ready to Listen
Understand each student’s individual learning style
Give you the highest quality education that you deserve!
Trevor Streng
Student Expectations:
As your student, I will try my best to:
Treat my teachers and colleagues with the utmost Respect and Dignity
Be Ready and Prepared for each day
Be ready to Listen
Ask for help when I need it
Help my colleagues understand
______________________
Parent Expectations:
As a parent of a high school student, I will try my best to:
Support my child in their achievement and goals
Meet or keep contact with my student’s teacher regularly
Encourage my child to their best on homework and classwork
Check grades regularly
_______________________
Please sign and have a parent or legal guardian sign under the respective expectations.
