Intro To Algebra
                                                          Mr. Taylor
                                                           Team 8-5

     Hello and welcome to math!  I’m Mr. Taylor and I look forward to being your teacher for the upcoming school year.  This will be my 16th year teaching math in the Forest Hills School District.  I began teaching at Anderson High School in 1992 and stayed there until the opening of Nagel Middle School, where I’ve been ever since.  I received my BA in Christian Education from Cincinnati Bible College and my teaching certificate for mathematics grades 7-12 from The College of Mt. St. Joseph.  In 2004, I completed a distance learning program from Nova Southeastern University to receive a Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning.  My wife and I, with our 4 children, currently live in Milford.

     By the end of the course you will have an understanding of a wide variety of mathematical topics.  You will be able to integrate mathematical concepts into everyday life.

Required Materials

 

  1. A notebook that is only used for math
  2. Pencils
  3. A calculator, preferably TI-30

Course Schedule

 

     Areas of study include: Equations and Inequalities, Geometry, Functions and Graphs, Ratio and Proportion, and Probability and Statistics, all with an emphasis on problem solving, analysis, and preparation for the OAT.

Classroom Expectations

 

  1. Be prepared for class. 

Bring your book, math notebook, paper, pencil/pen, calculator, planner and a positive attitude to class everyday.  ALWAYS bring your homework with you.  It is your responsibility to bring these items to class.  You will not be allowed to return to your locker for forgotten items.      

  1. Come to class on time.                                                                                                                     This means you will be in the room when it is time for class to begin.   If you are not in the room at the appropriate time, you will be marked as tardy.
  2. Follow directions the first time they are given.                                                                               We will do hands-on activities, group work, and independent work in which you will collaborate with your classmates.  It is very important that you listen and follow directions, so that you can complete the task successfully.

 

Classroom Procedures

  1. Homework

There will generally be homework every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  Every homework assignment is worth 2 points.  Every student begins each quarter with 50/50 for a homework grade, and points are deducted for incomplete or partially completed assignments.  A student will lose 2 points for having anything less than 1/2 of an assignment, and will lose 1 point for having 1/2 or more, but not the full assignment.

  1. Tests

A test or quiz will be every Friday, preceded by a day of review on Thursdays.  The students will receive a review sheet in class every Thursday which will help prepare them for the test or quiz the following day.  Any student who does not use a pencil on a test or quiz will automatically lose 2 points on that test or quiz.

  1. Extra Credit

There will be a 10 point extra credit opportunity near the end of each quarter that any student can take advantage of if he or she chooses to do so.

  1. Make Up/Late Work

Any student who is absent for an excused reason has 2 days to make up assignments for every day that was missed.  If a student who was not absent does not have his/her homework on the day it is due, he/she can make up that assignment for 1/2 credit at any time before the end of the quarter.
Grading Scale:
               
The grading scale will follow that of the district.
93-100% A      85-92% B        76-84% C        70-75-% D      Below 70% F

Contact Information
The easiest way to reach me is by email or you can contact the school by phone.
Jeff Taylor
jeff.taylor@foresthills.edu
Nagel: (513) 474-5407 ext. 2233/2234

I am looking forward to a great school year and I hope you are as well.

Jeff Taylor