Mrs. LaRue's Algebra 1 Class

Welcome to Algebra I ! The purpose of this course is to satisfy the Algebra 1 requirements of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills and to prepare students to pass their End of Course exam. This course builds on previous mathematics coursework and introduces more advanced topics, including solving, graphing, and writing linear equations and inequalities; linear systems; exponential and quadratic functions; and factoring.

Materials to be brought to class daily include:

• #2 Pencils or Mechanical Pencils
• Colored Pencils and/or Markers
• Highlighter
• Ruler
• Pens (will be allowed to be used on class notes)
• Composition Notebook
• TI-84 Plus CE Calculator (Recommended not required)

Students will be assigned a calculator to use in class and will also use Desmos. If students need a calculator outside of class, they are encouraged to use Desmos. There are also a couple of good emulator apps available in the app store on their phones. If you would like to purchase a calculator, it is suggested to buy a TI-84 Plus CE Calculator. Students will use a calculator throughout their studies in high school and college.

Calculators are expensive and fragile, and can only withstand a limited number of drops. Please handle them with care. Dropping a calculator will result in a lunch detention, which can be served by attending tutorials or lunch detention during lunch time.

Homework will be due two days after it is assigned, unless another date is specified.

The reasons for this policy are as follows:

1. This allows students to work independently on the first day and use the following day to ask questions before or after class.
2. It provides flexibility for students' extracurricular activities.
3. It reduces the likelihood of late submissions.

Caution: Don’t let assignments pile up!

LATE ASSIGNMENTS will not be accepted per department policy.

School Board Policy states that any student who is failing a course is required to attend tutorials. All tutorials will be from 7:30 until 7:55 each day.

Students have one day for each day of excused absence to make up homework, tests, and quizzes. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain any missed work/assignments from the missing work folder. Students who miss class due to extracurricular activities are required to obtain any assignments they will miss before the day of their absence. This does not apply to tests and quizzes. All projects are to be turned in prior to the extracurricular day unless prior arrangements are made with Mrs. LaRue.

Parents please take the time to sign up for Mrs. LaRue's Remind. This is where you have a direct line of communication with Mrs. LaRue. (Click on the picture below to sign up.)

Room 1213

Phone: (903)737-7400

amanda.larue@parisisd.net

Attendance is critical to academic success. It is difficult to excel when you are not in attendance to be a part of the discussions and interactions taking place daily. I expect you to be here and to be on time. The school attendance and tardy policies will be strictly enforced.

A student is considered tardy if s/he is not in class when the final bell rings. If you are late, you will be marked tardy and subject to disciplinary action according to PHS attendance and tardy policy.

1st Tardy= choice of lunch detention or swats

2nd Tardy=lunch detention

3rd Tardy= lunch detention and parent contact

4th and beyond= ISS (In School Suspension)

Grades are not given; they are earned. Your preparation and effort will determine your level of success in this course.

Grades are available online using the Parent Portal and are updated on a regular basis. If questions or concerns arise, parents should contact instructors via email to clarify any confusion. We encourage all students and parents to gain access to Parent Portal to view grades.

Grading Policy:

Formative Work 25%

Formative work will include daily assignments that help measure student understanding in preparation for mastery exams.

Summative Work 75%

Summative work will mainly consist of tests and quizzes that measure student mastery. Quizzes will be given throughout the unit to give you a chance to demonstrate mastery. You can expect a 5-10 question quiz each week. Unit test will be given at the end of each unit and will count as two tests grades. Projects may also be included in summative work.

NO RETESTS on Unit Test will be given per department policy.

The use of personal electronic devices is only allowed during lunch and after school. Student may only use his/her device only with instructor permission. If a student is found using his/her device without permission or the electronic device disrupts school activities in any unapproved way, the device will be confiscated. Students should assume at all times that they do not have permission to use electronic devices until specifically told by the instructor they do.

Chromebooks are an integral part of our classroom activities. Playing games on Chromebooks is strictly prohibited, even if classwork is finished. Any student caught playing games will receive a lunch detention. Continued violations will result in an office referral.

1st- student and teacher discussion of issues (possible lunch detention)

2nd- communication with student and parent

3rd- student will be sent to the office

Severe discipline offenses may result in an automatic office referral.

Academic dishonesty includes cheating or copying the work of another student, plagiarism, and unauthorized communication between students during an examination. The determination that a student has engaged in academic dishonesty will be based on the judgment of the classroom teacher or other supervising professional employee, taking into consideration written materials, observations, or information from students. A student found to have engaged in academic dishonesty will be subject to disciplinary penalties per the Student Code of Conduct, as well as academic penalties. Teachers who have reason to believe a student has engaged in cheating or academic dishonesty will assign a zero for the work in question.

IMPORTANT!

Unless your teacher specifically tells you that you may work with other students on an assignment, you are expected to work on all assignments by yourself, using only your own thoughts, ideas, and reasoning.

Texas A&M University-Commerce

Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics with Concentration in Secondary Education

Certificates:

• Mathematics Grades (7-12)

I began my career with the school district in 2009 and have been teaching at Paris High School since 2015. I have also served as the Math Department Head since 2016. Currently, I teach Algebra 1 and Algebra 1 Honors.

Before joining Paris High School, I began my teaching career at Paris Junior High, where I initially taught 7th grade math lab and then moved on to teach 8th grade math the following year. In addition to my teaching experience, I have a background as a Special Education Paraprofessional, having worked for 2 years at Paris High School and 3 years at Decatur High School. These experiences have greatly influenced my approach to teaching.

I am married to Eddie LaRue, who is the Director of Technology for Paris ISD. We have three sons and a daughter. Our two youngest are still in school: one attends Aikin Elementary, and the other will be a Junior at Paris High School. We also have a Miniature Schnauzer named Maisy.

In my free time, I enjoy reading and crafting. When I'm not teaching, I love spending time with my family.