Classroom Expectations and Policies 2016-2017

ISTEM Mathematics- Mr. Trovato

trocha@share.wilsonsd.org
Welcome to Integrated Algebra II/Geometry and the I-STEM program!! I am very excited to begin
this school year with you. Together we will explore mathematics using our knowledge and the
assistance of technology. This course is heavily focused on the use of technology and how
technology plays a role in applying and using mathematics in the 21 st century. Throughout this
course we will be following and referencing the classroom expectations and policies that I have
enforced. My expectation is that you will adhere to and help your classmates follow these policies so
that together our year will be awesome and a lot of fun!!
Expectations:
Work hard
Help others
Ask questions and seek help if you do not understand something
Take your time, take responsibility
Explore possible alternatives
Respect others and act appropriate
Preparedness:
Being prepared for class is important to your overall success in this course. When you arrive for
class, you should be ready to work. What does it mean to be ready to work? You must have the
following with you:
Your Google Chrome Notebook
A 3-Subject Notebook (Sections including: Notes, Activities, Homework/Practice)
Pencil ONLY (Math should be done in pencil. It is easier to correct mistakes with pencil than
with pen) **Points will be deducted from an assessment if pen is used.
A TI-83/TI-84/TI-Inspire graphing calculator (any one of these is just fine)
A positive attitude
Notes and Flipped Classroom Videos:
Notes are an extremely helpful resource in this class. Not only will you be referencing notes in class
during projects and group work, you will be using your notes to help you with homework and
studying for assessments. Since this is a class based around the use of technology, many of our notes
will be constructed online. For many classroom lessons, I will be using a Flipped Classroom
approach to teaching. A Flipped Classroom is designed to provide you with more time in class to
work with material rather than learn it. This allows instruction to be entirely controlled by you at
home and our class time focused on applying our knowledge to real life situations.
Grading Policy:
According to district guidelines, the following grading policy will be enforced throughout the
remainder of this course:
Summative Assessments 70%
Other (including projects) 30%
Homework is not considered part of the Other category. Therefore, you will not receive a gradebearing mark for completion or accuracy of homework.

Tests and Quizzes:

Quizzes will be given periodically throughout every unit to help me determine if you have an
understanding of the material we were working with. These quizzes are also a great way to help you
prepare for the unit tests. You will be advised when quizzes are one day in advance. Tests will be
given following the completion of every unit we cover. Tests will not just cover what we learned in
the unit. Since math builds on itself, some questions will be designed to draw your knowledge from
previous units (or even previous tests). Tests will be announced one (1) week in advance. If you
need to make arrangements with me for any reason, please see me after class or after school.
Homework:
Homework is vital to your success in this course. While it can be tedious, it provides you with extra
practice of what we have learned or what we will learn in class. Homework will be assigned every
night and include problems that are easy, hard, and challenging. I expect that you will be able to
motivate yourself and persevere through the hard/challenging problems. In my class, homework will
not be collected. However, it will be randomly checked for completion one (1) day during every
week. This day will neither be specified nor posted. It is up to you to make the time to do your
homework and TRY!! We will review homework BRIEFLY at the start of every class. I will answer
any questions as they come up if there is confusion with any problem(s).
Retake Policy:
As per district guidelines, summative assessments are eligible to be retaken. If you are unhappy with
a grade you received on an exam, you will be allowed to retake the exam as per my discretion. The
ultimate goals of the retake policy are to help you gain mastery of the material and create worthwhile
study habits. In order to retake an exam, you must 1) be in good academic standing in math 2) fill
out the retake form on my website and 3) schedule a meeting with me to discuss a retake learning
plan. Retakes must occur within 12 school days (2 cycles) unless otherwise stated by me. Be
mindful that retakes are a privilege and not a right; I reserve the right to allow/deny retakes. If you
are caught cheating, you will be INELIGABLE to retake the failed assessment.
Make up Work:
If you are absent, it is your responsibility to gather all the information and practice questions
assigned for homework from a fellow student in class. Since homework is not collected or part of the
grading process, it is your decision whether or not to complete the assigned practice problems. Tests
are to be made up the day you return to class. In the case of extraneous circumstances, please see
me to set up testing arrangements or an extension. If you know you will be out for an extended
period of time, it is your responsibility to ask for the assignments and daily activities that you will
miss so you may make them up.
Cell Phones/Texting/Facebook/Tweeting/Instagramming/Vining/Pokmon GO:
This might be a little difficult so brace yourselfcell phones are PROHIBITED while in this class.
When I say cell phones are prohibited, I mean everything that comes with the joy of owning a cell
phone in the 21st century is prohibited: texting, iMessage, Facebook, Tweeting, Instagramming,
Vining etc. Cell phones will only be allowed in class if there is a lesson that calls for their use. If the
daily lesson does not call for cell phones, I expect them to be turned off and not visible in class. If
this cannot be done, I will begin collecting phones at the beginning of class and they will be returned
to you before the end of the period. Continued use of cell phones during class will result in
disciplinary action, including an administrative referral, a call home, and after-school detention.

Academic Integrity:
Lets face itit pays to be honest. I take academic integrity very seriously. It is a personal and
professional expectation of mine to maintain an honest relationship with every student. I expect from
you honesty in communication, homework, projects, and assessments. You will receive a zero for the
assignment/project/assessment if caught violating academic integrity. This will result in
inopportunity to retake the given assessment. At my discretion, I will call home and write up an
administrative referral. If you are cheating, you are not prepared for the assessment you are taking.
Discipline:
I suspect that since you are all great students we will have little to no discipline problems. You are
expected to act appropriately, show respect to your peers and your teacher, and most importantly,
show respect to yourself. However, if someone decides to violate the discipline code that is stated in
your student handbook, disciplinary action will be taken. Left to the discretion of the teacher, any
violations of disciplinary codes will be strictly handled by the teacher and, if needed, an
administrator. Any other information regarding discipline can be found in your student handbook.
Extra Help:
Open extra help will be available after school Monday through Friday until 3:30pm. You may stop
by and ask questions or study for an upcoming assessment. If you cannot come to open extra help,
you may schedule an appointment with me for another day. Please be mindful that situations come
up and I might not be available after school. In this case, I will leave a note on the door to let you
know if I am coming back. If I am unavailable for the remainder of the day, we will reschedule the
next school day. It is also important to remember that I am available through email access. If you
get stuck, have a question, or just need extra problems to study from, you may send me an email to
my school address. Again, be mindful and understanding if I do not respond right away.
Tutoring Center:
Wilson High School has a tutoring center every day after school for all core subjects until 3:30 pm in
the Upper House Library. If you cannot attend open extra help and I am unable to stay after on the
days that may work for you, the tutoring center is always a great alternative!
I am looking forward to a great year with everyone. If you have any questions, please let me know.
Mr. Trovato (Mr. T)