Gomes - HSI Algebra 1B (stretch yr. 2 of 2) syllabus (2025-26).docx

Instructor Information 

Cheryl Gomes

Email: cgomes@cwcharter.org 

Phone: (707)-365-5633 ~ you may text this number

Hybrid Sessions:  Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays 12:30-1:30pm

Class Information

Office Hours: by appointment

• Semester 1 - First Class Meeting 8/18/25

Last Day to Add or Drop is 9/8/25 (Students will be charged the full price of the course if dropping the class after this deadline.)

• Semester 2 - First Class Meeting 1/12/26     

Last Day to Add or Drop is 1/23/26 (Students will be charged the full price of the course if dropping the class after this deadline.)

Important Class Dates

 

Fall Dates

• 11: First day back to school
• 18: First day of fall Canvas classes
• 1: Labor Day holiday ~ no school
• 8: Drop deadline date 
• 22: All staff day ~ prerecorded classes (no live class)
• 10: Progress reports due
• 23-24: Fall mini-break ~ no school
• 11: Veteran’s day holiday ~ no school
• 24-28: Thanksgiving break
• 8-12: A-G Finals schedule
• 15-19: End of term conferences ~ grades due Dec. 17
• 19: Last day of semester
• 20-Jan. 5: Winter Break

Spring Dates

• 6: First day back to school
• 12: First day of spring Canvas classes
• 19: MLK Holiday ~ no school
• 23: Add/Drop date 
• 13-16: President’s Day mini-break ~ no school
• 26-27: All staff/PD days ~ prerecorded classes (no live class)
• 6: Progress reports due
• 20-27: Spring break
• 13-17: CAASPP testing ~ no live classes
• May 11-15: A-G Finals schedule
• May 22: Last Day of School ~ grades due

 

 

 

Class Overview 

This is a modified course, intended to present course content to allow students to meet Algebra graduation requirements while catching up with previously unmastered skills. The course requires students to complete additional time with tutors and i-ready intervention path each week.  Students should expect to spend a considerable amount of time each day, M-F: 1-1.25 hour per day on the assigned sections plus at least 45 minutes per week on intervention (pre-requisite skills).  

• Math Department Webpage: Math Department Webpage
• Classes are based on active discussion of topics using academic vocabulary. Each class period will focus on questions regarding the previous (homework) assignments, instruction of new topics, activities involving mathematical reasoning, assessments, problem solving, and investigations or group work.  Students should bring questions to class each day.
• The class meets Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays   Students are expected to actively participate in class discussion; this gives the instructor an opportunity to identify strengths and weaknesses of the students and identify concepts that need more instruction.  Students will receive participation points for attending class with video on & audio (microphone) enabled and participating.  Attendance is required. If an absence is necessary, the student should notify the instructor in advance and plan to upload complete notes (all pages of interactive workbook representing 45 minutes of content) from class to earn the participation credit.
• Students should expect to spend 1 hour each day, Monday-Friday, completing an assigned lesson and studying.  In addition to their required tutoring hours, students may take advantage of drop-in coaching at the learning centers or make an appointment with the course instructor to assist with homework questions.
• Students will be doing most of their homework & quizzes online at hrw.com.  Assignments are posted on Canvas in weekly modules for students to download/upload and to track grades. Parents (and other support people) are encouraged to sign-in to Canvas to “observe” the student.  This will allow you to see all notifications, assignment details, submissions, and grades for your student in real time.  Work is posted weekly and will be graded within 1 week of submission.
• Students are assigned an iReady intervention pathway based on their diagnostic test. Students are required to complete 45 minutes/week and submit a weekly reflection specifying amount of time and progress on prerequisite skills.  In the event that a student does not receive an extensive I-Ready prescriptive path, they may set up an IXL path or upload completed prerequisite skills worksheets (download from Canvas) to meet this requirement.  Note: time on this requirement is in addition to course homework time and is specific to mastery of prerequisite skills in order to approach grade level competency.  Students are required to complete 45 minutes/week and submit a weekly RTI reflection.
• Students are assigned a tutor and tracking tutoring time is included in course requirements. Tutors can help students with assigned homework and intervention (prerequisite skills), but NOT quizzes or tests, so students need to actively drive their tutoring time.  Students are required to complete 2 hours/week and submit a weekly reflection of how time was spent.  The 2 hours may include homework or RTI time.
• Students who meet ON-SITE will receive hard copies of course materials. Students are expected to bring required materials to each class meeting.  Online students will have to print materials from Canvas and have available in class for hands-on activities.
• Support is available via email or online by appointment with the instructor. Please be sure to share a screenshot or clip of the question as well as your thoughts on the problem.
• Assessments: Quizzes are required to be done independently (NO assistance/NO tutors/NO reference books/apps/websites) at the end of each module, and a modified comprehensive Test is proctored at the end of each Unit. “Retakes”, if elected according to accommodations, are given upon request; these are a different version once answers to the first attempt are revealed to the class and must be taken within 1 week of the original test/quiz due date under the same monitored requirements arranged by appointment outside of class time and are not eligible for correction credit.
• Error analysis/corrections of quizzes/tests are expected if mastery is not demonstrated on first attempt to earn points for work/explanations that were not shown on the initial attempt. Students may get help from any available source for corrections, but must show work/explain in their own words and must cite the source of any assistance.  Corrections points are on-top-of the first attempt score.
• A final exam and/or semester project will determine the final assessment portion of the overall semester grade. This is to be proctored in person or via Securely (enabled on school Chrome login) or in the case of presentations), presented live.
• Note: This class DOES fulfill Algebra 1 high school graduation requirement, but it does not meet A-G Algebra requirement on college applications.

Prerequisites

• Student must be in High school with an initial iReady diagnostic score below grade-level proficiency or at grade-level with the recommendation of the student’s learning team. 
• Student must have the following Study skills (mastery):
  • Ability to read text and take notes.
  • Understanding of middle school academic math vocabulary (or working toward mastery/fluency with tutor concurrently during course).
  • Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers, integers, fractions, and decimals (or working toward mastery/fluency with tutor concurrently during course) with a calculator to check.
  • Ability to graph coordinates (or working toward mastery/fluency with tutor concurrently during course).
  • Ability to solve two-step algebraic equations (or working toward mastery/fluency with tutor concurrently during course).
  • Ability to accurately use a calculator.

Course Curriculum and Materials

Required curriculum. 

This may be available at the Learning Center on a first come basis.  If needed, ESs can order curriculum using the OPS catalog which will have the most up-to-date pricing. Students will need:

• HMH Algebra 1: Analyze, Connect, Explore.( ISBN: 9780544206991 ) Student Edition (required). Students will use this interactive workbook to take notes during class as well as show work for homework.

Other Materials

• Graph Paper (Graph composition notebook recommended for Cornell notes)
• Graphing Calculator (HP Prime or TI84 recommended).  TI84 may be available at the Learning Center on a first come basis or FREE HP Prime app is available online on google play (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hp.primecalculator.free&hl=en_US ).
• Pencils, colored pencils, & erasers
• 3X5 notecards (for vocabulary & concept flash cards)
• Ruler (cm & inches w/1/8” marks)
• Working external headset or ear buds with mic.  After the third week of class and no headset or no camera, students may begin to lose participation points for the class. Class is much more engaging and flows faster if all students can talk in class using their mic.

Other Course Requirements 

• Reliable Internet access 
• Gmail Account (provided by school) and ability to open/create google documents and pdfs (Adobe Acrobat Reader) 
• HRW.com link
• Canvas Login link (https://cwcs.instructure.com/login/canvas)
• Securely software enabled through school Chrome email login

 

Course grade 

The final course grade will be based on the following: 

• 15% Attendance/Participation (2 pts/meeting is attendance, 8 pts/meeting is participation)
• 25% Daily Homework/other practice assignments/projects
• 30% Module/Unit Tests/Quizzes & term project
• 10% Tutoring Attendance/Participation
• 10% RTI time & assignments
• 10% Final Exam 

Extra Credit: "Extra" credit is not commonly offered. The grades are based on the categories and percentages listed above. An occasional extra credit opportunity may be built in but should not be counted upon to "boost" one's grade.

Grading Scale:

 

93%-96%:       A

90%-92%:       A-

87%-89%        B+

83%-86%:       B

80%-82%:       B-

73%-76%:       C

77%-79%        C+

70%-72%:       C-

67%-69%        D+

63%-66%:       D

60%-62%:       D-

below 60%:     F

 

Math Department Requirements

Math Department Webpage

 

Attendance is required.   The Truancy Policy applies to Canvas courses. An unexcused absence may be counted as a truancy.  Attendance credit will not be given for unexcused absences.  Students are responsible to complete work whether they are present or not.

• Excused Absence is defined as:
  The parent shall notify the teacher by phone of the absence at least 24 hours* prior to the time the class meets.
• Unexcused Absence is defined as:
  An absence that does not accompany a parent phone call to the instructor at least 24 hours* prior to the time the class meets.

*If there are extenuating circumstances that do not allow for at least 24 hours, then the teacher must still be notified prior to the start of class; allowances may be made depending on the circumstances. Examples of extenuating circumstances: car accident, sudden illness, etc. Students should arrange a "back up plan" in case of unexpected computer problems the day of the class (i.e. make pre-arrangements to go to a neighbor, friend, relative, library, etc.)

Making Up a Missed Class

“Attendance & participation” credit for excused absences will be granted by the instructor based on the quality of the make-up notes. 2 points of daily score is attendance; the rest is participation. To make up a missed class session, the student must view the recording of the online session (which will be posted as a link on the Canvas website shortly after the session ends), submit a summary of the class (all pages of workbook covered in that lesson) in Canvas.  Quizzes and tests must be arranged to complete PRIOR to missed class with the same supervisory conditions & due time limits. 

 

Final Exam & Projects: The proctored final exam will determine 10% of the overall grade.

 

Module Quizzes and Unit Tests (30% of grade)

• Quizzes for each module will be assigned on my.HRW.com to be completed WITHOUT assistance on the Date assigned. Quizzes will not be accepted for full credit once the test closes.
• Unit tests will be administered on-site or proctored on Securely to be completed on Canvas WITHOUT assistance on the class day assigned. Tests will not be accepted for full credit once the test closes.
• Students will have the opportunity to submit a complete error analysis (test corrections) for additional credit on each test or quiz. This encourages students to address deficits discovered in the assessment and to show their new understanding of concepts.

 

Daily Homework & practice performance task projects (25% of grade)

• Homework activities include assignments on my.hrw.com and other instructional activities posted on Canvas or given in live class sessions.
• Daily assignments will be given at least a week at a time posted on the Canvas Modules and designed to take 1 hour per non-class-meeting day.  Students should manage their own time to complete the assigned exercises by the end of the week.
• Note: hrw.com homework follows the pattern of the independent study in the workbook, so students should show work in their workbook.  Each assignment should take about an hour.  If an assignment is taking significantly more than an hour, please discuss with instructor for strategies and/or accommodations.
• The ES does not need to submit a Quarterly Progress Report, but student/parent should show ES work in workbook during learning record meetings to catch any struggles early.
• It is in the student's best interest to keep up with the course pacing guide and not fall behind. Late work will NOT be given full credit. A late penalty of up to 10% per week will be deducted from the student’s score.
• Absent/Late Work: Math Department classes will not accept late work after the close date of the assignment. Typically lesson assignments will be closed at the end of each unit.

 

“Intensive” requirements (20% of grade)

• Attendance/active participation in 2 hours of tutoring as arranged is required. Make sure that any absent time is rescheduled; credit will not be given for missed appointments. An absence that does not accompany a parent phone call to the tutor at least 24 hours* prior to the scheduled meeting time is considered an unexcused absence. An unexcused absence may be counted as a truancy. 
• Student is to be on time and prepared with questions on assigned work or intervention skills. The tutor will guide the student, not do the work for the student, so be prepared to answer questions.
• Log reflection of tutoring EVERY week with time spent and what work was completed.
• Intervention work (i-Ready pathway, prerequisite skills worksheets, or other below-grade-level work assigned by tutor) is required to progress mastery of previously unmastered skills. Students are expected to spend 45 minutes per week in addition to class work time practicing these skills.
• Log reflection of intervention EVERY week with time spent and what work was completed. Upload worksheets or screenshot of i-Ready progress for evidence.

 

 

Instructor Responsibilities

• Plan pacing and lessons to meet CA state standards for this course. 
• Prepare and present lessons as scheduled. Make adjustments according to student/class needs as demonstrated by focused participation and assessments.
• Update Canvas & my.HRW weekly. Provide access to materials such as assignment guides, worksheets as specified, and other teacher-created instructional materials.  Ensure assignments are posted with details and due dates that students can meet.
• Grade work in my.HRW and update in Canvas weekly. Provide feedback on student submissions.
• Respond to student/Parent/ES queries within 24 hours.
• Assess student mastery of CC state standards at grade level.
• Notify parent/ES regularly if student is demonstrating any difficulties (attendance/grades). 

 

ES Responsibilities

• Log in to Canvas and sign up as an observer of your student. 
• Ensure student has required materials and that devices are working and able to access programs listed above, and that Securely is enabled on device (so student tests may be proctored).
• Maintain/Update i-Ready (or IXL) path progression for verification of RTI reflection
• Ensure student attendance of tutoring hours for verification of tutoring reflection
• Sign off and date class assignment sheet on Pacing Guide at each learning record meeting and keep for records (optional/as needed).  
• Contact me EARLY if the student is having any difficulties. 
• If you must drop a student for extenuating circumstances with the approval of your ES Advisor and Executive Director from a regular course, you need to have them removed from the class list in SIS. The ES is responsible to make sure that the instructor is notified when one of their students drops from a class.  If the student is removed from the class list prior to the start date, there will be no charge to the student, otherwise, the student account will be charged the full amount of the class. This applies even for School funded classes. 

Student Responsibilities 

• Log on to Canvas the day before courses start to be sure everything is working. If not, contact your ES right away. 
• Spend an hour EVERY day studying math. Check Canvas for announcements, complete daily online homework on my.hrw.com, show your work in your workbook & ask questions if you don’t understand something.  Turn your work in done or not EVERY week.
• Attend the Scheduled classes every week and be on time. Make note cards for any vocabulary or concepts presented in class. If you miss a session, please email the instructor BEFORE the missed class.  Then make sure that you upload the notes (all pages of the interactive notebook) to Canvas after watching recording.
• PARTICIPATE in class discussion and take notes in your workbook (or in Graph composition notebook).
• Complete assessments (quizzes & tests) with INTEGRITY and submit ON-TIME before the window closes.
• Complete corrections (show work process) if you get anything wrong on test or quiz. 
• Spend 45 minutes per week on iReady path or IXL path, and report weekly how that time was spent.
• Attend and ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE in tutoring sessions.
• Talk to your parents about what you are learning, any struggles you have, and ALL grades you earn (good and bad).

Parent Responsibilities 

• Assist Student in logging on to Canvas before first class.  Make sure they are familiar with the Canvas and my.HRW.com. 
• Ensure that student has reliable internet access and that devices are maintained for required visibility on Securely, participation in class (video & microphone), and completion of course work.
• Attend first online class with student to learn of expectations (or review student’s notes from on-site class and ask questions as needed).
• Be sure students attend and participate weekly in all classes & scheduled tutoring sessions.  Notify me prior to class if a student will be absent.
• If a class is missed, make sure your student uploads complete notes from interactive workbook based on the concepts of daily agenda and completes the assigned homework.
• Review student’s daily work and check grades in Canvas regularly (check comments on grades not meeting expectations); Provide feedback to instructor regarding student’s progress.  
• Communicate with instructor if student is frustrated (beyond normal instructional level) or is spending more than 1 hour each day on homework.
• Ensure that student is NOT accepting help on tests/quizzes (cheating) but is asking for help as needed on homework/practice/projects.