Grade 6 Pre-Algebra and Grade 7 Pre-Algebra 1/2

School: BASIS Plano

Subject Expert Teacher: Anu Jain
Email: [Link]@[Link]

Course Description :

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to essential pre-algebraic concepts, serving as a

critical bridge to Algebra 1. Students will deepen their understanding of rational numbers and their
relationships and learn to generate equivalent expressions. The course emphasizes problem-solving
using equations and inequalities, and guides students through the analysis and solution of linear
equations.

Additional topics include basic probability, geometric problem-solving, and the application of the
Pythagorean Theorem. Students will also explore real-world applications involving surface area and
volume. Through hands-on activities and critical thinking exercises, this course strengthens the
mathematical foundation necessary for success in higher-level math courses.

Grading Policy

Assessment types and Policy:

Assessments refer to any time I have you (the student) do a formal review of your knowledge in class.
They are primarily for you (the student) to demonstrate what you have learned. This could be projects,
quizzes, tests…or even do-nows, homework…etc. It could be something done entirely in the
classroom, or something done at home.
· Formative assessments may be scheduled with advance notice or may be unannounced (for
example, pop quizzes).
· Summative assessments will be worth more than 10% of the overall grade in the trimester. I
will always announce these at least one week in advance via CJ.

Assessments will always be graded based on actual student knowledge/successful knowledge

demonstration and returned to the students for their continued growth!

Retest Policy:

AT BASIS Plano, we are committed to fostering a growth mindset and supporting all students in
achieving academic success. To that end, we have implemented a retest policy for major assessments
under the following conditions:

• Eligibility: Students who earn a score below 70% on a test are eligible for a retest opportunity.
• Maximum Retake Score: The highest possible score a student can earn on a retest is 80%
regardless of performance on the second attempt.
• Student Responsibility: Students must request a retest within three school days of receiving
their graded assessment and must schedule the retake with their teacher.
• Preparation Requirement: Teachers may require students to complete corrective work or attend
Student Hours before a retest is granted.
 • Assessment Format: The retest may differ in format or content from the original test but will
assess the same learning objectives.
• One Retest Per Assessment: Only one retest opportunity is allowed per test.
• Exclusions: This policy does not apply to quizzes, projects, or network exams unless otherwise
stated by the teacher.

This policy is designed to promote learning and reflection while maintaining high academic standards.
We encourage all students to take full advantage of this opportunity to improve their understanding and
skills.

Grade 6 and 7:
· Trimesters 1-3: Students will have a cumulative final exam at the end of each trimester, which is
a Summative assessment.
· Comps and pre-comps: At the end of Trimester 2, students will take a cumulative pre-comp
worth 20% of the final grade for Trimester 2. At the end of Trimester 3, students will take a
cumulative comprehensive exam, which is worth 20% of the final grade for the whole course for
the year.

Completion work is anything that you (the student) do to practice and reinforce your own learning. This work, in
contrast to assessments, belongs to your (the student’s) own growth rather than your demonstration of
knowledge to someone else. This could be classroom participation, completion of notes, classwork/homework
that is graded on if it has been turned in completely/with effort, practice logs, performance assessments,
reading logs...etc. In contrast to assessments, completion work will not be returned to students graded based
on actual student knowledge, just on student participation.

Assessment weight and frequency

Allowed
Category Minimum number at end of Tri
Weight dropped at end
(including drops)
of Trimester
Teacher
Completion/Work 10% At least 12
discretion

No more than 2
Formative assessments 30% At least 1 per week
per trimester

Summative assessments 60% At least 4 None

Absences and Late Work Guidelines

Category Policy for Student Excused Policy for Students Unexcused Absences or
Absences failure to turn in work
Teacher discretion;
Assignments may not be turned in late to allow
Completion assignment may be
immediate review of correct answers
exempted
 Students should be able to make academic mistakes
and grow from them, but constantly engaging in re-
dos and re-takes can hold students back instead of
Formative
helping them move forward. Therefore, instead of
assessments
offering re-dos and re-takes on Minor assessments,
the lowest grade(s) are dropped at the end of the
When you (the student) are absent Trimester.
from class, you have 1 additional
class days for every day of
absence to complete and submit Take-Home assignments (for example, projects and
work assigned during the absence. essays) will be accepted for 1 week after the deadline
for up to a 50% penalty on the grade. Families will be
It is your (the student’s) job to find notified via email of the missing assignment to start
the teacher/go to the teacher’s the 1-week timer for late submission.
Summative student hours to make up the
work. In-Class assignments (for example, tests and
assessments
quizzes) We will try to have students take missing
assessments during intervention time.
However, it ultimately will require the student to
attend Student Hour or another time outlined by the
teacher if that does not work. Failure to make-up the
assignment by the new deadline will result in a 0.

Extenuating circumstances may allow for extensions and exemptions. Students and parents should contact the
teacher to explain the situation and discuss options before the deadline.
For extended absences of more than three consecutive days (or as required), students will work with a Dean
and their teachers to create an Extended Absence Plan with revised deadlines for the most critical missed
assignments. Upon a student’s return to school, the student should check in with their Dean to begin creating
an Extended Absence Plan.

Communicating about Grades

Graded assessments will be returned to students within two weeks of all students completing and submitting
them (some larger essays or projects may not be returned for three weeks).

Students will receive a printed bi-weekly grade update every other week from the dean of students.
Additionally, students will receive a printed Mid-Tri Progress Report halfway through the trimester and a Report
Card at the end of the trimester. These two reports are how I plan on communicating low grades to you (the
student) and your family; please do not expect individual outreach for low grades.

Additional grade reports may be provided upon request, but please note that grade reports distributed more
frequently than at the mid-term point may not accurately represent students’ progress in the course. Large
assessments may cause significant changes to a student’s grade, especially earlier in the Trimester.

Missed work:

Students who miss work due to an absence will have as many days as they are out to make up their missed
work.

Extracurricular and Athletic Expectations for Participation:

Students are held to a strict no-pass, no-play rule per the requirements o the Texas
Charter School Academic and Athletic League (TCSAAL) and the University of Interscholastic League (UIL).
Students involved in UIL-sanctioned athletic or academic activities who earn a 69% or below in any class may
not continue to participate in completion. Students involved in TCSAAL-sanctioned athletic or academic-
activities who earn a 69% or below in any class may not continue to participate in competition.

Class Policy

BASIS students (you) are expected to comply with all classroom and school rules as identified in the BASIS
Charter Schools Parent/Student Handbook, and campus Guidebook, including rules about conduct, bags,
electronics, and dress code. I (the teacher) am responsible for consistent enforcement and may refer students
to a Dean or the Director for any violation of the school rules and expectations in any school setting.

Academic Honesty

Plagiarism is the practice of taking someone else’s work or ideas and passing them off as one’s own. This also
includes the unapproved use of online translators and AI programs.
BASIS takes issues involving academic integrity very seriously. Any students I suspect of cheating and/or
plagiarizing may receive a 0 on the assignment in question, based on my discretion.
Subsequent violations involving cheating and/or plagiarizing may result in additional disciplinary actions.

Electronics

The Code of Conduct (see BASIS Charter Schools Parent/Student Handbook) and all school/classroom rules
apply to online conduct in classes or activities where students use devices and/or the school network to access
the Internet. This includes compliance with the Technology Use Contract and Internet Safety policies and rules.

Chromebooks should be off and closed on your desk unless I have given specific permission for you to use
them for an academic task or assignment.

There should be no phones or smartwatches in the classroom.

The CJ

BASIS students (you) are required to have and use a school-approved planner called the Communication
Journal (CJ). This planner is used to:
· Help students track assignments and manage their time
· Communicate about class participation and behavior

BASIS students are expected to copy the posted CJ entry every class period during the first 5 minutes. The
communication journal is the primary method of communication between parents, teachers, and staff regarding
a student’s academic performance and/or classroom behavior. All homework assignments, quizzes, and tests
are to be recorded in the CJ
If a student is missing their CJ, the school will notify their family, and the student will speak to a Dean about the
organization.

 Classroom Expectations:
• Upon entering class, students should copy the CJ Entry from the board and leave your
Communication Journal (CJ) open on their desk.
• Students who are late for the 1st period must present a pass from the Front Office to enter class.
• Students are not permitted to leave the classroom during the first 10 and last 10 minutes of class.
• Teachers reserve the right to not grant students extra time to complete assignments that were
missed due to unexcused tardiness. Deans and/or Director reserves the right to take disciplinary
action against a student for repeated tardiness. Possible disciplinary actions may include Reflection
with a Dean/Director and loss of privileges, such as Outside Lunch.
 • Students should use the passing periods to use the restroom/water fountain, go to their locker if
needed, and make sure they have their necessary materials and completed work for the upcoming
class period. Repeatedly not having the required class materials may result in a meeting with the
Dean of students.
• Students must have the teacher’s permission to leave the classroom once class has begun to go to
the bathroom, the water fountain, or a staff member’s office (for emergencies only).
• Only 1 student is allowed out of class at a time. Students must take a laminated hall pass with them
when they leave the classroom and return it to the designated spot in the classroom upon their
return.
• Students are expected to follow the CHAMPS expectations established by the teacher.
• New Lesson: The teacher will present the lesson, followed by examples and practice problems.
Students are expected to take notes and participate by asking or answering questions.
• Time permitting, begin new homework during the last part of class. No work for other classes
allowed.
• Gum, food, and drinks (except for water) are not permitted in classrooms. Students may finish
eating their own breakfast during the first 10 minutes of 1st period, so long as they clean up after
themselves. Students may not leave class to go get breakfast.
• Students may eat a small snack during indoor recess, but once class begins, no eating or drinking
is allowed. Lunch must be finished in the cafeteria.

General Expectations:

• Students should be on time for class and on tasks from arrival to dismissal.
• Students should respect classmates and school property. Damage may result in parent-teacher
conferences or reflection with the Dean.
• No work for other math classes. Focus on math only.
• Unauthorized electronics use leads to confiscation and referral, including unauthorized calculator use.
• Students should work on math in math class — no games, cell phones, earbuds for finishing work in
other subjects. School Supplies:
• Communication Journal (BASIS CJ)
• 3-ring binder for MATH ONLY (1 – 1.5” is recommended)
• dividers
Loose notebook paper
• At least 2 pencils, and replacement lead or a sharpener (non-electric that catches the shavings), and
a good eraser
• A non-black pen
• A “safety compass” or a compass and straight-edge (short ruler or protractor)
• Optional supplies that some students may find helpful: graph paper, colored pencils, whiteboard
markers, an eraser, a larger binder or other filing system to leave at home to archive older course
materials (no longer needed in class, but needed to study for Pre-Comps and Comps)
• TI – 84 Scientific Calculator
• All materials (class notes, corrected homework sets, graded tests, etc.) should be kept for use in
preparing for the pre-comprehensive and comprehensive exams. Students may keep a second “archive
binder” at home, transferring materials after each unit test. This will reduce the amount the student
needs to carry each day to class. Corrected assessments are particularly helpful when it comes time to
study for these exams.

Late to class, Class routines, and, Beginning and End of Class

When students can leave the classroom and how they ask for permission
Students should use the passing periods to use the restroom/water fountain, go to their locker if needed, and
make sure they have their necessary materials and completed work for the upcoming class period. Students
must have the teacher’s permission to leave the classroom once class has begun to go to their locker, the
bathroom, the water fountain, or a staff member’s office (for emergencies only). Only 1 student is allowed out
of class at a time. Students must take a hall pass with them when they leave the classroom and return it to the
designated spot in the classroom upon their return. If repeated requests to leave class occur frequently within
or across classes, students will work with a Dean for support.

What happens if students come to class unprepared

Students who come to class without their assignments may receive a 0 on that assignment. Repeatedly not
having the required class materials may result in a meeting with the Dean of students.

Late to class
Students who arrive late to school or class without a pass are tardy. Students should be seated in the
classroom when the teacher begins class. Students who are late for the 1st period must present a pass from
the Front Office in order to enter class. Tardiness can cause students to miss valuable instructional time and
often create disruption to the learning environment for classmates. Teachers reserve the right to not grant
students extra time to complete assignments that were missed due to unexcused tardiness. Deans and/or
Director of Student Affairs reserves the right to take disciplinary action against a student for repeated tardiness.
Possible disciplinary actions may include Reflection with a Dean/Director of Student Affairs and loss of
privileges, such as Outside Lunch.

Class routines
Students must arrive at school no later than 7:55am in order to be on time for school and should be in their 1st
period class seated by 8am in order to be on time for class.

Eating in the classroom

Gum, food, and drinks (except for water) are not permitted in classrooms. Students may finish eating their own
breakfast before the 1st period and clean up. Students may not leave class to go get breakfast. Once class
begins, no eating or drinking (except water) is allowed. Lunch must be finished in the cafeteria.

Student Office Hour Policy:

Students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning. I offer dedicated office hours for additional
support, including tutoring, test corrections, and retest preparation. Students seeking to prepare for a
retest must attend at least one office hour session. These sessions are designed to provide targeted
support and help clarify misunderstandings. Students should bring their specific questions to make the
most of this time.

Office Hours:

Mondays and Fridays – 3:45 pm-4:15 pm

Parent Communication Policy:

I am happy to connect with parents and guardians to support student success. Parent meetings are
available by appointment only and can be scheduled either virtually or in person based on your
preference. Please email me at [Link]@[Link] to request a meeting. The parents’ meeting
time is on Wednesday 12-1 pm
Pre – Algebra Syllabus Acknowledgment:

I have read and understood the Algebra 2 syllabus, including the classroom expectations, grading policy,
retake policy, and tutoring hours.

I understand what is expected of my student and agree to support them in meeting the expectations outlined in
the syllabus.

Student Name: _________________________________________________________

Student Signature: _______________________________ Date: ________________

Parent/Guardian Name: ________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature: _______________________ Date: _______________

Preferred Contact Method: _____________________________________________