Materials
For math this year, all students will need to bring to class every day:
- Calculator (TI-83+ or TI-84) with your name CLEARLY marked on the back.
- Homework Notebook
- Pencils with erasers
- Colored pen for grading
- Math Folder
Pencil Policy
Bring a pencil to class every day. This pencil should have an eraser on it. Work that is done in pen will not be accepted. If you do not have a pencil, you may borrow one from me but you must sign the Blotter. (Blotter description shows up later.)
Homework Policy
Homework Notebooks will be collected and graded at the end of each chapter. It is expected that students complete assignments on a daily basis as they are assigned. If a student should fall behind, it is up to him or her to catch up and grade all assigned questions at an appropriate time.
Criteria:
1. Turn in your Homework Notebook the day it is due. Each day late will lose 10%.
2. Each assignment must be completed in pencil and done in this notebook.
3. Each assignment must be properly labeled. Example: S 3.1 #2-9, 11-25 odds, 21-24
4. Each original problem must be written out. Or write "story problem" when applicable.
5. All calculations must be shown by the problem. Don't pre-number your notebook! Box and slash you final answers.
6. All assigned questions must be attempted. If you get stuck, explain (in a sentence) what you don't understand.
7. All assigned questions must be graded in colored pen. Evens will be graded in class. Check your odds at home.
8. If you are absent when we check the evens, you must come in early another day and check the evens on your own.
When I grade your homework, I am looking for effort not accuracy. I want to see that you attempted the problems that we learned how to do in class. If you do not get them all right, you still will get full credit if you attempted each problem. If you leave problems blank, you will not get full credit.
Grade reports will be given to students at the completion of each chapter. When grade reports are given, students have one week to turn in any missing assignments for half credit.
Sloppy math work will not be accepted. Homework that is not done in pencil will not be accepted. When showing your work is required (which is about 90% of the time in math) you will not get full credit, if any credit at all, if I do not see your scratch work. Keep your papers neat and orderly, torn up and sloppy homework will not be accepted.
Online Resources
Our books have on line resources for students. The Algebra resources will match up perfectly with what we’re doing in class. The online resources for Geometry are going to be harder to match up because the version of the book we will use is not the same version as the online resources. We will spend one class period in the Communicore exploring these resources so you know how to use them at home. You can find these resources at the following websites:
To get to classzone, go to www.classzone.com and follow the links to our current book. (Algebra and Geometry books are considered "High School" books)
Extra Help
If you ever find yourself in need of extra help, there are a few things you can do:
1. Open your text book to the beginning of the section we are on and re-read the lesson that we did in class. Sometimes reading it yourself is very helpful in helping you get past tough spots. You can check out the on-line resources too.
2. Ask a parent/older sibling/friend for some help. However, your work should be your own and none of the people you go to should help by “giving” you the answers.
3. You can come to me for help. I am available in the morning before school starts (usually around 7:30) or by appointment. Check the back of the newsletter to see what day I will be after school for non-appointment questions or extra help. I am also available after school on Tuesdays.
Any student whose overall grade is below a 70% will be asked to stay after school on Tuesdays for help.
Tardy Policy
Passing periods between classes are 5 minutes long. When it is time to start class, I will close my door. If you enter the classroom after the door is closed without a pass, you are tardy. Your consequence for being tardy is to sign the Blotter (explained below).
Absent Policy
If you miss a day of math for any reason, including band lessons, appointments with other adults in the building, or because you were sick, follow the procedure below:
1. Open your book to the next section and read it.
2. Assume the homework is the next section on your options sheet.
3. When you return, read the absent book and get any handouts waiting for you.
Start of class Procedures
When I close the door, class begins and students should begin the warm-up. All talking should stop. Students can earn warm-up points from getting warm-up questions correct. Fifteen points will result in a Lucky Ducky pass. :)
Extra Credit Opportunities
Extra credit is offered multiple times during the trimester, most often on tests and quizzes. On occasion, I will offer other extra credit possibilities.
Cheating Consequences
Cheating is not acceptable. Cheating in math consists of copying homework from classmates, copying class work from classmates, or copying tests and quizzes from classmates. Other forms of cheating may be defined and added later during class. If I suspect cheating, all parties involved will end up with a zero on the assignment, test, or quiz.
Tardy/Preparedness/Behavior Log (Blotter)
If you are tardy, unprepared, or there is a behavioral problem in class, it will be logged in The Blotter. Each time your name is logged you will lose 2 participation points.