Pre-Algebra 7 Course Overview

Course Title: 8th Grade Math or Pre-Algebra 7

Teacher:Ms. Odom

Room: 316

Blocks:3rd, 4th, 5th

Email: OR

CLASS DOJO ( BEST FORM OF CONTACT )

School Phone: (757) 934-6212

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,

Welcome to John F. Kennedy Middle School and 7th Grade Pre-Algebra! I am excited about this brand new opportunity to serve and work with each of you this year. I will do my best to make sure everyone has equal opportunities to succeed. Feel free to call me during my planning on any day of the week or in the morning between 7:30 am and 8:30 am on Mondays with any comments, concerns, or requests throughout the school year. You may email me at any time and I will do my best to respond to your messages within 48 hours.

Introduction

Course Description

Pre-Algebra 7 will provide students the opportunity to review or extend concepts and skills learned in previous grades and to learn new concepts that will prepare them for Algebra I. Students will learn and demonstrate understanding of Number and Number Sense, Computation and Estimation, Measurement and Geometry, Probability and Statistics and Patterns, Functions, and Algebra. The course will actively engage students using hands-on-activities, as well as incorporate the use of technology.

Grading Factors: Grades in Pre-Algebra7 are weighted as outlined by Suffolk Public Schools:

Assignments / Percent of final grade/average
TestsProjects (at least 3 each term) / 35%
Homework (at least 8 each term) / 5%
Quizzes (at least 4 each term) / 30%
Class work (at least 8 each term) / 30%
Final Grade / 100%

Course Grading

The following is the grading policy as outlined by Suffolk Public Schools:

A outstanding progress, superior work: 100 - 93

A-outstandingprogress, superior work: 92 - 90

B+ good, better than average accomplishments: 89 – 87 B good, better than average accomplishments: 86 - 83

B-good,better than average accomplishments: 82 - 80

C+ average progress and accomplishments: 79 – 77 C average progress and accomplishments: 76 – 73

C-averageprogress and accomplishments: 72 - 70

D+ poor, but passing: 69 – 67 D poor, but passing: 66 - 63

D-poor,but passing: 62 – 60 F unsatisfactory: below 60

Homework( HW)Homeis normally assigned each class to be completed in HW notebook.Homework normally takes about 20 minutes to do and is graded for completion.Homework will be announced in class,written on the board, and sent via CLASS DOJO. On some occasions there may not be specific homework pages assigned however, all students should be doing some work at home. It is impossible to be doing your best and never have anything tostudy or any work to complete at home in the eighth grade. There are multiple projects in progress at most times and students must learn to manage their time both in and out of school in order to meet the deadlines which are set for them. Homework will be collected and checked for completion the morning it is due during morning Warm-Up.

Class work is given daily and is due at the end of the block.Failure to turn in class work at the end of theclass period results in a failing grade unless otherwise instructed. Practice work is completed in “Practice notebook” and can be taken home to assist with HW.

Group and individual projects are assigned frequently and are due on the due date.

Tests and Quizzes will be announced in advance and will sometimes be open book/noteswith the exception of the 3 District Benchmark tests. Students will not be permitted to share notebooks or books during these tests.

Classroom Rules / Consequences for Breaking Rules
  1. Speak only at appropriate times and using
appropriate language/voices. / 1st Time: Verbal Warning
  1. Bring all supplies to every class meeting.
/ 2nd Time: Verbal Warning
  1. Have and show respect for others, yourself, and our classroom.
/ 3rd Time: Parent Contact
  1. Be in your seat and ready to begin when the bell rings.
/ 4th Time: Teacher/Parent/Student Conference
  1. Be Ready to Learn!
/ 5th Time: Infraction Referral

Student Materials Required in Ms. Odom Class

Necessary for Success

(3) 3-Subject Spiral Notebook (any color except black)

(1) Zipper Pouch

(1) 2-pocket Folder w/Prongs

(1) 3 inch Binder with dividers (used for ALL Classes)

Class Items (Volunteers Needed)

Expo Markers, Red Pens, Blue Pens, Glue sticks,

Germ X, Tissue, Index Cards

Resources

IXL.com Math-Website:

  • Highly Suggested:
  • Math 8 concepts with practice questions and show step-by-step explanations.

SOL Look-A-Like Questions

Blog

  • Syllabus, online notes, videos, practice, announcements, etc.

Remind-Safe Classroom Communication: Application for Apple and Android users named “CLASS DOJO.”

  • Reminders via cell phone messages for important reminder dates.
  • Specific code for each Block will be given by teacher.

Interactive Notebook

Bring your spiral notebook to class each day. Students’ Interactive “Notes-Only” Notebook will remain in the class in the appropriate block’s bin.

All notebooks will be setup using the teacher’s guidelines.

Only use it for Mathclass!

We will use a glue stick, scissors, highlighters, and colored pencils on occasion for attaching notes and assignments.

Warm-Up Folder

Daily Review assignments completed for Warm-Ups.

Grade and make corrections on Daily Reviews.

Daily Review Day 1,2,3, and 4 will be used for a study guide for Warm-Up Quiz every two weeks.

Expectations / Special Concerns

Homework is assigned daily. Homework must be turned in on the due date or full credit will not be earned.

Attendance is vital for class work and to ensure SOL materials are covered. Try for perfect attendance this year!

Excused Absence Make Up Work

If you are absence, including, sports, band, field trips, etc.all work must be made up.

It isyour responsibility to get your missing work from the make-up center and complete it. Make up work is due within five (5) daysof your absence. This includes making up any missed tests or quizzes.

I have remediationany day I am at schoolon students’ Physical Education days.

I will not accept late daily work

If a student has problems on an assignment and does not finish, the assignment should still be turned in. I will assign them extra time as I deem necessary depending on the circumstances.

Remember

Homework is due at the BEGINNING of each class.

You should look over the homework when it is given out in case you have any questions pertaining to the assignment. The assignment is due in the beginning of the next class meeting.

Class work is due the day it is assigned.

Let Ms. Odom know in advance if you will be out of school when a future assignment is due.

JFK EXPECTATIONS/RULES (TRACKS)

Treat others as you would like to be treated.

Respect yourself, peers, and all adults through your words and actions.

Accept responsibility for your own actions

Come to school ready to learn.

Keep within your own personal space.

Share the school.

CAFETERIA RULES

Walk to the cafeteria in an orderly fashion.

  • (no talking; Walk in a single file line to
  • the right side of the hallway)

Snacks should be purchased while walking through the lunch line. If you bring your lunch, wait for your teacher’s permission before entering the snack line.

Sit at the table designated for our class.

Talk quietly AND use good table manners. Throwing or playing with food is prohibited.

Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself. (This includes lockers, bulletin boards, and showcases!!)

You may leave your seat onlywith an adult’s permission.

Be prepared to leave as soon as the teacher is ready.

Do not take any food/beverage items out of the cafeteria.

Students will be referred to the office immediately for the following offenses:

Damaging school property

Fighting

Possession or distribution of drugs (includes alcohol and tobacco)

Possession of weapon, beeper, or other electronic devices

Failure to comply with a staff member’s instruction

Lockers/Agendas:

School lock rental and replacement fee ( if lost) $5.00

All students MUST rent a lock issued by the school.

Students may NOT share lockers.

Personal locks may only be used in the gymnasium locker room

School agenda $5.00

Optional: Gym uniform $16Possession of weapon, beeper, or other electronic devices

Failure to comply with a staff member’s instruction.

PLEASE SIGN and RETURN THIS PAGE onlytoMs. Odom byFriday, September 9TH, 2015.

I have read and understand the expectations, rules and procedures established in Ms. Odom’s

Pre-Algebra Class:

___Grading procedures

___Classroom Rules and Consequences

___Daily Required Materials, Interactive Notebook, Etc.

___Interactive Notebook Guidelines and Overview

___Warm-Up Folder

___Late Work

___ Expectations

___Teacher contact

___General Class procedures outlined in Course Syllabus

___All rules, policies, regulations outlined in the Suffolk Public Schools Student Handbooks

______
Parent Signature Date
______
Student Signature Date