Hyde Park Middle School
8th Grade Pre-Algebra - Mr. Green
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Dear Parent/Guardian:
Hello, my name is Mr. Doug Green and I will be your daughter’s or son’s Pre-Algebra teacher this year. Please take a moment to read the attached expectations, complete the acknowledgement sheet, sign it and have it returned to me promptly. The contact information is requested to make contacting you concerning the class work or behavior of your daughter or son as convenient for you as possible.
If you wish to contact me, feel free to leave a message during the school day (7:00 am – 2:11 pm) or email me at the address below. We know that students do better when teachers and parents are in communication so I’ll be sure to respond as quickly as I can.
Students are always welcome in my classroom; however, their staying after school may require you to make special transportation arrangements. I can be reached after school to confirm that your daughter or son is actually in my room and when we are likely to finish up.
Attendance, grades and other information will be readily available to you online through Infinite Campus. Please notify me if you do not have access to Infinite Campus so that I can communicate with you another way.
I and our whole team at Hyde Park Middle School are dedicated to the success of your child, academic and otherwise. Please let me know if your child needs specific help or accommodations.
Best regards,
Doug Green
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COURSE: 8th Grade Pre-Algebra
INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Green
CLASSROOM: 303
EMAIL ADDRESS:
SCHOOL PHONE NUMBER: 702-799-4260
CELL PHONE: 702-900-6734 (900-MrDG)
8TH GRADE PRE-ALGEBRA – Mr. Green -
Course Expectations
Course Scope:
This one-year course is designed to focus on three critical areas: 1) formulating and reasoning about expressions and equations, including modeling an association in bivariate data with a linear equation, and solving linear equations and systems of linear equations; 2) grasping the concept of a function and using functions to describe quantitative relationships; and 3) analyzing two- and three-dimensional space and figures using distance, angle, similarity, and congruence, and understanding and applying the Pythagorean Theorem. Instructional practices incorporate integration of diversity awareness, including appreciation of all cultures and their important contributions to society. The use of manipulatives, mathematical tools, and technology, including calculators and computer software, is an integral part of this course. This course fulfills the mathematics requirement for eighth-grade students.
Course Objectives & Goals:
1. To develop the Standards for Mathematical Practice. [CCSS]
2. To know that there are numbers that are not rational and approximate them by rational numbers. [CCSS: 8.NS]
3. To work with radicals and integer exponents. [CCSS: 8.EE]
4. To understand the connections between proportional relationships, lines, and linear equations. [CCSS: 8.EE]
5. To analyze and solve linear equations and pairs of simultaneous linear equations.
[CCSS: 8.EE]
6. To define, evaluate, and compare functions. [CCSS: 8.F]
7. To use functions to model relationships between quantities. [CCSS: 8.F]
8. To understand congruence and similarity using physical models, transparencies, or geometry software. [CCSS: 8.G]
9. To understand and apply the Pythagorean Theorem. [CCSS: 8.G]
10. To solve real-world and mathematical problems involving volume of cylinders, cones, and spheres. [CCSS: 8.G]
11. To investigate patterns of association in bivariate data. [CCSS: 8.SP]
Workbook: Students will be issued a workbook and may leave it in class or bring it to class each day.
Hours of Availability: Often available daily after school until 3:30 or by appointment with the teacher.
Evaluation & Grading System: Components of the Quarter Grade: Assessments comprise 90% of each quarter’s grade. Other assignments comprise the remaining 10%. Grades are based on percentages using the scale of 90% - 100% = A, 80% - 89% = B, 70% - 79% = C, 60% - 69% = D, 50% - 59% = F.
Components of the Semester Grade: The 1st and 2nd quarter grades of each semester will each count for 45% of that semester’s grade and the Semester Exam will count for the remaining 10%.
Current grades may be viewed at any time through Infinite Campus.
Expectations: Spelling, grammar, and neatness are valued on all assignments.
Homework/In-Class Assignments:
Classroom practice work will be given Monday-Friday. Any Practice Work that is not completed in class is the responsibility of the student and must be attempted and/or completed on time. The purpose of Pre-Algebra practice/homework is to review daily skills and identify areas of difficulty. Students should spend no more than one hour per day on math homework. My goal is to never send work home on Fridays.
Make-Up Procedures:
Makeup work due to an absence is the responsibility of the student. Assignments are posted in the classroom and are available on Infinite Campus. Students must obtain assignments missed, complete the work and turn it in no later than three days after returning to school.
Re-Tests:
If a student is unsatisfied with their performance on a test (not a quiz), they may choose to re-take the test. [This option is not available to students who receive an ”F” for academic dishonesty.] To qualify to retake a test, students must demonstrate to the teacher that they are ready for the re-test at least one day before the re-take. Test re-takes will be administered at the teacher’s convenience and must be completed before the subsequent test is administered to the class. This option is not available for semester exams.
Classroom Behavioral Expectations:
Our two class rules are: Be Responsible and Be Respectful. I also request that the students be courteous to each other and to me. Students are expected to sit in their assigned seat, participate cooperatively, arrive prepared to work and follow all school rules and CCSD regulations. Students are expected to be in the classroom and in their assigned seat when the bell rings or they will be marked tardy.
• Students are expected to be on time for all classes.
• Students will have 4 minutes during each passing period.
Tardy Consequences
• 1st- Detention
• 2nd- Detention
• 3rd- Detention and In-House Suspension
• 4th- Detention and In-House Suspension
• 5th- Detention, In-House, and RPC
• 6 or more – Detention, In-House, RPC, Suspension, and/or additional discipline.
Consequences and Rewards:
Disruptive, disrespectful or harmful behavior will not be tolerated. Progressive discipline steps will include: conferencing with the student, parent contact, loss of privileges or after school detention, and counselor or dean referral depending on the nature of the behavior.
Students will be recognized on an individual basis for cooperation, teamwork, and academic excellence. Certificates may be issued or a positive phone call home may be made to share achievement.
Citizenship:
Citizenship grades will be earned on a Hyde Park Middle School Rubric: In order to receive an “O” in citizenship, students must always or almost always be responsible, respectful, and show integrity towards other and their school. An”S” grade in citizenship means the student will usually demonstrate those qualities. An “N” in citizenship will be earned if the student needs improvement in those qualities. A “U” will be earned if any student rarely demonstrates those qualities.
Academic Dishonesty such as cheating on an exam or plagiarism of a paper or project will result in the reduction of the citizenship grade to a “U” and the student will receive an “F” for that assignment or assessment. Minor infractions will result in a warning, the citizenship grade will be reduced to an “N” and the teacher will call the student’s home to discuss the situation.
Course Expectations Acknowledgement Form
8th Grade Pre-Algebra - Mr. Green
Period # ______
Please sign this page as acknowledgement of your receipt of the attached Pre-Algebra Course Expectations. Please then have your daughter or son return this to her/his teacher by ______(date).
I have read the preceding expectations and I understand what will be expected of me.
______
Student’s Name (Printed) Student’s Signature
I have read the attached expectations and I understand what will be expected of my child. I will see that my child is at school each day and does the required assignments.
______
Parent’s/Guardian’s Name (Printed) Parent’s/Guardian’s Signature
To improve our ability to communicate, please provide the following information if possible:
E-mail Address: ______
Cell Phone Number (or alternate contact number): ______