2016-2017
Name: ______Date:______NOTES
Welcome to Math 8
Mrs. Ferrante
Room 46
e-mail: OR Voicemail: (845) 256-4000 Ext. 69712
I hope your summer was enjoyable and restful.
I feel very fortunate to be your math teacher and believe it will be a great school year.
If you have any questions or comments, please let me know.
SUPPLIES
§ Calculator: Students need a scientific calculator. The calculator that was purchased last year for Math 7 should be used for Math 8 as well. If you are purchasing a calculator we recommend the TI-30XllS.
§ Pencils: Students will need several sharpened pencils with good erasers every day.
§ 3-Ring Binder and Loose-leaf Paper: They may have a separate math binder or a section dedicated to math in a larger binder. Their binder must be brought to class every day . The math section of the binder must have loose-leaf paper and THREE sections labeled as follows: 1) NOTES & PRACTICE
2) PREP TASKS
3) GRADED ASSESSMENTS
§ A pocket pouch works nicely to store the students’ calculator, pens, and pencils.
§ Assignment Book: The only assignment book that will be accepted is the one issued by the school district. Students must bring their assignment book to class everyday.
§ Text Books: No textbook will be issued to the students. Notes and reference materials to support the lessons will be provided or developed during a lesson. All notes will also be available on the teacher website. A request may be made in writing to have a text book issued to a student. All textbooks must be returned at the end of the current school year. Textbooks will be available to all students in the classroom and the library.
Note that the only textbook available does not align with the current curriculum due to multiple changes that have been made to the state curriculum since this text was published.
CLASS POLICIES AND GRADING:
§ Student Assignments: All work must be completed by the deadlines provided.
§ Absences: The student is responsible for making up any notes and work missed during the absence. It will be the student’s responsibility to view the teacher’s calendar on the school website. All Prep Tasks and Notes will be posted to the calendar.
For extended absences contact the Guidance Department.
Missing assignments must be turned in promptly upon returning to school. Students will generally be given an additional day to complete an assignment missed due to an absence.
§ Grading Structure: Through the on-line parent portal, parents can view student’s math progress. Parents who utilize this system can access all of their child’s grades and teacher comments regarding a student’s progress.
o PREP TASKS: Will be assigned regularly. The assignments may reinforce concepts/skills reviewed in class that day or may help to prepare students for an upcoming topic. These assignments, when completed with care, will assist the student in preparing for upcoming Skill Checks, Quick Checks, Quizzes, and Tests.
o SKILLS CHECKS: Graded “take-home” assignments that not only reinforce skills/concepts discussed in class, but encourages a deeper understanding of the topic. These assignments will be worth anywhere from 5-100 points.
o QUICK CHECKS: Given to check understanding on a specific skill prior to a Quiz or to check Prep Task completion. These assessments will be worth anywhere from 5 - 50 points.
o QUIZZES: A number of quizzes will be given each quarter. Quizzes will be worth anywhere from 50 - 100 points. These will assist the students in preparing for any cumulative tests. There are NO Quiz corrections in 8th grade.
o TESTS: Tests will be based on material assessed from Quick Checks, Skills Checks and Quizzes and will be valued at 200 points.
§ 10 Week Averages will be calculated using the following formula:
§ Extra Help: I will be available after school for extra help. Students may see me about meeting.
§ Behavior: It is understood that all students will adhere to these guidelines set forth by the building administration.
§ Use of Materials: At times we may use materials to work through a lesson. These materials are to be treated properly and returned as directed at the end of the lesson.
§ Using Teacher calendar on the school website to check homework:
1. Go to http://www.newpaltz.k12.ny.us/Domain/301
2. Select “Middle School” from the Select a School dropdown menu
3. Go to “Directory”
4. Click on my name, Mrs. Ferrante
5. Current assignments will be posted on the calendar
6. You may also send an email to me from this site
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Due the next school day:
ü Read/review/study the Welcome Letter (you will have a Skills Check on the next school day to make sure you understand the information you have read).
ü Ask a parent/guardian to read/review the Welcome Letter.
ü Sign the RECEIPT OF WELCOME LETTER handout and ask a parent/guardian to sign the form as well.
ü Return the RECEIPT OF WELCOME LETTER handout the next school day