Mrs. Atkinson

Math class syllabus

Contact Information

Email:

Webpage: our school website:

Class page:

Telephone:916-434-5270Fax:916-434-5273

Textbook: 6th grade math: Pearson Digits – 6th grade (2 volumes)
Advanced class will complete about ½ of the 7th grade Pearson Digits curriculum as well

** Note, online access will be needed for students to complete some Math assignments – login
information will be provided for each student.

Throughout the year we will cover many concepts such as: algebraic reasoning, factorization, integers and rational numbers, exponents and roots, proportional relationships, data analysis & probability, percents, foundations of geometry, graphs and functions, as well as equations and inequalities. Often, the first six to eight weeks are very challenging to students; please continue to try and communicate with me, we will work together for success.

CA math standards:

Agendas:

Each student is provided with a school agenda (planner) in which to record homework assignments, due dates, and other important information. These will be checked and stamped occasionally for credit to encourage the habit of organization. I will occasionally request parent/guardian signature in agendas to encourage student communication with his/her family as well.

Supplies needed (should be with student each day – participation points can be given to all prepared students):

  • One spiral or composition notebook (used for math only)
  • One binder with loose leaf paper (can be shared with other subjects / classes)
  • At least two sharpened pencils (or mechanical pencils with lead)
  • One or more good erasers
  • One colored pen for corrections (blue or green are best)
  • Colored pencils to add detail to notes
  • Ruler or other straight edge for Cornell notes
  • I may allow the use of simple calculators later in the year

Math study skills (posted and reviewed in class, please use at home as well):

  • Reread lesson and review notebook before beginning homework
  • Stuck on a problem? Review the examples in the homework helper book, call a friend, use video links when provided by the teacher
  • Show work on all problems. This is expected and helps to show where a step might have been missed or done incorrectly. It also reinforces each concept.
  • Complete all available test re-dos for credit and concept reinforcement.

Notebooks:

Keeping organized is key to success. The notebook will be a resource for you to study formulas, develop communication skills, explore math concepts, and review. All in-class notes are to be kept neatly in the math notebook and left in the notebook. (Do not tear out pages or use loose leaf paper. If something is done on a loose leaf page or accidentally torn out, then paste/tape it into notebook.) Please keepmath notebooks in binders or backpacks to protect them from getting lost. Any loose leaf papers handed out in class should be glued into the notebook.

Notebooks will periodically be checked for a grade on Organization, Neatness, and Completeness of in-class notes, assignments and writing.

Binders:

Again, keeping organized is key. All homework, once graded or returned, should be placed into the math binder (or section of larger binder) in date order. This will give easy access to problem examples, reference of items that need study, and serve as a wonderful resource for test study. This is also a great way to keep track of your grades and to show completed and scored work in the event that something is missed in the grade book.

Tests and Quizzes:

Tests or quizzes are given weekly in class, so it is very important to keep up on the full understanding of class work and homework. If a test is missed due to absence, it is the student’s responsibility to arrange for a time to make up the test (usually before or after school) and to keep that appointment with the teacher. All tests and quizzes must be made up within one week of return to school or a grade of zero will be given. In the event of a poor test score (less than 70%), make up points are available by completing all missed items, following test re-do directions, and obtaining parent/guardian signature. Re-do points can bring the test score up to 70%. Tests make up at least 50% of each student’s grade, therefore it is very important to be in class each day and prepared for each test.

Homework:

Homework is assigned daily. All math work must be completed in pencil and all work must be shown when possible. Each assignment is due the next day and will be corrected and checked off in class. Daily homework is graded on a 5 point scale. The homework grade is based upon a combination of the percentage of questions answered correctly, work shown, and neatness / quality. It is more important to have shown each step clearly and carefully than to rush to “answers”, we are learning a process – the result is part of good process.

Projects:

As appropriate, we will have projects related to math skills throughout the year. This is important to the understanding of how math applies to everyday life and allows the opportunity to use math skills in practical ways.

Grades:

We utilize an online grading system through Schoology. It provides constant access to current grades, assignments, and missing assignments. Login information will be provided. If you do not have access after the 3rd week of school, please call the office or the homeroom teacher for a login …… this is a very valuable tool used by our teaching and administrative staff.

My expectation is of neat, quality work on each assignment. The following grading scale is my standard:

(100% - 90%: A) (89% - 80%: B) (79% - 70%: C) (69% - 60%: D) (59% or lower: F)

Discipline:

I do not expect to have discipline problems within my classroom. On the first day of school rules and expectations will be addressed and reviewed. The students will have the opportunity to ask for clarification if needed. To help ensure success, a safe and supportive classroom environment will be set up and maintained throughout the year. If for some reason I do encounter a disciplinary issue, I will begin with a warning, a re-focus form, and if it continues, a phone call home will be made. I will issue detentions and/or referrals at the time of the infraction for any major rule problem – these are outlined well in our school policies and procedures (see our school website) and in each student’s agenda.

Communication:

It is important for the student to communicate directly with the teacher whenever possible. Students should try to meet with me before or after school or between classes. Often there is an independent work time that can be used to talk as well. For families, I can be reached via email best, and do try to return email and phone messages at least twice a day. I try to send an email announcement at the beginning of each week to highlight things that are happening in our class and at school. Please communicate with me any time there is a question, concern, or compliment.

Email access is very important; if you do not have email access at any time, please let me know immediately so hard copy notes and/or phone calls can be made to communicate fully.