MISSION MIDDLE SCHOOL

August 2008

ESSENTIAL OBJECTIVES: 

EO1:  The student will apply the order of operations to evaluate and simplify numeric and algebraic expressions.

EO2:  The student will translate verbal phrases and sentences into algebraic expressions and equations.   

EO3:  The student will solve equations that involve more than one operation including the distributive property.

EO4:  The student will solve inequalities that involve more than one operation including the distributive property and graph the solution.

EO5:  The student will construct a table of ordered pairs to graph an equation in two variables.

EO6:  The student will be able to demonstrate their understanding of slope.

EO7:  The student will draw, measure, and classify acute, obtuse, right, and straight angles.

EO8:  The student will use the Pythagorean Theorem to solve problems.

CLASSROOM RULES AND EXPECTATIONS:

q       Be Responsible

o       Come to class on time

o       Bring materials to class (pencil, text book, COMPLETED assignments)

o       Have books and assignment out, on desk, during class time

o       If you are absent, make up the work you miss

q       Be Respectful

o       Other students’ materials

o       Teacher’s materials

o       School’s materials

q       Be Kind

o       NO NAME CALLING

o       No teasing

o       Use polite, low voice at all times

q       Be YOUR Best

o       Work hard in class

o       Focus on YOUR actions

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES: 

q       When you enter the classroom, go to your seat, open your book, and get out your assignment and work on your daily math.  You should be in your seat when class starts.

q       When the teacher, or another student, is talking, you should be quiet.

q       If you have questions, raise your hand, and wait silently to be called on.

GRADING: 

Grades measure student mastery of the essential objectives in this class.  Formative assessments count for 30% of the grade.  Formative assessments are check points that allow feedback to students in order to improve their knowledge of the subject.   Summative assessments are the final declaration of subject proficiency and document growth and mastery. 

Grades are determined using the scale in the Parent-Student Handbook.  Grades will be updated weekly and can be viewed on Parent Connect.  I will also send progress reports home bi-weekly with your student. 

GENERAL:  You MUST use pencil for assignments in this class.  To receive full credit for problems you MUST SHOW YOUR WORK.  I cannot follow your logic and provide feedback on how to improve your understanding, if you do not show your work.

INDIVIDUAL PRACTICE:  Practice makes permanent.  Individual Practice is essential to having success in math.  Math is very much like sports:  you need to practice to be good.  We will practice the concepts everyday.  You will have time in class to complete your individual practice, if you stay on task.  Any work not completed in class, should be completed either in Study Skill or at home.   

Individual Practice will be reviewed prior to grading.  Students are encouraged to correct their assignments during this review.  Individual Practice will be graded on completion, not accuracy.  It is important to try every problem and ask questions on the problems you don’t understand.

ESSENTIAL OBJECTIVES:  Essential Objectives (EO)  will be graded as quizzes.  If you do not receive a score of proficient on your EO, you must retake that EO.  Your grade will be the highest score.

WEEKLY QUIZZES:  Weekly Quizzes will be given based on the individual practice problems for the week.  You may retake your weekly quizzes, after identifying your mistakes.  The highest score, if you retake a quiz, will be recorded. 

CHAPTER TESTS:  You will have an entire class period to complete the tests.  The problems given on tests will be similar to problems you are you have worked in class or for homework.  You may use your notebook as a reference on your chapter tests.

NOTEBOOK:  You will be required to take notes in this class.  Notes include definitions of terms, procedures, and example problems written on the board in class.   If you miss a class, it is YOUR responsibility to obtain these.   Notebooks will be collected and graded at the end of each chapter.   A copy of this syllabus is also part of your notebook.

CHEATING:  Any student caught cheating will be given a zero for the assignment or test. This applies to those receiving answers as well as those giving answers.