Math 8

Math 8 Syllabus:

Course Name: Math 8

Teacher: Hailey Caldwell

Room Number: 3104

Phone Number: 355-5633

Email Address: hjohnsto@greenville.k12.sc.us

Class Time: 6th Period 1:25 - 2:15

Required Textbook(s): Geometry by Glencoe

Course Requirements:

A. Major Units of Study:

First Quarter:

Transformations: Coordinate Plane

Transformations: Similarity, Congruence

Second Quarter:

Triangles: Congruence and Proof

Triangle Relationships

Third Quarter:

Right Triangle Trigonometry

Circles: Proof and Construction

Fourth Quarter:

Extending to Three Dimensions

Describing Data

B. Major Assignments/Projects Required:

There are several small projects that the students will be completing throughout the school year. The students will be given plenty of time to complete all projects. Some projects will be completed at home and some projects will be completed at school.

C. Assessment Information:

There are several different areas in which my students are evaluated. Each area has a different percentage, and the percentages equal one hundred. Major assessments, like tests and projects are sixty percent of the grade and minor assessments, like homework, quizzes and daily starters are forty percent of the grade. We have journals where the students can write, and we also have vocabulary tests in this math class. I really think this helps those students who are more language oriented. The percentage system gives me an accurate representation of my students’ grades.

I have two ways of keeping records of my students’ progress. I keep a dated and labeled grade book, and I keep my grades on the computer with a program called PowerTeacher. PowerTeacher allows me to print individual and group reports for my students and myself. It also allows the parents to see their student's grades at any time.

D. Grading Scale:

Middle school students will receive a numeric grade for each subject based on the new grading scale below.

A 90-100

B 80-89

C 70-79

D 60-69

F 50-59

Procedures:

A. School Attendance and Tardy Policy

The school year consists of 180 days. Students may not miss more than 10 days of a yearlong course or 5 days of a semester course. An absence in excess of these days may cause a student to repeat a grade.

When tardy to school, students report to the office with a note from a parent or doctor excusing the tardy. Excessive tardiness to school or class will be handled as a discipline matter and may prohibit the student from participating in certain extra school activities.

B. Classroom Attendance and Tardy Policies:

Attendance is essential in the math classroom. Students should make every effort to have regular attendance to class. If a student is absent, it is their responsibility to inquire about and complete their make - up work. Students have five days to make up all work. If they have a test or quiz to make up, students may get a pass to make up their work during advisory. Students can also schedule specific times before or after school.

I enforce a strict tardy policy in my classroom. After receiving two tardies to class in a nine week period, the student will be assigned a consequence on their RAMS card.

C. Classroom Rules and Expectations:

All students in Geometry Honors should have their own graphing calculator.

When students have finished their work early, I let them start on homework or study for an upcoming math test or quiz. I also provide enrichment activities to students who finish early.

There are several rules and procedures that I use in my classroom. The rules are: to be on time for class and be prepared. Have all necessary materials (i.e. book, paper, pencil, etc.) and your planner at your desk. Respect the rights, opinions and property of others. Read and heed the student handbook. All school rules stated in the handbook will be enforced in the classroom. Maintain a cordial and respectful attitude toward fellow students and teachers. Please help to keep our classroom and hallway neat and clean. Always use pencil in math class. There are certain rewards for students who choose to follow these rules. The rewards are praise, positive notes or phone calls home, homework passes, increased chance of good grades, or surprises. There are certain consequences for students who choose to break these rules. The consequences are warning, reflection letter, lunch detention, 1 hour after school detention, and office referral. If there is a more serious offense, the student will automatically receive a referral and be sent to the office. These rules and consequences are posted at all times in my room, and the students are aware of them.

There are many procedures that I use to keep my classroom running smoothly. When the students first walk through the door, there is an assignment on the Promethean Board. The students know to take their seats and begin working. As they are working on this assignment, I walk around the room checking homework and making sure everyone is on task.

Homework is checked daily in my class and will not be accepted if it is late. If a student is absent, it is their responsibility to get the make-up homework from me.

D. Supplies Necessary for Course:

The supplies that I require for Geometry Honors are a one inch three – ring binder, loose leaf paper, dividers (5 pack), graph paper, pencils, red pen, highlighter, pencil pouch, hand held pencil sharpener and a graphing calculator (TI-83, TI-83 plus, TI-84 plus, TI-84 Plus CE, TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition, or TI-Nspire CX).

Plan for Routine Communication With Parents:

I have several ways that I communicate with the parents of my students. PTA Open House is an excellent way to meet parents and discuss things with them. All of the students at Greenville Middle School receive a student planner at the beginning of the year. This is to help them keep track of homework assignments and it is a wonderful tool for teachers and parents to communicate. There is a space on each page of the planner for parents and teachers to write to each other.

Parents will be notified every four and a half weeks concerning the progress of their child through interim reports and report cards. I like to include comments on the report cards so that parents can be clear on how their child is doing in my classroom.

Another way that I communicate with parents is through conferences, phone calls, and notes home. My email address found on the front page of the syllabus is an excellent way for parents to communicate with me. I like to get the parents involved with what is happening in the classroom so they can hopefully give me their support. If a child is being reinforced the same way by the parent and the teacher, the end result seems to be much better.