Advisory Class Supplies 8th Grade Math Supply List (Click to go to list)
Homework Center
M-THR 3pm - 4pm HMS Cafeteria
Mrs. Adams Regular tutoring and Make Up Work:
Monday and Wednesday 3pm
My TAKS Class Meets 2:54pm every Tuesday
Go to your Pre-Algebra Text book and play a lesson video
Sign in on Brain Pop (user name: hornedo1 pw: tornado)
Sign in on VMath and practice modules (use 7th grade user name and pw or email me if you need one)
Get ahead and try out the Online Interactive 8th grade Math TAKS Test
Online Interactive TAKS Study guides in English and Spanish
Math.Com has all types of help
Frequently Asked QuestionsQ. What supplies does my child need for Math Class? Click on the 8th Grade Supply Link at the top of this page. One of my classroom rules is to be prepared. Your child will need to bring the following items to class every day:
I heard that 8th-graders have to pass their Math TAKS Test in order to be promoted to the 9th Grade and go on to High School, is this true?
In most cases, yes. However there are guidelines since this is a state-mandated initiative. Please check out the following website for the SSI, Student Success Initiative under the TEA, Texas Education Agency.
If you still have questions, please contact your child's school counselor or the At-Risk Coordinator at Hornedo.
I would like to help my child at home to prepare for the Math TAKS Test, what can I do?
The links listed at the top of this page for a practice TAKS Test and the TAKS Study guides will give you many resources. In addition, you may request a hard copy of the TAKS Study guide through your child's school counselor at Hornedo.
What should my child do if he or she is at-risk for potentially failing the Math TAKS Test?
Well I cannot stress enough how important it is that you ensure that your child take advantage of homework center and any TAKS tutoring that becomes available throughout the school year. If you take these steps and your child is both receptive and cooperative, then the research and statistics show that success is higher. There will be an objective-driven in-class review approximately two weeks before the test as well as a one-day intensive TAKS Camp.There will also be after-school strategic targeted TAKS Tutoring. All students also have a second chance to test in May before school is over.
I heard there was a special TAKS Math class, how can I enroll my child?
This course is scheduled by the counselor's office in leiu of an elective. It does not replace their regular math class, but rather is in addition to. Check with your child's counselor in the front office.
Can my child get High School Algebra credit in 8th grade?
Yes, however they need to be enrolled either in GT Math or Pre-AP Algebra I. These decisions are made very early soon after 7th grade and before the start of the new school year. There are prerequisites for scheduling into these courses, so please check with your child's counselor before the start of the new school year. Course credit is also dependent upon completion, GPA and the end of course exam.
What happens if my child is absent or misses math class for some reason?
Since Math can be challenging for many students anyway, it is better if they do not miss class at all. When you schedule appointments, try to do it after school or during an elective, PE, or lunch. I know that this is not always possible and being ill is unavoidable so if your child is given an excused absence, they have a chance to return work they missed on a late "pink slip" for full credit if they follow the absent rules.
What are the "absent rules"?.
What about missing a week or more of school?
I understand that there can be extenuating circumstances, so please communicate with me on that. Also, please go through the principal on matters regarding family vacations, out of town trips and such before you go if at all possible. In most cases they will work with you, but any time your child is not in the classroom they are losing valuable learning time and I cannot give credit if the absence is deemed unexcused. In most cases, teachers will not give assignments ahead of time.
My child was suspended, so how does this affect when assignments are due?
Students that are given ISS a.k.a. in school suspension are required to complete work during their class time in the ISS and turn it in before the last bell. They may go to the homework center if they need specialized help after school. So in that case they can ask the ISS teacher for this consideration. They need to get a signature on the front of their paper from the homework center teacher or the work will be considered late or not accepted at all.
Students that are given OSS a.k.a. out of school suspension will be treated as an excused absence and will need to upon return to school check the assignment board and turn in a late PINK SLIP. They will probably need tutoring on the concepts so plan on your child going to the homework center with the assignments when they return.
Students that are unexcused for missing class for whatever reason, including truancy are still responsible to turn in the assignment but will not be given graded credit for the work. This is because students must still learn the concepts so they can continue with the rest of the unit we are learning and also be ready for ninth grade.
What if my child just did not do the assignment or turn it in when it was supposed to be due, can he or she turn in work late?
I really want to discourage the idea that late work is acceptable because it really is not acceptable. We almost always use the homework assignment as a jumping off point the next class day and may have an activity connected with the work. If your child did not do it, then they are not going to get the full benefit of the lesson the next day.
Hornedo does have a policy though that allows for the teacher to give a maximum of 70% credit for work that is turned in one day late and a maximum of 50% for work that is turned in two days late. The policy states that if work is more than two days late it given a grade of 0%. I want to emphasize that the work still needs to be done whether credit is given or not.
Students that habitually turn in work late or do not ever do it are endangering themselves to become less than what they could be and potentially be setting themselves up for failure in the course. For this reason, I will call home and also refer students to the at-risk coordinator and/or counselor whenever this type of behavior occurs.
What is the tardy policy for your class?
Students that arrive tardy are a disruption to the class and your child must be protected from these types of disruptions. In order to address this, my classroom rule is to be on time. I also follow the school policy that is written and accessable on the Hornedo homepage. Students will not be admitted into class after the tardy bell has rung without a white pass from the front office. I try to call the parents on the 2nd tardy because the school policy is to give a "U" after the 3rd tardy and write a referral to the office for a 4th tardy. I track for each grading period, so tardies can accumulate until the last day of the six weeks or grading period. I have taken the excerpt verbatem:
Excerpt from Hornedo Campus Policy
TARDIES – Tardiness to class is unacceptable. Disciplinary measures will be taken if a student is persistently tardy. Excessive absences will result in a court warning and/or court attendance by the parent’(s) and student. On the third unexcused tardy to a class, the student will receive a “U” in deportment for that six weeks. This will be documented on a class by class basis. The fourth unexcused tardy in any one class will result in a disciplinary referral to the office. Tardy sweeps will be conducted randomly by the Administration. My child is in special education and has an IEP, how can you help my child to learn and understand the 8th grade math? I plan for your child to be able to access the content and learn at his or her own pace with modifications and accomodations that you have requested through the documented Individualized Education Plan. Please schedule a parent/teacher conference early so that I may get to know you and your child as soon as possible. Students that are in the inclusion program have the benefit of two teachers in the classroom. If your child is mainstreamed, without inclusion I will still plan the lessons to be geared toward their learning style. Again, please schedule a conference so I may get to know you and what your child needs as soon as possible. Lessons are planned to include cooperative grouping with learning goals that are driven by guiding questions and aligned with the state essential knowledge and skills. Students have the opportunity to practice during class time and show what they know before they leave. Reduced assignments for homework can be a part of the accomodation. My child has extreme issues with organization as well as maintaining self control. I suspect he might have a learning disability or have some type of attention deficit, how can I get help? I am on your side and am willing to work with you to help your child and give them the tools necessary to organize themselves and receive a great math education. I suggest that you contact your child's counselor though as I am not an expert in this field and therefore cannot make conjectures or diagnose the problems. Your child's counselor will give you information on steps you can take within the boundaries of our campus and district for testing and other issues. My child does not read, speak or write English very well, so how can he learn math if he does not understand English? If your child is enrolled in the ESL classes, then he or she will be given support in learning the English language if their native language is Spanish. For math and science, your child will be mainstreamed into English only classrooms. One way I can scaffold your child's access to the math content is using instructional strategies that have proven to be effective for English language learners. Lessons are planned with language objectives so your child will be asked to participate in an activity during math class that will give him the opportunity to practice the English within the math context. We try to pair up students that are very limited in English with another student that is conversational in both English and your child's native language as well as proficient in math. The lesson videos on the Prentice Hall website are in Spanish as well as English. The link is at the top of this page. Students in the ESL program are exempt from the state mandated TAKS Test, but do take a similar test in English.
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Welcome to 8th Grade Math
Dr. Hornedo Middle School
Mrs. Paulette Adams
Room 228
email: pradams@episd.org
**note** this link will not work unless your own pop account is set up to send out-going emails
Visitors since June 19, 2009
Welcome to the 2009-2010 School Year. I was born in Fairbanks, Alaska and have lived and traveled all over the world. I spent my own middle-school years in Germany, then moved to El Paso where I graduated from Eastwood High School. I have a B.I.S. in education. I am certified to teach math, science, social studies and language arts. In my previous work-life, I spent 25 years in the field of global logistics. My last assignment before entering the field of education was managing the international air and ocean export operations for a company based out of San Francisco, Ca. I am currently working on my masters degree in mathematics and look forward to doing action research in the classroom in order to increase my students' achievement. I love middle school children and all of the complexities that they bring to the class. I deem it a privilege to teach and look forward to working with you all this year! 8th grade Math is pre-Algebra concepts. Students must pass their Math TAKS test in order to be promoted to the ninth grade. It is important that students realize that they are in charge of their own learning though. Students should make every effort to connect what they already know to what they are currently learning each and every day. Students need to be actively participating in class.
Q. What expectations do you have of your students and how do you handle classroom management? Because I care about your child learning math, I want to create a positive learning environment. I have developed a set of classroom rules that are designed to protect your child from disruptions. I expect all of my students to follow the district Student Code of Conduct as well as all of the Campus Policies. My classroom rules begin with the word Respect. Students are expected to be respectful, prepared, on time, postive and follow all of my directions the first time. I also expect my students to be of strong character, behave like young adults, and be actively participating at all times. Rewards are given for the positive behavior and discipline consequences are given for the negative behavior. Student Expectations and Classroom Discipline:
1. Students are expected to follow all district, campus and classroom rules. 2. District Student Code of Conduct can be accessed on the EPISD website http://www.episd.org/_departments/pupil_services/docs/english-student-cc.pdf 3. Campus policies can be accessed on the Hornedo website http://hornedo.episd.org/general_policies.htm 4. Mrs. Adams Classroom Rules are posted on this homepage and on the wall inside of my classroom. Classroom Rules Be Respectful
Be Prepared and on Time
Be Positive
Follow directions the first time
Celebrate success and achievement
5. Mrs. Adams' discipline is progressive in nature except when district or campus policies say otherwise. Consequences for lack of adherence to any policy or classroom rule may include but not be limited to the following: (not in any particular order)
Discipline
*verbal warning
*written warning
*change of seat
*counsel with teacher
*phone call, note, or email home
*detention (lunch or after school)
*temporary move to another math class for part of class period
*community/school service
*referral to at-risk or counselor
*student and team-teacher counseling
*parent-teacher conference
*parent and team teacher conference
*referral to assistant principal
*Suspension: ISS and OSS (handled by assistant principals)
*Citations and/or Arrest (handled by EPISD police)
*Alternative setting (handled by assistant principals)
*Expulsion from Hornedo (handled by assistant principals)
6. Rewards are given in recognition of good behavior, great participation and display of strong character.
Rewards
1.Good Behavior 2.Great Participation 3. Strong Character
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