Dear 8^th Grade Students & Parents,                                      August, 2009

Welcome to a new school year!  I am very excited about the great learning that will be taking place in our classroom this year.  This syllabus will provide you with important information regarding to 8^th grade mathematics.  The Goal for this math class is to strengthen your math skills and develop problem solving strategies by applying Connected Math Program 2 (CMP 2) and Math’s Mate.

Following CMP 2 books will be used in 8^th grade mathematics:

Say it with symbols (Algebra)

Shapes of Algebra (Algebra)

What do you expect? (Probability)

Thinking with math models (Linear equations)

Looking for Pythagoras (Pythagorean Theorem)

Samples and population (Data analysis)

Growing, growing, growing (Exponential relationships)

Kaleidoscopes, hubcaps, & mirrors (Symmetry and translations)

Frogs, fleas, and painted cubes (Honors only; Quadratic relationships)

Grading Scale:

Student’s grade will be based on 70% from tests, quizzes, and projects.  Homework (students can expect about three to four assignments per week) is worth 20% and participation is worth 10%.

A    90% – 100%

B    80% – 89%

C    70% – 79%

D    60% – 69%

F    Below 60%

Absent:

Missing class can quickly make student fall behind.  Student will miss the opportunity to go over the homework and important information from the daily lesson.  Full credit will be earned to excused absent and students have two days to make up the assignments.  Moreover, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain missing assignments from the Absent Folder, classroom calendar, or Mr. Kuemmerlin’s daily schedule in the website.

Late work:

If a student chooses to not turn in an assignment on the date due, they will receive a “zero” and are required to turn it in as soon as possible.  Ten percent will be deducted for each day an assignment is late, with a maximum deduction of 30%.  It is imperative that students turn in all assignments!

Extra help:

Additional math help session will be offered by Mr. Kuemmerlin during every Monday after school in Mr. Kuemmerlin’s classroom.  Extra help is also offered to students during our school-wide program, Homework Helpers (Mondays and Thursdays after school from 3:45 – 4:45pm, and Tuesdays and Fridays before school from 7:30 – 8:15am in the library).

Example of a good student:

l   Being responsible and prepared everyday (homework, CMP book, notebook, planner, pencils, etc)

l   Taking an ownership of his/her learning

l   Respecting in learning of others

l   Participating in the classroom

l   Having a positive attitude

l   Being a good citizen

l   Being courteous and helping others

Contact information:

l   By email:  benn.k.kuemmerlin@adams12.org

l   By phone:  (720) 972 – 7835

l   Website: http://sites.google.com/site/mrkuemmerlinwebsite/ (classroom schedule will be updated daily)

Please contact me at anytime if you have questions or concerns.  Looking forward to get to working with you and have a great school year.  Go RAMS!