*A copy of this syllabus will sent home the first week of school.
8th Grade Math 2025-2026
Teacher Contact Info
Mrs. Richmond -- Maroon Math
chelsea_richmond@msd.k12.wi.us
Room 827
715-232-1673 EXT 30827
Mr. Dehnke -- White Math
tanner_dehnke@msd.k12.wi.us
Room 811
715-232-1673 EXT 30811
Homework Policy
Completing daily assignments is essential for success in math. The best way to learn new concepts and procedures is through consistent practice, reflection, and engagement. Typically once-twice a week, a packet of practice problems will be assigned, along with class time to complete the assignment, ask questions, and check answers.
All daily work will be graded under the Work Habits category of the gradebook. These assignments are evaluated based on effort, participation, and responsibility, not for accuracy. Quizzes and tests are the primary way students demonstrate understanding of math content standards.
Each assignment will be given a letter grade (A–F or MIS) based on the following criteria:
Grading / Work Habits
Menomonie Middle School uses Standards Based Grading with letter grades, and the gradebook is separated into Math standards and Work Habits. Tests and quizzes will be graded under the Math standards (i.e. Linear Equations) and all daily work will be graded under Work Habits.
Although work habits are critical skills needed for success in high school, the math standards grades will more closely represent the student’s actual performance on each standard.
The table below shows the percentage range for each letter grade and a written description of what that grade represents as described in the student handbook.
Grade Descriptor
A 100 Fully complete, turned in on time, high effort, work shown, and directions followed.
B 80 One week late OR mostly complete with minor issues (skipped parts, light effort, or missing work shown).
C 70 Two weeks late OR incomplete work, minimal effort, or clearly rushed.
D 60 Three weeks late OR mostly incomplete, very low-effort, or unclear work.
F 50 Turned in after the unit test OR shows no real attempt.
MIS 0 Not yet turned in. Can still be submitted for partial credit before the end of the term.
Late Work & Deadlines
The letter grade table above includes how late work affects your grade. In general, the longer an assignment is late, the lower the maximum possible grade. Assignments turned in after the unit test are still accepted but receive an F (50%) to reflect the missed deadline, and anything not turned in by the end of the term will remain a MIS (0).
At the end of the term, all Work Habits grades are averaged using the following values: A = 100, B = 80, C = 70, D = 60, F = 50, and MIS = 0. The average score determines your final Work Habits grade for the report card.
This grading structure encourages timely effort while still allowing for flexibility and improvement. Students are encouraged to communicate if they need help completing an assignment on time.
Use of Answer Keys & Academic Integrity
Students will have access to answer keys during independent work time. These are provided to help students check their work, understand mistakes, and guide corrections. Since Work Habits grades are based on effort and not accuracy, students are expected to use the keys as a learning tool, not as a shortcut.
Assignments that appear to be copied directly from the answer key — with little or no original work shown — may receive a lowered Work Habits grade (typically an F) and will be returned to be redone independently. Repeated instances of copying may result in further consequences, including communication with parents or guardians.
Using the key to reflect on mistakes and revise work is encouraged. Copying without thinking is not.
Quizzes and Tests
As we use Standards Based Grading here at MMS, quizzes and tests will be the opportunity for students to demonstrate their understanding of each unit we learn throughout the year.
Typically once a week, students will take a short quiz on that week’s content. Although retake quizzes will be available, the test will serve as the final grade for the unit and go on the report card.
At the end of each unit, students will take their unit assessment. Students will be required to complete a retake if the student scores a D or lower, however any student can improve their grade if they wish. Students struggling to pass their unit tests may be recommended placement in a math lab for the next rotation.
Textbook
This year students will have a physical workbook (with two volumes) and online access to Illustrative Mathematics Course 3 through McGraw-Hill. Workbooks will always be kept in the classroom, but work pages can be torn out of the workbooks and brought home if needed.
Course Outline
We have 9 units we cover in 8th grade math (Unit 5 is taught in two separate units). We do not necessarily teach the units in order. This will be the proposed ordering of our topics this year:
Unit 7: Exponents and Scientific Notation
Unit 8: Pythagorean Theorem and Irrational Numbers
Unit 1: Rigid Transformations and Congruence
Unit 2: Dilations, Similarity, and Introducing Slope
Unit 3: Linear Relationships
Unit 5: Functions
Unit 4: Linear Equations and Linear Systems
Unit 6: Associations in Data
Unit 5: Volume
Classroom Expectations
At MMS we have a set of school wide expectations that all students must follow:
Be respectful: In the math classroom respect is being courteous of other’s space, privacy, property, feelings, and mathematical abilities.
Be responsible: In the math classroom responsibility is showing up on time and completing assignments to the best of your ability and turning them in on time.
Be ready to learn: Being ready to learn means bringing all required supplies to each class as well as a positive attitude.
Supplies:
Items on the school supply list for 8th grade that students will need for Math 8:
Pencils with eraser (or extra erasers)
a folder for math
12-inch ruler
scientific calculator
4-pack of dry erase markers
colored pencils, and markers.
These materials should last the full school year (or be replaced as needed to make it through the end of May).
On a regular basis, students will need to bring their math folder with a pencil to class. Chromebooks will be used on occasion, so making sure to charge chromebooks every night at home is important.
Resources
The following links are resources we commonly utilize and will also be posted to Google Classroom:
McGraw-Hill Illustrative Mathematics my.mheducation.com
Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/math/cc-eighth-grade-math
Mr. Morgan’s Math Help on Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfuJ6kc7tzERtInXn8Y9ZTUkC_oFKi95l
Google Classroom: The exact link will vary by student. Generally when students are added to Google Classroom pages, their parent/guardian is automatically invited. If you did not receive an invitation, please send Mrs. Richmond or Mr. Hoeft by email and we can add you. Google Classroom will be the general place that we post our weekly lesson packets, practice, packets, any reviews, and any activities we complete in class.
Week at a Glance:
Maroon: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ODBfozB224nnQ3j6E7L_wc8HlB8Q_voRi3Sc4mNnxos/edit?usp=sharing
White: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pHmv_FBZlQwVgqhuEFcHeT8q-ZYS5LD648IXtKihaeA/edit?tab=t.0