Introduction and Overview
The curriculum that we use in math is called College Preparatory Mathematics or CPM. The research-based principles that guide the course are:
Students should engage in problem-based lessons structured around a core idea.
Guided by a knowledgeable teacher, students should interact in groups to foster mathematical discourse.
Practice with concepts and procedures should be spaced over time; that is, mastery comes over time.
On a daily basis, students using CPM Core Connections employ problem solving strategies, question, investigate, analyze critically, gather and construct evidence, and communicate rigorous arguments to justify their thinking. With the CPM instructional materials, students can tackle mathematical ideas set in everyday contexts to help them make sense of otherwise abstract principles. Students are taught how to gather and organize information about problems, break problems into smaller parts, and look for patterns that lead to solutions. Students often learn in collaboration with others, sharing information, expertise, and ideas.
Consistent with the requests we frequently hear from leaders of business and industry, CPM routinely has students solve non-routine problems. That is, students develop their skills of synthesis and analysis so that they can confidently make connections between varied mathematical concepts and deal with problems they have never seen before. Students will build problem-solving strategies that apply to most academic disciplines, the workplace, and daily life.
While students are solving complex mathematical problems, they are communicating their thinking and understanding, both formally and informally, whether they are writing or speaking out loud. Communication helps to clarify students’ thinking, prepares them for sharing their ideas in professional settings, and formal or informal feedback that allows for revision. Communication lets teachers and peers assess students’ thinking and depth of understanding. In turn, all students get the chance to improve the quality of their work.
Students are held responsible for high academic rigor, analysis, critical thinking, and communicate their mathematical findings in writing and/or oral presentations in a clear and convincing manner. Each of the following standards of mathematical practices is integrated into CPM:
Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them
Reason abstractly and quantitatively
Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others
Model with mathematics
Use appropriate tools strategically
Attend to precision
Look for and make use of structure
Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning
Classroom Instruction and Group Work
Students will work in collaborative groups on a regular basis and approach problems conceptually. The only way students will master the concepts is by being actively involved in their learning. The teacher is responsible for guiding, supporting, and summarizing.
Classwork/Homework
Classwork/homework is assigned daily and is due the following day. For each chapter, students are given a stamp sheet to track work completion. For homework, students are responsible for doing all the problems and then following the class “Homework Checking Procedure.” Fully worked out solutions to every problem can be accessed here. Each day, the teacher will give a stamp for completed homework assignments on the stamp sheet. Homework is scored based on this rubric. In Aeries, an entire chapters’ homework will be represented in one grade.
Student Assessments
Study Team Tests are taken near the end of a unit and are taken in teams. The team test is an opportunity for students to work together to review and practice the concepts from the current unit as well as from earlier in the year. Grades are assigned based on participation and engagement.
Individual Tests are taken after the Study Team Test. All tests are cumulative tests - every test will have questions that cover the current chapter’s concepts as well as questions that cover concepts from any previous chapter. The tests will be challenging and students will need to think deeply and problem solve. The questions will not simply be questions from homework with different numbers. The problems will look new to students and students will need to figure out what skills and concepts are necessary to solve each problems. As students complete problems, they will need to show all work/steps as well as fully explain their thinking to get full credit. Student answers will be scored according to a 4 point rubric:
4 points for a “perfect” answer
3 points for a mostly right/almost there answer
2 points for a “progressing” answer
1 point for a “just starting” answer
0 points for a nonsensical/blank answer
A more detailed explanation of the rubric is shown here.
Students will have access to their notes and calculators on both the team test and the individual test. The tests are designed to be completed within one class period. A few days after the test, the answer keys will be posted on Google Classroom and students will have an opportunity to correct their tests. Additionally, students will be given an opportunity to Retest if they fulfill all the requirements outlined on the Retest Request form. Learn more about our Retest Policy.
CPM is designed in such a way that mastery is expected over time, not necessarily immediately. For example, geometric transformations are explored in chapter 6, but are further developed and practiced in subsequent chapters. Mastery for transformations is expected later in the book in chapter 8. The Checkpoint topics for 8th grade, by chapter, are:
Chapter 1: Operations with signed fractions and decimals
Chapter 2: Evaluating expressions and using order of operations
Chapter 3: Unit rates and proportions
Chapter 4: Area and perimeter of circles and composite figures
Chapter 5: Solving equations
Chapter 6: Multiple representations of linear equations
Chapter 7: Solving equations with fractions (“Fraction Busters”)
Chapter 8: Transformations
Chapter 9: Scatterplots and associations
Because mastery is expected over time, test point values will increase incrementally over each semester. Here are the individual tests for each chapter and their respective point values:
Semester 1 Semester 2
Chapter 2 test: 100 points Chapter 6 test: 500 points
Chapter 3 test: 200 points Chapter 7 test: 600 points
Chapter 4 test: 300 points Chapter 8 test: 700 points
Chapter 5 test: 400 points Chapter 9 test: 800 points
Chapter 10 test: 900 points
Textbook
CPM Core Connections (Course 3)
Students will be issued a physical book as well as be given access to the CPM online text. Students are issued a specific login and password to access the CPM online text and the class-specific URL for the text will be published on the homework assignment sheet. Students are encouraged to try using the online text to do homework as it offers many valuable learning resources (homework problem hints, graphing resources, models, and some homework answers).
Attendance
Attendance is required in accordance with AUSD’s policy. To be successful in this course regular attendance is expected. If absent, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain all missing assignments and/or make up all tests.
Parent Involvement
Parents, the following suggestions will help students be successful and have a positive experience in CPM Core Connections.
Encourage and support risk taking on homework and while working in groups
Talk on a regular basis about the concepts being taught
Create an atmosphere at home where there is a designated study space and study time
Be open to math groups working together at homes in evenings and weekends
When students are asked to teach new concept to parents, be enthusiastic and attentive
Offer help with homework and suggest that students get help at school when necessary
Look through their binder/notebook on occasion and ask about organizational strategies
Monthly, check Aeries together for updated grade information
If your student needs help, start by asking them to read the problem out loud
Online Grades
Aeries is a program that allows parents and students immediate access to student progress and grade reports for all classes. In math class, homework grades are updated on Aeries after each chapter. Test grades are updated within a few day of test administration. A weekly Aeries progress report will be emailed home to parents on Friday afternoon. Aeries can be accessed here.
Grading
Grades will be calculated as follows:
Mastery Check-In - 85%
Critical Thinking Challenge - 15%
Class Supplies
These are the suggested school supplies for each student in this class.
Pack of binder paper
Pack of graph paper
Ruler
Scientific calculator (not graphing calculator)
Mechanical pencil / eraser / extra lead
Pen (not black or blue ink) or colored pencil
3 Ring binder / folder to organize work
Glue stick or stapler (for use at home)
Participation and Behavior Expectations
1. Respect for Self and Others
● Respect your and others right to learn
● Come to class prepared with materials and completed homework and/or assignments
● Take responsibility for your own actions
● Be responsible to your group during collaborative work
● Apply the "Thumper Rule": If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.
● Enter the classroom quietly and in control of your body
2. Engagement in the Community
● Be an active listener (eyes and ears on the speaker)
● Respond to others ideas and opinions
● 100% Participation 100% of the time
● Be a willing participant in our learning community
3. Passion for Learning
● Give your best effort on all of your work
● Ask questions
● Express your ideas and opinions in a positive way (I notice… & I wonder… )
● Take risks in your learning! (If it feels uncomfortable, you are about to learn something new!)