Austintown Middle School
Course Syllabus and Expectations
Instructor: Mrs. Coon
Course: 8th Grade General Math
Email address: mcoon@austintownschools.org
Webpage: https://sites.google.com/austintownschools.org/mcoon8thgrademath
Course Objectives/Rationale: Eighth grade mathematics is a prerequisite course for Algebra 1. Students will be involved in communicating information mathematically, solving problems from a real world context and justifying the solutions to problems. This is a rigorous course, with the expectations that students will complete homework on a daily basis, correct their own assignments, participate daily and get help when needed. The course is designed to provide students with every opportunity to be successful in and out of the classroom and to create student-centered lessons that focus on the Common Core State Standards and AIR Assessments.
Required Supplies Grading Scale
3-Ring Binder (1 ½ inches thick) A 90% - 100%
Colored Pencils B 80% - 89%
Pencils C 70% - 79%
RED pens D 60% - 69%
GRAPH paper (used daily for notes and homework) F Below 60%
TI-30X IIS (Amazon or Walmart)* *Progressbook does round. So an
12“ Ruler with centimeters 89.5% will be an A.
Class Expectations:
1. Be prompt. You must be in your seat by the time the bell is done ringing.
2. Be prepared. Each day you must bring your binder, calculator, pencil, and chromebook.
3. Be positive. We have great expectations for our students. We feel confident that by working
together, there is much we can all learn.
4. Be polite. We place a great emphasis on politeness. The ability to get along with a wide range of
personalities is one of the most sought after characteristics that employers look for when
interviewing. Politeness goes further than saying please and thank you. Listening to others,
following directions the first time they are given, not getting ready to leave the class before we
dismiss you, honesty, and self-discipline are all examples of being polite.
Additional Help:
Seek help aggressively! Everyone, no matter how self-sufficient they are in math will get stuck sometime this year. Ask questions in class, email me, form a study group, and/or make an appointment with me to get the help you need. Come prepared with class materials and specific questions.
Absences: When students have an excused absence they are given a one-day grace period for each day absent to complete the assignment(s) missed. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain the missing work/assignment and turn in the work within the grace period. When absent, students are expected to check Google Classroom for class notes and the homework assignment for the day(s) absent.
Homework General Guidelines:
Homework is assigned for 2 purposes; (1) practice new skills and (2) preparation for future topics or elaboration of topics already learned.
ALL CLASS NOTES AND HOMEWORK MUST BE DONE ON GRAPH PAPER!!!!
Homework assignments may be checked or collected the day after it is assigned. Homework that is checked for completeness will be assessed on whether there is genuine effort put forth to complete it. "Genuine effort" includes pictures, drawings, explanations, and all mathematical calculations leading to the answer. You will receive full credit if it is completely finished with “genuine effort”, half credit if at least half is completed with “genuine effort”, and no credit if less than half is completed or if “genuine effort” is not evident.
All homework assignments must be corrected. That means, you must redo the problems/questions that you missed. This does not mean that you just change your wrong answer to the correct one. Corrections include the correct work that leads to the correct solution.
If students have additional homework questions please seek help from your teacher immediately.
Your teacher may also elect to give you an assessment based on the homework that was assigned that week. It will be very similar to the homework problems assigned.
Homework turned in late will not be accepted for credit, unless a student has an excused absence. In which they are given one day grace day for each day absent.
Grading Policy:
Category 1: Individual Assessments (tests, quizzes, journal entries, etc.)
Each individual test will be composed of approximately 35% new material and 65% old material. If you are absent from a test or a quiz you are expected to make it up the day you return to school. This category has the biggest impact on your final grade for this course.
Category 2: Coursework (class preparation, participation, homework, etc.)
Cheating Policy/Procedures:
Cheating is a very serious offense. We have great compassion for students who are struggling with the material in math class. We have none for people who cheat. If we have reason to believe that you are cheating the following consequences will occur: (1) you will earn a zero on the test, quiz, or assignment, (2) we will immediately contact the office and your parent/guardian to arrange a conference.
BYOD Policy: Electronic devices (phones, tablets, etc) are NOT PERMITTED in class. If a student fails to comply with this policy, the device will be taken from the student. In addition, the student will be written up for disciplinary action. The only allowable electronic device allowed in the classroom is the school-issued Chromebook. However, students may not use the Chromebook unless instructed to by the teacher. This is the policy every day, no exceptions!!!