Email ray.adams@cms.k12.nc.us
Phone: 980-343-5006
To Parent(s) / Guardians(s): Email is the preferred method of contact) Bell Schedule 72 Minute Blocks8:45-9:15Arrival and Breakfast9:15-10:32Homeroom and 1st Block10:37-11:492nd Block11:54-1:413rd Blockand Lunch and HAC7th Grade Planning, Students at Electives1:46-2:584th Block8th Grade Planning, Students at Electives3:03-4:155th Block3:15-4:105th Grade Specials4:15Dismissal ______________________________________________
Dear Students,
Welcome back to the 2019 - 2020 school year! I look forward to becoming your math teacher during the current term. I am here to help you. I know that for some students, math is not a problem and for others it may be a challenge.
We will work together to help those of you who need a little extra encouragement as well as challenge anyone who is ready for it.
I will be available before school for questions, comments, or concerns. This site will include various resources to help you better understand the math concepts.
Homework will be assigned daily.
What to Expect from 7th Grade Math II and 8th Grade Math II/III:Math practices and modeling with mathematics are embedded into the standards for this class to include the study of ratio, percent and proportional relationships, rational numbers, expressions and equations, statistics and probability, and geometry.We will also focus on understanding math by utilizing the following practices:1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others4. Model with mathematics5. Use appropriate tools strategically6. Attend to precision7. Look for and make use of structure8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning Courses Outline:
Welcome to Math II/III at Governor's Village STEM Academy!
I am looking forward to helping you achieve excellence as you continue to explore the basic building blocks of algebra and geometry introduced in Math 1. Congratulations on accepting the challenge of an honors mathematics class. As an honors student, you will be given the opportunity to explore the curriculum at a deeper level.
In addition, because you excel in mathematics and have the potential to earn a higher weighted GPA, the expectations in this course will be greater than that of an academic level class.
You are encouraged to come to class every day, study regularly, complete all assignments with diligence and always ask for help when you need it.
If you do these things, I am confident you will be successful in this class.Math II COURSE DESCRIPTION
Math 2 Honors provides learners with an opportunity to dig deep into the topics of North Carolina Math 2. Topics we will focus on include quadratics, transformations, congruence, similarity, and right triangle trigonometry. Students will solve relevant and authentic problems using appropriate technology.Materials:
Composition Notebook (Graph Paper if possible)TI-84 or higher graphing calculator (RecommendedPencils and ErasersColored pens or pencils (Recommended)Compass (Recommended)CLASS POLICIES:
1-Attendance To achieve success in math, it is important for you to attend class regularly. Each day’s class work builds on prior learning. If a student misses just one day, they have difficulty following new assignments. You haveStudents will have 5 school days to request, complete and change a zero grade for missing work due to absences: How to makeup tests - quizzes and or locked homework for full credit due to being absent for any reason?
1- When you are absent for any reason, please check Power School for a placeholder grade of zero and Castle-Learning website for the missing locked assignment upon your return to school.
2- Email the teacher immediately within 5 school days of your return to reopen assignments closed due to absences, and should be competed immediately by the next school day; additional days will be allowed for each additional absence.2-Notes:1- Email should be sent from the school email to display your full name and not from your personal email. - Title of the email: Missing assignment; content of the email: name and date of the assignment.2- Once missing work is completed3- Email the teacher with your final grade from your school assigned email. - Title of the email: Grade Earned for missing assignment(s), name of the assignment , and request to replace zero with earned grade.
3 a-Grading Scale Assessments - Formal 70%Informal 30% (Homework/Classwork) First Semester 40% Second Semester 40%**Final Exam 20%
**Students will take an NCFE at the completion of this course
A: 90% - 100%(Tests/Quizzes/Performance Tasks) B: 80% - 89%C: 70% - 79%D: 60% - 69%F: Less than 60%
Math III COURSE DESCRIPTIONUnit Topics Covered 1. Statistics: At the end of this unit, students will understand statistics as a process of making inferences about a population (parameter) based on results from a random sample (statistic).
2. Functions & Their Inverses: This unit builds upon students’ previous work with modeling functions in Math 1 and Math 2. It develops the notion of the inverse function of quadratic, exponential, and linear functions and introduces piecewise-defined and absolute value functions through multiple representations, i.e. graphing, equations, tables, verbal descriptions, etc.
3. Logarithmic Functions: Following the functions unit, this unit continues to build upon familiarity with exponents and exponential functions and introduces logarithmic functions. Additionally, solving exponential and logarithmic equations involves using algebraic operations students have practiced in Math 1 and Math 2. 4. Reasoning with Geometry: This unit transitions into geometric concepts with an emphasis on reasoning, justification, and formalizing proof. Students will prove more theorems about triangles and parallelograms that they are familiar with from Math 1 and Math 2.
5. Polynomial Functions: Students will begin by continuing their modeling work with expressions or functions that represent familiar topics such as perimeter and area, and volume. The modeling of volume will introduce a cubic polynomial and present the opportunity to begin exploring polynomials of higher degree more in depth.
6. Rational Functions: This unit is intended to develop students’ understanding of rational functions so they can work with complex fractions correctly.
7. Trigonometric Functions: Understand and interpret the key features, uses and limitations of multiple representations of trigonometric functions that model real world periodic behavior.
8. Modeling with Geometry: This unit transitions from polynomial work to geometric concepts that require the use of algebra, culminating in a collaborative project.
Final Grade Breakdown 40% 1st Semester 40% 2nd Semester 20% FINAL EXAM **
**Students will take an NCFE at the completion of this course
3 b-Resources:Throughout the year we will use Castle-Learning.com If internet access is not available at home for any reason, to complete any assignment(s), student will be able to come before school to complete missing work; please text me in advance.
4-Required Materials:- 1 package of college ruled filler paper; 1 package of graph paper- 2 composition notebooks (1 each semester)- 1 ½”, 3 ring binder- 5 pocket dividers with tabs (Class notes - Homework - Assessments - Test & Quiz corrections - Handouts & Formulas)- TI-84 or 83 Graphing Calculator- Highlighters – Colored Pencils- Compass – Protractor- Recommended: pencil box or pouch to house pencils, pens, 1 glue stick, scissors, clear tape, colored pencils, and highlighters for everyday use.
5- Wish list:AAA batteries - box of tissues - 1 ream of white copy paper - dry erase markers - hand sanitizer.
6- Grading Policies:- 70% Formal: Online & paper tests - POP quizzes - end of quarter exams - 4th quarter math paper. - 30% Informal:
Homework – writing in mathematics K.L.W. (Know – Learned – What else do you need help with? (due each Friday) - projects – monthly notebook checks – quarter end portfolio check. 7- Homework:Homework assigned problems in the packets are selected based on the following difficulty levels (Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced), otherwise; assignments will become tedious and lack the rigor!!1- Elementary: Standard level.
2- Intermediate: Math II/III Honor students or inquiry-based problems
3- Advanced: Honor level requires the deepest level of thinking; often can be thought of as "thinking outside of the box." Students will be able to use all of their knowledge to formulate a response that is completely new and original.
4- Released packets, may include up to 100 questions, however, no more than 35 problems will assigned per school night.
- A packet may be closed after the first day, in order to monitor students’ daily progress and or adjust re-teaching for certain prior concepts.
- It's the students' responsibility to adhere to daily due dates as indicated in the teacher's note, which is posted on Castle-Learning within each homework assignment.
- Every effort will be made to update grades daily to inform both parents and or guardian on their student's daily progress.
Those type of assignments are designed to earn extra credit; never meant to be completed in one sitting. If a student does not complete daily assigned work as stated in Castle-Learning Teacher's note, regardless of a packet or regular H.W.; it will impact his or her GPA in math negatively.
8- Notes:- Upper level problems encourage independent study, deductive reasoning, and utilization of existing knowledge to uncover the connections, similarities and differences among various functions.- Independently exploring new concepts and ideas provide guidance to discover mathematical relationships and patterns make conjectures and develop problem-solving strategies, which will lead to solving both difficult equations and complex word problems.- Math II class will cover prior and current math concepts:7th, 8th, 9th and Math I concepts and Math II Standards.- Math III class will cover prior prior and current math concepts:7th, 8th ,9th and math I, math II and Math III Standards. - It’s expected for students to allocate 60-90 minutes daily on math homework; at the end of each block, provided there is available time, students will be begin working on homework individually and or in groups.- Packets of 100 problems or less will be RELEASED for homework, however, no more than 30-35 problems will be assigned per each day; no homework will be assigned over the weekends.- If a student needs an extension for any valid reason to complete any assignment and or homework, it will be granted; please text or email me directly using school email upon arriving to school.- If a student is struggling with completing daily homework, please attempt the following:1) Research the concept from online textbook, my school website and or other online resources.2) If you still need help with a specific concept, continue working on the remaining problems, then text me to attend tutorial the next school day.3) DON’T spend more than 90 minutes on daily math homework (approximately 30 minutes per each grade level), unless you want to!4) Target: 2 minutes per each problem or less.If the assignment was not turned in or started on Castle-Learning; student will earn 0% If the assignment was attempted but was not accurate for open ended /constructed responses; actual earned grade will be posted.
9- Make-up/absence:It is YOUR responsibility to make up any assignment you miss while absent from school. Make sure to check Castle Learning daily and read teach notes within each assigned homework / take home quiz and or test. In class test will be announced in advance - pop quizzes are announced in advance.You will be given the amount of days you missed to make up missed work. Missed classroom assessments must be made up before or after school by appointment. If you return on a day that there is an assessment, you will be required to take the exam; student will have an opportunity for a makeup if grade is less than satisfactory upon request; a grade of zero as a "PLACEHOLDER" will posted till the test/quiz is taken, then grade will be changed after the assessment is taken to reflect earned grade.
10 a- Retake Policy:Students' Responsibility:A-Castle-Learning and or In class retake formal assessments policy is to allow students the opportunity to master mathematical concepts. Every effort will be made to allow students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the concepts and skills of this class.
B-You will have a two-week window from the time the original score is posted in Power school to notify teacher to retake the assessment. Retake grade will replace the original grade regardless of which one is higher; maximum grade on the retake is 79%.
C- Retake will be before school and by appointment only.
D- No make-up for final quarter formal assessments.
Before you can retake a formal grade assignment, the following steps are required:
I- Review the initial test/quiz from Castle-Learning; it will be re-opened in a review mode as soon as all of students are tested.
II- In addition, students are encouraged to ask questions pertaining to the test/concepts being presented; all questions will be answered before the of the class period to enable writing in mathematics - writing down questions/answers in math notebooks for future review; encourages students higher level of logical mathematical thinking.
III- Remember: Online formal assignments will be reopened in a view mode to check your work and grade; you may write down concepts you need help with in your weekly math journal (K.L.W.)
Constructed responses worth twice to 3 times as much as multiple choices; no steps typed in the allocated spaces in Castle-Learning, and or turned in as instructed in the teacher's note, no credit will be awarded; take the time to show all of your work.
Periodically, bonus points will be awarded to encourage every student to achieve the highest academic desired grade.!! 10 b- Due Dates/Late Work/Bonus:All assessments must be completed for formal and informal work in the time allowed by due dates. If a student has not finished by due date; earned grade is posted.
*****Students have numerous opportunities to improve unsatisfactory grade by earning formal bonus points throughout the quarter.
Bonus is awarded based on the following criteria:
-Continuous active classroom participation and constructive/ meaningful group discussions related to the topics being presented.
-Consistency in completing of homework, class activities, warm-ups and K.L.W (weekly writing assignment in mathematics); targeted mastery is 90% or higher. -Late work due to being sick and or absent for personal reasons, will be assigned bonus points upon completion; however, Zero plus "A" grade will remain for tracking absenteeism.
11 a- Notes:1- Courtesy Bonus Points:Are subject to change throughout the quarter depending on each student’s consistency of mastering concepts being reviewed, keeping a daily math notebook combined with organizational skills to show all of the required steps related to given assignments, when necessary.2- Bonus is not a replacement/substitute for missing H.W. and or quiz/test grade.3 - A student may be disqualified from earning bonus points and could lose prior given bonus points, due to lack of academic progress, integrity and or dishonesty. 11 b- Writing in Mathematics K.L.W. Rubric:-Writing three paragraphs pertaining to current week concepts 10 points (8 points plus 2 for neatness)(may be mailed to teacher on the due date using student assigned email).-Incomplete paragraphs 7 points (5 points plus 2 for neatness)-Itemized list 5 points (3 points plus 2 for neatness)-Not turned in on Friday 0 points K.L.W. Assignment takes 5 minutes to complete and it is due weekly each Friday.Student is required to write three paragraphs on One Page Paper .
K(now),L(learned),W(hat) else do I need help with?One-page reflection paper is due each Friday, or the next school day in the event of school closure due to Holidays and or inclement weather. No Make-Up for this assignment; it takes 5 minutes to complete a weekly reflection. The learner will have ample opportunities to earn extra credit during class time to master concepts and academic responsibilities.
12- Cheating:Cheating is a non-negotiable issue. Any student caught copying from another student on any work/assignment; any student talking during a quiz, test; and any student presenting another person’s work as his/her own will earn a zero for the assignment—no matter if the student has completed the assignment or not.Students will be referred to administration. Remember, even if you are working with a partner, the work towards all parts of the assignment should be done jointly. Simply copying the answers from your partner is cheating as you are representing his/her work as your own.
13- Tardiness:Students will be marked as tardy if they are not fully in the classroom before the bell starts ringing. Running into the classroom to avoid being tardy will result in a lunch detention. Students should use time wisely to travel between classes. Please, if you are late due to being with a teacher or administrator, you are responsible for asking that teacher or administrator for a pass to class. Failure to do so will result in being considered tardy.
14- Rules/Expectations:
RulesFollow all school and CMS district rules and expectations including (but not limited to) the school dress code, phone policy, food/drink policy, bullying, etc. Only water bottles (with water) allowed in the classroom. Food must be contained in a lunch box and kept in a backpack. Hats are worn only in the hallways, outside, and in the cafeteria. Refrain from wearing them in class. Cell phones, iPads, and other electronics must be kept in backpacks unless otherwise instructed. Cell phones must stay in the classroom when going to the restroom. Follow the directions of the teacher or instructional aide.
ExpectationsBe responsible Be respectful Be Safe
15- Classroom management plan:Consequences for failure to follow the classroom rules are a three-strike system:First issueTeacher issues verbal warning to studentSecond issueStudent sent to hallway for discussion or a buddy classroom (another 7th grade math room) if the teacher is unable to go out to the hall at the momentTeacher contacts parentsStudent has lunch detention (Failure to serve the first time becomes 2 lunch detentions and failure to serves beyond that is an office referral)Third issueOffice referralThe teachers also reserve the right to write a student an office referral at anytime
16- Electronics Policy:All electronics must stay in backpacks during class unless otherwise stated by the teacher. Students will be required to use their Chromebooks as directed in the classroom, and can use other mobile electronic devices with teacher permission and direction. Students also need to follow the expectations outlined in the School and CMS district Technology User Agreement.If the student misuses electronics in the classroom, in compliance with the three-strike policy, strike one is a warning, strike two is student pickup in the office with parent contact with a lunch detention, and strike three is parent pickup in the office. If the problem continues, a Grade Level administrator will be notified.-------------------------------------------------------------------------
To Parent(s) / Guardian(s):I am looking forward to working with you and your student for a successful year. Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have any questions or concerns about the class or your student’s progress.
High School courses and honor classes in Middle School Grades offer students the opportunity to get a head start on high school graduation requirements while in the supportive environment of a middle school classroom. Students can earn up to 3 high school math credits at the end of middle school, while at the same time achieving a higher level of learning and expanding their knowledge.
The program teaches students to challenge themselves, to study subjects in greater detail, and to develop reasoning and analytical skills. In addition, courses and exams prepare students for the rigorous demands of both high school and college. National studies of college entrance requirements indicate that course selection is the most important criteria for admitting students.
The main requirement for advanced courses is a strong curiosity of the subject matter and the dedication to work hard.
Confirmation:I have read and understand all the details of this syllabus. Please keep a copy of this signed syllabus in the front of your notebook and or binder. Parent Name (Please Print):-----------------------------------Parent Signature:------------------------------------------------ Email:---------------------------------------------------------- Phone:----------------------------Date:----------------------- Student Name (Please Print):---------------------------------Student Signature:---------------------------------------------- Email:-----------------------------------------------------------Phone:----------------------------Date:----- ------------------