Dear Students and Parents,

Welcome back to school and welcome to 8th grade math! I am very excited about this school year and look forward to teaching you/your child. Get ready for a challenging but awesome year. A cooperative teamwork effort among parent, child, and teacher is important to have a successful school year. It is very important that you and your child understand the school/classroom policies and procedures. They are in place to to help up reach all out goals! These may change depending on if we are distance learning or in person. The key to making this school year a success if flexibility and patience. I hope that you and your family are safe and doing well during this time. Please reach out to me if you need anything. aferguson2@ebrschools.org

HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT COURSE

Taking a high school credit class in middle school is such a honor and I am so glad for you guys to have this opportunity. However with that opportunity comes responsibility. As a high school math student I expect nothing but your very best effort and work. You, not your parents, need to take charge of your academics as you are transitioning from middle schooler to high schooler. Please reach out to me when you aren't understanding something or use the resources in the "Support Links" section.

With that being said, we believe in you and your abilities. We wouldn't have fast tracked you to take this amazing opportunity to start earning high school credit if we didn't think you were up for the challenge. By taking this class you will have earned a math credit for the graduation requirements in the state of Louisiana. (math credit #3 of the 4 you need to graduate). That means that the grades you earn in this class will be going on your high school transcript that colleges will see when you go to apply. Not only will colleges see the grades but it will also factor into your GPA which helps you get scholarships, TOPS (in state tuition assistance) and other academic incentives for college. This is why you must strive to do the very best you can at all times.

If you want to know more information about the high school requirements you can click here to see the official planning guide. The credit requirement break down starts on pg. 25. This is a great resource for the 8th graders who will be going to high school next year.

CLASS RULES

Student's must come to class time prepared (Textbook, paper, pencils, homework completed and Chromebook).
Students must show respect to yourself, me, and others through your words and actions. Bullying or being mean will not be tolerated.
Ask Questions when you don't understand. There is no way for me to gauge your understanding without hearing from you.
Use equipment properly. Technology is such an amazing tool for learning. Please make sure that you are using is carefully and responsibly. I am able to monitor your internet usage during class and expect you to be on task.

GOOGLE MEET GUIDELINES

Be on time. Please log in on time to our class sessions in order to be counted present. The beginning of class is crucial to get help with homework and practicing material during warm ups.
Be respectful of others: listen while others talk; sometime's others questions may help you.
The chat box is not for personal conversations. Please keep all chat box conversations about class.
Keep mics muted while not talking. Especially if you do your work in a high traffic area with a lot of background noise.
Be present. Don't distract yourself with a tv, cell phone or video games. You will only get as much out of class as you put in. INVEST IN YOURSELF.
Ask questions when you don't understand. It is harder than ever for your teachers to know if you don't understand something. THERE ARE NO BAD QUESTIONS.
All SMAMS behavior expectations apply for distance learning. Refer to the SMAMS Virtual Learning Expectations if you have any questions.

CLASS ATTENDANCE + PARTICIPATION

It is expected that you come to class, arrive on time and stay the entire class period. I will be taking attendance everyday at the beginning of class. If you are to arrive late to class it is your responsibility to let me know in the chat box when you arrive late. If you are not comfortable discussing why you are late in the chat box then you must let me know by email why you were late. You are still expected to complete all of the required material for that class period in order to get participation points.

SUPPLIES NEEDED

1 Spiral Notebook or Binder with Loose Leaf (to keep homework in)
Pencils (2 or more at all times)
School Issued Chromebook REQUIRED
Algebra 2 Textbook

Recommended: Calculator, Highlighters, Colored Pencils

COURSE OUTLINE

Unit 1 Linear Relations and Functions

Unit 2 Quadratic, Polynomial, and Radical Functions and Relations

Unit 3 Advanced Functions and Relations

Unit 4 Discrete Mathematics

Unit 5 Trigonometry

GRADES

The majority of total points will be from homework, quizzes and tests. Distance learning combined with our curriculum leaves not much opportunity for projects. Therefore it is crucial that you complete homework and do well on assessments. Grades will be available in the Student Progress Center as soon as possible. Assignments turned in late will have points deducted or not accepted at all.

In the grade book, you may see something other than a numerical grade for a specific entry.

“X” is entered if a student is absent or did not turn something in when it was due. This is calculated as a zero. When the student returns and shows me that missing work, or turns in the work that is missing, an actual grade will be entered.
“E” in the gradebook, then that assignment is excused and does not need to be made up. It is not calculated as a zero

There will often be daily participation grades. This is to not only to give them grades for putting in effort during class time but also for you and I to see if a student isn't putting 100% effort in class. In order for students to be successful in math they need to watch proper procedures and practice in order to excel.

HOMEWORK

Homework will be assigned daily and will be both paper/pencil and computer based. There will never be a night where a students has nothing to do for math. Assignments should be written down in the planner each class period and is also available on the Daily Agenda located on this website and in Google Classroom.

There will be typicall be "weekly" assignments done on IXL in which the student will have a couple of days to complete at their own pace.

WORK IS NOT COMPLETE UNLESS WORK IS SHOWN.

It is Expected that homework will always be completed. Students cannot expect to be successful in mathematics without doing homework. We will have periodical homework quizzes to ensure they are completing and asking questions about homework.

LATE POLICY

Students will have until the next class period to complete late assignments for partial credit.

Every 9 week period students will be able to redo 1 assignment of their choice for full credit. This can be used on an assignment of their choice. (Not quizzes or tests) You must request forgiveness the same week in which the assignment was due. In addition, the assignment must be turned in by the next time the class meets.

ABSENT POLICY

When absent, it is the student's responsibility to make up their missed work, as well as get notes from a fellow student or watch the class recorded video.

The student will have the number of classes missed to complete make-up work unless discussed with the teacher.

If you are overwhelmed after being absent just let me know. We will try to work together to come up with a plan.

STUDYING

It is expected that students will review the class notes/activities regularly in order to fully learn. Take a small amount of time each night to make sure that you understand the class material. Come to class with specific questions on what you don't understand.

"Successful and unsuccessful people do not vary greatly in their abilities. They vary in their desire to reach their potential" -J.M.

SCHOOL DISCIPLINE POLICY

Disruptive behavior will no be tolerated in class because it interferes with what we want to accomplish in class. This includes disrupting class instruction, bullying, abusing online privileges, not being in uniform and anything not in compliance with the Sherwood Code of Conduct. Please check your schedule for the list of policies you must abide by. The following steps will be taken by the teacher in the event of a class disruption

Warning/Teacher-Student Conference
Student will receive a minor infraction
Parent Contact
Office Referral

CONTACT INFORMATION

All families are required to fill out the "SMAMS Contact Information for JCampus Update" that the school released in order to get all of your contact information. This is the best way for all of your student's teachers to get your contact information without you having to fill out multiple contact forms. Your student's Social Studies teacher sent out the form through Google Classroom.

Well, that's it! I know it is a lot of information, but it is always here so you can refer to it over the next few weeks while you adjust to Virtual Learning. Thank you for your continued support this year. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me. My email is aferguson2@ebrschools.org or you can contact me at the school phone number (225) 272-3090.

After reading through the syllabus page with a parent please fill out the Google Form below. The completion of this form is the first homework assignment of the school year.