CC3/Alg 1 MATH Grade 8
Mr. Thomas L NIcholson
Phone: 510-656-7211 x 28052
Email: tnicholson@fusdk12.net
Let me be the first to welcome you and your child to Walters for his/her 7th grade. I am honored to be the one selected to teach your child this year. I will do my absolute best to develop him or her academically and socially.
As a parent myself, I understand how much you want your child to be successful in all that he or she does. Therefore, I have prepared an outline of expectations for us all in order to allow your child to shine. If we all do our part, your child will achieve more than he or she imagined possible.
The Common Core is a set of high-quality academic standards in mathematics and English language arts. These learning goals outline what a student should know and be able to do at the end of each grade. These standards have been made so that our students are well prepared for high school and college. Common core curriculum is going to deal with more depth of the content as compared to the width of the content where a lot of concepts were introduced within a short time without making any relevant connections between various topics within the grade. The goal will be to make sense and show perseverance in problem solving, reasoning, modeling with mathematics, looking for precision, and patterns.
BOOK ADOPTION
To achieve the common core goals, our district is using a high school Algebra book by Big Ideas Math .Every student will be given one copy at the beginning of the year and will be expected to bring it to school everyday.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The topics in the Big Ideas math book are divided into 11 units. Main outline is solving multi step equations and Inequalities, graphing and writing linear functions, system of equations, exponential functions and sequences, polynomial equations , Quadratic functions- solving and graphing, radical functions, Data analysis and Displays. More will be covered on back to school night.
AERIES
Aeries is a web based tool which helps to connect the school and parents. Students can see the homework assigned everyday, upcoming tests or quizzes, any events in the school, and can email teachers or administrators for any concerns. I will recommend every parent to download the Aeries app. Students and parents can have separate accounts. It's good to keep in touch with your child’s performance in school before it gets too late. To register go to
https://fremontusd.aeries.net/student/LoginParent.aspx
Listed below are the things students should bring to school everyday.
1 composition/spiral notebook
2-3 pencils
red pen to check homework
GRADING POLICY
Tests/Quizzes 70% 90% and above A
Classwork/IXL 20% 80% - 89.9% B
Homework 10% 70% - 79.9% C
60% - 69.9% D
59.9% or below F
Homework will be given from Monday to Thursday.
Homework will be posted on the google classroom/Aeries and Classroom board. Homework will be checked everyday and doubtful questions will be discussed. .
Credit will be given for doing the homework only if students will show the work or steps clearly and are submitted on the due date.
Since students are learning new techniques, credit will be given even if the answers are not correct but the mathematical steps are shown clearly. No work shown, No credit will be given.
My focus is to identify their own, honest efforts in doing the homework.
I have a zero tolerance for plagiarism. If a student will be caught copying someone’s work, NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN to any student involved.
TESTS AND QUIZZES
Tests will be given at the end of each chapter. Students will be notified of the test about 3 to 4 days in advance. Study guide will be given to prepare for tests
Quizzes will be given on any day to check their understanding from the lessons of that week. Remember, it will be an important part of grading. Pop quizzes can take place whenever a check for understanding will be needed. No notice will be given for quizzes.
Class Work will include math talk, note-taking, making efforts to solve problems, coming prepared to classroom and asking questions .
Be Positive have a positive attitude and open mindset toward our new and ever-changing learning environment
Be prompt: students are ready to work and participate fully in all activities.
Be prepared: Come prepared,dress appropriately, sit upright at a table,have all necessary materials ready and restroom breaks before or after class.
Be respectful : .Only participate in assigned Zoom class sessions and DO NOT share Zoom or Google classroom logins
Be courteous: do not speak out of turn. Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat. Think before you act.
Be on task: remain on task throughout the period. Remember the bell doesn’t dismiss you, the teacher does.
Warning(2 verbal)
Visit to the responsibility center (RC)
Phone call to parents(every time a student goes to RC)
Referral to the Vice Principal
Parents notified through parent square or phone for appreciation
Student of the Quarter
Semester Reward
DONATIONS
Our classroom needs the following things . Anything donated will be appreciated :
# 2 pencils
Tissue boxes (lots of them)
Hand sanitizer
ruled or binder paper
CLASS CONTRACT
Do not cut
Both you and your parent/guardian needs to read and sign this paper after reviewing
the following information and keep it in your binder. This is a contract for the class.
__________________ ___________________ __________________
Print Student’s Name Student’s Signature Parent’s Signature