Course Description: (From the NC Department of Instruction)
The Eighth Grade Mathematics is on number systems, expressions and equations, functions, geometry, statistics and probability. Students need to know that there are numbers that are not rational and approximate them by rational numbers. They need to be able to work with radicals and integer exponents, define, evaluate and compare functions. In addition to understanding congruence and similarity using physical models, transparencies or geometry software. Lastly, students should be efficient at investigating patterns of association in bivariate data.
Required Materials:
- One three-ring binder.
- Spiral Notebook
- PENCILS—10 points will be taken off any assignment, quiz, or test completed in ink
- TI 83 plus or TI 84 Graphing Calculator—RECOMMENDED not required
** Please let me know ASAP if there is a problem getting any of the supplies listed **
Wish List: These items are NOT required
- If you would like to donate any of the following items to my classroom, it would be greatly appreciated.
- Tissues
- Hand Sanitizer
- AAA Batteries
Class Policies and Procedures:
- Classroom Expectations
- Upon entering the class, students will begin the warm-up as the tardy bell rings.
- I will check homework every day during the warm-up time.
- NO Electronics. Cell phones, IPODS, etc. need to be off and out of sight. I will take them on first offense and give to the office for a parent to pick up.
- Bathroom breaks are not permitted during instruction. Students are asked to wait for a pause in instruction or until assignments are completed.
- Absences
- For the purpose of class attendance, a student must be present for at least 75 minutes of a ninety-minute period. If a student misses 15 or more minutes of class, this is counted as an absence.
- Students must follow the Gaston County high school attendance policy. After the tenth (10) absence (excused or unexcused) per semester from a class, students who are passing the class must file for an appeal in order to be eligible to earn credit for the class. The appeal committee will then decide if the student will or will not receive credit for the class.
- Students with excused and unexcused absences are required to make up missed work. Make up work is the responsibility of the student to initiate and complete outside of the regular class period. Upon the student’s return to school, the student has three (3) school days to arrange for make-up work. Work missed must be completed within seven (7) school days from the student’s return to school. Failure to make up the work will result in a zero for the assignment(s).
- Calculators
- I have a class set of TI 83/84 Plus calculators for students to use during class time. Each student that does not have his/her own calculator will be assigned a specific calculator to use in class. Each student is responsible for the calculator assigned to him/her. Some homework will require the use of a calculator. Therefore, it is recommended that students have their own. If students do not have their own calculator, there are some graphing calculators available online and for smartphones please see the below for options. Students will be held financially responsible for broken or vandalized calculators.
Online Calculator
http://my.hrw.com/math06_07/nsmedia/tools/Graph_Calculator/graphCalc.html
Free Smartphone App
Free Downloadable Graphing calculator for smartphones: wabbit.emu
- Food and Drinks
- No food or drink is permitted in the classroom at any time.
Classroom Expectations PAWS:
- Practice Respect: Respect all BMS students and staff, use proper voice levels at all times and use kind words.
- Always Be Responsible: Follow class procedures, leave no trace, and make sure you clean up after yourself. Know and finish all assignments when they are due. Please make sure you study and keep up!
- Work to Succeed: Come to class prepared. Bring paper, PENCILS, 3-ring binder, and assigned homework. Use time wisely and stay on task in class. Always remember to work to the best of YOUR ability.
- Stay Safe: Follow teacher directions, raise your hand for help or ask permission to get up or leave, and lastly keep hands and feet yourself.
Grading and Assessments:
There are three main components to your grade:
- Tests & Projects---------------------------------40%
- Independent Work-------------------------------30%
- Guided Work-------------------------------------20%
- Homework/Class work-------------------------10%
Grading Scale:
A: 90 – 100 B: 80 – 89 C: 70 – 79 D: 60 – 69 F: 0 – 59
Grade Weights:
60%
- Tests
- Tests will cover one unit of material and will always be announced.
- Unit tests will be a combination of open ended and multiple choice questions.
- Students will have approximately 3 test grades per six week period.
30%/20%
- Independent work/Guided Work
- Independent work will be given every day.
- The student is responsible for completing their daily assignment before class ends.
10%
- Homework
- Homework will be given each week. The only way to become a good mathematician is to practice.
- All homework assignments are due at the beginning of class the day after it is assigned unless otherwise noted. All work must be shown in order to earn full credit. Any work not presented at the beginning of class will be given a 0 unless otherwise noted.
- I will check for homework completion daily. Each night’s homework will be given a completion grade of 0 to 2.
- If a student does not complete or turn in an assignment, he/she will receive a zero.
- If a student is absent, it is his/her responsibility to get the missing work.
- The day the assignment is due, students are responsible for asking questions on anything he/she got wrong or didn’t understand. Students must record the correct answer and correct the work for that problem.
EOG:
- At the end of the school year, each student will take the state-created EOG. The final will count as 20% of the student’s overall grade. We will review for the final toward the end of the year.
Grade Reports:
- Students will have an opportunity to see his/her grade on a weekly basis. Every student should always have a good idea of the grade he/she is earning in this class.
- Parents are expected to check their student’s grade using Power School on a regular basis.
- Students will meet and conference one on one with Mr. Baity (at least once per six weeks) to discuss their progress and grade in the course.