Classes

September 2019

Mathematics Grades 6-8

Mrs. Jennifer Chin-Sinn

I’d like to welcome you to the 2019-2020 school season here at St. Francis of Assisi School. I hope you are all are well rested and ready for the new school year. I am looking forward to being your child’s teacher this year and to getting to know all of you.

Entering junior high, there will be many changes and adjustments to be made as the students acclimate to their new schedules, classes, and teachers. As we further prepare them for high school and for the future, we will be working on skills such as being organized and responsible, and to think critically and problem solve at a time when we're used to parents doing it for us in a world where we have "apps for that". We must look forward to gain the experiences necessary for you to begin to think for yourselves. I expect the best from my students and I will show great encouragement for every new step they take. I expect all of my students to put their best efforts into their work as well as their behavior, being on time for class each day, prepared with notebooks, calculators, and supplies, to study for tests, and to participate in class.

I look forward to this year. I know together we will make it a successful one.

Mathematics

Text/Workbook- Houghton Mifflin Harcourt- Go Math! Grade 6

Grade Average- Tests 40%, Quizzes-30%,

Homework and Aleks 20%, Classwork and Participation 10%

Science

Lab Manual Workbook- Lab Learners - The Science of Learning – Middle School

Grade Average- Tests & Quizzes- 60%, Projects and Reports-25%, homework and classwork 15%

Religion

Text/Workbook- Sadlier’s We Believe

Grade Average-Tests-65%, Projects and Reports-20%, homework and classwork- 15%

Grading

Grades include tests, quizzes, homework, class work, projects, participation and conduct. All are important to the success of learning.

Tests

Tests will be given after each main topic or chapter. Test will consist of various parts and usually last for a full period. All work supporting answers must be shown on tests and will be graded. Answers with no work or explanations will lose points.

Points will be deducted for unclear words or numbers, so please emphasize to your child the importance of good handwriting. Points will also be deducted from any test, worksheet, project, etc. with no name or incomplete heading. Tests must be signed by a parent or guardian and returned within 2 days. Test missed during an absence will be taken on the first reading in the math content area period.

Quizzes

Quizzes can be given at anytime. For this reason, students should take special care in paying attention in class and doing homework each night. Be sure to ask questions. Quizzes will usually cover a specific topic that had been completed over the last couple of days. Quizzes will only last between 10 and 20 min. Although quizzes are shorter than tests, it is important to realize that they hold almost as much weight.

Homework quizzes can be given at any time and will consist of one or two questions just like the questions that were in the homework. This means you should be prepared with homework each day.

Homework:

Homework will be given every night of the week and occasionally on Fridays. It is important to review class notes before beginning each homework to refresh the lesson. It is important to remember that homework is used to practice what was learned that day and will help you to study current topics. A student needs to show all work leading to the final answer in each mathematics homework. The following items are considered homework:

v Written assignments

v Studying for tests

v Covering books

v Obtaining parent signatures on tests and other required paperwork

v Completing projects

v Completing unfinished classwork

It is the students’ responsibility to complete all homework. Homework is part of the final grade. First missed homework will receive a warning. Any following missed homeworks will affect your grade and will have consequences including calls home and detention. All homework turned in late will receive a 10 point deduction for each day late.

Homework not done in the workbook should be submitted on a fresh, presentable sheet of paper (or handout if one is given). Homework missed during an absence will be given 1 day grace to complete.

Conduct and Class participation

Students shall conform themselves to standards of conduct that are consistent with the Christian principles of the school. Inappropriate or disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated. Remember to be respectful to teachers as well as fellow students

Class Participation is a great way to make sure you are grasping the lesson. It also gives the teacher insight into a student’s grasp of the lesson. It is strongly encouraged that all students participate.

Covering Books

All hard cover books are to be covered with paper or a book sock. We can do this together in class. Workbooks however should be covered at home with clear contact paper.

Absences:

Please call the school office by 8 am the morning of your child’s absence. A note is required each time your child is absent. Please indicated the date(s) and reason(s) for the absence. Books and assignments will not be sent home with siblings. It is important for each child to have a class buddy who can take books home in the event of an absence. If there is no one to do this, books can be sent to the general office for pick up by you after school.

Lunch Money

All money for purchasing school lunch must be turned in on the first day each week during morning collection. Please put the exact amount for each day’s order in a separate envelope clearly marked with your child’s full name, grade and food choice.

Dress code:

All children are expected to be in the full uniform each day. Please refer to the handbook for uniform policies.

Contact me:

If you wish to speak to me at anytime during the year, feel free to send me a note or set up an appointment. I can also be reached by e-mail at jchinsinn@sfaacademy.org.