Welcome to 8th Grade Algebra 1!

ALGEBRA 1 CLASS PROCEDURES

Required Materials

Every time you come to class, you need to bring:

1. Binder with 2 sections:

a. Class Notes and Activities

b. Homework

2. Lined Paper (should be in your binder)

3. Pencils and erasers

4. Agenda Book

5. Algebra 1 Textbook

6. Graphing Calculator (your own or your school issued calculator)

**All lessons will be presented on PowerPoint, and our textbooks will be used as a reference book. Please be prepared to take notes on a daily basis!

Classroom Behavior and Expectations

1. Show respect for everyone in the room.

2. Come to class every day on time, with your required materials, ready to work and participate. If you arrive late, you must have a pass.

3. Raise your hand when you have a question or need assistance.

4. Use your class time wisely. It is highly suggested that you wait until after the main portion of the lesson is taught to go to the bathroom. You do not want to miss out on any important concepts. If you have an emergency, please raise your hand. Remember to sign in and out according to school policy.

5. Remain seated at the end of class until you are dismissed.

Homework

Homework will be checked daily. All homework assignments are 4 points each. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to make up homework within two class periods of its due date. If you were in class, no late homework will be accepted.

Classroom Websites

I use Google Classroom in order to post assignments and initiate mathematical discussions. You will be “joining” our classroom sometime in the beginning of September, and I will go over how it is used throughout the year. I also post the weekly homework assignments on my website (https://sites.google.com/site/mrsfitzgerald201).

Daily Routine

It is very important to know what is expected of you at all times in math class. This will ensure that we have a successful and productive year together.

1. Sit in your assigned seat right away, take out your homework from the night before and put it in the corner of your desk, and begin working on the Math Minute (Do Now). As you work your homework will either be quickly checked or collected. Sometimes the Math Minute is a real world application problem that requires you to work with your assigned group. Always read the board before sitting down to know whether to move your desks into groups or leave them as they are.

2. We will discuss the Math Minute and how you solved it.

3. The day’s lesson or activity will begin.

Grading

Your grade will be determined by your performance on tests, quizzes, classwork, homework, projects, and computer application activities. The Grading Weights for Memorial Middle School are as follows:

• Homework: 10%
• Classwork: 20%
• Quizzes: 30%
• Tests and Projects: 40%

Make sure to check Parent Portal throughout the marking period to stay on top of your grades and be aware of your average. You will also keep a list of your grades in your binder. This way you will always know your average in Algebra I.

How is 8^th Grade Algebra 1 different from 6^th and 7^th grade math?

This course is treated as a High School course, which means that you will take a midterm exam and a final exam just like the students do at the high school. Because of these exams, your final average for the year will be determined as follows:

Marking Period 1: 20%

Marking Period 2: 20%

Midterm Exam: 10%

Marking Period 3: 20%

Marking Period 4: 20%

Final Exam: 10%

Technology

We use a variety of websites throughout the year to challenge and help solidify each topic we learn. It is your responsibility to know your login and password for each site, so keeping a list of this information would be a great idea.

1. www.pearsonrealize.com (this is the site for your textbook)

2. www.kahoot.it (this is used for review games)

3. www.quizlet.com (this is used for review games)

Working Collaboratively in Groups

In this class we work in groups on a daily basis. Whether we are working on real world application problems or having mathematical discussions, students will be held to certain group expectations.

1. Always be on task, discussing only your assignment.

2. Contribute equally to the group discussion.

3. Keep a record of your own work.

4. Help each other.

5. Listen with an open mind.

6. Respond politely to all ideas.

Extra Credit

1. A homework pass is given each time you earn a 100% on a quiz or test. You can use these homework passes for any homework assignment given throughout the year. They do not “expire” at the end of each marking period, so homework passes earned in MP 1 can be used in MP 4.

2. Every two weeks there is a Problem-of-the-Week (a higher-level thinking Algebra problem) posted in my Fast Finishers corner. It is posted on Monday and due the following week on Friday. It is worth 4 extra credit points, so the same amount as a homework assignment. You must show your work and justify your reasoning in order to receive full credit.

Suggestions for how to succeed in 8^th Grade Algebra 1

Because Algebra 1 includes a wide variety of concepts, procedures and formulas, it requires a lot of effort. The following list of tips will help you to be successful in this class:

• Be on time to class and ready to work when the bell rings.
• Take thorough notes. Notes are essential in order to complete homework assignments and study for tests. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get notes from the classes you have missed and come for help.
• Keep up with your homework assignments. Each homework assignment is built on material from that day’s lesson, so it is meant to solidify the material learned in class and ensure understanding.
• Come in for extra help as soon as you need it! Don’t wait until you are swamped.
• Ask questions! Some of the best learning happens when you uncover your own mistakes.
• Find a study buddy. The more you talk about math, the better. When you teach a concept to someone else, you know you have it down.
• Start studying for tests and quizzes early. That way you will be able to identify questions that you might have and avoid the last minute cramming. Do not wait until the night before the test to study. You are better off reviewing for shorter periods of time over several days.

Get excited for a great year!