Class Syllabus

Regular and Pre-Algebra Course Description 

Course Description: 

The Seventh and eighth grade mathematics courses are a combination of regular grade level mathematics and algebraic concepts that prepares students for Algebra I and beyond. Application, problem solving, and critical thinking are integrated throughout the course.  The course will offer the following: real-life mathematics,computation and application of rational numbers, algebraic relationships,multi-step equations, inequalities, and graphs of linear functions, geometric concepts, right triangles, and the application of the Pythagorean Theorem, data analysis, probability, and statistical graphing.  Technology, including the use of computers and calculators, will be used as tools of instruction.

 Core Conceptual Objectives

 By the end of this course, students should be able to:    

·    To compare and manipulate real numbers and apply number theory concepts to solve   

·    Mathematical and life problems. (Numbers and Operations)

·    Transform numerical patterns into algebraic functions and utilize linear functions, graphs, and equations to solve mathematical problems.  (Algebraic Relationships)

·    Compare, classify, and analyze the attributes of geometric figures and apply geometric concepts to solve mathematical and life problems.  (Geometric and Spatial Relationships)

·    Calculate the measurements of plane and solid figures and apply appropriate measurement formulas to solve mathematical and life situations.  (Measurement)

·   Collect, represent, and analyze data, and predict future outcomes based on the analysis of that data.  (Data and Probability)

·   To understand and analyze financial data,including loan payments, estimating college costs and budgeting. (Financial Literacy)

As students’ progress in their educational endeavors, more knowledge and skill will be required for each level. This course will foster a development and understanding of the real number system and algebraic thinking. Students will acquire skills in adding,subtracting, multiplying and dividing signed numbers including integers (Rational and Irrational Numbers). Students solve multi-step equations involving real numbers. Problem solving in the course includes consumer applications of ratio, proportion, and percent. It continues to develop other important mathematics topics including patterns, functions, geometry, measurement,probability, and statistics. It provides remediation for students who are below grade level as well as enrichment for advanced students.

Students will be assessed through teacher observation, classwork, homework, quizzes, tests, and exams. Grades will be determined each six weeks in the following manner. 

•   Homework will count as 40% of the grade. Hom work will receive a grade of 100 if the student has put forth the effort to complete the assignment and make any corrections in class.

 •  Classwork, Activities and other minor assessments count as 40% of the grade.This includes quizzes. 

•  Tests count as 60% of the grade. Tests will be given at the end of a Modules and units in most cases. Some units will be broken into parts and tested individually.

 •    Showing work: Seeing student's steps is an important part in assessing their progress.It is through their work that I am able to find areas of strengths as well as their weaknesses. Students that do not show the necessary work will not receive credit for assignments. This policy also applies to quizzes and tests.

•    Notebook: Each student should keep an organized notebook. These are checked periodically and recommendations are made for improvement.

 Required Materials:

 Harcourt Mifflin Go Math

2 inch binder with 10 sheet protectors to be used as dividers

Composition Journal (100 Page)

Loose-leaf Wide-ruled and graph paper for assignments

Pencils and eraser

Red pen for corrections

Ruler in inches and centimeters

TI-83 or TI-83+ calculator

 Teacher

 Mr. Bewley

Room #119, phone 956-580-5333, e-mail: [email protected]

 Grading scale

90 – 100 A

80 – 89 B

70 – 79 C

60 – 69 D (not passing)

Below 59 F (Not Passing)

Teaching Methods and Strategies:

Students will be given challenging real-world application projects and assignments. High quality work is expected. Classroom activities will include authentic hands-on-activities, problem solving, projects, content based games and research. Students will work in cooperative groups and pairs, but will be expected to complete individual assignments in relation to the cooperative work. Formal assessment methods will include written exams, tests, and projects with rubrics, quizzes, and written reports. Informal assessment will include class content games, student response, and group discussion. Standards can be found at www.tea/standards .

Presentation of Rules and Procedures:

A letter was posted on the teachers’ web page the first week of school. This letter contains information regarding expectations, procedures, grading, materials needed, and behavior.The classroom rules are also posted in the front of the classroom and were discussed during the first week of school. Rules and procedures will be reviewed and discussed as needed.

Rules for Student Behavior

        I expect students to follow the school and district policies.

        Students will follow established and rehearsed class routines and procedures.

        Students should have pencil, textbook, homework, and binder,handouts, notebook on their desks at the beginning of class.

        It is the student's responsibility to make up missed work due to absences.

The most critical rule for the class...  Always show respect.  

            Procedures for Non-Instructional Routines:

Students are expected to be on time and to have all assignments and materials needed for the class. Attendance is taken at the beginning of the class period. As students enter the room, they should get their materials needed for the day, sharpen their pencils, be seated, and begin completing the assigned bell work. Tardies are recorded in our attendance system and addressed through administration. Students are not to go to the restroom unless it is an emergency. Instructional time is very important.

All quizzes/test and class and home work turned in for grades will be returned as soon as possible. Teacher generated tests will be returned to students. They must be signed by parents if the grade is below a “C”. Students are to keep all returned tests, quizzes, and assignments in their math binder. District level generated tests will not be sent home. Students will be given these tests back in order to assess their progress and mistakes, but these tests will not be sent home. Parents are welcome to look at these tests by making an appointment.

Extra help will be given as needed.In some cases I will let a student know that it would be in their best interest to arrange a time with me for extra help. If a student feels they are having some difficulties in a particular area, they need to speak with me and we will set up a time. Extra help time is usually scheduled before or after school.Students staying after school need to make prior arrangements for transportation or stay and go home on the tutoring bus that runs at 5 pm.

Homework Policy

Doing homework is essential to learning mathematical concepts. It gives students the opportunity to work independently, as well as reinforce and extend previously learned skills. Homework is checked daily at the beginning of class. The student is given points based on the work completed. All work must be shown.  

Late work is not accepted for Pre-AP Level Students, in accordance with Sharyland Grading Policy

Make-Up Policy:

Provisions for the make-up of school work missed during excused absences will be worked out with the teacher and should not exceed five (5) school days after the student returns to school.

Provision for the make-up of schoolwork missed during unexcused absences may be approved only with permission of the principal. It is the responsibility of the student to make this contact prior to the absence.

There will be no make-up of schoolwork missed due to out of school suspensions unless specified by an administrator.

Consequences for Violating Class and School Rules / Policies:

 Positive consequences: caught doing good passes and other rewards

Time to work on independent work,extra credit, or other class assignments

Negative consequences: Depending on the severity and number of occurrences the following consequences will be used- warning, student/teacher conference, sent to another classroom for time out, phone call to parent, detention, writing assignment to address the behavior, sent to guidance counselor, parent conference, or referral.

Severity Clause: For blatant misbehavior (fighting, extremely rude or crude behavior, etc.), a student will be sent immediately to the office with a referral.

Attendance and Tardy Policy:

Please see Student Code of Conduct(Student manual)

Every day is important! Your success in this course is directly related to how often you are present. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get the work and notes that you missed. If you are on campus during any portion of the school day,your homework for that day will be due and any scheduled quizzes or tests must be taken. It is your responsibility to come see me if you arrive late to school or leave early and miss my class period.

If you miss the class the day before a test and return the day of the test, you will be expected to take the test as scheduled. If you have missed two or more days before a test and return the day of the test, come see me and we can make arrangements for you to take the test at a later date.

Plan for Parental Communication:

Beginning of the year letter: A letter was posted on the web page during the first week of school regarding classroom rules and procedures.

Progress Reports: These will be sent home after the first three weeks in each six week grading period for all students. Updated reports will be sent at others times that might be necessary.(Students grades suddenly dropping or a marked improvement in grades.) Updated progress reports will also be sent home with parent requests.

Report Cards: These will be sent home at the end of each Six week Grading period. (See information concerning the agenda below.)

Grading:

Students earn their math grades by actively participating in class and completing classwork,homework, quizzes, projects, participation, tests and semester exams. Students will be provided with a grade sheet to help them track their grade in the course throughout the semester

Assignments that are submitted without a name will receive a grade of zero on the assignment.

Homework:

Homework is assigned regularly. Homework is due at the beginning of class on the day after the assignment is given. Assignments will also be listed on the class web page. Missed homework cannot be made up (except for excused absences). See “Late Work” below for further information.

Academic Honesty Policy

Academic dishonesty is defined as willful or deliberate unauthorized use of the work of another person for academic purposes, or inappropriate use of notes, or other material in the completion of an academic assignment or test.  In addition to disciplinary responses, the grantingof credit for this assignment may be considered null and void.

E-mail: You may contact me via e-mail at [email protected]

Conferences: Conferences can be scheduled through the counseling team or front office at the request of the parent.The teacher will also request conferences as the need arises.

Phone calls: Please feel free to call at any time with questions or concerns. (956-580-5333) If I am not available,leave a message. I will return your call as soon as possible.

Email: [email protected]

Office Hours: By appointment at break, lunch, or after school.

Personal Statement:

'Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the life long attempt to acquire it.'

- Albert Einstein