Course Goals
1.	To explore and solve mathematical problems
2.	To think critically
3.	To work cooperatively and learn from others
4.	To communicate ideas and questions clearly

Class Rules
1.  Be prompt 
You are tardy if you do not have paper & pencil out, ready to work 
by the time the bell rings.
2.  Be prepared
Make sure you have plenty of paper and at least two pencils 
sharpened.  Math notes should always be kept in your binder for easy 
referral.
3.  Be positive
There�s a great deal of truth to the statement, �You are what you 
think.�  Be positive and encouraging with both yourself and others.
4.  Be productive
There is often class time to begin working on homework, and it�s 
amazing what you can accomplish in only 10 minutes!  Bottom line is, 
the more you are on task, the more time for other activities later.
5.  Be responsible
If you miss class, it is your job to see me or another student you 
trust to get the homework assignment, notes, quizzes or tests.  
Frantically trying to make up work just before grades are due is 
unacceptable.

GRADING POLICY
Class grade is based on homework (25%), weekly quizzes and 
occasional projects (30%), and chapter tests (45%).  The academic 
grade is determined by the following scale based on the total number 
of points earned for a grading period.

100-90=A   89-80=B	79-70=C	   69-60=D	59-0=F

Vandenberg Middle School will mail home a progress report for your 
child approximately every six weeks.

HOMEWORK
Homework is meant to be done independently, although parental help 
and guidance are appreciated to ensure your child gets the most out 
of it,  Homework from this class should take approximately 30 
minutes to complete.  Please let me know if your child is going far 
beyond this time frame.

Homework is usually assigned everyday except Friday and is due the 
following day.  Students receive full credit for their work if:  
(1) It is completed in full; (2) Is set up according to VMS math 
guidelines; i.e. answer key and proper heading; and (3) All steps to 
solve each problem are clearly shown.

Where homework is concerned, I do not take off points for incorrect 
answers.  I may, however, assign a �Redo� to an assignment for not 
following the above guidelines, or if I feel the student displays a 
complete lack of understanding.  A �Redo� is a �0� in my grade book 
until the assignment is completed.

With the exception to the last week prior to the end of the 
semester, students have three days to make up missing assignments 
without penalty.  After three days, the work may be submitted for 1/2 
credit up to the end of the progress report period (each progress 
report period is 6 weeks).  Credit will not be given for homework 
submitted after the progress report grading term.  However, should 
your child be absent due to illness or other personal family matter, 
we can work together to allow ample time to catch up.

Occasionally a parent will request that I notify them immediately if 
their child is missing an assignment.  Unfortunately, with 
over 170 students to teach daily, time constraints do not 
permit me to accommodate this.  If you need to know what has been 
assigned or whether your child is completing his or her assignments, 
please refer to my website.  I do not collect homework early, 
therefore, should your child state that they completed their 
homework, they should have it with them to show you.  

In the event you do not have internet access, I will consider 
signing their planner on a daily basis, provided your child remembers 
to bring the planner to me.  

As part of their own accountability, your child should be writing 
their homework assignment in the planner everyday.

QUIZZES
Quizzes are usually every Thursday or Friday and are based on class 
warm-ups, notes, weekly homework, or a review of previous chapters.  
Quizzes also serve as a good indication of what students can expect 
on chapter tests.  It is the student�s responsibility to make 
arrangements to see me during lunch to make up a missed quiz.

TESTS
At the end of every chapter, there will be a chapter test 
(approximately every three weeks).  We review prior to the test and, 
after the test, students are allowed to correct their mistakes and 
receive half credit for those problems corrected properly.  There is 
usually no homework assigned during test days.

Please sign this slip indicating you have reviewed what is expected 
of your child in this class and have your child return the slip to 
me.

Thank you!




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Student Signature


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Parent Signature