7^th Grade Math

Mr. Kalmbach, Room 105

 Course Description:

 This course is designed as preparation for Algebra.  We will cover probability and statistics, patterns and sequences, whole numbers, fractions, exponents, factoring, ratio and proportions, some geometry, measurement, and algebra concepts such as absolute value and simple 1 and 2 step linear equations. 

Throughout the course, an emphasis will be placed on reading, problem solving and well-developed explanations. In addition to the mathematics, students will be encouraged to learn and demonstrate good organizational and study skills.

Class Format and Description:

1. Materials required each day:

·         Notebook

·         Pencils

·         Textbook – (covered at all times)

 2. Class Participation: 

Math is NOT a spectator sport. I expect students to be present and involved at all times. In order to fully participate, students must be fully prepared for class.

3.     Homework: 

Homework is given for the purpose of practicing BEFORE Quizzes or Tests.   You should expect that there will be homework every day. Exceptions are the day of a chapter test.  I will try not to assign homework over school vacations. 

All homework must show work. Grade is based on effort rather than accuracy. Homework will be grades on 4 levels; check plus (worth 100 points), check (80 points) check minus (70 points) and missing (0 points). Homework will NOT always be collected for a grade; generally I will grade it twice a week.  I will, however, check that it is done each day and keep a record of missing homework.

All work must be neat and legible. Homework must show an explanation of how the problem was solved.  I will return any homework that does not show steps sufficient to understand how the problem was solved to be redone.  Homework returned to be redone is due the next day.  If it is not turned in the next day it will have earned a grade of a 0.  Students who repeatedly turn in homework to be redone will asked to have conference with myself and parents to ensure that expectations are clear. 

All homework should have name, date, class and be labeled appropriately for the assignment. (page #, problems identified,  etc.).

All homework is expected to be completed by the assigned date. Late submissions will be accepted one day late with a late homework pass. Students will have 2 late homework passes per quarter.  Homework missed due to absence must be promptly made up.

A listing of homework may be accessed at my web site:  http://teacherweb.com/MA/FrederickWHartnettMiddleSchool/MrKalmbach-7thGradeMath/h0.stm

This web page can also be reached through the “staff web pages” link at the school web site: http://www.bmrsd.net/middle_school/staff_webpages.htm

Parents are encouraged to check the website to monitor our progress in class.

As an experiment to see if we can reduce paper usage I encourage students to turn in assignments via email when possible.  Please send the assignment to akalmbach@bmrsd.net, it must be time stamped before midnight on the day the assignment is due in order to receive credit.

4.  Notebooks

Taking good notes is a skill that I endeavor to teach through my class.  Notebooks will be graded, as a quiz, once a quarter. The grade will be based on the organization, accuracy of daily notes, completeness of warm ups and other class work and students questions and reflections recorded in the notebook.

5. Quizzes and Tests:

 Quizzes and Tests missed due to absence may be made up only if arrangements are made on the day of return.

Neatness and legibility are fully expected.  Responses must be clearly and properly stated as well as legible in order to receive credit.

Any student not satisfied with a grade on a quiz or test will be allowed the opportunity to retake the quiz or test.  In order to retake the exam the student must first present to me the exam signed by a parent or guardian and then attend an extra help session.  There will be one session scheduled for all the re-takes of a given assesment.

6. Projects:

Projects requiring several days of work will be used in the class to explore concepts.  These projects will consist of work done in and out of class and will be counted as either a test or quiz grade depending on the size of the project.

7.  Behavior: 

All student handbook rules will be enforced. All students are expected to show respect and courtesy towards others at all times.

8.  Extra Help: 

Extra help is available after or before school on specified days or by appointment. Any student having ANY difficulties is strongly encouraged to see me for assistance.   It is best if you can let me know before arriving for extra help so I can prepare, but it is not necessary.

9.   Grading: 

Term grade will be a percentage of the total possible points earned.

·        Tests will each be worth 50% of the final grade.

·        Quizzes will each be worth 30% of the final grade.

·        Homework will be worth a total of 20% of the final grade.

There may also be alternative assessments including projects and presentations. The point values of these items will vary.

There will be a classroom participation/preparedness grade for each quarter.  A self evaluation form will be used to help determine this grade.  This will count as a quiz grade. 

As an incentive to cut down on paper use any student who turns in at least 75% of the assigned homework that quarter via email will receive a 10 point bonus on this participation/preparedness grade.  (This is an experiment I may need to modify or discontinue this policy as the year progresses.)

The percent complete of homework for the quarter will also count as a quiz grade.  As an example if you turn in 18 of 22 homework assignments in the quarter you have earned an 82 for a quiz grade.  Any student who turns in 100% of homework will have the lowest quiz grade will be dropped before quarter grades are calculated.  If the lowest grade is a 0, in case of a assignment not turned in, it will not be dropped.