Class Letter

Resource Material: 

This year we have the opportunity to have a new Math Textbook checked out to each student.  It should be taken home and left there as we will have a class set to use at school.  Please put this book in a safe place as it is the responsibility of the student to keep up with this book and turn it in at the end of the year.  This is a brand new book, so fines will be assessed for damage.  I would strongly suggest that you cover this book as all textbooks should be covered.

ð     7^th PAP – Notes will be taken on notebook paper and kept in the notes section of your math binder.  On occasion guided fill-in or copied notes will be handed out; these should be hole-punch and placed with other notes.  Notes are usually allowed during major quizzes, so be sure that you copy down all of the information you will need.  Each new concept should be clearly labeled so that you can find the information easily when you need it for a review or open-note quiz.

ð     8^th Grade – Some notes will be guided fill-in-notes with examples and other days notes will be taken on notebook paper.  All notes should be kept in the notes section of your math binder.  The notes will be used for guided instruction and as a reference (notes are usually allowed during major quizzes, so be sure that they are secured and brought to class everyday). 

ð     Helpful websites will be listed on my class page (web address listed above).

Grading:

All work will be graded according to the rubric below.

·  Major Assessments (Count 4 times) – Grades in this category will usually be major tests or projects and cover a relatively large part of a recent unit of study.

·  Quizzes (Count twice) – Grades in this category cover a smaller portion of material than a major test.  Quizzes may, or may not, be announced in advance.

·  Homework (Counts once) – Homework assignments are extremely important because they provide practice, reinforcement, and mastery of skills and concepts covered in class.  All daily assignments are due at the beginning of class the following day.   Homework will be graded in class by the students, therefore late work will not be accepted.     

*All appropriate work must be shown (computations, each step of a problem, etc.) in order to receive credit for the assignment.

·  Daily work (Counts .25) – Grades in this category include warm-ups, pop-quizzes, mini-quizzes, etc.

Expectations:

·  You are responsible for writing the assignments in your planner.  The week’s assignments will be listed on the board and also on my website.

·  Homework is given every night.  In order to receive credit, the work (steps) must be shown and completed in pencil.

·  Warm-up problems are given at the beginning of each class period.  You are expected to complete them in a timely manner.  Daily grades are taken at random.

·  Math work must be shown in order to earn credit.  The work must be done in pencil using the correct format.  You will have to redo the assignment to receive credit if pencil is not used.  Answers must be labeled when applicable. 

Test Corrections:

Students should take advantage of completing test corrections in order to raise a failing test grade to a possible 70%.  This must be turned in within three days of receiving the graded test.  Corrections must be completed on notebook paper and include each missed problem with correct work (all steps) and the final answer circled.  This applies to test grades below 70%, not to daily grades or quiz grades.

Tutorials:

Tutorials are available in my classroom every Tuesday morning at 7:15am.  Arrangements may be made for other days by appointment only and prior to the day/date of the tutorial to avoid schedule conflicts.  Special tutorials will be set up by the teacher for review and reinforcement.

Behavior:

Good behavior is the key to productive learning.  You are expected to use appropriate behavior at all times.  I will expect each of you to always:

·  be courteous and polite at all times to your classmates and your teacher.

·  be in your seat and ready to begin class as soon as the bell rings.

·  be prepared to learn and participate by bringing all necessary supplies and completing the required assignments every day.

·  follow all school and/or classroom rules and policies.

·  do your best work.

Tardies:

If a student is late to class without an excused pass, it will be documented and the following consequences will occur:

·  1^st offense – teacher warning

·  2^nd offense – 30 minute detention

·  3^rd offense – extended detention

·  4^th offense – office referral

Parent / Teacher Contact:

Parents play a vital role in a student’s success in school.  Please be supportive and take time with you child each night to go over homework or prepare for a quiz/test.  If parents would like to contact me, they can call the front office and leave a message on my school voice mail, which will be returned at the earliest opportunity.  The best way to reach me is through email.  My email address is michelle.nelson@gcisd.net .

            I am excited about working with you this year!  Please don’t hesitate to ask for help.

Sincerely,

Ms. Nelson