Course Expectations 2002-2003



Cascade Middle School

Mrs. Halford’s 8th Grade Pre-Algebra/Algebra Procedures and Expectations

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Welcome to 8th grade Pre-Algebra & Algebra! Before we go into the classroom expectations and procedures, let me tell you a little about myself. I have a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Central Washington University, my K-8 Teaching Certification from the University of Washington, and am currently working on finishing my Masters in Education at the University of Washington this year! This is my second year teaching 8th grade Pre-Algebra & Algebra at Cascade Middle School.

I love teaching middle school students! I believe that you—as teenagers—are among the most energetic and creative thinkers. I am very excited to be your math teacher this year, and I cannot wait to share my love for math with you.

This year you will be responsible for many things including: taking and/or completing notes in class, completing daily practice assignments, studying for quizzes/tests, and participating in class or small group discussions. Your success will depend on the consistency of your study habits and ability to stay on track with daily assignments.

Please review the information in this packet with your parent or guardian and return ONLY the back page to me, signed, by Friday, September 14th and keep the remaining pages in your binder for future references.

Mrs. Halford’s 8th Grade Pre-Algebra/Algebra

Procedures and Expectations

Behavior Expectations

Perseverance|Respect|Integrity|Discipline|Excellence

(You are expected to show P.R.I.D.E. at all times in this classroom…)

In addition, I have four basic classroom expectations:

1) Be on time. - (This means in your SEAT when the bell rings!)

2) Be prepared. – (Come to class with your daily practice complete, Math Journal, binder, PENCIL, and a great attitude!)

3) Be respectful. – (Treat others how you wish to be treated!)

4) Do YOUR best! – (You do not have to be the best in my class, just do the BEST YOU CAN!)

Attendance

Assisting you in establishing lifelong habits of reliability and promptness is an instructional objective of this class. Your grade in this class may be adversely affected because of tardiness or absences because you may miss important math concepts during the time out of class.

Grading

I will be utilizing the standards-based grading procedure in this class. Remember that the number grade reflects your learning and a 3 means that you are meeting state grade level standards. Your GOAL is to reach grade level standards on all concepts. Grades are broken down into the following:

|Standards Based |Definition |Letter Grade |Percent Range |

|Grade | | | |

|3 |Meets Standard |A & B |80%-100% |

|2 |Approaching Standard |C & D |60%-79% |

|1 |Does Not Meet standard |F |50%-59% |

|0 |No Evidence of Work |F |0% |

|4 |Exceeds Standard |A |101-150% |

|* |Assignment not yet graded or turned in | | |

|COR |Corrected to improve | | |

|MIS |Missing | | |

|ABS |Absent work that needs to be completed | | |

For Algebra, the number grade will be converted to a letter grade on the report card and transcripts due to the fact that this is a high school credit class.

|Assessments: 95% |Practice Work: 5% |

|Weekly quizzes, mid-chapter tests, end of chapter tests. |In-class practice, warm-ups, home practice assignments, and cooperative |

| |activities. |

Quiz/Test Retake Policy

Remember, 95% of your grade is made up of quizzes and tests, and that part of the learning process is through redoing; you SHOULD retake quizzes and/or tests that are below 80%. Please follow the guidelines below for quiz or test retake.

1. Redo ALL incorrect problems neatly on a test redo sheet with all work shown.

2. Study for the retake by completing any incomplete practice, taking an online practice quiz/test for that section of the text, or by working through additional problems from the book (answers to odd number problems are on ).

3. Attach the ORIGINAL quiz/test & any completed practice assignments to the corrections on the test redo sheet and bring it to the retake appointment with me.

4. Retake a different version of the quiz/test at the appointment. Remember, the highest score will be kept in the grade book.

Practice (Homework) Procedure

Practice makes better! Practice assignements will be given on a regular basis to give you the opportunity to utilize the concepts taught in class.

■ Practice completed on-time will earn a stamp and be given credit in the grade book.

■ Incomplete practice, without a stamp will not be given credit, until it is complete.

■ Practice packets will be collected on Fridays and input into the grade book.

Assignment Expectations

1. Assignments must be organized and include the following:

■ Proper heading (name, date, period, assignment to include page numbers) if homework problems are assigned from the textbook.

■ All work is shown & completed neatly

■ Answers are boxed or circled.

2. All work is to be completed in pencil. Work in pen will not be accepted. Correcting will be done in pen only.

3. Practice should be completed prior to coming to class. If you need homework help you can go online at , attend homework club after school, contact a classmate, or meet with me before/after school.

4. YOU are responsible to make up assignments, projects, quizzes, and tests within one week after returning from an excused absence. YOU are responsible for all information given in class. Often there will be notes to take down in your notebook. If you are absent, you are responsible for obtaining the information and assignment from a classmate, or from Mrs. Halford’s SWIFT site. You will also need to turn in assignments that were corrected while you were absent.

5. Cheating will not be tolerated. Copying someone else’s paper or allowing someone to copy your paper is cheating!

Supply List

Please bring the following materials to class daily:

■ Math Journal

■ Weekly Entry Task Sheet – this will be handed out on Mondays

■ At least 2 sharpened pencils

■ Colored grading pen (preferably red or blue)

■ Eraser

■ Notebook papers

■ Calculator (scientific would be best).

Online Resources

Below are important web pages for our class please enter the links to your home computer and bookmark these pages for future references.

■ Our book, Glencoe McGraw-Hill Math Connects Course 2:



■ Daily agenda and class announcement



■ Grades:

family.auburn.

Progress Reports

Progress reports will be sent home school wide on the following dates.

|MONTH |DATE |

|September | 26th |

|October | 17th |

|November | 7th |

|December | 5th |

|January | 9th |

|February | 27th |

|March | 13th |

|April | 3rd |

|May | 1st & 22nd |

|June | 12th |

Let’s have a great year!!!

Mrs. Sandy Halford

8th Grade Pre-Algebra/Algebra

Cascade Middle School

253.931.4995

shalford@auburn.wednet.edu



Mrs. Halford’s 8th Grade Pre-Algebra/Algebra

Procedures and Expectations

We have read and understand Mrs. Halford’s classroom procedures and expectations for the upcoming school year.

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