Dear Parents and Guardians,
I am very excited to be your child’s math teacher this school year. I am expecting great adventures this year with your child.
Since I find many students struggle with math more than other academic subjects, I have flipped my classroom. What was typically done at home in the traditional classroom model will now be done at school. What was typically done at home (homework) will now be done in the classroom. This is accomplished through the use of videos. Your child will be required to access a 5 to 15 minute video on the internet or else on DVD to watch and take notes over in their composition book at home. While they watch the video, they will be able to pause and rewind as many times as needed to comprehend the material, form questions they may have, or copy information in their notes. When they come to class, we will spend about 5 minutes on a warm up and approximately 10-15 minutes answering questions and/or delving deeper into the concept(s) covered in the video. After that has been completed, the students will work with a partner to complete an assignment the rest of the class period. This assignment will be due at the end of the class period. The flipped model allows students to learn at their pace due to the majority of the instruction being through video as well as giving students time to have that one-on-one help they need from me during class. What is the teacher doing during all of this time the students are working? I will be monitoring the students, answering questions, clarifying misconceptions, and reaching each student during the class period. I encourage you to view the videos as well whenever you like. This will allow you to be in touch with what your child is learning. We will be using TI-84 Plus calculators. I have a classroom set for the students to use in class. They will not have one to use at home during the instrctional video time to practice keystrokes. If you are choosing to invest in a calculator for your student, I suggest getting a TI-84 CE or the app for the TI-Nspire on an iPad, Mac Book, or phone. Those who have android phones can access a TI-84 by searching wabbit-emu.
I also rely heavily on parent support to ensure student success. With that said, I am asking for your support this year to provide your child the best education possible. If at any time you have questions or concerns, please contact me first either by email or else leave a message with Mrs. McGrew in the front office since my voicemail does not work. I will respond to you within 24 hours. I am requesting you to make sure your child watches their videos for homework and completes their notes in their composition book. It is also of utmost importance that your child has their planner everyday in class as it will serve as their organization tool for assignments.
I look forward to a successful year and the greatness that lies within your child.
Sincerely,
Ms. Tonya Haag
936-890-2312
Math 8
Ms. Haag
Classroom Rules:
1. Be prompt
2. Be prepared
3. Be polite
Consequences:
1. Teacher/Student Conference
2. After school detention
3. Parent/Teacher Conference
4. Office Referral
Planner: Students are expected to fill out their planner on Mondays for the week. The topics being covered for the day along with the assignment will be written on the board. Students should copy this information into their planner.
Entering the Room: Students are to come in, obtain needed papers, get their calculator, sit down in their assigned seat, and work on their warm up.
Daily Work: All assignments are to be completed in PENCIL WITH ALL WORK SHOWN. Assignments will be due at the end of the period unless it is a multiple day assignment.
Homework Policy: I will be assigning videos to watch for homework along with note taking in their composition book. You can check my webpage to see what is assigned each day. I also email every week with the nights and name of the videos for homework.
Hall Passes: Each student will be issued three hall passes each 9 week grading period. Students may use these for emergencies (i.e. bathroom, locker). Any unused passes at the end of the 9 weeks period will go into a drawing for prizes.
Textbooks: Students will have internet access to our textbook. Access codes will be given as soon as that information is received. If a student does not have internet access at home, copies from the textbook will be given to them as needed.
Absent Work: Since the students will be keeping track of assignments in their planner, they already know what lesson they have missed unless it was a test day. Therefore, students can view the video missed and obtain their make-up assignment(s) from the file folder holder at the front of the room. A student may receive help with missed assignments during class. If there is not enough time in class, they may schedule time to get help. Students have the same number of days they were absent to get missed work turned in for grading. The work must be turned in to Ms. Haag.
Supplies: Students are expected to bring the following to class everyday:
1. Planner
2. Composition book
3. Pencil
4. 3 Ring binder with notebook paper
5. Grading pen (Any color other than neon gel pens)
6. bottle of glue
7. Notebook Paper
8. Previous assignments (should be in binder)
Tutorials: Math tutorials will be offered every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:35-3:25. If a student is not able to attend at those times or is in need of help sooner, the student may make an appointment for another time.
Late Work: I will accept late work one day late for a ten point deduction. Any assignment more than one day late receives a 20 point deduction. If a student does not turn in their assignment after two days, they will be asked to stay for tutorials to make up their work. If they do not attend, I will reschedule the tutorials one time. If the student misses the second attempt to make up the assignment, they will be given a MAST ( Mandatory After School Tutorials) referral which is assigned by the assistant principals.
Hall Passes: Students will be given three hall passes each nine weeks. Students are expected to take care of retrieving needed supplies for class and using the restroom during class change time. I understand emergencies will arise which is where the hall passes come into play. If the student has a medical condition requiring them to use the restroom frequently, please have that on file with the nurse. At the end of the nine weeks, left over hall passes will be entered into a drawing for prizes. Unused hall passes will not be transferred to the next nine weeks.
Advocacy: At this point in your child’s education, it becomes paramount that students learn to be their own advocate and seek out additional help when needed. I am more than willing to work with all students who need extra help and continually stress this concept to the students. I appreciate all of your support in teaching your child advocacy.