7th Grade PRE-ALGEBRA Contract

REQUIREMENTS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND GRADING

I. Requirements

1.Each student is expected to enter the room quietly, take his/her seat, and be ready to work at the designated time class begins. The school tardy policy as presented in the Student Handbook will be enforced.

2.The following list includes the materials that it would helpful to have in class each day. This includes paper, pencils, erasers, a correcting pen,high-lighter, calculator, agenda planner, a graph paper notebook, and an organized school binder including a section for math.

3. Each student is to show respect for the teacher, fellow students, and themselves by following ALL classroom rules.

II.Responsibilities

  1. Each student is responsible for turning in all work assigned in class. Our philosophy is that homework provides time to practice each skill presented in class. To receive full credit, homework must be out of the binder and on the student’s deskwhen the bell rings. A maximum of half credit will be given for work turned in one class meeting late, and zero credit will be earned and recorded the next class meeting for any missing work. All work must be shown and work should be done in pencil unless otherwise specified in order to receive full credit.
  1. Due to the presence of many items of technology, including a SmartBoard, Laptops and iPads, it is understood that no student will be permitted to handle any of the equipment without consent of the teacher. This equipment is a privilege to use and if it is not treated with respect, the use of the equipment may be taken away. Training on how to use equipment will be given.

3.For excused absences, each student must make up class work, homework, quizzes, and tests. Each student must make arrangements with the teacher the day he/she returns from an absence to make up quizzes and tests.The teacher will not ask the student for any work, quizzes, or tests that need to be made up.Email me if you miss a quiz or test to schedule the best time for a makeup.

4.Students are responsible for checking the class website for homework and important information.Occasionally, unit calendars will be printed, but if they are not printed, then they can be accessed on my teacher website.

5.Each student will be expected to do a “Math Test Corrections” assignment after every test. These assignments will require a parent/guardian signature. All tests will be stored in the classroom and are available for review by appointment only. Tests may not be taken home.

6.Each student is responsible for his/her part of group work as well as his/her own individual work in each class.

7.Each student is responsible for cleaning up his/her work area before the class will be dismissed to leave.

III. Grading

A.Letter Grades

Each assignment will be given a point value. Each student will receive points for each assignment completed on time and for each quiz or test taken. Each student will earn points for group work as well.

Grades are not calculated the same way as 6th grade by simply adding up the points earned compared to the total points possible. Assignments are weightedin categories as follows:

Homework/classwork (10%)

Projects/Group Work/ Group Tests(15%)

Quizzes (25%)

Tests (50%)

Use this equation to calculate your grade:

.10 x (hwavg) + .15 x (project/group work and test avg) + .25 (quiz avg) + .50 (test avg) = current percent

Grades are calculated using the following grading scale:

100-98% A+ / 89-88% B+ / 79-78% C+ / 69-68% D+ / 59% and below F
97-93% A / 87-83% B / 77-73% C / 67-63% D
92-90% A- / 82-80% B- / 72-70% C- / 62-60% D-

*** Grades are updated frequently and posted on Q-Connect. ***

B. Citizenship

A check system will be used during class to hold students accountable for the classroom rules.Quarterly Citizenship grades will be assigned as follows:

0-2Outstanding

3-4 Satisfactory

5-6Needs Improvement

7 +Unsatisfactory

C. Work Habits

A Work Habits grade will be based upon the completion percentage of both classwork and homework.Quarterly Work Habits grades will be assigned as follows:

95 - 100% Outstanding

85 - 94% Satisfactory

75 - 84%Needs Improvement

74%  Unsatisfactory

IV. Algebra 1 Placement Requirements

The Algebra 1 course at Medea Creek is the same as the ninth grade Algebra 1 program at Oak Park High School. The majority of 8thgrade students are enrolled in the Algebra Introductions Course. Students must meet four of the five following requirements to be considered for Algebra 1next year:

1. Students must have at least an A- grade on three of the four quarters report cards this year, with no less than a “B-“ in any quarter.

2. Students must have OutstandinginWork Habits on all four quarters report cards this year.

3. Students must have at least a Satisfactory Citizenship mark on all four quarters report cards this year.

4. Students must receive at least an 80% on the Algebra Placement Benchmark Exam.

5.Students must receive at least an 85% on the Post Skills Test(given at the end of the third quarter).

STUDENTS PLEASE BE AWARE OF THESE REQUIREMENTS AND WORK TOWARD MEETING THEM IF YOU WANT TO BE PLACED IN ALGEBRA 1 AS AN 8THGRADER.

V. Homework Policy:

Since classes meet every other day with the block schedule, homework will be assigned each class period and is due the next class meeting. For instance, if a class meets on Thursday, the homework is due on the following Monday. Friday assignments are due on the following Tuesday.

I have suggested to the students that they do their homework on the night it is assigned. That will allow them the opportunity to come see me the next day to clarify any questions they may have.

To help your child be successful, some suggestionsare listed below:

  • Create a study routine where the student can work quietly and uninterrupted by distractions such as the cell phone, television, video games, etc. All materials need to be provided in their study area so time will not be wasted.
  • Set up study sessions with a friend to study for tests (quiz each other)
  • Utilize any online resources/apps for extra practice

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me at:

*(Please make sure that emails are addressed appropriately and are respectful)*

I am very much looking forward to working with each one of you and hope that this will be a successful year for you! Remember that I am here to help you. If you have any problems or questions, please feel free to come and talk to me or send me an email.

Have a wonderful year!

Brittany Midiri

Please Sign and Return This Page Only!

Keep the other pages of this contract in a safe place in your binder for future reference.

I have read the Pre-Algebra expectations with a parent and understand all of the requirements, responsibilities, and grading policies. With the signing of this contract, I make a commitment to follow these guidelines throughout the school year. I promise to work hard, be respectful, and do my best!

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StudentName (Print) Student Signature Period Date

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Parent Signature Date

*** PLEASE READ THE MATH REQUIREMENTS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND GRADING CONTRACT CAREFULLY WITH A PARENT, THEN SIGN. ***

Wohooo MATH!