KEMS Teacher: Mrs. Power 2014-2015
Room: portable 8
Phone Number: 412-4760 extension 36808 Email:
My website is accessed via the school homepage
Welcome to the Chinook Middle School 2014-2015 school year. I am very excited to get to know you and help you succeed in math this year!
Key Elements of Mathematics Success (KEMS)
CURRICULUM
This math support class will focus on building a growth mindset for mathematics. We will begin the year with lessons from the Stanford online course “How to Learn Math: For Students”. The lessons include: Knocking Down the Myths about Math; Math and Mindset; Mistakes and Speed; Number Flexibility, Mathematical Reasoning, and Connections; Number Patterns and Representations; Math in Life, Nature and Work.
The 8h grade KEMS curriculum will support topics taught in the 8th grade math core class, as well as strengthen basic math facts, and previously introduced subjects such as: fractions, percents, decimals, operations with integers, graphing, and algebraic expressions and equations. Students will receive their own consumable workbook, Key Elements to Mathematics Success (KEMS) Level H and will be keeping a math binder in the classroom (I am providing the 3 ring binder, it will be returned for use the following years).
PURPOSE OF COURSE
KEMS is designed to boost students’ mathematical confidence and to build mathematical power. Through the use of manipulatives and guided discovery, students will develop new and flexible ways of understanding foundational mathematics concepts. The program also helps students make connections among concepts and skills necessary for their core class as well as higher level math.This will take a commitment on your part to trust that the additional time and energy put into your math education will provide you with lasting benefits.
PLACEMENT
Counselors used MSP scores, Easy CBM scores, performance in past math classes, and teacher recommendation to place students in this class.There are a variety of math intervention options in the North Thurston Public Schools.KEMS is the math intervention suggested for middle school students who are close to meeting grade-level standards and just need some additional support to meet 8th grade performance expectations.
CLASS ROUTINE
-Warm Up
-Fact Masters
-Lesson
-Because this is a support class, in addition to the students core math class, THERE IS NOHOMEWORK ASSIGNED, BUT THERE ARE OPTIONS FOR EXTRA CREDIT
EVIDENCE OF LEARNING
Warm-Up- A variety of math tasks performed individually or in small groups (participation points)
Factmasters Tracking- Students graph their progress with timed basic facts tests (participation points)
Daily Work- Includes lessons done in the consumable student workbook, whiteboard practice, group posters and projects, and practice done through different online math programs such as KhanAcademy, That Quiz, and Sum Dog (participation points)
Assessments- Students will be assessed on their progress with quizzes on current content as well as basic math facts (assessment points). There will also be Progress Monitoring Tests completed on the computer 5 times throughout the year to see how they are improving (these will not be counted towards their assessment grades, only participation).
GRADING
This class will use the Conventional Gradebook program on Skyward, not the Standards Based Gradebook used in the core math classes.Students will earn points for each assignment and assessment. Participation - 40% Assessments - 60%
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Parents and students please read through this syllabus carefully and discuss the contents thoroughly. If you have any questions, please contact me. After reading, please sign and return to class by Friday September 12th at the latest. This is an assignment, and students are receiving participation points for completing this task.
Student’s name (please print neatly): ______
Student signature: ______
Parent signature: ______
Preferred form of contact:
Home Phone: ______
Work Phone: ______
E-mail address: ______