August 1, 2017
Dear Parents/ Guardians:
I would like to welcome your child to 7th grade Math! I am excited about the opportunity to get to know you and your child, and I am looking forward to a happy and productive school year. Below is a very basic but important layout for my class. Please review this syllabus with your child and sign it.
STEAM:
At the end of the school year, the BCMS STEM committee met and revamped our STEM curriculum/courses. We moved from STEM to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) to help us incorporate more of the humanities in these courses as well as the science and math. These courses are very different due to the problem solving nature/approach that will be used in class many days, the hands on/ real life application of concepts that we learn in class, and having science and math taught together. Students in the STEAM classes will not only learn basic math and science concepts, but they will have to learn how to apply this information to real life problems.
This year we will focus on the following Life Science curriculum areas:
Operations with Rational Numbers / InferencesExpressions and Equations / Probability
Rations and Proportional Relationships / Geometry
Transformations, Congruence, and Similarity / Geometric Application of Exponents
Exponents / Functions
Linear Functions / Solving Systems of Equations
*Note that we will not go in the exact same order as other classes due to the fact that we want the math and science to align for students. We want students to see the relationships between the contents and not just view them as separate subjects. The goal is for students to use the math they learn in science to help them solve real life problems/tasks. Also, this class will move at a much quicker pace since we are covering ½ of 7th grade and all of 8th grade.
Please have your child bring the following supplies to school on or before August 4, 2017, and daily thereafter:
Required
1-1 ½ inch three ring binder / 1 pack of notebook paper1 pack of dividers (Need to have at least 5 dividers in the pack) / Pencils
Optional
Calculator / Graph PaperA Box of Tissue (for classroom) / Hand Sanitizer (for classroom)
Homework:
Homework will typically be given three days a week to reinforce the skills taught in class. Homework for the week will be written on the board Monday. All students are responsible for copying and turning in their homework assignments by the specified due date (typically the next day unless otherwise stated), in the designated area (each class has a marked tray to turn in papers). Students will receive a homework grade. I grade homework on accuracy.
Absences:
If your child is absent, it is up to him/her to ask the teacher what they missed and turn in any work that was due. All makeup work must be completed and turned in within 5 days of their return to school. If they miss a quiz or a test, I will do my best to have them take it the day that they return to school.
Grade Sheets
I will send grade sheets home halfway before progress reports and halfway before report cards. These must be signed and returned, but they will let you know any work that your child may be missing and how they are doing in my class. Any missing assignments will be highlighted and due by the specified date and will not be accepted after that date.
Extra Credit:
I only have a few forms of extra credit for students throughout the year. All study guides are worth 5 extra credit points for that specific test or quiz. They must be completed the day before the test or quiz so that we can review them in class. If they are not turned in completed at the beginning of class, I cannot check them and issue the extra credit. Study guides will show up in my grade book online (parent portal) as collected if your child completed them and turned them in on time. Study guides will not count against a student’s grade. The second form of extra credit is test corrections. When students receive a unit test back, they can correct missed questions for half credit back. To receive the half credit they must write the whole question, show all of their work to show how they solved the problem, and staple their signed test grade sheet to their corrections. They may use their book, notes, etc to correct their tests. This may sound like a lot of work, but I do this so they can see what they missed and if they need me to review it with them I will. Also, I keep the corrections and return them to them before GMAS testing so they have a bank of test questions to look over before the test that they know they have had trouble with in the past. Vocabulary quizzes can also be corrected. To correct vocabulary quizzes, students must write out the whole definition that was missed and write the correct word that goes with that definition and attach the corrections to their quiz.
Extra Help/ Staying After School:
If your child needs to make up missing assignments or needs extra help, I am available most Wednesdays and Fridays after school. Please make sure to schedule with me ahead of time so I know to stay after school and that I do not have an away game or a meeting. You will need to arrange for your child to be picked up no later than 4:00 each day that they stay after school if they are not in the 21st Century program or in an afterschool sport and ride the activity bus home.
Parent Conferences:
Our team is available to meet with parents Monday and Wednesday 10:00-11:00 or by appointment.
Life Science Grading Weights:
Homework = 10% / 9 Weeks Exam = 10%Formative assessments = 45% / Summative Assessments = 35%
If you have questions or concerns, please contact me by e-mail or by phone at 706-554-3532.
Also, please visit my website to stay informed of weekly activities, homework, projects, extra copies of handouts, review materials, etc.
Let’s work together to make this a GREAT year!!!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Thornton
Life Science & Math Teacher
Please Sign and Return
I have read through the syllabus for 7th grade math and understand the requirements for this class.
Student Signature: ______
Parent Signature: ______