8thGradeMathematics

CourseSyllabus20162017

CourseDescription
Inthisclass,studentswilluseagrowthmindsettoexploremathematicalconceptsandrelationships.

CourseObjectives
Studentswillthinkdeeplyaboutmathematicalrelationships,workinteamstosolvemathematical
problems,writeexplanationsandunderstandings,andcomprehensivelypresentfindings.

MethodsofInstruction
Studentswillengageinthelearningprocessby:
Grouplecturesandinstruction
Handsonmanipulativeexploration
Smallgroup/teamorientedactivities
Projectbasedlearningexperiences
Comprehensivenotetaking

Content
Eighthgrademathematicsisabout(1)formulatingandreasoningaboutexpressionsandequations,
includingmodelinganassociationinbivariatedatawithalinearequation,andsolvinglinearequations
andsystemsoflinearequations(2)graspingtheconceptofafunctionandusingfunctionstodescribe
quantitativerelationships(3)analyzingtwoandthreedimensionalspaceandfiguresusingdistance,
angle,similarity,andcongruence,andunderstandingandapplyingthePythagoreanTheorem.(EngageNY,
AStoryofRatiosCurriculumOverview)

TentativeUnits
Unit1:IntegerExponentsandScientificNotation
Unit2:TheConceptofCongruence
Unit3:Similarity
Unit4:LinearEquations
Unit5:ExamplesofFunctionsfromGeometry
Unit6:LinearFunctions

Supplies
Inordertobeafullandactiveparticipantinclass,itisimportantthateachstudentbringsthefollowing
suppliestoclassonadailybasis:
Collegeruledlooseleafpaper
CompositionNotebook(Mostimportant!)
Pencils
FolderwithPockets
ColoredPencilsorMarkers

GradingandAssessment
Studentswillbegradedonalldailyassignments,quizzes,assessments,andmajorprojects.Inaddition,
studenteffortandparticipationwillbeassessed.Effortismeasuredbymyobservationofastudents
willingnesstodohisorherverybestwork.Participationismeasuredbymyobservationofastudents
enthusiasmtowardandengagementinclassroomdiscussionandactivities.

HomeworkandLatePolicy
Assignmentsmustbeturnedinatthebeginningofclass.Completingallassignmentseverydayiscritical
forcontentmasteryandclassroomengagement.Idonotgiveextracreditassignments.

LateAssignments
Homework:20%willbedeductedfromthegrade
Projects:10pointswillbedeductedfromthegradeeachday
Assessments:canberetakenandgranteduptofullcreditifmasteryisdemonstrated
Lateworkandretakeswillbeacceptedupuntilthelastdayofeachclassunit

Absences
Assignmentsdueorassignedduringanabsencemustbeturnedinatthenextclassafterthestudent
returnstoschool.
Anabsentstudentshouldcallafriendoremailmetogethisorherassignments
Ifthestudentdoesnotunderstandhowtocompleteanassignmentorisabsentformorethanone
dayitishis/herresponsibilitytocontacttheteacherandtogethermakeaplanforcompletingthe
work
Ifastudentisabsentonthedayofascheduledpresentation,theteacherwillgiveanalternate
writtenassignment
Itisthestudentsresponsibilitytoarrangeatimetomakeupamissedquizorexam.Failuretodo
thiswillresultinazeroonthequizorexam.

GradingPolicy

GradingScale
97100%A+
9396%A
9092%A

8789%B+
8386%B
8082%B

7779%C+
7376%C
7072%C

6069%D
59%andBelowF

Participation
Studentswillbegivenaweeklyparticipationgrade.Youhavetheopportunitytoearnupto20pointsper
week,or4pointsperday,basedonthefollowingcriteria:
1pointclassparticipation
1pointpositivebehavior
1pointattentivelylistening
1pointpreparation

ClassroomRules
Thefollowingclassroomrulesshouldbefollowbyallstudentsinthisclassroom.Theteacherhasthe
righttomakeanyruleshepleasestoestablishandmaintainorderinherclassroom.

Beresponsible
Doyourhomeworkandstrivetoearngoodgrades
Behonest,dontcheatorcopy,askifyouneedhelp
Askquestionswhenyoudontunderstand

Berespectful
Stayinyourseat
Raiseyourhandwhenyouwanttospeak
Listenwhentheteachersorothersaretalking

Beready
Arriveinclassontimeandbeinyourseatwhentheclassstarts
Bringyournotebook,pencil,andcompletedhomework

Consequences
1.Verbalwarning
2.TeacherStudentConferenceafterclassandlossofparticipationpoints
3.Phonecallhometoaparentand/orguardian
4.Conferencewithadvisorand/orprincipal

DailyRoutines
Asuccessfulclassdaystartsfromthemomentyouwalkthroughmythedoor.Hereishowwewillstart
eachdailyclassperiod:
1. CompletetheDoNowassignmentinyourmathjournal
2. Copythehomeworkandanyupdatesintoyourplanner
3. ParticipateintheMindfulMinute
4. BerespectfulofGoodNewssharingtime

ElectronicsPolicy
Useofcellphones,musicplayers,headphones,andportablegamingsystemsisprohibitedinclass.Ifa
studenttakesoutanelectronicdeviceduringclass,Iwillconfiscatetheitemandreturnittoherorhimat
theendoftheday.Ifthishappensagain,aparentmustcometopickuptheitemfromme.Theteacheris
notresponsibleforthelossofpersonalbelongings.

AcademicDishonesty
Academicdishonestycheatingandcopyinghomeworkortestanswerswillnotbetolerated.Ifa
studentissuspectedofacademicdishonesty,sheorhewillreceiveanautomaticzeroontheassignment.I
willalsonotifythestudentsparentsandourprincipal.

Support
Iencouragestudentsandparentstocontactmeiftheyneedhelporhavequestionsduringorafterschool.
Youcanalsoemailmewithanyquestionsorconcerns:acummins@realmcharterschool.org