7th and 8th Grade Math Class Syllabus

Teacher: Mrs. Amanda Whitehead

Email: [email protected]

School Telephone: 419-705-3411 

Welcome to L. Hollingworth Middle School! My name is Amanda Whitehead and I teach math for grades seven and eight. I am looking forward to getting to know the students and their families! I am always working towards being a better educator to prepare my students to be mathematicians, critical thinkers, and problem solvers.

7th grade students will learn:

• Developing understanding of and applying proportional relationships
• Developing understanding of operations with rational numbers and working with expressions and linear equations
• Solving problems involving scale drawings and informal geometric constructions, angles, and working with two- and three dimensional shapes to solve problems involving area, surface area, and volume
• Drawing inferences about populations based on samples
• Investigating chance

8th grade students will learn:

• Formulating and reasoning about expressions and equations, including modeling an association in bivariate data with a linear equation, and solving linear equations and systems of linear equations
• Grasping the concept of a function and using functions to describe quantitative relationships
• Analyzing two- and three-dimensional space and figures using distance, angle, similarity, and congruence, and understanding and applying the Pythagorean Theorem
•  Working with irrational numbers, integer exponents, and scientific notation

Communication

Other than email and phone calls, here are some other platforms the middle school team will use to communicate with students and family. Please be sure to sign up for them all to stay the most informed and not miss any important information.

• Google Classroom

This is where all classwork and homework will be found. If any parent should want to join the Google classroom then send me an email at [email protected] with the subject “add me to the classroom”. I will use the email address you email me with to add you to the classroom. Here you will be able to see what assignments your student should be completing and the due dates. 

• ClassDojo

This is where all important information and updates for the school or middle school in general will be posted. This is also the easiest way to get a hold of any teacher. Classdojo is also where the students' Patriot Points will be tracked which is linked to their behavior.

Classroom Policies

Please review the following information to gain an understanding of the expectations for the coming school year.

Student Classroom Expectations: 

1. Keep discourse respectful (includes not speaking when I or a classmate is).
2. Please do not be afraid to ask questions!
3. Stay on task and persevere.

Absences:

In the unfortunate event that a student misses a day of school, it will be their responsibility upon returning to school to check the absent folder and Google Classroom for work they may have missed. Mrs. Whitehead will fill that student in on how to make up their work.

Test/Quiz Corrections:

In my class I allow students to make corrections to their test/quiz once I hand them back. They can earn back up to half of their missed points back.  The students go about correcting their assessments in the following manner.

1. Write a sentence explaining what was done incorrect mathematically.

2. Write a sentence stating what should have been done mathematically.
3. Correctly solve the equation. 

Points will not be rewarded if a student only completes step three. 

Late Work

-Each assignment will have an expected due date for the class. That being said, a missing assignment will not be scored as a 0 until 3:00pm on the final day of the quarter. There will be penalties for turning work in late! 

-Every day that an assignment is late, 5% will be deducted from whatever score you receive. Assignments turned in late will lose up to 40% of the final score on the assignment down to a minimum score of 60% after 8 days missing. 

-You will have plenty of time in class to complete your assignments, both classwork and assessments.

Parents:

These are the items we, the middle school teachers, are requesting to enable your student to be successful. The homeroom section will be kept in the homeroom teacher’s classroom to establish a classroom set. The lists that follow have the specific items needed for each of the student’s separate subject areas.

Homeroom:

• Earbuds/headphones (to be left at school-these will not be shared)
• 2 reams of copier paper
• 2 boxes tissues
• Clorox wipes
• 2 pack Post-Its
• 1 pack 4 Dry Erase markers (for classroom use)
• 1 pack of 12 Crayola colored pencils (for classroom use)
• 3 packs of pencils (for classroom use)
• 1 pack of 10 Crayola Markers (for classroom use)
• 2 glue sticks (for classroom use)

English/Language Arts (Mr. Nichols):

• 1 composition notebook (no spirals)
• 1 pack of loose leaf paper (college-ruled)
• 1 pack of highlighters
• 1 two-pocket folder

Math (Mrs. Whitehead):

• 1 composition notebook (no spirals)
• 1 pack loose-leaf paper
• 1 two-pocket folder 

Science (Mr. Palik):

• 1 Composition Notebook (no spirals)
• 1 ruler
• Scissors
• 1 large eraser

Social Studies (Mr. Humble):

• 1 1.5in binder
• 5 tabs binder tabs
• 1 ream of lined paper
• 1 box of 24 Crayola colored pencils 
• 1 large eraser

Middle School Syllabus

Access Codes

• Remind - Text: @lhol to 567-210-0801

Achievement Board Writing

• These are to be done in Google Classroom
• These will be based on a writing prompt that we will give to you
• Achievement Boards will be either Informational or Argumentative writing

Social Contracts

• Social Contracts will be completed with Mr. Humble and posted in each classroom. These will be followed throughout the day, no matter where you are

Hall Time between Classes

• Bring all materials for first two classes after returning from Specials
• If needed, use the restroom and get a drink
• There will only be 2 minutes between first two and last two classes
• You will have five minutes between your second and third class
• You will have 5 minutes after specials and 5 minutes after lunch
• Use this time to get your materials for your next two classes
• If needed, use the restroom and get a drink
• Line up at your next class

Restroom Break

• Teachers will have a digital record of your potty passes 
• You get 5 passes in each class each quarter
• Once your 5 are up, you will not be allowed to use any additional passes until the next quarter
• Raise your hand with two fingers and wait for teacher to respond
• Sign out on the in classroom sign out sheet
• Sign back in on the sign out sheet

Visitor – Administrator

• Work as if they are not in the room
• They are here for their own business, not yours
• If they wish to speak to the class:
• The teacher will get your attention
• You will respond accordingly
• The teacher will instruct you to listen to them

Visitor – Guest

• If they are a student guest:
• Treat them as a fellow student
• If they are an adult guest:
• Treat them as an administrator

Student Hand Signals

• Hand up with one finger (index) 1) I feel suddenly ill
• Hand up with two fingers 2) I need to use the restroom
• Hand up with three fingers 3) I need help
• Hand up with four fingers 4) I wish to leave my seat

Teacher Hand Signals

• Hand making the thumbs up All right, you may go now
• Hand up with one finger I will be right there
• Hand up with five fingers Please wait, now is not a good time

Teacher Contact

• Teachers can be contacted by email or dojo for any reason.
• The teachers will respond as quickly as possible within 24 hours
• If you attempt to contact a teacher after 5:00 pm, you may not receive a response until 7:00 am the next day
• Ms. Hayes email: [email protected]
• Ms. Goins email: [email protected]
• Mr. Humble email: [email protected]
• Mrs. Whitehead email: [email protected]

Emergency – Tornado

• You are to be silent
• Get up from your seats quickly and quietly and form a single file line
• Proceed out the door and down the steps to the lowest level
• Go through the door and get on your knees facing the wall
• Bend over with your head near the floor and your arms covering your head
• Remain in this position until given the all clear
• After the all clear, proceed back to the classroom quickly and quietly

Emergency – Fire Alarm

• You are to be silent
• Get up from your seats quickly and quietly (this does not mean run)
• Form a single file line
• Proceed out the door and down the steps to the main floor, go out the nearest door
• Follow the alley/sidewalk until you reach the designated stopping point
• Remain silent while teachers verify who is there
• Remain at this location until given the all clear
• After the all clear, proceed back to the classroom quickly and quietly

CHAMPS

• C – Conversation Level
• 0 – 3 will be used in class
• 0 – Typically for tests or while the teacher is talking
• 1 – Typically for table work
• 2 – Used for class discussions
• 3 – Only used for presentations
• H – Help
• Follow the procedure for getting help
• This may change for certain assignments
• A – Activity
• What should you be doing in class
• M – Movement
• What kind of movement is allowed during the activity
• P – Participation
• What level of participation is needed to be successful
• S – Success
• If you follow CHAMPS, we will have success in our classroom

Dress Code - This will be heavily enforced and is a key component in getting your patriot points.

• All black/brown shoes
• Khaki/navy pants or uniform skirt
• White button up shirt (tucked in) or white blouse
• Tie
• Blazer

Clothing that does NOT meet Dress Code: 

• Any boots/sandals/crocs
• Sweatpants/leggings
• Anything with a hood (sweatshirts, hoodies, jackets, etc.)
• Hats

Patriot Point Requirement

• Be to Class on time
• Be in Dress Code
• Follow CHAMPS
• 100% Participation
• Respect technology

Behavior Think Sheet - You have made choices that have caused you to need to stop and “Think about it.” In these cases, you will answer the following questions:

1. What was my behavior?
2. What were the reasons for my behavior?
3. How did my behavior affect others?
4. What is my plan to improve my behavior?
5. Do I need to apologize to anyone? If so, to whom and why?

Classroom Guidelines for Middle School Classrooms

1. Have all necessary materials, supplies (when needed), earbuds for class
2. Respect the people, equipment, and furniture in all classrooms
3. Follow CHAMPS
4. Only grab chrome books when instructed to do so
5. No gum or beverages other than water in classroom
6. Follow all school rules as listed in your student handbook

Consequences for not following classroom guidelines

First Time: Verbal 1) Warning

Second Time: Intervention 2) Think Sheet, low level referral, and 1 on 1 with teacher to discuss

Third Time: Dean 3) low level referral and Meeting with Mrs. Claes

Severe Disruptions: 4) Major level referral and student sent immediately to the Dean’s office.

This will reset daily

Grading Policy:

-Grades will be weighted as follows: 75% - summative assessments (projects, quizzes, tests, essays), 25% - classwork.

Grade Scale:

A+ = 100-97                     D+ = 69-67

A = 96-93                          D = 66-63

A- = 92-90                        D- = 62-60

B+ = 89-87                       F = 59 and lower

B = 86-83

B- = 82-80

C+ = 79-77

C = 76-73

C- = 72-70

Cell Phone Policy:

• Cell Phones do NOT belong in class! There is a phone pocket in each homeroom for students to leave their cell phones in during the day. Cell phones must be turned off and placed in your homeroom’s pocket. 
• If students are caught on their phone at any point during school, phones will be confiscated and a phone call home will be made. Parents will need to come in to pick up the cell phone if it is taken during school.

Dismissal Policy:

• At the beginning of the year, we will create a list of who is/isn’t a walker for dismissal. If this will change for certain days, a phone call must be made to the office prior to 2:00pm. 
• A text message will not suffice for students to be considered a walker since students will not have their cell phone until their name is called for dismissal. A written note or phone call are the only two methods accepted.

CHAMPS Marbles:

• Each class will start with 20 marbles at the beginning of each quarter.
• Marbles can be lost as a result of CHAMPS violations
• 1st offense will be a class warning
• 2nd offense will result in a lost marble
• Each marble is equal to 1 minute of GYM TIME at the end of the quarter. If your class is able to maintain CHAMPS in each class, you will be rewarded with 80 minutes of free time every quarter!
• Don’t lose your marbles this year!