MATHEMATICS   -    PRE-ALGEBRA   -   PRE-ALGEBRA                       MRS. HARTMAN

MATERIALS

TEXTBOOK - Text books are available for those who request them.  The course is designed to meet the standards set by the Archdiocese of Washington and, therefore, the text book is a supplement to the classroom lessons.  As a result, class attendance and participation are critical to effective learning.

BINDER- Each child has been issued a binder with dividers.  There should be a section for     skill tests and quizzes, flashbacks, classwork/independent practice, and miscellaneous study sheets.     Organization and maintenance of binders will be discussed in class.

PENCIL/ERASER - All work should be done in pencil.  Pencils will be available for students in class.  Any sharpening of pencils should be done at the beginning of class or after instruction.  Sharpening or borrowing a pencil during instruction is a disruption and may result in a demerit.

GRADING - grades are calculated by dividing the number of points earned by the number of points possible.  Class work - 100   Independent practice - 200 Tests & Quizzes 300-500

CLASS WORK - Class work is an opportunity to see and work problems as they should be   completed when doing independent work.  Everyone begins each marking period with 100 class work points.  Points will be deducted for lack of participation, lack of cooperation, not     following classroom rules, not having required materials, and improper use of time. 

INDEPENDENT WORK - more commonly referred to as homework is assigned MONDAY-THURSDAY.  Try each problem.  Everyone begins each marking period with 200 independent practice points.  Points will be deducted for missing or incomplete assignments.  All independent work is corrected in class.  Assignments are posted at www.schoolnotes.com .

TESTS & QUIZZES - EVERY FRIDAY students will be evaluated.  Evaluations will include:
    Skill quiz - problems practicing the current skill worked on through the week
    Flashback - problems reviewing any previously studied skills/vocabulary.  Details follow.
    Notebook quiz - evaluates notebook organization
Graded work will be returned the following Monday.  Correction help is available during lunch/recess period everyday, Flashback corrections every Tuesday, unless I have recess duty.
                               
ABSENCE -
You should have an agreement with a classmate to collect work for you.  When you are absent, you will need to read the information from www.schoolnotes.com.  When you return to class be sure to collect from your classmate the missed work.  Complete the work from the day/s you were out.  YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for making sure you have all the information you missed.  Tests or quizzes that were scheduled for the day you were absent will be taken on the day of your return.  BEING ABSENT THE DAY BEFORE A QUIZ OR TEST WILL NOT EXCUSE YOU FROM THE QUIZ OR TEST.  If you are absent for more than one day, we will work out a time to make up a test or quiz.

CORRECTIONS ***
Students can earn back points by doing corrections on their test and quiz errors.  Guidelines for corrections are found on schoolnotes.com.  PARENT SIGNATURES are required to earn any extra points.  Any graded paper, regardless of the earned score, can be signed by a parent for an extra earned point.


ON-LINE PRACTICE   
The book’s publisher offers homework help, test and quiz practice on its website www.glencoe.com.  Navigation directions are available upon request.


CONTACT INFORMATION
I check my email every morning and evening around 7:00.  I will do my best to respond immediately. My email address is rhartman@stmaryum.org


Re: FLASHBACK FRIDAY

Students in  Mrs. Hartman’s math classes (grades 6, 7, and 8) will have ‘FLASHBACKS’ every Friday (with rare exception).  ‘FLASHBACKS’ are quizzes whose problems are a review of previously learned material. 

The purpose of ‘FLASHBACKS’ is to assist students in mastering foundation math skills.  These skills are necessary for success in higher mathematics.  Skills that will be on ‘FLASHBACKS’ will include but are not limited to: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers, decimals and fractions; place value and rounding; vocabulary, integers, per cents, ratios, etc.

Every Monday the scored ‘FLASHBACKS’ will be returned to the students.  A PARENT/GUARDIAN  SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED ON THESE QUIZZES.   Failure to do so will have a negative impact on their math homework score..  In addition, students are strongly encouraged to do corrections to the items missed.  If the corrections are done according to guidelines reviewed in class and all new answers are correct, no student will have a final flashback score lower than a ‘B’!!!!!!!  All signatures and corrections are due the following Monday.  As is always the case, work can be turned in prior to the Monday due date.  Papers received after the due date will be penalized points for lateness.