September

All students have a ThinkerMath assignment due each week.  It is due on the last day of class for the week.  Many students are not turning it in and getting a zero for the assignment.   When turned in on time, students have 2 weeks to correct any errors and turn it back in.  A grade is not entered until it is a 6.  If students elect to not correct their work, a zero remains in the grade book.

8th grade is getting started on the math of the Overland Trail.  They will be looking at setting up equations to solve problems.  They are working on getting their Tool Box set up and using it to help them with their math calculations.

Integrated Math I students are working on Linear Equations.  They have a packet that is dur on Sept 16.  Students will need to have their graphing clculators so they can do work at home.

Best way to keep up on work due is to look in the grade book.  All work is in by end of day Friday for the week unless a specific due date was given.

Any questions, please email me at eldridge@ccs.k12.de.us

Mrs. Eldridge

Hello parents and students for school year 2009-2010!



Here is a list of supplies need for next school year.  Hopefully you can take advantage of sales over the summer.  There is a list that everyone will need and then a separate list of additional items by grade level.



>>>>>To have a successful year, all students will need the following supplies:



• 1 composition book 

• Pencils and erasers

• Angle ruler – can be purchased from any math teacher for $2.00.  This tool is a ruler, compass and protractor in one

• Lined notebook paper

• Graph paper 1/4 inch is good

• Graphing calculator - look for sales over the summer, TI 83/84 or Casio is good.  Be sure to keep operating instructions so I can help students in class.

• Planner - school planner has charts and tables, students need for class, also this is their hall pass out of my room - purchase from school



Eighth Grade math students will need:

• 1 ½ inch binder with one set of 5 dividers labeled – Expectations, Openers, ThinkerMath, Graded work and the last one Notes – Notebooks are graded. If students want to combine it with another subject in the same notebook, that is okay as long as they have the five sections.





Integrated Math I students will need:

• 1 ½ inch binder with one set of 4 dividers labeled – Expectations, Openers, ThinkerMath, Graded work – Notebooks are graded. If students want to combine it with another subject in the same notebook, that is okay as long as they have the four sections.


Other items that are optional

• Colored pencils used only on graphs

• Hi-liter



>>>>>For health concerns in the class room if you could provide:



• 1 box of tissues

• 1 bottle hand sanitizer

 

Below I have my grading policy.



  
Grading Policy



>>>>>To successfully pass math class, students must



Do all class work and homework. Class work and homework that is graded can be done over until the grade is perfect. I have a two week time limit on resubmitting work for grading.

There are few assessments and they are announced in advance and there is always a review the class period before the assessment. It is always my option to delete a question or re-assess if I feel it necessary.

I have zero tolerance for copying work – all students involved get a zero for the assignment.

I allow students to do extra credit but only if all required work is completed. Extra credit can help those who do all of their work correctly but just do not test well.

All work is due on Friday even if you do not have class on Friday – grading baskets are always out so you can stop and drop off work. I do my best to have everything graded by Monday and grades in the grade book by end of day Monday. The earlier you turn in work, the sooner I get it to back to you so you can work on it for a better grade.

If you are absent, you are responsible for getting the work. We will discuss a reasonable due date.

Extra Help is after school on Monday and Wednesday from 3 to 4. This is a work time not a social time. Anything math you need help with – bring it.

I give out grade sheets about once every two weeks. I make mistakes once in a while in the grade book. Please check your grades and if there are any that are incorrect, return the graded paper to me and I will gladly correct the grade book. I appreciate an extra pair of eyes since there are a lot of numbers and columns.


 Thinker Math Expectations



This year we will be using ThinkerMath assignments to help you become more proficient in Reasoning and Communicating mathematically.

The ThinkerMath work consists of 4 paragraphs that have missing data. You have an answer bank for each paragraph that contains the numbers that belong in the blanks. Read the entire paragraph and use the clues in the paragraph to decide where the numbers go. You will not always be able to fill in the blanks in order. You must complete all four paragraphs.

Select one of the paragraphs and describe how you solved it. You must write in complete sentences and make sure that you explain which blank has which number and what the clue was that led you to using that number. Your explanation should be written lined note book paper and stapled to the ThinkerMath paper.



Hint: You should pick one of the paragraphs before solving it. Write down your strategies as you solve it on scratch paper. Then write the final copy to turn. Do not wait until the day before this is due to work on it.



Grading:

You will get 1 (one) point for each correct paragraph. You will score a maximum of 2 (two) points for your explanation. 1 (one) point will be given for an explanation that is a good attempt but needs more work. 2 (two) points will be given for an acceptable explanation. You must score 6 points on the ThinkerMath for it to be acceptable. If you do not get 6 points, work on it and turn it in again.



No grade is entered until it is a 6.



Due on Friday of each week.





I am looking forward to a great year. If you have questions or concerns, please e-mail me at eldridge@ccs.k12.de.us.



Mrs. Eldridge