Syllabus MJ II Adv

Julia Landon College Preparatory & Leadership Development School

2016-17 MJ II ADV Syllabus                                                               Email: girouxs@duvalschools.org

Mrs. Giroux Rm 346                                                                            Blog: https://girouxmath.blogspot.com/

COURSE OVERVIEW: In this Grade 7 Advanced Mathematics course, instructional time focuses on exploration and problem solving in four major areas: (1) rational numbers and exponents; (2) proportionality and linear relationships; (3) sampling and inference; and (4) creating, comparing, and analyzing geometric figures. Students will learn to work together in small groups and take ownership of their learning. Discussion of a variety of ways to solve problems is encouraged.

Pearson DIGITS is our core text, and we will supplement with i-Ready and other resources as needed. Both primary instructional tools are online through the DCPS website and students will need to have internet access after school. Smart phones and tablets often work as well with these resources.  When completing online assignments students should work on paper and not attempt to do the work in their heads. Students should keep their work in their notebook and write down specific questions when that arise, so they can seek help during class or tutoring. Students are also encourage to help each other.

GRADES:  Grades can be accessed through the FOCUS portal.  You should check this regularly to make sure your student is on track.  The homework blog, which can also be accessed through FOCUS, is at https://girouxmath.blogspot.com/  and will be updated regularly so you can track what is due or has been due in the class.  This will also give you access to other resources such as handouts, videos, and games. 

Homework will be assigned most every night!  (10% of grade)

Homework is assigned regularly and will correlate with the standards.  Homework that is not online including work on paper and questions about homework should be maintained in the student’s notebook.

Classwork will be assigned individually, in pairs or groups (40% of grade) 

Enough class time will be given to complete classwork, or it may be extended into homework or another class period. Bell-ringers, exit-slips, activities/projects, and standards quizzes/notebook quizzes may be included in classwork and are sometimes collected for a grade.   All classwork should be maintained in the student’s notebook. 

Summative Tests (50% of grade)

These are post tests given at the end of a section of material to assess understanding.  All summative tests are taken individually.  Recycling is available to students; however, the requirements for recycling must be followed. (See below)

i-Ready (Will Count for Research Grade)

i-Ready will be assigned in class and for homework.  This is the best tool we have available to fill in any learning gaps students may have, or conversely, to allow students to go above and beyond the grade level curriculum. i-Ready will also get students used to independent online learning, which will be a requirement in their future academic years.

NOTEBOOKS:  Students are responsible for keeping a notebook in a binder with a section for each of the following: 

·                Toolbox (vocabulary, formulas, and other information needed for the year)

·                Notes (guided notes, handouts, student notes and study guides)

·                Homework and Classwork – All work completed during class time or assigned as homework.

·                Extra paper - both graph paper and notebook paper

All items in the notebook should have a date on them and be kept in order of date per section.  Notebooks will occasionally be graded for organization, neatness, completeness and that effort has been implemented to ensure it is usable as a study tool for the test.  

RECYCLING POLICY (test retakes):  

1. Homework must be up to date in order to be eligible to recycle a test.
2. Recycling must be completed after school on scheduled tutoring days.
3. Recycling must be completed within 2 weeks of test being returned.
4. Students may bring one sheet of notebook paper with handwritten notes to aid them during the recycle. These notes will be attached to the recycled test and turned in.
5. Students must bring their original test to turn in with the recycled test.
6. The highest score a student may earn on a recycled test is 85.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Students are expected to exhibit a high level of responsibility and academic honesty.  Any student who commits an act of scholastic dishonesty is subject to discipline.  Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, and the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person.  Allowing another person to cheat using your work is also cheating. 

Classroom Rules / Expectations

·                Be prepared.

·                Be involved.

·                Be ready to learn.

·                THINK before you speak.

Supplies

·                1” or 1 ½” binder

·                Notebook paper

·                Graph paper

·                Lots of pencils (math work MUST be done in pencil)

·                Highlighters or colored pencils

·                Earbuds (necessary to hear lessons and test instructions on i-Ready)

·                TI30XS Calculator (will be used through the next several math courses)

Teacher Wish List

·                Kleenex

·                Hand sanitizer

·                Copy paper (white or color)

·                Wipes or paper towels