About+Math+82

Welcome back to math with Mrs. McCarthy!


 * Here is the list of supplies that you will need for class: **
 * 3-ring binder (2.5 to 3 inch)
 * Spiral graph-paper notebook - see example here
 * Lined-paper and/or grid paper
 * Pencils and a correcting pen (any color except black)
 * Notebook dividers
 * Eraser caps

**Homework: ** Homework will be assigned most days. Full-credit on homework is given if it is completed/submitted on time and directions are followed. Homework is practice therefore students are not penalized for a few errors. Effort is rewarded! If homework is not turned in on time, students will be required to fill out a pink “Missing Homework” slip, and will be required to make up the assignment for half credit.

**Class activities: ** Games (on and off computer) Pod casts Manipulatives Discussion <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 17px;">Note taking/creating interactive notebooks <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 17px;">Presenting (by students to students) <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 17px;">Doing problems (at seats and on board) <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 17px;">Writing

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 17px;">**Curriculum:** <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 17px;">Classroom instruction will be based on the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, March 2011 and the Common Core Curriculum Standards, for Grade 6 (review) and Grade 7-8 (new concepts). Click here to see the Massachusetts Frameworks, click here to see the CCCS Frameworks. We will be using many resources in math this year, including Saxon Math published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Number Worlds curriculum published by SRA/McGraw Hill, Spectrum Math by McGraw Hill, and Targeting Math. The units of study include: Number Sense/Numeration, Number Patterns and Relationships, Integers, Fractions/Decimals/Percents, Geometry and Measurement and Data Analysis & Applications. Teacher-created materials will be used to supplement as needed. Students will also be taking advantage of an online mathematics curriculum entitled ALEKS which provides Quick Tables math facts practice, Kahn Academy and other on-line resources created for the class.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 17px;">This year, students will be creating interactive math notebooks which will include math vocabulary, content related resources for reference, examples and problem solving strategies. This resource will reinforce mathematical processes and encourage development of mathematical thinking.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 17px;">**Absences:** <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 17px;">My website will list the homework assigned each day. You can access this by going to the WMS website, go to the faculty section and click on my name under my photo. Please check this page if you are absent. Copies of hand outs missed will be waiting for you in a folder (While You Were Out folder) upon your return to class. Please be sure to check in with me so that we can make an appropriate plan for getting caught up on missed class work and homework.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 17px;">**Evaluation/Grades:** <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 17px;">Your class grade is an average of your test/quiz grades, a homework grade, warm-up completion, interactive math notebook and a class participation/preparation grade. Occasionally, we will have a math related project to complete. All assessments require corrections and half-credit can be earned back if answers are accurate after corrections are made. Students may receive help from any source when making corrections, but all work must be shown in order to earn back credit.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Projects, Tests and Math Journal - 40% <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Class work and homework - 15% <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Class preparation and participation - 10% <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Quizzes - 25% <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Warm ups - 10% <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Individual Goals (not every term)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Assessments and Grading: **

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 17px;">**How to be successful:** <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 17px;">In order to succeed in this class, you should ask a lot of questions. I believe that if you are not wrestling with the material, you are not learning. Easy is boring and if the work you are doing takes effort, that is good. It is my job to challenge you and to support you during the learning process. You must also learn to use your resources to help you. You have teachers, classmates, class notes/worksheets, and books that are all available to you. To be successful you must also show good listening skills and the ability to work respectfully and cooperatively with your classmates. We are a team. My top priority this year is that we all grow as math learners and that we have fun in the process.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 17px;">**Hours/Contact:** <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 17px;">I am frequently available to meet with students/families in the morning before school begins, or during period 1 on day 1. If none of these times work, please let me know and we can consider other options. The best way to reach me is via email. I check my email several times a day!

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 17px;">My direct number is 781-446-6250 x3334. Please note that I cannot pick up the phone during my teaching/instruction blocks, but will return your call if you leave a message. My email address is as follows:

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 17px;">ianthe_mccarthy@wellesley.k12.ma.us