8th Grade Math Syllabus

Team B
2016-2017

Miss Owdom
Room 7
[email protected]
309-477-4731 ext. 3115
http://juniorhighmath2017.weebly.com/

Welcome to 8th Grade Math!

Class Supplies:
The following supplies need to be with you in Math Class everyday:
Math spiral notebook
Math pocket folder OR binder
Math composition notebook (will be left in classroom)
Pencils
Grading pen
Glue sticks
Scissors
Calculator

Units of Study:
We will cover 5 different math units throughout the year.
Unit One: Expressions and Equations
Unit Two: Functions
Unit Three: Exponents, Scientific Notation, Irrational Numbers
Unit Four: Pythagorean Theorem
Unit Five: Geometry

Notes:
It is mandatory that all students take notes in math class. We will have random graded notebook
checks throughout the year where I will look for completeness, organization, and neatness.

Homework:
Expect to have math homework every night. Completing homework is not optional. Homework
will be used as a practice tool, so students can continue to work on problems within the unit of
study while they are out of class. Homework will be graded the next day in class, unless the due
date is stated differently.
Availability:
If students ever need help with homework, I will be available early in the morning before school
starts. If it is not possible to be at school earlier, email me so we can set a time to meet.

Communication:
Email is the best mode of communication to reach me. I will do my best to get back to any
questions or concerns as soon as possible. I will be using the Remind app to send out any quiz,
test, or project reminders. All students as well as any parent or guardian who wishes to receive
these messages via email or text need to sign up using the remind user code. These are
available on a separate document.

Classroom Procedures

Entering the Classroom:

Students will enter the classroom quietly and will take their tables journal basket to their
assigned table. Begin working on the daily warm-up until class time begins. Students must be
sitting in their assigned seat when the tardy bell rings.

Daily Warm-ups:
Each day there will be a daily warmup posted on the board or as a handout. Students are to
quietly begin the warm-up in their composition journal notebooks as soon as they enter the
room. Journals will be checked randomly throughout the year for a completion grade.

Homework:
Homework will be 2 points per day. If any part of the homework assignment isnt completed,
students will receive a 0 in the grade book. Any incomplete homework assignments will require
students to fill out a Taking a Zero form.

Taking a Zero/ Late Work Policy:

If homework is not done by the assigned date, students will fill out a Taking a Zero form located
in the binder in the student center part of the classroom. Late work is not accepted unless it is
approved of by me prior to the due date or if there was an absence.

Absent Work:
Follow the student handbook policy for absent work. When students come back after being
absent, it is their responsibility to look in the Absent Bin in the Student Center to get any
necessary materials that were used while they were out. The binder in the bin explains what
lesson and activities they missed. Each hanging file corresponds with dates, so all handouts will
be in one file.
Homework Quizzes:
About every week or every two weeks we will have a homework quiz. The quiz will contain the
exact questions from various homework assignments within the unit. Students will be allowed to
use their homework to complete the quizzes. It is highly recommended that students do
corrections on their homework as they grade them and keep all of their homework papers
together so they can do well on the quiz.

Quizzes:
Every unit will have at least one quiz to act as a mid-unit checkpoint. Students will be allowed to
use their spiral notebooks to complete the quiz. Quiz grades are final, with no corrections.

Tests:
There will be 6 tests throughout the year. Every unit has one test and unit one has two because
of the size of the unit. Students are not allowed to use any notes or homework on their tests.
Test corrections are available if needed. Tests will never leave the classroom even after they
have been graded. Students will have access to any of their tests as long as they are in the
classroom.

Test Corrections:
Any student who receives lower than 80% on a test is allowed to do test corrections. All of the
following steps must be followed to receive back any additional credit:
Corrections must be done on a separate sheet of loose leaf paper
Corrections must be done neatly and in number order.
Students must rewrite the problem, answer the problem, explain in sentences why their
first way of solving the problem was incorrect, and explain how they were able to solve
the problem correctly (using notes, using an example from past homework).
If all of these steps are followed, students will receive half credit for each problem done
correctly up to an overall grade of 80%.

Behavior:
We will be using a leveled system to track classroom behavior. Each day students start with
zero levels. If they are off task, talking when they shouldnt be, are out of their seat, and so on,
students will receive a level. The first two levels for the day are warnings. The third level is a
morning detention. Any additional levels within the day result in removal from class. On weeks
where we have 5 days of school, students who receive 0-3 levels for the week will be rewarded.
Four day weeks students need 0-2 levels to earn a prize. Any smaller weeks students cant
receive any levels to get an award.

Restrooms:
Students get four restroom passes per quarter. They must have their assignment notebook to
sign out and must also sign the clipboard by the door. Once the four have been used, you will
not be allowed to leave.
Hall/Locker:
8th grade students are expected to have all the materials they need for class. I will not allow
students to go to their locker if they forget their daily materials or homework.

****This syllabus is subject to changes with or without notices****

Please read the statement below, sign, and date the document and return back to school.

I have read and discussed the classroom syllabus with my child, ______________________,
who is in Miss Owdoms math class.

Parent/Guardian____________________________ date: _______________

Student ___________________________________ date:________________