Teacher Contact Information s1

GPSD Course Syllabus

Course Title: Math 8 Grade Level: 8

Teacher Contact Information:

Name: Melissa Klise Room Number: 22 Email Address: [email protected] Phone Number: 541-474-5750 ext. 142 District Webpage: www.grantspass.k12.or.us

Grades will be issued at the end of the first and second semester. Progress reports will be mailed home at the end of 6 and 12 weeks. Parents and students are encouraged to follow progress on Power School. Visit the district webpage to learn more about how to access your account.

Course Overview: Students explore, practice and then master a set of learning targets based on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The CCSS are divided into 5 main categories: The Number System, Expressions and Equations, Functions, Geometry, and Statistics & Probability. As a district, we have split these categories into 10 Power Standards for Math 8 listed below. As we are focusing on these five major categories of standards, we will be working with our students on eight Mathematical Practices. These include: make sense of problems and persevere in solving them; reason abstractly and quantitatively; construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others; model with mathematics; use appropriate tools strategically; attend to precision; look for and make use of structure; and look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

Course Standards: As required by law, students will be scored on their knowledge and skill on the standards expected for the course. Students will not only be given an overall grade for the course but will also be measured on specified standards aligned with course content. The following is the list of Power Standards that your students will be held responsible for knowing (these are not necessarily listed in the order they will be taught):

Solving Equations Angles, Parallel Lines, and Transversals Linear Relationships Triangles Non-Linear Relationships Pythagorean Theorem Systems Exponents Two-Variable Statistics Volume and Transformations

District Grading Scales: Letter Grades Definition Percentage A Mastery 90-100% B Approaching Mastery 80-89% C Proficient 70-79% F Not Yet Proficient Below 70% Grading Criteria and Categories: Grades will be determined by the following criteria: ● Practice (homework and notes) 20% ● Quizzes 10% ● Summative (tests, projects, and performance tasks) 70% Homework: Students will be given practice homework on an average of 3-4 nights a week. It’s expected that students complete assigned homework as their success in the course depends on it. Homework is due at the beginning of the period the day after it is assigned. Students not completing assigned homework will be held accountable by giving up free time during lunch to complete any missing or incomplete tasks. Students who are having difficulty completing assignments should ask for additional help from me or their ELT teacher. ● I do accept late homework; however, do not let this become a habit or a problem. In order to be successful in this course, it is essential you complete tasks on time and have the opportunity to reflect on your performance. ● Absent students are required to make up assignments they missed in order to show adequate progress toward proficiency. You may get prior night’s notes from another student and get extra assistance from me before school or by appointment as needed.

Reassessment: Students will be allowed to retake a summative assessment if they meet the following criteria. 1. Students must have all of the homework assignments completed for that test prior to the original test. 2. Students must complete a test correction form. 3. Complete extra practice assignments to show progress toward proficiency as deemed necessary by Ms. Klise. 4. Meet with Ms. Klise to go over completed work and discuss any misconceptions. 5. Students must schedule a time to complete a retake assessment within two weeks of it being graded.

❖ Retakes should be completed within two weeks of receiving the returned original assessment unless prior arrangements are made.

Required Texts and Other Supplies/Fees: We will be using the Oregon Focus on Math series; Rational Numbers & Equations, Proportionality and Surface Area & Volume. Students will check out a book to take home and leave home. I have a classroom set for their use at school. Students must return each textbook or will be charged $25.00. Our textbook is also available online at www.oregonfocus.com. Our username is grantspass and the password is oregon62.

Other Supplies Needed: ❖ Pencil, Pen and Highlighter ❖ Scientific Calculator ❖ Time Tracker (purchased at South Middle School for $5)

Note: 8th Grade Math students are required to have a scientific calculator (such as the Texas Instrument TI-30X IIS, TI30-XS MultiView, TI-34 MultiView, in class EVERY DAY! These cost $15-20 at most office supply stores or Wal-Mart. If this is not possible, please let Ms. Klise know.

Class Policies: Students will be expected to complete assignments on time, have a respectful attitude, and use class time constructively. Students will be given practice homework on an average of 3-4 nights a week. Homework is expected to be complete prior to proficiency assessments.

Academic Support: A student that isn’t proficient in multiple learning targets can get help before school on Monday or Friday or after school by appointment. If you are struggling with the concepts being taught in our class, please contact me for extra help, ask questions during class time, and/or visit my website. You can access the textbook website at www.oregonfocus.com. Our username is grantspass and the password is oregon62. Differentiation strategies available in this class may include extension activities, acceleration, or other activities, depending on the needs of the student.

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Parent Name: ______

I have read this course syllabus and understand the content.

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