• 7th Grade Mathematics Syllabus

    Huth Middle School 2020 – 2021

    Mr. Alexis Russell

     

    Course Objective:  To help students improve and excel in math as they work to master the concepts and skills of the 7th grade Common Core standards. 

    Instructional Objective: By the end of the course, successful students will master the following strands:  Ratios and Proportional Relationships, The Number System, Expressions and Equations, Geometry, and Statistics and Probability. 

    • Analyze proportional relationships and use them to solve real world and mathematical problems.
    • Apply and extend previous understandings of operations with fractions to add, subtract, multiply and divide rational numbers.
    • Use properties of operations to generate equivalent expressions. Solve real life mathematical problems using numerical and algebraic expressions and equations.
    • Draw, construct and describe geometrical figures and describe the relationships between them. Solve real life and mathematical problems involving angle measure, area, surface area, and volume.
    • Use random sampling to draw inferences about a population. Draw informal comparative inferences about two populations.  Investigate chance processes and develop, use and evaluate probability models.

     Mathematical Practices:

    1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
    2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
    3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
    4. Model with mathematics. 
    5. Use appropriate tools strategically.
    6. Attend to precision.
    7. Look for and make use of structure.
    8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

     Course Description:  In Grade 7, we will be using Pearson’s Digits Accelerated Grade 7 series.  It is an inquiry-based mathematics program that helps students focus on math problem solving, reasoning and proof, communication, representation, and connections.  These math practices require students to look deeper and connect problem solving to practical situations using numerical and algebraic expressions and equations, apply and extend previous understandings of operations with fractions to add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational numbers, use properties of operations to generate equivalent expression.  We will also be looking at how two and three dimensional shapes (Geometry) have properties that make them important in science, engineering, construction, and arts.

    Textbooks/Resources:

    For each unit of study, students will be issued a textbook and a workbook.  These textbooks should be kept in good condition.  The covers should not be bent or torn while in the care of the student.  Students may NOT write in the textbooks.  If a textbook is lost or returned in poor condition, the student will be charged for the replacement unit. 

    Homework:  I will assign short homework assignments throughout the week.  Class work / worksheets / homework reinforces the material taught in class.  Completion of class work, worksheets, and homework are considered opportunities to learn.  Students who do not complete assigned work will not be prepared for the quizzes and assessments; therefore, it is IMPERATIVE that students complete all assigned work.  All work will be turned in to be graded, and then it’s the responsibility of each student to keep it in a Math Folder.

    Grades:  Please use the PowerSchool website to keep track of your current grades (https:// sd162southland.powerschool.com/public/).  The grading program is set to average the grades in the weighted categories.           

    Weighted Categories:

           30% - Class work

          10% - Homework

          30% - Quizzes

          30% - Unit Tests

    Grading Scale:

         A:  93-100

         B:  87-92

         C:  78-86

         D:  70-77

         F:  0-69

    Materials:

    1. (1) Composition Books-Regular Ruled
    2. (1) 100 Sheet loose-leaf paper (wide ruled)
    3. (Numerous) #2 Pencils
    4. Ink pen for grading
    5. Texas Instruments Scientific Calculator (TI-30X IIS minimum)
    6. (1) folder

     Communication:  EMAIL: arussell@sd162.org 

                                  PHONE:  708-748-0470 ext 1446

     Class Expectations and Procedures

    1. Respect yourself, the teacher & others
    • Show respect for the teacher, yourself and others at all times.
    • Respect others’ property.  Avoid touching or writing on anything that does not belong to you (including desks, textbooks, teacher’s belongings, walls, chalkboard, etc.). Don't expect that others will clean-up your messes. Please pick-up after yourself. 
    • Respect yourself and the rest of us by using appropriate language and wearing the school approved uniform.
    • Be a kind person.
    1. Put forth your best effort at all times
    • Always do your own best work.
    • Put learning ahead of getting good grades. 
    • Put quality ahead of just getting it done.
    1. Be prepared for class each day
    • Come prepared with all materials necessary:
    • Your math workbook
    • A composition book that will be used as a Math Journal
    • Pencils,
    • A red or purple pen for grading in class or underlining important elements in note taking
    • Highlighters for emphasizing important text
    • A planner to help keep you organized - the most successful students are organized.
    • A calculator (once we start using them)
    1. Follow directions when given
    • When directions are given, do your best to follow them the first time.  If you are confused or have questions, ask.  I would rather have you stop class to clarify than be off task while everyone else is working.
    1. Pay attention, participate and ask questions
    • Engage in what is going on in the classroom.  If you have a question, ask it!  Otherwise, I might not know until the test that you didn’t understand something.  There are no stupid questions, and chances are, if you are wondering about it, someone else in the class is to.  Be proactive about your learning and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
    • It is important that you are attentive. This means that you are looking at me when I speak and you are taking notes in your math journal.  If I ask a question, even if I don’t call on you, you should be answering the question in your head.  If you don’t agree or understand the answer given, if you are attentive, you will ask a question. If you feel most comfortable waiting until after class, that is okay, too, but do keep communication open between us.
    1. Preserve a positive learning environment
    • Student actions that interfere with teaching or learning in the classroom will NOT be tolerated. 
    • Use class time to learn Math.  Please do not spend your time grooming, sleeping, talking, writing notes, playing cards, text-messaging friends, or doing work for other classes.
    • Minimize classroom interruptions by arriving to class on time and not leaving the classroom during the hour.
    • You must be in the classroom when the bell rings, or you will be marked tardy for the class. You must also have a pass to gain access to the room if you are late.
    1. Take responsibility for your actions
    • If you are confronted about a rule infraction, own up to it.  Don’t deny it, lie about it, or blame someone else.
    • Take responsibility for missed assignments.
    • All handbook rules will be enforced.  Please read your handbook. Students that choose to break these rules, choose to have points taken away from their learning readiness grade, and face the possibility of additional consequences.
    1. Restroom
    • You will be allowed to go to the restroom (one student at a time) during independent or group work. During classroom instruction, you will not be allowed to leave the room unless it is an emergency. You must have the time and “restroom” written in your student planner before approaching the teacher to leave the room. No other paper or notebook is acceptable. This policy is subject to change at the discretion of the administration or teachers.
    1. Attendance
    • It is important that you are in school every day! We miss you when you are gone!  The class does not run the same without you. Learning a new concept is much easier when you can see examples, hear explanations, and try it without worrying about getting it wrong.  So, unless you are sick, please come to school! 
    • If you are absent from class, it is up to you to check Google Classroom for the assignment(s) you may have missed.
    1. Entering the Room
    • You should enter the room quickly and quietly.
    • Put books, supplies and last night’s homework on your desk and have 2 sharpened pencils ready for the lesson. If you forgot your homework or chose not to do it, you will be responsible for turning it in for a late grade or receive a “0”.  Items to have on your desk:
      • Sharpened #2 Pencils
      • Calculator
      • Math book
      • Last night’s homework
    • If you need to sharpen pencils, do it before you sit down.
    • Do not leave your seat once you get in it.
    • Once you are seated do bell ringer/warm up activity.
    1. Exiting the Room
    • You will be verbally dismissed each day. The bell does not dismiss students, the teacher dismisses students. 
    • Before you leave, you should have written homework in your student planner.
    • The class will be quiet to hear the teacher dismiss you.
    1. Grades & Late/Missing Assignments
    • Students are responsible for checking grades on PowerSchool. As students have access to grades 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, grades will be not given during class. 
    • Late assignments must be turned in within a week of the original due date, unless the missed assignment was due to illness or an excused absence. If a student was ill, they will have double the number of days absent to turn in missed work.  Example:  If a student is absent for 3 school days, he will have 6 days to turn in missing work.  If the absence is due to a school activity, the work is due within 1 day of return.  Example:  If a student participates in a track meet on Tuesday, the missing work is due no later than Thursday.  
    1. Assignments
    • All assignments will be done in pencil unless turned in electronically. If an assignment is turned in and it was completed in pen, it will not be counted as a completed assignment in the homework average. 
    • If an assignment is turned in without a proper heading (see below), it will not be counted as a completed assignment in the homework average.
    1. Homework
    • Homework will be listed in google classroom. Students are responsible for checking for homework daily. 
    • Homework will be completed on loose leaf paper or graph paper.
    • Homework will be picked up at the start of class if it was a paper/pencil assignment.
    • Late work should be turned in to the “Homework” bin. All late work turned in within a week from assignment date will incur a 20% deduction unless the student had an excused absence due to illness or to attend a school function. 
    • MUST BE IN PENCIL-NO EXCEPTIONS
    1. Independent Work
    • Independent work is work done on your own with no talking.
    1. Intercom/PA System
    • If a voice is heard over the intercom or PA system, all talking and movement should stop. Only the teacher will respond to questions over the intercom. 
    1. Lockers
    • Students are only allowed access to lockers before school and between D and H periods. No student will be given a pass to go to their locker at any other times. 
    1. Parent/Guardian Contact
    • You may email me at arussell@sd162.org or call 708-503 1119 ext. 2774
    1. Partner Work
    • Partners are assigned.
    • Students should discuss each question and agree as to the answer to each question.
    • Talking during partner work is expected.
    • Students should only talk to his or her
    1. Phone
    • If the class telephone rings, the teacher will answer it, unless she specifically asks a student to answer it.
    • Students should be silent when the teacher is on the phone.
    1. Seating
    • Students are assigned seats in class.
    1. Small Group
    • The class will break up into groups of 3 or 4 to work on projects, solve problems, or participate in work stations.
    • Small groups will be determined by the teacher.
    • Students should only talk with students in their small group.
    • During work stations, students will turn in all work for a grade.
    1. Supplies
    • If additional supplies are needed (supplied by teacher), a student will be designated to hand out and collect.
    1. Tissue
    • If students are sick, they should get several tissues to keep at their desks before class. Used tissues are trash and will be thrown away after the lesson is over when partner/group or independent work has begun. 
    1. Trash
    • Trash should be thrown away during independent or partner/group work. Trash should never be thrown away during the lesson.
    • Trash needs to be placed in the wastebasket and NOT thrown from more than 3 feet from the wastebasket.
    1. Uniforms
    • If students are not in proper uniform (as per the student handbook), they will be sent to the office.
    1. Visitors
    • If a visitor enters the room, all students will remain seated and continue working, unless otherwise advised.