Welcome back!
A little about me… My name is Ms. Lowe. This is my 3rd year at CHMS, but my 9th year teaching mathematics. I LOVE teaching math! I also LOVE College Football and Alabama in particular! And finally, I am also in school this year and will have homework just like you.
My Job is to… Make you a better math student. Hopefully help you enjoy math. Answer every question that you have to the best of my ability. Get you ready for high school. Prepare you to pass the Georgia Milestone in April. And to be present at school everyday that I can.
Your job is to… Complete ALL of your homework. Pay attention in class and ask questions when you need to. Come to tutoring when needed. Tuesday mornings at 7:45, I will pick you up from the café. To be present everyday that you can. Try your best!
This year in math… There will be a total of 8 units. You will have homework almost daily. Besides quizzes, tests, and CDA’s you will also take an AIMSWEB test twice (fall and spring), a Semester Exam (Christmas), the IKAN test, the Georgia Milestone, and a Final at the end of the school year.
Units… Unit 1 is a mini unit on Equations and we will add to what you learned in 7th grade. We will solve equations that use the distributive property and have variables on both sides of the equation.
Units… Unit 2 will focus on Functions and Relations. We will begin to look at graphs and determine whether or not they are linear. Unit 3 will focus on the constant rate of change of a graph or table. We will learn about slope and the y-intercept and determine how to find them on a graph, table, or in an equation.
Units… Unit 4 will focus on several different concepts: Qualitative Graphs, Scatter Plots, and Two-Way Tables. Unit 5 will focus on Systems of Equations. We will utilize what we learned in Unit 3 to assist us in this unit. In this unit you find the solution for two equations by using substitution, elimination, or graphing. You will also solve equations that will have one, many, or no solutions. All of these units will be completed by Christmas.
Units… Unit 6 will focus on several different concepts again: square and cube roots, exponents (and the rules of them), and scientific notation. Unit 7 will focus on the Pythagorean Theorem and finding the Volumes of a Sphere, Cylinder, and Cone. Finally, Unit 8 will focus on Transformations: rotations, translations, reflections, and dilations.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED… Along with your 3 inch binder, you will also need a 3 prong folder for your CATS. The folder can be ANY color BUT purple. You will need paper, possibly even graph paper. You MUST have a pencil EVERY DAY!! You will receive a book – there are two volumes, but you will get one volume at a time. It needs to brought to class daily! Most of your homework will come out of this book.
RULES for the classroom… Prior to the beginning of each class all pencils must be sharpened. Your agenda message (which is always your homework) should be written by the time that time is called for class to start. Also by the beginning of class you should be working on your CATS. I will choose one person from each class to pass out folders as soon as they enter the room. Once time has been called there is no talking unless you have permission.
Rules for the classroom… I will call each row back to my table to check homework and/or your agenda message(s). During class if you have a question, comment, or need to sharpen your pencil you MUST raise your hand and be acknowledged. Do not laugh or poke fun at anyone for the question they may have on content issues. The bell does NOT dismiss you, I do.
Consequences for breaking rules of the classroom… First offense = silent lunch and a call, e- mail, or send a note home in agenda. Second offense = at home detention and contact home. Third offense = at school detention and contact home. Fourth offense = referral to office and contact home. Repeat offender = referral!
If you are absent… You must check the folders in the back of the room for any missing assignments. They are labeled Monday-Friday. You must complete the missing work within two days, unless you have other arrangements, and turn it in. You must complete any missing CATS and turn those in. CATS are due every Friday. If you missed a test or quiz, you will need to take it within two days of returning, unless we have made other arrangements.
Turning in work… There are 5 baskets with your period located on one of them. All assignments must be turned in to the correct basket in order to be graded. If you fail to place your name on your paper, it will be placed in the NO NAME folder. You must find it there, put your name on it, and turn it in again in order to receive a grade. Late work will be docked 10 points.
Are you ready?