Mrs. Tracy VanDrisse & Mrs. Jessica Benson Math 8 2018 - 2019 Mrs. Tracy VanDrisse & Mrs. Jessica Benson

There may be multiple test grades for one test. Grade Categories Test (summative) = 50% There may be multiple test grades for one test. Quizzes (formative) = 30% Practice = 20% You can see almost the entire grade is from assessments, so it is imperative students are completing homework, using the blog and focusing during class. PRACTICE will include quick checks, warm ups and constructed/extended response questions

Grading This Year We are trying to grade the students on a 0 – 4 scale so the grade scale is more evenly distributed and to better align with Milestones. We will have constructed and extended response questions in which the students will be expected to write their answers and justify their solutions.

Grading This Year 4 – Exceeds Standards = 100% demonstrates complete understanding; all steps shown/written 3 – Meets Standards = 90% demonstrates understanding, but there may be a minor error or missing information 2 – Meets Standards = 80% basic understanding, but errors are present

Grading This Year 1 – Does Not Meet Standards = 70% little understanding of concept is demonstrated OR the answer is correct, but no work/steps shown to justify answer 0 – Does Not Meet Standards = 60% Either no answer is given or no part of solution is correct

Homework Policies Homework is expected to be completed. It reinforces the concepts taught in class & is similar to the assessments. Homework solutions are usually posted on the blog for students/parents to reference. If a student is “stuck,” he/she should look at how I solved the problems using my blog. If there is an absence, students may get the missed assignments from the absent crate upon return.

“Quiz Upgrades” There is an opportunity for students to improve their quiz grades if they do not perform as desired. In order to get a “quiz upgrade,” the students must perform better on the particular concept on the unit test than they did on the quiz.

“Quiz Upgrades” Example The first quiz was about parallel lines and angle relationships. Your child earned 70%. As a class, we went through the correct solutions, and your child saw where the errors were made. Before the test, your child reviewed angle relationships. On the unit test, your child earns 90% on the angle relationship section. That means you child can replace the quiz score of 70% with 90% from the same concept on the unit test. He/she has proven they’ve learned more about the concept.

Math Help Opportunities Students are always allowed to come and ask me during home room. They need to ask their teacher for a pass to come and see me. I try to post the homework solutions every evening, so students can refer to my blog if they get stuck, and I encourage them to check their answers. There will be some opportunities during the school day to get extra help, and before school help is available by appointment. There may also be announced help sessions. Students will be told in class or it will be on the blog.

High School Math Placement Most high schools offer three possible placements for students who are in on-level math 8; however, we won’t know for sure until the high schools contact us about placement. Three placement options: Algebra I Algebra I with Support/Math Foundations Algebra I with Honors Each high school which offers this as an option for on-level math 8 has their own criteria

Supplies Needed A 3-subject or 5-subject NOTEBOOK – preferably one with a durable cover SCOTCH TAPE or a SMALL STAPLER with STAPLES PENCILS & ERASERS A TI-XS 30 Multiview CALCULATOR

Math Notebook The students are responsible for keeping a math notebook. The notes & examples are completed in class. The sections we complete together in class are posted on my blog for students who are absent or if a student missed a part during class. Students are encouraged to use their notebooks for homework help and to study for quizzes and tests. Homework assignments & warm ups can also be completed in the notebook, so everything is in one location.

Donations Thank you to all who have already donated supplies, and thank you in advance to anyone who donates in the future  . Dry Erase Markers for whole class usage during in-class practice – they go through these quickly Tissues Hand Sanitizer

Blog http://www.cobbk12.org/McClure/ Go to “School Links” and then click on “Faculty & Staff” and find the teacher Quiz and test dates will be listed on the blog. That is where the most current info will be located. There are also helpful websites linked on my blog. There is a tab with the online textbook directions and the syllabus if you need it for reference.

Contact Information If you want to contact Mrs. Benson or me, e-mail is the preferred method. If you call, a message will be put in our mailbox so it will take some time for us to call back. E-mail addresses: tracy.vandrisse@cobbk12.org jessica.benson@cobbk12.org

Welcome to Eighth Grade Math at MMS!