Welcome to the Acceleration Parent Night! Math 7-8 Ms. Miller

Math 7-8 & Math 8-9 New courses here at Shen New courses here at Shen Math 7-8 being taught for the first time Math 7-8 being taught for the first time Math 8-9 being taught for the first time Math 8-9 being taught for the first time Acceleration through compacting curriculum rather than through skipping curriculum. Acceleration through compacting curriculum rather than through skipping curriculum. In the Common Core Math Curriculum, there is a balance among fluency (speed and accuracy such as math facts) and understanding (rather than “tricks”, students will need to know “why”) which brings more rigor to the courses. In the Common Core Math Curriculum, there is a balance among fluency (speed and accuracy such as math facts) and understanding (rather than “tricks”, students will need to know “why”) which brings more rigor to the courses. Math 7-8 & Math 8-9 provide the students with additional rigor by compacting three years of Math into two years. Math 7-8 & Math 8-9 provide the students with additional rigor by compacting three years of Math into two years.

What will be covered in Math 7-8? Integers Integers Rational Numbers Rational Numbers Rates & Proportional Relationships Rates & Proportional Relationships Percents Percents Expressions, Equations, & Inequalities Expressions, Equations, & Inequalities Statistics Statistics Probability Probability Circumference, Area, & Volume Circumference, Area, & Volume Angle Relationships & Scale Drawings Angle Relationships & Scale Drawings Irrational Numbers & Pythagorean Theorem Irrational Numbers & Pythagorean Theorem Laws of Exponents & Scientific Notation Laws of Exponents & Scientific Notation Intro to Linear Equations & Functions Intro to Linear Equations & Functions

Profile of an Accelerated Student Being an accelerated student means more than having a strong work ethic. These courses are designed for students who not only have a strong academic aptitude, but students who are driven to learn. It is not only more difficult work, but classes that move at a quicker pace and require inherent student motivation. Accelerated students are eager to participate and consistently provide high quality work. Being an accelerated student means more than having a strong work ethic. These courses are designed for students who not only have a strong academic aptitude, but students who are driven to learn. It is not only more difficult work, but classes that move at a quicker pace and require inherent student motivation. Accelerated students are eager to participate and consistently provide high quality work. Identification indicates strong math ability Identification indicates strong math ability Effort/organization/time management Effort/organization/time management Adjustment to Middle School and/or Acceleration Adjustment to Middle School and/or Acceleration Monitoring of student progress Monitoring of student progress Self-advocacy & Independent Learning Self-advocacy & Independent Learning Extra help Extra help

8 Mathematical Practices (CC) I can solve problems without giving up. I can solve problems without giving up. I can think about numbers in many ways. I can think about numbers in many ways. I can explain my thinking and try to understand others. I can explain my thinking and try to understand others. I can show my work in many ways. I can show my work in many ways. I can use math tools and explain why I used them. I can use math tools and explain why I used them. I can work carefully and check my work. I can work carefully and check my work. I can use what I know to solve new problems. I can use what I know to solve new problems. I can solve problems by looking for rules and patterns. I can solve problems by looking for rules and patterns.

What can I do as a parent to support my child and ensure his/her success in Math 7-8?

Visit Ms. Miller’s Website Frequently! Visit Ms. Miller’s Website Frequently! Practice math facts at home to increase speed and accuracy. (Ex. integer operations) Practice math facts at home to increase speed and accuracy. (Ex. integer operations) Be sure your child is doing their homework – practice is very important! Be sure your child is doing their homework – practice is very important! Contact Ms. Miller if you have concerns about your child’s progress in Math 7-8. Contact Ms. Miller if you have concerns about your child’s progress in Math 7-8. Involve them in real life math (Ex. stock market, taxes, money ). Involve them in real life math (Ex. stock market, taxes, money ).

Homework Assignments All homework, projects, cumulative reviews, and quizzes/tests are posted on the homework calendar. All homework, projects, cumulative reviews, and quizzes/tests are posted on the homework calendar You can also get to the homework calendar via a link on my website…and you can find my website as a link on the Acadia, Gowana, or Koda homepages! You can also get to the homework calendar via a link on my website…and you can find my website as a link on the Acadia, Gowana, or Koda homepages!AcadiaGowanaKodaAcadiaGowanaKoda The students are also given time at the end and/or beginning of each class to write their assignments in their agenda along with the date each assignment is due. The students are also given time at the end and/or beginning of each class to write their assignments in their agenda along with the date each assignment is due.

Math 7-8 Grades & Parent Portal I post all of the students’ grades (homework, quizzes, tests, projects, CRs) on my e-Gradebook, which is visible to parents via the Parent Portal. I post all of the students’ grades (homework, quizzes, tests, projects, CRs) on my e-Gradebook, which is visible to parents via the Parent Portal. The Parent Portal also displays the student’s current overall average for the course. The Parent Portal also displays the student’s current overall average for the course. In addition to the student’s grades & average, you can see which assignments your child is currently missing (did not hand in) and/or assignments they handed in incomplete and/or late. In addition to the student’s grades & average, you can see which assignments your child is currently missing (did not hand in) and/or assignments they handed in incomplete and/or late.

Exams 2014 NYS Grade 6 or Grade 7 Math Exam 2014 NYS Grade 6 or Grade 7 Math Exam April 30, May 1, May 2 April 30, May 1, May 2 Does not factor into the student’s Math 7-8 average Does not factor into the student’s Math 7-8 average Students will sit for the grade level exam to which they are assigned…regardless of Math course. Students will sit for the grade level exam to which they are assigned…regardless of Math course. Review will be provided in the weeks prior Review will be provided in the weeks prior Final Exam (June 2014) ~ 10% of Final Grade Final Exam (June 2014) ~ 10% of Final Grade A Final Exam schedule will be forthcoming from the middle schools A Final Exam schedule will be forthcoming from the middle schools Final Exam Half Days – June 19, 20, 23, 24, & 25 Final Exam Half Days – June 19, 20, 23, 24, & 25

Scientific Calculator Students are required to bring their calculator to class with them everyday. Students are required to bring their calculator to class with them everyday. There is no specific brand of calculator necessary for the course, but it does need to be a scientific calculator (has the π key). There is no specific brand of calculator necessary for the course, but it does need to be a scientific calculator (has the π key). I recommend the TI-30X IIS or TI-30XA I recommend the TI-30X IIS or TI-30XA Calculator “training” is available during my office hours. Calculator “training” is available during my office hours.

What happens after Math 7-8? Math 7-8 (all of 7 th grade, half of 8 th grade) Math 7-8 (all of 7 th grade, half of 8 th grade) Math 8-9 (half of 8 th grade, all of Algebra) Math 8-9 (half of 8 th grade, all of Algebra) Geometry (Honors) Geometry (Honors) Algebra 2 & Trigonometry (Honors) Algebra 2 & Trigonometry (Honors) Pre-Calculus (Honors) Pre-Calculus (Honors) AP Calculus (AB, BC) AP Calculus (AB, BC) AP Statistics AP Statistics

Additional Important Information! Field Trips/Team Days Field Trips/Team Days Ms. Miller’s Math Newsletter Ms. Miller’s Math Newsletter Sent out quarterly Sent out quarterly I will also send group s when necessary I will also send group s when necessary Math Olympiads Math Olympiads I will not be running the club this year.  I will not be running the club this year.  BUT…I am entertaining the idea of having Math Nights a few times this year…please stay tuned for more details! BUT…I am entertaining the idea of having Math Nights a few times this year…please stay tuned for more details!

Ms. Miller’s Contact Information ~ Phone ~ ext Office ~ Acadia Room A206 **My office hours are Periods 2, 3, 7, & 9. However, if a student is unable to meet then, I am willing to meet at a time that works for both the student and myself.**

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions/concerns & I promise to do the same! Thank you for coming & have a wonderful evening!