Northwest School of the Arts Math I Common Core for 8 th Grade

Why take Math I Common Core in Eighth Grade?

 Receive a high school math credit.  Quickly progress to higher mathematics classes.  Complete one of the four required high school math credits.  Free up room in an often overcrowded high school schedule.  Allow student to take an Advanced Placement Course.

What requirements come with Math I Common Core?

 Teachers have a 10 day evaluation period to determine if placement is appropriate. Following this, students MAY NOT drop Math I  Students may miss a maximum of 10 days (Excused or Unexcused)  Students must make up all days over 10 during scheduled make up sessions.  Students who fail to make up sessions will NOT receive course credit and will repeat Math I Common Core in the 9 th Grade.

 Students must cover the entire North Carolina Math I Common Core Curriculum as well as Eighth Grade Mathematics Course Work.  Students must take the Math I Common Core End-of-Course Exam and pass it to receive credit. (This Exam is also worth 25% of the Final Grade.)  Students must also take the Eighth Grade EOG test and a Midterm Exam at the end of Semester One.

 Students who pass the EOC as well as the Math I class will move on to Math II or Math II Honors in High School.  Students are not allowed to repeat Math I if they pass the class and EOC.  The Algebra I grade and EOC score will be placed on the student’s high school transcript.

How will Math I Common Core differ from previous math classes?

 Students must maintain a detailed notebook containing investigations, homework, and notes.  Students will have fewer grades each nine- weeks. The majority of grades will come from tests and reviews.  Students are completing two courses in one year. (Thus, this course should be a priority everyday).

 Students will thoroughly engage in the following mathematical practices:  Making sense of problems and persevering in solving them.  Reasoning abstractly and quantitatively.  Constructing viable arguments and critiquing the reasoning of others.  Modeling with mathematics.  Using appropriate tools strategically.  Attending to precision.  Looking for and making use of structure.  Looking for and expressing regularity in repeated reasoning.

 Formal Grades – 70% of the grade.  Informal Grades – 30% of the grade.  Formal includes all Unit Tests, Rubric Based Projects, and Cumulative Reviews  Informal includes all Notebook Checks, Subject Reviews, Mini Projects, Online Assignments, Investigations, and Homework

 ALL WORK IS THE FOLLOWING:  Neat and Legible  Labeled, Organized and Numbered  Problems Copied if required  Work Shown and Work Vertically  Answers Highlighted AND/OR Circled  Pencil ONLY!  No Garbage! (Complete, No Blanks or IDK’s)

 When students are absent they will check the website to get the homework assignment that they miss. Not knowing is NOT okay. Asking at the beginning of class is NOT okay.  Students get a 1 week grace period to turn in assignments missed for full credit.  The highest grade available for work turned in after the 1 week grace period is a 50%.  Communication is KEY!!!!! I am willing to make arrangements with students (not parents) regarding turning assignments in late.

 Re-test and Make Up Test will be available on Formal Tests ONLY within 3 weeks of the Test Date but before the end of each quarter. Please keep in mind that there is no exemption for a test.  Re-Test and Make Up Test can only be taken Outside of Math Class.  The grade on the Re-test will replace the original grade (even if it is lower).  Re-testing is not offered to students who missed the original test date.  Re-testing is also not available for quarterly exams.

 Student will have an AGENDA that we will use daily in class for organization.  Students will attempt to complete all work/homework AND will always be prepared.  Students will study notebook and review sheets to prepare for reviews and tests.  Students will have a graphing calculator to use at home and at school. (TI-84 Plus, TI-84 Plus SE, or TI-84 Plus C)

 Students will attend tutoring sessions as needed to get extra help. Available Thursday afternoons from 4:30 to 5:30 and Friday mornings from 7:45 to 8:45.  Students will bring textbook and all materials to class and home each day unless I have instructed otherwise

How can parents help their child achieve success in Math I Common Core ?

 Make sure that your child has the materials needed for class: TI-84 Plus (Regular, SE, or C Version) Calculator, 5 Subject Notebook, graph and lined paper, colored pencils, dry-erase marker, scissors, glue sticks, and regular Number 2 pencils.  Verify that your child has completed homework nightly.  Arrange for your child to attend tutoring sessions as needed.

 Minimize absences. Please Do not schedule appointments during your child’s Math I class. 3 rd Block every day (12:15-2:30)  Please Do not schedule vacations during scheduled schools days.  Check the website for homework assignments when child is absent.  or text teacher if you have questions or concerns.

Contact: Mr. Jimmel T. Williams TEXT MESSAGE ONLY: NWSA: