1. 8 th Grade Mathematics Curriculum Night Laura Romisher (847)853-3827 lromisher@kenilworth38.org

2. Education and Professional Experience B.A. in Mathematics and Economics from The College of Wooster (graduated summa cum laude) M.S. in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University A.M. in Social Work from The University of Chicago Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois Taught in the Winnetka Public School system for 7 years (middle school) Clinical Fellow at The Family Institute at Northwestern University for two years Clinical therapist in Winnetka for 8 years specializing in treating adolescents and their families as well as depressed women Taught at The Joseph Sears School for six years (7 th and 8 th grade Math)

3. 8th Grade Math Goals Build a solid algebra foundation Improve problem- solving skills Strengthen mathematical communication skills Enhance technology skills Produce confident and flexible math thinkers

4. 8th Grade Math Supplies Text: Algebra I by Holt McDougal On-line textbook for the Holt McDougal text Graphing calculator Pencils, red pen, highlighter ruler, protractor Planner Math spiral and iPad

5. Common Core State Standards Developed through a state-led initiative that drew on the expertise of teachers, researchers and content experts nation-wide Always been part of good math instruction, now will be more emphasized Standards (what we teach) and practices (how we teach) are outlined in CCSS Calls for more depth within content

6. What are Mathematical Practices? Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them Reason abstractly and quantitatively Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others

7. Practices Continued Use appropriate strategy Attend to precision Look for and make use of structure Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

8. Problem Solving Unit Explicit Instruction on techniques last year Apply techniques to core content this year Model-Eliciting Activities Coordinated with 6th and 7th Grades 21st Century Skills

9. Math Placement at Sears Matrix placement historically accurate Utilized a number of metrics Placement so that instruction is appropriate to student’s current ability and aptitude We work as a department and recognize that students grow at different rates. Therefore, we recognize that placements need to be reasonably flexible.

10. Transition to High School Successful completion of this course will most likely lead to an Algebra 1 placement for next year For New Trier, I have input on course placement. I do not have input on level placement. For private high schools, I complete a rubric for applicants. Placement is based on entrance test performance. Please have all recommendation forms to me by Thanksgiving

11. Homework Expectations Students are to do their homework every night. Use class notes and videos as a guide. These can be found on my website. Homework will be checked in daily. To receive maximum credit, the assignment must be completed in a timely and thorough manner. Work must be shown as directed (write original problem, show all work, correct answer in red pen).

12. Homework Policy on Time Homework should take about half an hour each night. If an assignment is taking more than 45 minutes to complete, stop the assignment or skip the problems that are not clear. It is expected that the student write down what is understood as well as to formulate a question about what is confusing. We will work as a team to determine how to best serve the needs of your child. Homework is used to practice skills and to build mastery of concepts. If a particular assignment is unclear or confusing, the student should seek out extra help at the Math Center at lunch or from me before or after school by appointment.

13. Absences If a student is absent, he or she needs to print and review that day's completed class notes. These notes can be found on my website under the "daily class notes" section and are given to students directly (in drive folders) at the start of each week The student is responsible for any missed homework Weekly homework is given to student’s at the start of the week and can be found on my website

14. Class Grades Grades are calculated by taking the quotient of points earned and total possible points Homework: effort vs. accuracy; effort is a homework check in where as accuracy is assessed through homework quizzes Tests/quizzes (at least 2 per unit) Assessments may be retaken, if the score is below 72%. Scores can be raised to at most 72%. No extra credit

15. Additional Math Help Students need to make a concerted effort to solve problems prior to asking for help. Students should review class notes, watch math videos, ask classmates or parents, visit the Math Center. Students can seek help during the Enrichment/RTI block at the end of each day. If still struggling, students should schedule a teacher conference before school, after school or at lunch. Drop ins (prior to major assessments) Math Center (room 157) with Mrs. Quigley daily during lunch (12:05 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.)

16. Trimester 1 Curriculum Problem Solving Practice with essential strategies (guess and check, systematic lists, patterns, etc.) Properties of Real Numbers Computing with rational numbers Applying order of operations and the distributive property Classification of numbers Linear Equations and Inequalities Multi-step equation and inequality solving with variables on one and both sides Lines Work with linear equations in slope-intercept, point-slope and standard form Proportions Overview of proportional relationships with emphasis on graphs

17. Trimester 2 Curriculum Systems of equations and inequalities Solving systems of linear equations by graphing, substitution and elimination Exponents and Exponential Functions Apply exponent properties involving products and quotients with positive, zero and negative exponents Exponential growth and decay Radicals Simplifying radical expressions and solving radical equations Distance and Midpoint Applying distance and midpoint to problem-solving

18. Trimester 3 Curriculum Pythagorean Theorem Apply to geometry and word problems Volume and Angle Relationships Study of angle relationships with parallel lines cut by a transversal Emphasis on cones, cylinders, prisms, and spheres Congruence and Similarity Transformational Geometry Reflections, rotations, slides Dilations, reductions Statistics

19. Thank you for coming! I am looking forward to a great year! Please feel free to contact me at any time by phone at (847)853-3827 or by email at lromisher@kenilworth38.org.