7th Grade MATH Syllabus Ms. Oxendine msoxendine@hotmail.com Welcome to 7th Grade!

I would like to welcome you to this years math class! I look forward to a great year filled with fun and learning. This letter is to provide you with some general information about this seventh grade math course. Textbook: This is our first year using these new books. Each student will be given one book at the beginning of the year. Students are expected to take responsibility for their book. Repair and replacement charges will apply to the student in the case of a damaged or missing book. It would be a good idea to purchase or make a book cover to protect the book. Course Objectives: In Grade 7, instructional time should focus on four critical areas: (1) developing understanding of and applying proportional relationships; (2) developing understanding of operations with rational numbers and working with expressions and linear equations; (3) solving problems involving scale drawings and informal geometric constructions, and working with two- and three-dimensional shapes to solve problems involving area, surface area, and volume; and (4) drawing inferences about populations based on samples. (From CCSS) General Topics: Ratios and Proportional Relationships The Number System Expressions and Equations Geometry Statistics and Probability Mathematical Practices

Grading Policy: Grades will be based on points earned on tests, quizzes, activities, homework, in-class assignments, and participation. Tests will always be announced at least one week in advance. Quizzes may or may not be announced. Many, but not all, major projects and assignments are cooperative group efforts. Each students effort and participation will be evaluated as part of the groups performance of an assigned task. Lack of effort or participation will be reflected in the overall grade of the assignment. Grades will be taken in a traditional manner as follows: Tests and Projects: 50% Homework: 30% Participation and Attendance: 20%

Late and Make-Up Work: In the event of an excused absence, it will be the students responsibility to ask and look for what work was missed. All assignments and daily activities will be posted in a designated notebook located at the make- up work area of my classroom. Additionally, it is the students responsibility to schedule an appropriate time to make up tests and/ or quizzes. Up to 3 late work assignments may be submitted with full credit. There will be a 10% reduction in the total score of any late work after that. Any assignment not turned in will be given a grade of zero. Materials needed for my class: I am very organized, and I believe in strong organizational skills for my students. Therefore I require: 1. 1 inch binder with 4 dividers labeled: a. Notes b. Classwork c. Homework d. Tests 2. Pencil/ Pen 3. Loose leaf paper 4. Additionally, if you would like to donate Clorox wipes and/or Kleenexes, it would be greatly appreciated. 5. In the case a student should need something else; I will make sure there is ample time to get the needed supply. Classroom expectations: 1. Attitudes will be positive. 2. Be respectful. 3. Be responsible. Rewards and Consequences: We plan to reward good behavior with Preferred Activity Time. Students will have the opportunity to earn up to five minutes of PAT each day, Monday through Thursday. Each Friday, students are allowed to use the time they have earned to play on computers, read, work on other homework, or visit quietly while we play background music. We call this Fun Friday. Consequences for individual misbehavior: 1st Offense Warning/ Conference 2nd Offense Loss of five participation points 3rd Offense Loss of all participation points and a classroom referral 4th Offense Parent contact 5th Offense Referral to the Office Consequences for whole class misbehavior: Deduction of Fun Friday minutes

I will be available for student questions each day from 8:45- 10:15 if you should have any further questions or concerns. You may also contact me via e-mail at the following address anytime: msoxendine@hotmail.com Again, welcome to 7th grade math!!

Sincerely, Ms. Ciaira Oxendine

Please sign below that you have read the class syllabus. ***Please submit this letter back by Friday August 15th, 2008.***

Parent or Guardian Signature / Date

Student Signature / Date