The following outlines my expectations regarding in-class assignments, projects, and homework.
I GIVE FULL CREDIT TO NEAT, COMPLETE WORK THAT IS TURNED IN ON TIME. Complete work includes a neat, standard school heading; a sample is posted in the classroom for your reference. I will accept late work, but I reduce its credit by one letter grade. Unless you make specific arrangements with me, I will not accept late work for a Unit after we have completed that Unit.
Homework is normally due the day after it is assigned. Homework assignments are posted in the classroom each day. At the beginning of class, record the day’s assignment in either your Student Planner or on your Homework Log in your Math Notebook; you choose the method that is most convenient for you, but I expect you to do one or the other. If there is no homework for the day, write “no homework”. Homework is assigned to provide opportunities for students to practice what we have covered in class, and to apply concepts to new situations. I generally assign homework Monday through Wednesday, and I expect homework to take no more than approximately 30 minutes a night. If a student has made a legitimate effort to complete an assignment, including checking with classmates or parents, but is still struggling with how to complete it, I will allow more time to complete the assignment with a signed note from home. Students are allowed three (3) days following an absence to complete and turn in make up work for full credit. Homework assignments for the entire week remain posted in the classroom.
A three-ring binder will be kept for this class, and will contain only papers for this class. Your notebook must be organized and neat with dividers for each section. Please use only loose-leaf paper! The contents in each Notebook Section are described in the Table of Contents. If a student is absent, they are responsible to get copies of any missed hand-outs, classroom assignments, and notes to ensure their notebook is kept up-to-date. Daily class assignments are posted each day on the Daily Agenda. Prior day’s agendas are also posted in the classroom for review by students when they return to school after an absence.
It is your responsibility to bring your math notebook to class every day. Maintaining a complete, organized AND neat notebook is a significant portion of your report card assessment. I expect review of a student’s notebook to be part of any parent-teacher conference.
Notebook evaluations will generally be completed at the end of each Unit. It will consist of two pieces: (1) a self-evaluation, and (2) my review, after your self-evaluation. The evaluations will assess your notebook in two categories. The first category consists of your notebook’s overall organization, quality, and thoroughness. The second category is an assessment of the quality and completeness of your Daily Journal Section.
Grades will be earned based on a percentage of the total possible points in each grading period. We are using the following standard cut-offs:
- A – 90 to 100%
- B – 80 to 89%
- C – 70 to 79%
- D – 60 to 69%
- F – less than 60%
A student earns points in the following three categories. The approximate weights of each category in determining a student’s grade are:
- Class and group work / math notebook evaluations – 25%
- Homework – 25%
- Quizzes, tests, and projects – 50%
I use a modified version of the State’s four point rubric to assess students' work on their progress toward meeting grade-level State math standards by the end of the school year. For translating the scores to the Infinite Campus grade book, I generally use a score of three points as full credit; therefore, a score of four points would receive extra credit. For homework, I typically apply the rubric to the entire assignment; therefore, each assignment would be worth three points in the grade book. For quizzes and tests, I typically apply the rubric to each question; therefore, each quiz or test would be worth the number of questions multiplied by three points. A separate document is available that describes in more detail what a score of 1, 2, 3, or 4 points means when evaluating a student’s work.
Please sign below to acknowledge your child has discussed this letter with you, and have them return it to me for homework credit. I always welcome your questions and comments. I look forward to a productive school year.
Sincerely,
Mr. Tabb