Dear Students and Parents,

Welcome to 7th Grade Math! I hope that you had an enjoyable and relaxing summer, and are ready for a new school year. Our 7th grade math program is a Pre-Algebra program, designed to get you ready to take Algebra in 8th grade. This year we will make the transition from studying primarily arithmetic to studying algebra. Please keep in mind that algebra is a special branch of mathematics and will require new ways of thinking about numbers. Some of the topics we will study will be new to you, but we will try to make connections to previous math knowledge as we go along. The following are expectations I have for you this year which will ensure that you meet with a high level of success.

Supplies It is expected that all students will bring the following materials to class with them each day: a sharpened pencil (use before-class time to sharpen if necessary), a good supply of white-lined paper, a math notebook (1” or 1 1/2” 3 ring binder; we will set this up during the first days of school), and a calculator.
Calculators One is needed for math class. We will use calculators much more during the second half of the school year, but there will be times all year when you will be allowed to use one. I will tell you whether you may use a calculator for a particular assignment. Any scientific calculator will perform the calculations necessary for this class. We recommend the Texas Instruments TI-30Xa, but there are many others which will perform the same functions. It is a good idea to find a calculator you like and learn to use its functions so that you will feel comfortable using it. Although most calculators are similar, there are functions and keys that are unique to each calculator. Please write your name on your calculator, as other students may have one similar to the one you have. If for some reason you are unable to bring your own calculator to class, please see me so that we can work out an acceptable arrangement so that you have a calculator to use at school and at home.
Homework Homework will be assigned each night. It is important that you complete your homework on the day that it is assigned so that you can participate in class the next day. Each day’s lesson builds on the lesson from the day before, so it is important that you understand and practice each concept before we move on to a new lesson. Homework will be graded every day. Your homework grade is based on completion, work shown, and correct process. I will not necessarily take off points for incorrect answers. Homework is a time when you can make mistakes and learn from them. You should attempt every problem on every assignment in order to receive full credit. There are different types of problems throughout each assignment. If you are confused by a section, do as much of each problem as you can, and then move on to the next section. Just because you don’t understand one question doesn’t mean you won’t understand the rest of the assignment. Refer to your notes if you are having trouble with your homework – chances are, we did problems just like them as examples in class. Remember, you will get more credit if you try all problems than if you turn in an assignment that is not complete! Show all work for all problems unless you are told otherwise. Late credit will be given for any homework assignment not turned in at the beginning of class on the day it is due.
Grading Your grade will be calculated based on homework, classwork, tests, and quizzes. Projects and writing assignments will be assigned from time to time and may count as any of the above. It is expected that you will do your best on each and every assignment. Tests and quizzes are always graded out of 100 percent (subtract the points off from the total number of points on the assignment and divide that by the total points to get your percentage). We will have a test at the end of each chapter and a quiz around the middle of each chapter. Any student who receives a grade below 70% on a test or quiz will need to have that test or quiz signed by a parent or guardian.

Homework and classwork are graded based on a scale of 5 as follows:
5 – assignment complete, all work shown
4 – assignment mostly complete, almost all work shown
3 – assignment mostly complete, some work shown
2 – assignment not complete, little work shown
1 – assignment not complete, no work shown
0 – unacceptable work
*Homework is due at the beginning of each class period. Late homework will be accepted the next day for a maximum grade of 3. Assignments not turned in by the day after they are due will result in a grade of 0. It is still expected that these assignments will be completed, although no credit will be given.
Absences If you know ahead of time that you will be absent, see me to get the assignments you will miss during your absence. If you do not know ahead of time, please contact your study buddy to get the work that you missed. I will keep extra copies of worksheets in the classroom so that you can pick them up when you return. It is still important that you contact your study buddy so that you know which assignments you missed and which worksheets you need to get. If you are absent on the day of a test or a quiz, you will need to make arrangements to stay after school when you return to make it up.
Behavior It is expected that you will treat all students and adults in the class with respect. This means listening when others are talking, raising your hand, and paying attention at all times. The following consequences, if necessary, will be used when students are not willing to follow the classroom rules:
-Warning
-Change of seat
-Phone call home
-Detention
-Referral to the office.
Gum chewing is not allowed at any time. Students caught chewing gum will be given a teacher detention, followed by a phone call home.
*Cheating in any form is unacceptable and will be dealt with according to school policy (see Student and Parent Handbooks).
Extended Math Please read the accompanying information regarding Extended Math and High School Algebra.

I look forward to an enjoyable year together. If you need to make up work, need extra help, or have questions, please see me after school or during Academic Support times. Have a great year!!

Ms. Irwin
7th Grade Math, Civitarese Team