william h. carr jhs 194

William H. Carr JHS 194

Grade 8 Common Core Algebra I Mrs. Olen

Email: [email protected] Welcome to Algebra I!! I am excited for the opportunity to work with you and to witness the personal growth you will experience during our time together. Please read through this handout, which contains important information about the classroom procedures and expectations with your parent(s)/guardian(s) and sign on the lines provided on the last page. This handout must remain in your notebook for the entire school year.

Required Materials: Due by September 12th

Students should always be prepared for class with the required materials listed below and any worksheets/homework. Most importantly, come with an open mind, ready to learn.

q 3-Ring Binder (At least 1 Inch)

q 1 Folder for Math Only

q 1 Package College-Ruled Loose-Leaf Paper

q Graphing Post-It Notes

q 1 Ream of Copy Paper

q 2 Boxes of Tissues

q Pencils & Erasers

*If you do not use mechanical pencils, I ask that you keep a small sharpener on hand.

q Markers and/or Colored Pencils

q Post-it Notes & a Highlighter Recommended Materials (Not Required, but Encouraged): TI – 84 Plus CE Texas Instruments Graphing Calculator, Ruler & Barron’s Algebra I Review Books


Student Responsibilities Expectations: 1) It is expected that you will come to class prepared to learn every day. Prepared students . . .

ü go directly to their assigned seats at the start of class, start the Do Now & take out their homework.

ü bring all required materials to class on a daily basis (binder, pencil, etc.). ü complete all assigned work and take any necessary notes during the

class period. ü maintain a neat binder with all worksheets and notes in order.

2) All students must behave respectfully at all times. Respectful students .

ü raise their hand when they would like to participate or have a question during class. ü obtain permission before leaving their seats. ü sit quietly and listen when either Mrs. Olen or a classmate is speaking during a lesson. ü take care of the classroom and all materials provided. They do not write on their desks or touch

classroom bulletin boards. Workspaces must be cleaned up after all activities. ü wait until the end of the class period to pack up their belongings.. ü use appropriate language and a low voice in the classroom and are kind to their classmates.

3) If you are absent, it is expected that you will check Mrs. Olen’s website or Remind for any

announcements or homework. Missed homework will be available on the website and in the “Make-Up Work” Folder in the classroom. You will have the same number of days that you were absent to make up any missed work. It is your responsibility to make up any missed work.

4) In order to ensure to the security of all students in the event of an emergency, all students must ask to leave the classroom first. Furthermore, students must sign in and out in the bathroom logbook. You must write your first and last name along with the time you leave and the time you return.

5) Students will not be permitted to chew gum, eat or drink (with the exception of bottled water) during

class. 6) Students who come unprepared to class or are disrespectful in the classroom will get one warning. If

the behavior continues, possible consequences include: a conference after class, a phone call home, a Dean’s referral, a parent conference and/or lunch detention.

7) Cheating of any kind is not allowed in our classroom. This includes plagiarizing

assignments from the internet, cheating on quizzes/tests and copying other students’ classwork, homework and other assignments. During any type of assessment, there must be no communication between students until all assessments have been collected. Failure to do so may lead to loss of credit for the assessment.


Grading Policy 50% Post Assessments & Culminating Tasks:

You will be given at least 1 full period to complete all tests. Usually, review questions will be included. Tests will be announced at least three days before the exam is given. Sufficient time will be given to complete all culminating tasks (large projects). A rubric will be given for all culminating tasks so that the expectations are clear.

25% Quizzes/Projects: Formative Assessments: You will typically be given anywhere from a few minutes to 1 class period to complete a quiz. Quizzes will usually be announced, but you may only be given one day’s notice for a quiz.

10% Classwork/ Participation: Classwork may be collected and graded periodically without notice. Do Nows, Exit Tickets and Reflections will also be part of this category. A participation score out of 10 points will be added periodically based on a plus/minus system.

15% Homework: Each homework assignment will be graded out of 2 points based on both effort and completion. You will not receive credit unless work is shown to support the answer to the problem. Additionally, full credit will not be given unless all problems are completed.

Late homework will be accepted for half credit, but it must be submitted no later than the next time you have mathematics class. You will have the same number of days that you were absent to make up the missed homework assignment(s).

Only one free homework pass (given out as a reward) may be used each week. Homework passes may not be used for assignments that are not problem-based (e.g., if the homework assignment is to have your test signed). In addition, homework passes may not be used for review sheets.

Important Dates:

April: NYS Grade 8 Common Core Mathematics Assessment June: Common Core Algebra I Regents Exam


Remind App: Remind is a communication tool that helps teachers connect instantly with students and parents. Please following the directions to download the Remind App so that you receive all communications and assignments. ClassDojo: This is another digital tool which will be used to record positive and negative behavior in the classroom, including class participation. Both students and parents/guardians are encouraged to create accounts to monitor behavior points.. Class Website/PupilPath: v The website for this class is: https://olenmath.weebly.com v The daily homework assignment will be available on this website. Worksheets

and other documents for this class will often be available on this site as well. v This page will contain valuable resources that can be used to supplement your

learning in this class. It will also have information about important dates (e.g., dates of tests, due dates for projects, etc.).

v I strongly encourage all students and parents to maintain an active PupilPath account. Notifications will be available through the PupilPath app when grades have been updated. In addition, parents will be able to find out valuable information about their child’s academic performance and classroom behavior through this site.

Teacher Responsibilities

Please reach out to me at any time with ANY concerns you have or if you need help with anything. If you are struggling, either academically or personally, I want to help you work through it. I check my e-mail and the Remind App several times each day so these methods of communication are the best. You can also leave a message for me with the school’s main office at 718-746-0818. In addition, you can send messages through PupilPath or through the contact form on my website. I am looking forward to a successful and enjoyable school year! Sincerely,

Mrs. Olen


Please complete both sides of this page and return it to Mrs. Olen by September 9th I have read this course handout and I understand what is expected of me in this class. Student’s Name (Please Print): ________________________________ Math Class #: _________ Student’s Signature: ___________________________________ Parent’s/Guardian’s Signature: ___________________________________

**Please have your parent(s)/guardian(s) complete the remaining sections on the front of this page**

Parent’s/Guardian’s Name: __________________ Relationship to Student: ____________ Language(s) Spoken: _______________________ Contact Information: Home Telephone #: _______________ Cell Phone #: _______________ E-Mail Address: _______________________________ Parent’s/Guardian’s Name: __________________ Relationship to Student: ____________ Language(s) Spoken: _______________________ Contact Information: Home Telephone #: _______________ Cell Phone #: _______________ E-Mail Address: _______________________________ Access to Pupil Path: Check the box if YES:

Student Parent/Guardian **If you or your parent(s)/guardian(s) need(s) assistance getting access to PupilPath, please indicate who needs access below so that I can help you** _________________________________________________________________________ Circle the technology that is available for your child to use at home: Laptop/desktop computer iPad/Tablet Printer Has your child received additional support for mathematics outside of school? No ______ Yes ______ (please describe): _________________ _____________________________________________________ Other Important Information Ms. Skloot Should Know: ____________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Eighth Grade Student Interest Survey: ______________________ (Name)

I prefer to be called (nickname) _________________________. My favorite school subject is (be honest!) ______________________. My favorite topic(s) in math is/are _______________________________. Which math topics from last year were the most difficult for you? (Check all that apply) c Rate/Unit Rates c Ratios c Proportions c Constant of Proportionality (y = kx) c Percents (ex. gratuity, discount, interest, etc.) c Converting Fractions to Decimals c Operations (+ −×÷) with Rational #s c Absolute Value c Factoring c Mathematical Properties (ex., Commutative, Distributive, Additive Inverse) c Linear Relationships c Solving Linear Equations c Solving Inequalities c Similar Figures c Enlarging a Figure c Scale Factor c Solving Word Problems c Polygons c Angle Relationships c Finding a Missing Angle c Properties of Circles c Three-Dimensional Figures c Drawing Geometric Shapes (ex. triangles) c Area, Volume & Surface Area c Statistics: Random Sampling & Populations c Probability c Other: _______________________________________________ (Fill In Topic(s))

How do you like to learn? (Check all that apply)

c By Watching (Visual) c By Listening (Auditory) c By Doing (Kinesthetic)

How do you study for a math test? _____________________________________

______________________________________________________________

What after-school activities or sports do you participate in (if any)? You can also include hobbies.

_________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

My favorite book is _______________________________________.

My favorite movie is ______________________________________.

My favorite TV show is ____________________________________.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? ____________________________

_______________________________________________________ What else should I know about you so that I can help you to succeed this year?

_______________________________________________________________________

william h. carr jhs 194

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