Mr. Martin Spoerlein

MSN Teacher

Seventh Grade Math

Illinois Math Goals and Standards

District 95 Learner Objectives

Textbook Publisher: www.classzone.com  

Mathematics Applications and Connections *

CLASSROOM GUIDELINES

CLASSROOM RULES:

1.     Follow directions the first time given.

2.     Raise your hand and wait to be called on before speaking.

3.     Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.

4.     Remain seated.

5.     No put-downs

DISCIPLINE:

My classroom philosophy is predicated on RESPECT.  If you choose to exhibit disrespectful behaviors three times or more, a behavioral detention will be issued.  In accordance with school policy, if the behavior is severe enough, a detention may be issued without any prior warnings. Refer to your Student Handbook on any questions pertaining to such disciplines.

DAILY SUPPLIES

Please come to class prepared. You need to bring:

1.              your binder that has a section divider for math class,

2.              math text

3.              pencils

4.      paper, and

5.       red pen.

ASSIGNMENTS

1.              All daily assignments are posted on the board and should be written down in your assignment notebook when prompted.

2.              In order for a math assignment to be accepted it must:

a.    Have the proper heading (full name, date, period and subject, assignment)

b.   Be completed on loose-leaf paper, NOT spiral notebook paper.

c.   Be completed in pencil.  If math work is completed in pen, it will be considered late and need to be redone for late credit.

d.   SHOW ALL WORK on the assignment (refer to the notes for requirements). If your work is not shown, it will have to be redone resulting in a lower grade.

e.    Number the problems and leave space between each problem.

3.              Missing problems or lack of required work will result in an incomplete assignment.

GRADING PROCEDURE

1.              Use red pen only. No neon gel colors or highlighters please.

2.              Mark all incorrect problems.

3.              Make corrections for each problem that is incorrect. Some class time will be given to work the problem again and arrive at the correct answer.

4.              Most daily assignments are worth five points. IF the assignment is completed on time and follows all required guidelines, you will earn full credit. If all criteria are not met, partial or no credit may be given.

Ø  Incompletes or late assignments turned in one day late will receive three out of five points. Assignments two or more days late will receive one point credit up to two weeks late; after two weeks, no credit is given.

Ø  Missing work is computed as a zero until the work is completed and turned in.

Ø  NOTICE: Homework is not always graded on right or wrong answers unless it appears that you just rushed through the assignment not taking your time to think, use your textbook, class notes, or www.classzone.com. Throughout the year, I may collect homework and grade a number of problems based on whether they are right or wrong, especially when we have spent a lot of time on a particular topic.

LATE ASSIGNMENTS

·        One day will be given for you to complete the assignment with only partial credit given (three out of five points).

·        Assignments two or more days late will receive one point up to two weeks; after two weeks, no credit will be given.

·        Please write “LATE” at the top of the paper and the date you are turning in the assignment.  Turn in the late assignment to Mr. Spoerlein.

ABSENCES

·        Assignments given on a day when the student is:

Ø  Present is due the day the student returns

Ø  Absent is due within 2 days upon their return

Ø  On vacation while school is in session, only 1 day grace period for each day missed.

·        Assignments for the week are posted in the classroom along with upcoming quizzes and tests on a weekly calendar.  It is the student’s responsibility to find out what was missed when absent.

Ø  Check the assignment folders. If there was a worksheet assigned, it will be in the folders according to the day of the week assigned. Otherwise, book assignments, quizzes, and tests are written on the weekly calendar.

Ø  Please borrow another student’s notes to copy from the day you were absent. If you have any questions, please see me for clarification.

Ø  Complete the assignment using the notes you copied

Ø  Grade the homework that was due the day you were absent.

Ø  Please write “ABSENT” at the top of the paper.

Ø  Turn in the graded assignment to Mr. Spoerlein.

EXTRA HELP

Assignments are designed for you to complete PRIMARILY ON YOUR OWN, using your textbook, www.classzone.com, or your class notes for help. Extra help from a parent/brother/sister or classmate should be MINIMAL. If you are still confused, please see me before class starts the next day*. If you still need additional help we can set up a meeting time for me to give you more guided instruction. When should you ask for help?

Ø  In class!  The best time to ask questions or get clarification on something is during our math class. I will try to give time to start homework at the end of the period in order to allow time for this. Others might have the same question but will not ask.

Ø  Homeroom. If you are in a regular homeroom, come see me for help during the homeroom period. Sometimes you might just need to drop in and ask a quick question.

Ø  *Before school. I arrive at school by 6:45 AM every day and am available for help.

ASSESSMENT

Your mathematics grade will consist of 50% assignments and 50% testing.

Your final grade will be a weighted average of assignments and testing.

        Seventh grade math builds on math concepts learned in earlier grades and is leveled by student ability.  Mathematical conceptual meaning is emphasized and student understanding is developed through extensive use of modeling, estimation and examples, as well as algorithmically. 

Students are expected to complete all math work in pencil and neatly provide all essential computation and/or modeling work.