Mathematics Department "There are Possibilities with Mathematics" Instructor: Mrs. Lassonde Email: lasskk@fusd.net or Mrs.Lassonde@gmail.com Phone: 909.357.5190 EXT 304 Website: http://mrslassonde.com Room: B04 Office hours/tutoring: TBA Peer Tutoring: TBA Dear Students and Family, I'm excited about this year and look forward to working with you to accomplish your student's academic needs. I will use several methods to give feedback to you and your student about his/her progress. Email is the best way to get in touch with me, so please feel free to email me with any questions or concerns you have during the year. Students, please read this syllabus with your parent or guardian so that you are prepared for the new year. You are always welcome to email me or talk to me during office hours. I will be sending home documents that require signatures (this syllabus, grade reports, etc.). Failure to return them signed on the next class day will count as a zero on a participation grade in the course. Class Overview/Goals: Some of the primary goals of this class are to help develop independent, critical thinking, life-long learners and to promote an understanding of the principles and methods of mathematics used for decision making, problem solving, and communicating in an ever-changing technological society. The lessons are designed to expose students to experiences which reflect how mathematics should be valued, in order to enhance students' confidence in their ability to comprehend mathematics, as well as to help students learn to communicate about mathematics and use the logical reasoning skills which are the foundation of mathematics. 1
Supplies: It is expected that every day each student will have the following supplies. Not bringing these required supplies will result in a loss of points on your participation grade. No. 2 Pencils with Erasers Loose leaf paper (plain or lined) and Graph Paper 8 Colored Pencils and Sharpener Spiral (or composition notebook) exclusively for math notes Pens (red and black) 5 Sheet protectors 8 Thick Colored Markers Scissors Binder and 5 Tab Dividers *Black Dry Erase Marker and Eraser and Dry Erase "Board" 12-inch Ruler Zipper bag for supplies It is required to keep all loose supplies in a zipper bag. I have purchased a limited number of supplies to sell to students who forget to bring their own, but each student should try to bring their own supplies every day. If any parent/guardian does not have time to go to the store to purchase supplies, I am happy to do so. Simply send the money with your student to school and I will purchase the supplies for them. I do have enough * items for all students to purchase from me since these are more difficult to find. (Any cloth, washcloth, old socks, etc. can be used as a Dry Erase Eraser.) Participation/Classroom Rules: Be respectful, on time, prepared, responsible, and make learning your top priority. In addition to any classroom rules, students are expected to follow all school rules (dress code, no food/candy/gum/drinks in class, no hats/hoods/headwear, etc.). Students are also expected to be seated and ready to begin class immediately with all required materials available. This also includes paying attention, staying on task, working in groups, and other appropriate behaviors in class. "On Time" is defined as being in one's assigned seat (and not talking) with textbook, paper, and pencil (or other required materials for the day) out and ready to begin class; otherwise, you are tardy. Tardies are not tolerated and will result in detention or other disciplinary action. Other disruptive or inappropriate behavior in class may also result in disciplinary action. Going to the restroom during class is unacceptable except in the case of medical emergencies. Please make sure you have a doctor or parent note with you if you have this type of issue. You must take the restroom pass and you should not be gone for more than five minutes. Students cannot leave class until dismissed by the teacher. First period must take the chairs off the desks at the beginning of the day and sixth period must put them up at the end of the day. Peer Tutoring: Peer tutoring is a student organization sponsored by Mrs. Lassonde. All students in Mrs. Lassonde's class are encouraged to participate either as a tutor or as a pupil. Extra credit will be offered for students that wish to join and actively participate in this student organization. Please feel free to stop by to get help with your homework. Photos/Videos: In class, I will occasionally record lessons or take pictures of class activities. These are for private use only and will only be posted inside our classroom or on our class web page. 2
Classwork and Homework Assignments: Classwork and homework assignments will be assigned almost every class period and, unless otherwise noted, assignments are due the next class period at the beginning of class. Assignments are graded primarily on effort, neatness, and completeness. Stamps will be given ONLY on assignments located in the appropriate section of the math binder with the contents page filled out accurately (with numbered pages) that also meet the following criteria: 1.) Complete Heading (first and last name, date, period number without abbreviations) 2.) Complete Title (Section number and name or worksheet title, page numbers, problems numbers) 3.) Problems are completed in numerical order using pencil or black ink only 4.) Other colors may be used only as an accent! 5.) The original problem statement and directions are written down first 6.) ALL WORK IS SHOWN neatly and relevant pictures and diagrams are drawn (using rulers) 7.) Each step is explained using a statement in written English 8.) Final answer is boxed or highlighted 9.) No writing on the back of the paper! Math Notes (Must be kept in a Spiral or Composition notebook reserved just for math notes): In math it is important to see and practice examples of the types of problems you will be expected to do according to the state standards. Students are expected to take notes of these class activities. All notes will be kept in a math notes spiral (separate from your other classes). Students are expected to have COMPLETE notes to get credit. Notes are graded primarily on effort, neatness, and completeness. Stamps will be given ONLY on notes located in the appropriate math notes spiral with the contents page filled out accurately (with numbered pages) that also meet the following criteria: 1.) Complete Heading (first and last name, date, period number without abbreviations) 2.) Complete Title (book name, section number and name or topic) 3.) Notes content including examples are listed in numerical order using pencil or black pen ink only 4.) Other colors may be used only as an accent! 5.) The original problem statement and directions are written down first 6.) ALL WORK IS SHOWN neatly and relevant pictures and diagrams are drawn (using rulers) 7.) A reflection in COMPLETE sentences is provided 8.) No writing on the back of the paper! Please reserve the first page of the spiral as a title page. On this title page, make sure that you put your full first and last name, your grade level (7 th or 8 th grade), the semester (Fall 2010), the course name (PreAlgebra or Algebra I), the name of the spiral (Math Notes), the instructor's name (Mrs. Lassonde), the room number (B04). This spiral will be reserved ONLY for math class notes. Then, Number ALL the pages of your spiral sequentially starting with page 1. Now reserve the next two pages after the title page for the table of contents of the first unit. With each new unit, we will set aside the first two pages for the table of contents of that unit. 3
Quizzes: There will be frequent quizzes covering the content of recent notes and assignments. Selected problems may be chosen directly from the homework or notes and other problems will be slight variations on the problems already completed; still other problems may be new challenging problems that use the skills that students have already learned. These quizzes are open notes spirals and open math binders. ONLY these two materials can be out on the student desks at this time. Some Quizzes will take place the first 10 minutes of class; tardy students will either lose time on the quiz or take a zero on the quiz altogether (depending on how tardy they are). There will be no make-ups for missed quizzes due to tardies! You must be on time in order to have enough time to complete the quizzes. Quizzes will be completed on loose leaf paper (NO SPIRAL EDGES) provided by you! The questions will be posted on the board or you will be given a quiz paper and you will need to copy them down and complete them (PLEASE DO NOT WRITE ON ANY QUIZ PAPER!). Torn papers and paper ripped out from spirals will not be accepted. Standard loose leaf paper must be used. Papers written in bright colored ink will not be accepted. The grading for quizzes follows the same rubric as assignments. Quizzes will only receive credit if they meet the following criteria: 1.) Complete Heading (first and last name, date, period number without abbreviations) 2.) Complete Title (Section number and name or worksheet title, page numbers, problems numbers) 3.) Problems are completed in numerical order using pencil or black ink only 4.) Other colors may be used only as an accent! 5.) The original problem statement and directions are written down first 6.) ALL WORK IS SHOWN neatly and relevant pictures and diagrams are drawn (using rulers) 7.) Each step is explained using a statement in written English 8.) Final answer is boxed or highlighted 9.) No writing on the back of the paper! Math Binder: All students are required to have a three-ring binder reserved for math materials only. The course syllabus (this paper) will be kept in the first section of the binder (in the rings) at all times. Never remove your syllabus from the binder. The binder will be divided into five sections using labeled tab dividers. The sections are 1.) Handouts/Worksheets 2.) Assignments (CW and HW) 3.) Quizzes 4.) Tests 5.) Projects (your sheet protectors go under this section) Blank loose leaf notebook paper and graph paper should be kept at the back, followed by your whiteboard. All other items will be stored under the appropriate tab and each tab section will contain a table of contents for each new unit. This notebook is only for math class materials. Your math notebook will be checked frequently for a grade in the class. It is expected to be complete and organized at all times. All materials MUST BE IN THE RINGS AND BEHIND THE TABS and should be in order by date assigned. ONLY work in the rings will be graded. You will lose points for papers located in the binder but not in the rings. You will lose points for non-math class materials being in your math binder. You will lose points for frayed spiral edges. You will lose points for writing on the back of the paper. 4
Late/Make-Up Work: Late assignments will NOT BE stamped. Stamps lost for absences can not be made up. However, if you miss an assignment, then you should complete it and have it in your math assignment section of your binder (you will get credit for the assignment in your overall binder grade you will just lose the stamp credit on that assignment). If you miss class for a planned absence, you are expected to get the assignments in advance which will be due the day you return. If you miss class unexpectedly, then it is your responsibility to get the assignments and notes that you missed. Assignments will be posted frequently on the website <http://mrslassonde.com>. If you miss class for an extended period of time (several days), then you should see Mrs. Lassonde during office hours immediately upon your return to schedule making up the missed work. It is recommended that you keep up with your assignments even when you are absent so that you do not fall behind. In addition to assignments, it is important to make sure that you acquire any class notes that you missed. You may hand copy notes from another student in the class, but it is your responsibility to get these notes. You are still accountable for the content in these notes as well as the grade for your notes. Notes must be hand-written and clearly labeled. A photo-copy of a friend's notes is a good resource, but you may not submit photo copies of a friend's notes for credit. Corrections (for Assignments, Quizzes, and Tests): Opportunities to correct past work will be provided on all assignments and will count either as a grade or as extra credit, or both. See the directions for corrections on the corrections handout or on the website. Tests/Make-ups/Retakes: Students will be allowed to make up an in-class test if they missed it due to an excused absence, but must arrange to do so within one week of the date the test was given. Please bring a note from your parent/guardian to show that your absence was excused and that your parent/guardian is aware that you need to make up a test. If you are not happy with your test grade, then you may have the option to retake an alternate test ONCE! Your ticket to retake a test is complete and correct test corrections submitted from the previous test. If you miss the final exam, then you will fail (F) the class. Academic Dishonesty: Cheating (including, but not limited to, looking at or copying another student's paper, talking out loud, using any unauthorized materials, etc.) will result in an automatic zero on tests, quizzes, homework, etc. Talking during quizzes or tests will result in an automatic zero. Grades: Participation 10% A 90 100 % Projects 25% B 80 89 % Tests and Quizzes 30% C 70 79 % Math Binder 35% D 60 69 % (including materials, assignments and notes spiral) F 0 59 % 5
Extra Credit: Extra credit (EC) opportunities will be offered frequently. EC will be given for participating in the Peer Tutoring student organization, sponsored by Mrs. Lassonde. You may also earn extra credit with various other tasks such as hanging up posters, cleaning the classroom, or organizing materials. See Mrs. Lassonde for more details during office hours or lunch to participate in extra credit activities. Classmates: It is YOUR responsibility to find out what you missed in the event of an absence. You may check the website and email me, but also write the names, phone numbers and email addresses of at least six classmates that you can contact in case you are absent. 1 First and Last Name Phone Number Email 2 3 4 5 6 Syllabus Questions: Please answer the following questions. What is Mrs. Lassonde's email address? What is the web address for the course website? Can you share a spiral for math class with another class? Can you share a binder for math class with another class? What are the five sections in your math binder? Are you allowed to write on the back of paper? What will your course grade be if you miss the final exam? 6
Student First and Last Name: Period: Mrs. Lassonde's Math Class Student Family Contact Information: Students DO NOT FILL OUT THIS SECTION. Parents/Guardians, please provide your most recent correct contact information. Please indicate your relationship to the student (mom, dad, grandpa, aunt, etc.) Parent/Guardian Name: Cell Phone: Home Phone: Work Phone: Email Address: Home Address: Relationship: Other Parent/Guardian Name: Cell Phone: Home Phone: Work Phone: Email Address: Home Address: Relationship: Syllabus Contract: Parents/Guardians and Students, please print your first and last name clearly on the first line, and then sign and date it. Detach this page from the syllabus and return it to Mrs. Lassonde the next class day; this will count as a grade. The instructor reserves the right to make additions, changes, and deletions to the syllabus during the course of the year. By signing below, I certify that I have read and accept the conditions of Mrs. Lassonde's class syllabus. Student Name (Please Print) Student Signature Date Parent/Guardian Name (Please Print) Parent/Guardian Signature Date Parent/Guardian Name (Please Print) Parent/Guardian Signature Date 7