Dear Parent/Guardian,

 

Hello and welcome to the 2011-2012 school year. My name is Mrs. Fine and I will be your child’s Pre-Algebra teacher. I look forward to having the opportunity of working with your child. My goal for this year is to show your son/daughter the importance of mathematics in our daily lives and the many career choices that require mathematics, while reducing any anxieties they may have about the subject. In order to ensure your child’s success we must work as a team, so I have outlined my rules and procedures. Even though they will be covered in class I encourage you to review them again with your son/daughter. I am available for extra help if a student needs it, however the students are responsible to ask for help.

 

1.        Follow directions                                                                          Verbal warning

2.       Come to class on time and prepared                                   Class detention

3.       Respect all people and property                                                           Phone call home

4.      Hold yourself to high standards                                                           Removed from class

 

MATERIALS NEEDED IN CLASS DAILY: Students will be required to bring a notebook, a pencil, a correcting pen and any assignments that may be due each day. I also recommend highlighters and/or marking pens for notes and correcting homework as well as a whiteboard marker as we go through them quickly in class.  Students will be asked to keep all notes, practice, quick checks and worksheets organized in their binder at all times. 

 

CITIZENSHIP GRADE: Students earn their citizenship grade by their class participation, behavior, effort, tardiness, being prepared, and the ability to follow directions. Per J.H. Hull guidelines, 3 tardies will result in an “N” and 4 tardies will result in a “U”. An “E” in citizenship is given for good behavior as well as participation. A student who is well behaved may earn an “S” if he/she does not actively participate in class discussions.

 

EFFORT GRADE: Students earn their effort grade by completing homework, participating in class and showing a general concern for learning the material. I expect that students will complete their homework each night because they realize that practicing each night will help them learn the material in order to be successful on assessments in class. Students will have a great deal of freedom in choosing nightly practice, but it is my expectation that they practice a minimum of 20 minutes per night. Unit packets containing practice work, quick checks and unit assessments will count toward effort grades. I student must also keep their math binder organized in order to earn a good effort grade.

 

ACHIEVEMENT GRADE: A students achievement grade will be determined by their quick check and unit assessment scores. As learning targets are retested, the newest score will replace any existing score. We will be bringing back and retesting old learning targets throughout the entire year. It is expected that students commit their knowledge of the material to long term memory as opposed to dumping it as soon as they are tested. The learning targets will be made clear at the beginning of each unit, and the students will be responsible for demonstrating a mastery of each learning target.

 

EXPECTATIONS: I expect that each student will come to class each day prepared to work hard and participate in the math discussions/notes/activities. Students can expect that I will come prepared each day to teach them the curriculum and answer any questions they may have. I will do my best to ensure that no student will get left behind if they are struggling with the material, and I expect students to complete all assignments and ask for help when needed.

 

There may be changes made to this syllabus throughout the year, and appropriate updates will be provided if need be.

 

Once again, I look forward to working with your child this year. I firmly believe that every student is able to achieve mastery of Algebra if they put forth their best effort and keep communication open with me when they need help. If I can be of further assistance please feel free to email me at Lfine@etusd.org or call me at 310-533-4516 x 4916. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Mrs. Fine