Classroom Syllabus and Expectations for Middle School Math & Science
I would like to welcome you to a year of exploration and discovery. If you have curiosity and an interest in learning about the world, you are already on your way to success in my class! Here is what I expect from you:
Pay attention to lessons.
Do your homework.
Raise your hand. ( I love when students ask questions. Just remember to be courteous!)
Take chances. (Even the most brilliant scientists make mistakes. This is how we learn.)
Own it. ( Use responsible judgment and make good choices. If you misbehave, apologize. Nobody is perfect, but you won’t grow and improve if you live in denial.)
Be kind to others. (Respect is reciprocal. You cannot be respected if you are not respectful.)
Be patient. ( Sometimes it takes a few tries to understand a new concept. Take a deep breath and relax. Our brains cannot process information if we are stressed.)
Follow school rules. (No running, no bullying, no yelling out, no cheating, no profanity.)
Be prepared. ( Study and review daily. Think before you leave class and home. Do you everything you need for your day? Refer to your agenda often. Plan ahead and keep organized. This will avoid unnecessary stress.)
Get plenty of sleep! (Sleep is critical for you to be attentive in class.)
Eat breakfast! ( Your brain demands lots of calories…Just wait until we solve complex equations in math. If you are hungry, you will not be able to stay focused.)
So, what will you be learning this year? Grade 6 will investigate Earth Science. Meterology, Space, Tectonic Plates, Compositon of Earth, Pollution and the Environment will be covered. Grade 7 will explore Biology. You will learn about cells, plants, photosynthesis, human body, classification, and health. Grade 8 will focus on Physics and Chemistry. You will learn about motion, friction, speed, light, heat, magnets, chemical reactions, atoms, bonding, energy, and sound. All middle school students will participate in the Science Fair, and additional information will be sent home soon. All students will also have some instruction regarding the periodic table of elements, since it is a component of each grade’s concentration area. All middles school students will be responsible for completing an ‘interactive notebook’ for science class. I will explain the format to the students and we will work on it each day in class. All students will participate in laboratory investigations with me. It is crucial for students to have hands-on investigative opportunities. This is where meaningful learning happens, and the highest level of long-term retention occurs. I am very excited to share these activities with you. Again, behavior in labs is outlines in the Lab Safety Guideline Sheet. Students who do not follow those guidelines will not be allowed to participate in labs until the behavior is resolved, and they will receive a zero for any missed lab.
In Math, students in Grade 6 will spend time developing basic math skills that they will need to apply in more advanced math. Fractions, decimals, solving word problems, area and perimeter, geometry, measurement and introduction to algebra will be covered. Grade 7 will learn one and two-step algebraic equations, order of operations, application of formulas, geometry, and visual and spatial reasoning with multi-step word problems. Grade 8 will focus on multi-step algebraic equations, slope and y-intercept, Pythagorean theorem, geometry with integration of algebra, factoring and working with polynomials. All middle school students will work on graphs and become comfortable interpreting them, as well as, constructing them. I am confident in saying that students will be prepared for their math studies in high school, and they will gain the confidence they need to be successful math students. I am available to provide students with afterschool help (as needed) on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students must request the help and make an appointment with me. This will allow time to prepare and organize materials ahead of time, and make sure that there are not too many students at one given time needing help. Students are encouraged to work on IXL. It is very helpful and the repetition of skills can lead to great success in math. Any student who completes the required number of problems for the given week will receive a coupon for 5 bonus points on an upcoming test. The requirements will fluctuate weekly as the level of difficulty will vary.
How will your work be weighed? Math: Homework = 15% Class Participation = 10% Quizzes = 25% Tests = 50%
If you are absent: All of us get sick. Rest and get better. If you are able to do work while at home, we will send it. If not, you need to check in with me and get your missing work. If you need help or instruction, let me know. I will make arrangements to help you catch up. Friday afternoons will be designated time for students to make up missing work. Beyond that, you will be given two days per day you were absent to complete the work.
Discipline: Failure to follow school rules, as outlined in the handbook, or as provided in my classroom expectations above, will result in consequences. Depending on the infraction and severity, students may be given a verbal warning, lunch conference, or school detention. It is my hope that we will have a wonderful year and avoid the need to waste time with negative consequences. However, it is my obligation to the students and the school to provide an environment that is conducive to learning. Think before you act.-Plain and simple.
I am looking forward to an amazing year, and honored to be your teacher.
Please sign below, and keep this syllabus in your folder. It will be the first page of your science interactive notebook. You will be able to refer to it throughout the entire year!
Sincerely, Mrs. Misti Nordstrom Saint Joseph School Assistant Principal Middle School Math/Science [email protected]