Heatherwood Middle School

7/8 Compacted Mathematics

2017/18

Mr. Douglas D’Ault, MEd, BSBC

Email: ddault@everettsd.org

Welcome Back

Welcome back to the world of formal learning and active scholarly engagement.  I look forward to meeting and getting to know each and every one of you. The following information is an overview of your opportunity to actively engage in the process of learning, growing as an individual, and setting the stage for the rest of your academic career.  YES…I said career!  To truly be successful in middle/high school one must fully envelope themselves in the idea of being 110% committed to being an active participant in his/her learning, both on and off campus. Oh sure…hang out with friends, go to the movies or a dance once in a while, and know that it’s OK to still be a kid inside.  However, realize that the next several years will be fast and fleeting, and that the transition between teenager to adult will cast-down upon you with relentless bluster, affording you no opportunity to turn back or hide from the harsh realities of accountable existence. Stay committed and focused to your scholarly career, and when you leave this place you will be spared the agony and turmoil that is naturally associated with personal evolution into the pre-adult world.    

Introduction to the Class

Ahhhhh Mathematics!...so full of things like numbers and symbols, reams of stuff immersed in mystery, algorithms of articulated fervor designed, much like an army general, to the customs and qualms of innate order and purpose.  What an interesting concept, and perhaps something of what you may have experienced in your typical math class. Fortunately, in the name of general humanity, you will NOT be spending your time and energy focusing on the aforementioned written concept on the subject of math. 

Well…we will be learning through practice of the written mechanics of mathematics, write in clear and meaningful ways, and ask ourselves, who decided it was a good idea to place letters and numbers together?  Beyond all that, my class will entice you to learn to think for yourself, to make decisions based on evidence, and to speak-out against evil in the name of all that is good and honorable.

Be prepared, each and every day, to turn lies into truths, and to use knowledge and fortitude to stand your ground and make this world a better place for all.

Remember…you only have a few short years before the day of transitional judgment is upon you!

Will YOU be prepared?

Class Material, Major Units, Semester Lessons, and Course Syllabus

Materials (Due Today)

Come to campus each school day with at least these super important things:

Tardy and absences policy

1. Tardy: Don’t! Okay…if to error is to be human then I understand, and am forgiving of the time-lapse continuum theory and space folding in on itself sorta idea, but once you know where you’re supposed to be and at what time, be there. Tardies will go against you and you will have to deal with school-sanctioned discipline.
2. Regular attendance is critical for student success in this class. We will cover new material each class, therefore attendance is vital since mathematics builds upon the previous day’s work (sequential spiraling).
3. Absences: Please let me know if you know that you’re going to be gone before you have to be gone so I will know that you’re going to be gone so we can figure things out, like makeup work. If you think that was confusing image what it takes to make-up work from several classes all at once with killer deadlines, while at the same time trying to keep up with your regular course load. Regardless, it is your responsibility to meet with me to get your make-up work so I can help you stay on track.
4. If you should be absent from my class please view my district website to check for homework assignments and upcoming assessments. Also, feel free to email me, or come-in and see me when you return. In addition, I post the daily/weekly assignments on the class post-it-board next to the classroom door.
5. I follow Heatherwood Middle School attendance policy. To excuse an absence, please make sure you have turned in a parent/guardian note to the attendance office.

Classroom Rules of Expected Behavior and Learning reinforcement

1. The bottom line here is that you’re here to learn and grow, both intellectually and maturity-wise, and I’m here to facilitate and guide said learning. You’re not in elementary school any more. Middle school and the Compacted Math program are designed as a college and vocational preparatory educational process, founded on the philosophy of getting the young adult-type person ready to meet the big, bad, terrifying world, that just happens to be filled with hope, opportunity, and all around awesomeness. As such, be the mature-ish person you know you can be rather than the selfish wanna-be who won’t play well with others.  I’m here to help so talk to me if life becomes too much rather than take it out on me or your fellow students.  Agreed? 
2. We use Accountable Talk in my classroom, and beyond. Nobody wants to hear “you suck”, or “man…you’re dumb”. We don’t tread on each other, or ourselves. Accountable Talk is the academic, mature, and sometimes silly way we speak to each other, which is designed to help all of us succeed and have a great day. Please see the attached Accountable Talk form.
3. I love my smartphone (not to the point of that guy in the movie Her who falls in love with his phone), because technology ROCKS! There is a time and place for cell phone use in my classroom, but I will tell you when and how. NO cell phones/personal communication device use are allowed in class. If a parent should need to reach a student, they can either call the office or my direct line.

Super Important Things To-Do When Entering My Class:

So let’s say you have a behavioral relapse of some sort during class instruction.  The following outlines the steps I take to help bring calm back into the classroom:

Course Syllabus (Schedule)

Please refer to the attached 7/8 Compacted Math Instructional Schedule 2017-2018

Note: The instructional schedule is an outline…only! Specific unit lessons will be listed on my school website page.  Also, it's the direct responsibility of each student to record the daily lesson and associated homework in his/her planner for parent review.

Late Assignment Policy

1. Every assignment is given an initial due-date and posted on the schedule matrix on the whiteboard.
2. Assignments that are not turned-in on the prescribed due date are considered late assignments.
3. Late assignments are afforded a score of 50% of the total earned points, and will be considered active for five (5) school days from the due date.

In a nutshell, know when an assignment is due, know exactly what assignment is due, and manage your time accordingly. 

Grading Procedures-Grading can be broken down into three categories:

1. Student Progress/Record Keeping – students turning in parent letters and other administrative papers, completing homework, and participating in collaborative learning activities (10% of total grade).
2. Formative Assessments – Quizzes and assignments (20 % of total grade).
3. Summative Assessments** – Chapter Tests and Projects (70 % of total grade).

1. Homework is assigned (almost) daily. Homework will be collected and will be checked for effort, completeness, and making all corrections BEFORE it is turned in.
2. An assignments point value will be given according to the number of problems assigned. On average, students can earn between 10 – 15 points.
3. Class notes will be taken regularly and needs to be organized in a separate composition book or spiral notebook (either is preferable) and/or three ring binder. Notes are critical when doing homework and studying for assessments.
4. Chapter tests may be retaken for a new final score. Students are able to retake tests only when all corrections have been successfully made to their original test. Test corrections and retakes can be completed by appointment after school. These retakes will need to be taken within one (1) week after graded tests have been returned to students.

Grading Scales: (in both Standards Based Grading and Letter Grade)

Please Note: The current gradebook system doesn’t acknowledge minus grades, such as an A-, B-, and so forth. Based on the point average, a 3.5, which is recorded as a B+, is really an A-, and a 3.0 is simply a B.

Procedure…Procedure…Procedure!

Classroom: It’s A Simple Thing! Come into class prepared to immerse yourself in the learning process and become amazed at your personal progress. When class begins put away the electronic toys, close the conversations, listen for cool instructions and/or focus on the whiteboard area for spectacular information.

Small Group:  Have you ever been in a conversation and somebody comes along and begins talking over you? Or how about when you’re telling a joke and some yahoo finishes the joke and kills the moment? In small group you and your groupies need to work together.  Use Accountable Talk (attached) and allow the task manager to do his/her job and keep everyone on-task.  Above all, help each other be better than the other groups. 

Communication: Without communication we have…well…non-communication.  In other words, I’m here for you, to help you be the adult you want to be.  Talk to me!

• Talk to me if you don’t understand.
• Talk to me if you need personal time away from class (2 minutes max please).
• Talk to me if you’re going to be absent, or upon your return to class.
• Talk to me if life sucks and you need to vent, because we all have those days. I desire for you to be a success, whether in my class or just in general. So…talk to me so we’re on the same page.

 7/8 Compacted Math Instructional Schedule 2017-2018

Classroom Example of Accountable Talk:

• I believe _________________ because…

• What I hear you saying is…(repeat or restate for clarification)

• I want to agree with ________________ because…

• I would like to build on what _________ said concerning…

• I would like to disagree with what ________________ said concerning…

• I need clarification on _______________.

• In other words, what you said was…

• Can you give an example?

• I can give an example of that…

• Shall I explain…?

• Would you please repeat…?

• May I…

• D’Ault, I beg to differ on …

   

   

   

   

Finally

It is super important that the classroom procedures and expectations be acknowledged and understood by both the student and his/her parent/legal guardian. By signing the signature page of this syllabus (which will be sent home with your student) you acknowledge that you have read the entire document and agree to the conditions and expectations of said syllabus.  

Please do the following:

1. Please read the class syllabus. Contact me at the listed email address with any questions.
2. Have the student print and sign his/her full name on the line provided.
3. Have the student print his/her class period and date the document.
4. The parent/legal guardian must also sign the signature page of the syllabus.
5. Have the student keep the syllabus for his/her use during the school year. Students are required to have the syllabus while in class.
6. Have your student return the signed part of the syllabus to me, Mr. D’Ault, by the next class day.

Thank you,

Mr. D