Welcome to Welcome to Mrs. L. Smith’s ClassMrs. L. Smith’s Class

Homeroom 216Homeroom 216

Course 2 Math Periods Course 2 Math Periods

2 & 62 & 6

Today is a great Today is a great day to learn day to learn

something new!something new!

66thth Course 2 Math Course Course 2 Math Course DescriptionDescription

Students need to learn why what they are learning is important and Students need to learn why what they are learning is important and how to apply their learning to advanced problems, as well as, the how to apply their learning to advanced problems, as well as, the real world. Developmentally, adolescents are learning to make real world. Developmentally, adolescents are learning to make responsible informed decisions, both academically and socially. responsible informed decisions, both academically and socially. Learning to think through a problem, its elements and features, Learning to think through a problem, its elements and features, selecting the best solution among a myriad of possibilities, and selecting the best solution among a myriad of possibilities, and being able to justify the outcome is the goal of this 6th grade being able to justify the outcome is the goal of this 6th grade mathematics course.  mathematics course. 

One way to build decision-making skills is through problem solving. One way to build decision-making skills is through problem solving. Problem solving requires applying one’s learning to new, unfamiliar, Problem solving requires applying one’s learning to new, unfamiliar, and challenging tasks. Problem solving turns an unfamiliar situation and challenging tasks. Problem solving turns an unfamiliar situation into one of familiarity. That is the point of learning to factor, regroup, into one of familiarity. That is the point of learning to factor, regroup, rename, simplify, or evaluate because those skills will be called upon rename, simplify, or evaluate because those skills will be called upon concretely and abstractly in everyday life. Students also need to concretely and abstractly in everyday life. Students also need to become reflective learners who analyze, question, generalize, and become reflective learners who analyze, question, generalize, and explain what they know in order to further encourage their curiosity explain what they know in order to further encourage their curiosity and promote life long learning.and promote life long learning.

Students will independently use their learning of operations, algebra, Students will independently use their learning of operations, algebra, fractions, decimals, percents, ratios, proportions, geometry, fractions, decimals, percents, ratios, proportions, geometry, measurement, probability and data displays to connect these skills measurement, probability and data displays to connect these skills in planning and executing various activities.in planning and executing various activities.

**** Refining and clarifying thinking and improving focus and **** Refining and clarifying thinking and improving focus and attention to detail are essential building blocks for overcoming attention to detail are essential building blocks for overcoming challenges.challenges.

Grading Based on Points Grading Based on Points EarnedEarned

Tests 50%Tests 50% Quizzes 25%Quizzes 25% Projects 10%Projects 10% Classwork 5%Classwork 5% Homework 10% Homework 10% (includes completing ALL hw (includes completing ALL hw

problems, showing ALL work & steps problems, showing ALL work & steps as taught in class; following ALL hw as taught in class; following ALL hw instructions; arriving to class instructions; arriving to class prepared with ALL necessary prepared with ALL necessary materials)materials)

Math Curriculum OverviewMath Curriculum Overview

See window shadesSee window shades

Citizenship RubricCitizenship Rubric

See back side of Grading PolicySee back side of Grading Policy Most students earn 2s, 1s are Most students earn 2s, 1s are

extremely rareextremely rare Punctuality & preparednessPunctuality & preparedness Detentions for behavior = 3Detentions for behavior = 3 3s = NO honor roll3s = NO honor roll

ConferencesConferences

Nov. 16, 19, & 20Nov. 16, 19, & 20 Nov. 16 A-LNov. 16 A-L Nov. 19 M-ZNov. 19 M-Z Eve. Nov. 20 Anyone unable to Eve. Nov. 20 Anyone unable to

make day conferencesmake day conferences >115 students, so if no concerns >115 students, so if no concerns

may be very shortmay be very short Look forward to seeing you!Look forward to seeing you!

Student ExpectationsStudent Expectations

In 6In 6thth grade students are grade students are to take responsibility for to take responsibility for their own actions, and their own actions, and they must learn to accept they must learn to accept the consequences that the consequences that come with this.come with this.

QUALITY over QuantityQUALITY over Quantity

How can you help How can you help your child be your child be successfulsuccessful in in

school?school?

√ √ Show an interest in Show an interest in your child’s learningyour child’s learning

√ √ Remind your Remind your student that you student that you

supportsupport classroom classroom rules and rules and

homework policieshomework policies

√ √ Ask to see your child’s Ask to see your child’s assignment pad regularlyassignment pad regularly

ALL assignments should be written ALL assignments should be written legibly.legibly.

ALL assignments should be ALL assignments should be numbered.numbered.

ALL assignments should be ALL assignments should be checked off once they have been checked off once they have been completed.completed.

““Did you show your work &/or Did you show your work &/or steps FULLY?”steps FULLY?”

√ √ Help your child plan Help your child plan a a regular timeregular time & & placeplace

for homework and for homework and studyingstudying

√ √ Encourage your Encourage your student to seek student to seek extraextra helphelp from teachers from teachers

when necessarywhen necessary

√ √ Contact teachers as Contact teachers as soon as a concern soon as a concern

arises so that we can arises so that we can work together to arrive work together to arrive

at a solutionat a solution

I welcome your messages and

calls:

*See Contacts list at bottom of Grading Policy Sheet attached to schedule

Thank you in Thank you in advance for your advance for your

continued continued support and support and cooperation.cooperation.

Looking forward to Looking forward to an exciting and an exciting and

productive year with productive year with you and your child!you and your child!