Middle School Open
House
Jim Gillett, 7th
& 8th Grade Mathematics
Communication between home and school…
q Newsletters – sent home occasionally
q The Big Ideas – sent home before each unit; tells parents the math we’re doing + vocab
q Parent Grade Sheets – keeps you updated weekly on grades, 10 pts expected + 10 bonus pts really the only extra credit I give (must be turned in by Fridays each week)
q Web site – Please visit go to cheney268.com, middle school, classrooms, math, me…
Materials needed for class…
q 3-ring + paper + pencils + agenda
q While in class we’ll use classroom compasses, rulers, protractors, etc, but they do need their own rulers, compasses, protractors, etc, for work at home or during study hall time.
q Resource Books (old math textbooks) can be kept at home for help. Can look up vocabulary and use the index & glossary to find lessons and more information. Occasionally I will make an assignment from them.
Syllabus… major points.
q My phone number for help (but - please have them call a friend if they forgot the assignment)
q Grading scale – probably a quiz every week – in early portion of 9 weeks, realize that grades may go up and down quite rapidly due to fewer grades in the beginning.
q Homework – Usually lots! No pencil or no name or incomplete or left at home = LATE. Must use pencil. Late papers = Academic Detention; 75% that day or next, 0% after that; Skill review HW; Labeled with name, assignment, & date.
q Absences – HW calendars, Xtra worksheets are on my front cabinet, Makeup work due 1 week from last math class absent. For example, if miss math class on Monday all makeup work from that absence is due by CLASS TIME the following Monday, even though we would not have math on that day. Turning them in on Tuesday = LATE.
Help for your child… I do not expect you to be the teacher…& you aren’t sitting here in class day by day following along and experiencing the mathematics as your child is.
q Be familiar with what I expect them to show on homework. Accuracy, Communication (Restate the question – include labels), Approach (show the math). Usually at least 3 points per problem.
q They
shouldn’t procrastinate (
q Advisory study time; Mornings prior to 8:00 (not before 7:50); Call me; ask me during class if unclear on something. Work as a team member diligently.
q Tool Kits (vocab) & Pyramids (own notes) can be used on tests and quizzes, keep in back of 3-ring in tabbed section.
q Other ideas on my web site under “suggestions for improvement”.
q If you are clueless try this: Ask them; “what are you given”, “what are you being asked to find”, and the one they don’t think about consciously; “what else do you know that is relevant or have done in the past that may give you ideas about how to proceed”. This is the first step of the 4-step Math Problem Solving Process. Important for them to start this way.
q Ask them: “what have you been doing in class” & go backward problem by problem having them tell you what each problem is about. Should be in their notes. Don’t get frustrated – many times they will want a quick, painless answer, but guiding them to an answer is more beneficial for them.
q Remain positive at home, they will be a family member longer than they’ll be a math student.