2009-2010                 alpha team

Teachers      Ms. Tamboe Science  (MSTANBOE@COX.NET)
                   Rebecca Limoges, English
                             Nicole Mancini, Mathematics
                             J. Cotoia, Social Studies  

Requirements and Expectations Ms.Tamboe

CLASS PREPAREDNESS:    Students must bring the following items to class each day!!

                            SCIENCE BINDER/NOTEBOOK                    AGENDA
                            READING BOOK                                            CALCULATOR
                                    COMPLETED HOMEWORK                            ****PENCIL/PEN

****May borrow for collateral

If a student needs to return to their locker to collect missing items, they will be marked tardy. (Refer to the SMS tardy policy.)

NOTEBOOK/BINDER: Students are expected to keep a separate science binder.
All notes should include the appropriate date, lab number and any other stated information.
I do not recommend students putting their loose leaf notes into a folder. Students are expected 
to save all notes, homework assignmrents, quizzes, worksheets and labs in either their
classroom folder or their science binder. Notes should be legible and organized chronologically.
Notebooks/binders will be collected periodically and graded.

LABWORK : Is the majority of the work done in class. Students will work with partners or small groups
to complete most of these tasks. Labwork includes physically "doing" the lab, along with participating
with any/all conversations involving the lab, both small group and whole class discussion.
By participation I mean....
                                *BEING PROACTIVE DURING LAB TIME: collecting and putting away
                                    materials without having to be reminded to do so.
                                *CONTRIBUTING THEIR IDEAS, BE IT RIGHT OR WRONG: I need to
                                    hear what their thought process is.
                                *TEAMWORK ...MEMBERS OF EACH WORKING GROUP NEED TO
                                    WORK AS A UNIT: If one of the team members isn't functioning as he
                                    or she should be, then the group is unable to work to its fullest potential.

------THE TEACHER NEEDS TO BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY!!!!!

The grading component comes in through the student lab sheets. Without a lab sheet I have no way of
knowing what each individual student actually comprehended from the lesson.

QUIZ/TESTS : are announced and reviewed in advance. There are no "make-up" tests or quizzes 
given to students who perform below average. Make-ups are only given to those students who were 
absent on the day of the test or quiz.

ABSENCES : Students are responsible for obtaining assignments missed due to an absence. Each
child has the name and number of two "study buddies" in their agenda. The assignment owed is due 
the day that the student returns from their absence. However, the work that was assigned the day they
were absent will be checked the day after they return to school.

Students are responsible for obtaining missed notes due to their absence. I may have a copy of the
notes, but if not, they must check with their "study-buddy."

 

 

Eighth Grade Math and Algebra I

Course Requirements

Notebook/Binder:  It is expected that notes will be taken on a daily basis.  All notes should include the appropriate date, section number, and section title.  Notes should be legible, kept in an organized manner, and should be in chronological order.  Notebook quizzes will be given frequently.  If you miss any notes, please ask me for the overhead slides BEFORE you leave class.  If you miss notes due to an absence, please ask me for the overhead slides as soon as you return to class.

Homework:  Homework will be checked and graded according to the team homework rubric.  It should be completed in a separate section of your binder or notebook.  Reminder, per the team rubric, no credit will be given if no work is shown.  Late homework will not be accepted for credit; however, I strongly urge you to make up any missed work.

Preparedness for class:  Classroom preparedness  is defined as bringing to class a covered textbook, (for 8th grade math students that means your CMP book needs to be kept in a folder or binder), notebook/binder, pencil, agenda, calculator, reading book, assignments, and a POSITIVE ATTITUDE.  If you need to return to your locker to collect any missing items, you will be marked tardy. Rewards are given at the end of each quarter for students who are frequently prepared for class. 

Agenda:  All assignments must be written in the agenda.  Pop “agenda quizzes” will be given occasionally to make sure agendas are being used properly. Agendas will be stamped daily with “HW not done” or “HW incomplete” when applicable.

Class work: Class work will consist of (but is not limited to) “problems of the day” lesson sheets, skills review sheets, cooperative learning activities, projects, journal writing assignments, portfolio assignments, reading assignments, and a variety of other student tasks.

Quizzes/Tests:  All tests and most quizzes will be announced in advance.  Surprise quizzes are limited to homework and notebook quizzes.  They may be given in an effort to ensure that students have taken accurate and complete notes, have corrected homework, and have stayed on-task during group work.

Midterms and Final Exams:  A midterm and final exam will be given in both 8th grade math and Algebra I.  A great deal of time is spent learning how to prepare for each exam.  Since exams in the high school count for 20% of final averages, it is very important that students learn how to prepare for such lengthy tests.  All graded and returned quizzes and tests should be secure – either in classroom folders or kept safely at home.  Exam material is often taken directly from previously taken quizzes and tests.  As a result, it is extremely important that work be saved.  DO NOT THROW OUT QUIZZES AND TESTS!

Calculator: A scientific calculator is strongly recommended.  If this presents a financial burden, please see me privately immediately so that I may make arrangements to supply you with a calculator.  I DO NOT HAVE CALCULATORS TO LOAN OUT DURING THE YEAR BECAUSE YOU “FORGOT” YOUR CALCULATOR.  If you do not have one for class then you will not use one.

Grades: The following elements: tests, quizzes, homework, class work, projects, preparedness, participation, and classroom behavior are used to determine grades.  Generally, homework is worth 20% of your grade and all other graded work is worth 80%. 

What about next year?  Placement into high school classes is based solely on academic achievement (the letter grade).  Teachers no longer make recommendations.  In one case, the advanced science class, placement is based on the grade achieved in both science and math classes.  The bottom line is, do your best.  If you don’t do your best from the very beginning you may pay for that in your class choice for next year.

Suggestions/reminders:

·         All math assignments, quizzes, and tests, should be competed in pencil.  The one exception to this rule is writing prompts (it is acceptable to submit writing prompts in blue or black ink).  NO WORK COMPLETED IN RED OR PINK OR FLOURESCENT INK WILL BE ACCEPTED.

·         Save all work in order to cull important papers in preparation for midterm and final exams.

·        Department night is a very useful tool if it is used properly.  Keep a list of those examples and concepts that trouble you.  This will make a much more effective use of your time spent in department night.  Math department night will be held on Thursday afternoons in T-1.  Just a reminder: on occasion department nights may need to be rescheduled due to a faculty or department meeting.  If this should occur then your first priority is to attend the scheduled department night.  When your work is finished there, then you may go to the second department night.