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**__Teacher Wiki:__ woodsum302.wikispaces.com**
Dear Student, I am happy that you are in my class and wish for you to be successful. Success in math is important to you and your life, and to me. Math is an integral part of your life and is very important in a world where mathematics is rapidly growing and extensively being applied in diverse fields. Abiding by the following rules will help you achieve success in this math class. Best wishes to you for a great school year. Sincerely, //Mrs. Woodsum// Kathryn Mills Woodsum BA UMF Liberal Arts Math major, MBA Thomas College Mathematics Teacher, Faculty Graduation Committee MBHS

= __**Policies and Procedures**__ =

It is important for you to be in math class every class day of the school year. The helpful discussions and presentations that take place during the period are difficult, if not impossible, to repeat on an individual basis. Each class period contains important math concepts for which you will be held accountable on assessments as well as in future math courses. Being in class is a definite and positive step in making success an obtainable goal and in meeting the Maine math learning standards. Of course, for most folks, there will be days that are missed. These absences do not excuse you from the homework assigned during the absence or from learning the concepts taught during the absence. If possible, you should find out prior to your absence what is going to be taught and complete the homework before returning to class. In the case of illness, you should begin to work on the homework missed as soon as it becomes feasible to do so and certainly at the time you return to school. (If that is a day we don’t have class, stop by and get your assignments.) Mathematics is conceptual and sequential and it is important to stay on top of things at all times. Not completing homework by the end of the quarter will result in incompletes for homework, unless specific written arrangements have been made in advance with you, your parents and myself.
 * Class Attendance**

I believe that a student’s ability to better understand mathematics is greatly enhanced with the daily completion of practice work. Some of this practice will take place in class and some outside of class. This is an integral part of each math lesson and must be done accordingly for maximum learning to take place. The purpose of homework is to reinforce what is taught in class, to promote new learning, and to apply independently what was explained in class. I do not assign ‘busy’ work, and thus expect students to practice their skills in order to achieve mastery of our mathematics standards. Homework will be reviewed the following class and followed by a quiz over the homework on most days.
 * Homework**

= = = __**What to do in class**__ =

1. Bring **paper,** **calculator and pencil / pen** every class day. 2. Keep all papers passed to you **in order**, in your notebook or folder. 3. **Listen** carefully to instructions and discussions. Always be sure you understand what is being said. If you do not understand, **ASK!** 4. Do practice problems in class **neatly** and show **all** of your work. 5. Use your time **wisely**!

· Always date your notes. · Use color (pencils, markers, highlighters) to emphasize ideas and points. · Use abbreviations (mathematical abbreviations will be given for new concepts.) · Paraphrase whenever possible being certain not to alter the meaning. · Review and revise notes as soon as possible after writing them; during your daily homework time is a great idea. · Be alert; copy key definitions and concepts. · Include a drawing if appropriate. · At times it is better to listen and then write, rather than trying to do both at once. · Record corrections to homework problems rather than erasing them. · Most exam questions are taken from problems worked out in class or from homework assignments. Thus staying current is very helpful!
 * Tips on Taking Notes**

In summary, everything is in one notebook and assignments are not lost; consequently the notebook becomes a helpful study guide with plenty of examples to study and review.

Spiral bound or organized index cards is an option available to you to record important formulas introduced (notes on cut-up pieces of paper will not be allowed.) This will be an excellent reference for you to use on tests and quizzes, including your mid-term and final exams. __Please restrict references to formulas and key concepts, no examples__; if abuse of this system is recognized then this privilege will be taken away. This is a great start to a reference base that can be expanded throughout your academic career in future math classes and also in science classes like Chemistry and Physics.
 * Index Cards**

__***Calculators**__
Scientific calculators will be used in this class. Each student will demonstrate a basic level of proficiency in certain operations before the use of calculators is permitted for that task. **__You must have your scientific calculator by Friday 9-10-2010.__** A **pencil pouch** for your notebook may be the safest storage location for your calculator and pencil. We will also be using TI-83 graphing calculators in class that I will provide for you to use.

__*Computer Etiquette__
· Laptop computers will be used this year. You must follow the standard MBHS protocol for computer usage. Failure to do so will result in a grade of 0 for the assignment, with no make-up. You will be required to turn your desk around so that I can see the work you are doing on the computer. If you wish to take notes on your computer during class you must sit in the seats at the front of the room.

__*Opportunities for Extra Help__
· Every student has the opportunity to come in for additional help. Seeking extra help should be looked upon as a positive experience; almost all students need help at one time or another. Choosing to stay for help is a strong signal to the teacher that a student is interested in learning and cares enough to give up some free time. I will be available every Monday until 2:30 pm, and a math teacher will be available at the extended-day program every Tuesday and Thursday until 4:30 pm. Other after-school times must be prearranged between the student and the teacher. Additionally, students should utilize other teachers during learning labs.

__Supplies that are needed for this class are:__
Ø Paper Ø Pencils / Pens Ø Clear 6” ruler Ø 3” x 5” index cards Ø Scientific calculator Ø Your computer

= __Standards and Benchmarks__ =

__**Assessing your progress**__
· Major assignments and tests will be announced at least two (2) class periods in advance. //These items may be redone as many times as the student needs in order to achieve a grade they are satisfied with//. However, the student **__must__** receive assistance from the teacher, or the after-school program (with a note verifying attendance) before retakes will be permitted. Make-ups due to absences should be done as soon as possible upon return to school; see the teacher for scheduling. · Homework checks and quizzes will take place daily. //Homework is 100 if done on time, 70 any other time. There is no re-take on quizzes.// · Test etiquette in this room includes sitting separated from others, NO TALKING, using only allowed materials for reference, and BEING PREPARED! If you talk or are determined to be cheating, a grade of zero (0) will be assigned and no retake will be permitted. Your goal in this class is to meet the Maine mathematics learning standards relevant to this course. These standards are posted in my room and will be explained to you periodically throughout the year.

__Grading__
Homework 10% Quizzes 50% Tests 40% · A midterm exam and a final exam will be given, each counting as 5% of the full year grade. · Grades are updated daily, with most scores being entered within 3 days of completion of the task. Grades may be accessed in PowerSchool on the web at [|www.mtbluersd.org]. You **__must__** check here before asking me about grades, due dates, missing assignments, etc… Assignment details are available by clicking on the assignment name.

__**Class Behavior**__
· **__Appropriate__** behavior, including language, is required in my room at all times. (This includes no hazing, harassment or hate speech.) No student has the right to disrupt the education of others. //Please refresh the meaning of ‘appropriate’ in your mind by consulting a mature role model or a dictionary if necessary.// Inappropriate behavior will result in a conference with the teacher after class. If behavior is not modified, further steps will be taken: conference with teacher after school, possible change of seat, detention with teacher and notification of behavior to parents, parent conference, and removal from class. · Clothing in this classroom will **__not__** include hats or any clothing that is deemed by the teacher to advertise tobacco, alcohol or other drugs, or to be sexually suggestive either in wording or design. · Food and beverage may be consumed appropriately in my room. This means the item belongs in the container in which it arrived (no glass), in your body, or in the trash. If you have a spill you are expected to clean it up **completely**; there are paper towels and desk cleaner on the student table for you to use. Abuse of this privilege will lead to your losing it. · Trash, paper recycling and bottle return bins are available and must be **properly utilized**. · Bathroom use is on a **pass** basis. When you need to go, take the pass, go, and return the pass. Only one person at a time may use a pass. · Disc players/radios, headphones and cell phones are not **permitted**. If you have the need to make a phone call, please ask me and I’ll arrange for appropriate calls to be made. Laptop computers may be used in class only for the purpose of class work or doing other schoolwork. · This environment is based on **mutual respect**; if you respect your peers and myself, then respect will be reciprocated. //This is an extremely large statement; please ponder its ramifications.// · I expect you to be accountable, trustworthy, honest, responsible and respectful. This includes: · My behavior will include trying to make each student feel as comfortable as possible with the material we are covering. I know that each of you is at a different place in your level of comprehension of concepts and your ability to manipulate numbers. My goal is to help you progress in your knowledge base with mathematics. I cannot do this alone; you must work with me. I will not give up on you!
 * Accountable: attends class, comes prepared, does make-up work timely, follows student handbook rules
 * Trustworthy: works independently in class, no cheating, no copying
 * Honest: gives yes or no answers that are not filled with excuses
 * Responsible: well rested, drug free, actively participates, is quiet when others speak
 * Respectful: is not disruptive in class, only appropriate touching of others, appropriate behavior