Name: Nicole Rainville

Phone: (413) 437 - 5653

Email: nrainville@hr-k12.org

Creating Thinkers in Math

Welcome to seventh grade math! Our number one goal this year is to learn how to make sense of math and persevere when solving problems. Everyone has different math experiences, but we believe anyone can learn math, no matter where your starting point is.

In order to be successful, we have some expectations to keep our classes running smoothly. Remember to always keep an open mind and try your best.

What to Bring to Class:

Laptop
a pencil pouch with pencils, erasers, a glue stick, a highlighter, scissors, colored pencils, dry erase markers/an eraser.
Math Notebook - spiral bound and hole punched (no composition notebooks! They’re too small.)
Math Workbook (provided by HRHS)
Assignment book to write down homework (provided by HRHS)

*Being prepared and bringing these things to class daily is part of your participation grade. If you cannot get any of these materials, please contact me so we can come up with a plan.

Workbook

Students will be assigned a workbook for the year. Students are responsible for their workbook and should keep it in usable condition - it will be used daily and is essential to student learning. Damaged or lost workbooks will need to be replaced at a cost of $10.

Homework

Expect math homework nightly. Homework will be graded based on completion, showing work, and following directions. Occasionally and with warning, it will be graded for accuracy. There will often be an online portion to help you check your answers, which will count towards your grade. If you do not have regular access to Internet, please contact me immediately so we can come up with an equitable solution. If you do not contact me, you will be penalized for not completing online assignments.

Homework will be posted in the classroom and on the homework site. Students will write it down during class in their assignment books and be given a chance to ask clarifying questions.

Work done in pen will not be accepted. A huge part of math is making mistakes and learning from them, which is much harder if you cannot erase a piece of your work.

Late Homework Policy

Students can turn in late work for any given module until the test for partial credit. After a test has been taken for a specific module, homework from that module will not be accepted. Please contact me directly if there are extenuating circumstances that will impact your ability to turn work in on time.

If a student misses work due to absences, they are responsible for making up the missing work and should contact me for missing work and due dates. Work not made up will be graded as a zero.

Quizzes and Tests

Students will complete two types of assessments - Formative “Prove It” assessments and Summative Unit Assessments. Each Prove It will be used to frequently monitor their progress on individual skills that will be assessed immediately. Students will be given feedback and multiple chances to show they have mastered or made progress towards mastering each skill. At the end of a module, the Prove It grades will be recorded.

The unit tests will use the skills acquired in class and assessed on each Prove It to show a student’s level of Mastery of the Massachusetts Common Core Standards.

For each test, students are required to complete test corrections, which will count as a separate summative assessment grade. These are graded on an individual basis, as students will not all need to correct the same questions. For this reason, they will not be accepted without the original test. These are essential to learning as we learn from fixing our mistakes. They will be due one week after the test is handed back. Late test corrections will receive partial credit.

Participation

Students will be given a participation grade every 7 day cycle based on their presence, participation, preparedness, and effort towards class. Unexcused tardiness will affect participation grades and be referred to administration as needed.

Grading System

Formative Prove It Quizzes 10%

Summative Assessments 60%

Homework/Classwork 25%

Participation 5%

Your final grade will be 23.75% for each quarter and 5% for a final exam.

Please note that due dates on Powerschool and Into Math are not always accurate. Please refer to the homework website to know what assignment students should be working on each night.

After School Help

Monday until 3:10 (unless otherwise posted). You must sign up in advance and come ready to work.

*Cell phones are not allowed in middle school at any point, including during after school help.