Welcome to
7th and 8th Grade
Math and Science!
Different expectations for the year are listed below. Please return this sheet by Thursday,
September 3 after one of your parents have read and signed the form.
Math
This year your child will take the Algebra course at Lamont Christian School. The goal and
successful completion of this course will allow your son or daughter the opportunity to skip this
course in high school. Much of the material for this course comes directly from Unity Christian
High School. The tests, quizzes, and notes are the same materials that Unity Christian uses for
their Algebra class.
Format
Notes, quizzes, tests, and independent work are the main parts of this course. The time I work
with your son or daughter will vary each day. Most days I hope to work with them during the
math class slot. Some days they may be pulled out of a special or activity to learn the daily
content. Occasionally they will have the opportunity to work on other downtime activities that
their classmates will be working on.
Downtime Activities
Possible but not all downtime activities include: homework, checking homework, activity cards,
vocabulary practice, math games, and other online math activities. I plan to introduce new
activities throughout the year.
Homework
Students will be assigned homework almost every day. The amount of class time, student
productivity, and the amount of homework assigned all factor into the amount of work
students will take home. Although homework is not graded (Unity Christian Policy), students
will be expected to stay in at break to finish their assignments. Three incomplete homework
assignments will result in a phone call or email to a parent. The Algebra students will be
responsible for checking their own homework. Checking homework will mainly take place
during math downtime.
Grading
Homework – Although homework is not graded, students will be responsible to cross out, make
sense of (by looking in the book or asking a classmate), and correct their own mistakes. How to
mark homework goes as follows:
A check plus for two or less problems wrong.
A check for three or more problems wrong but the student understands his or her mistakes.
A check minus if the student is still confused and would like to talk to me.
I will collect each homework assignment to review students work.
Tests – Students will be assessed on 12 different tests throughout the course of the year.
Test Corrections
Students may retake his or her test once. The student needs to do his or her test corrections on
a separate piece of paper or with me. If the student does better on his or her retake, the better
test counts as 80% and the old score counts as 20%. If the student does worse, the retest
doesn't count.
Science
Last year we studied physical science. This year the 7th/8th graders will learn about life science.
Format
The class will consist of lessons, projects, and some labs. Topics that will be covered include:
cells, genetics, human biology, and ecosystems.
Homework
Students will be assigned some homework throughout the year. Some of the homework
students will be given include reading assignments, review sheets, and project work.
Grading
Quizzes, tests, and projects will be the main type of student assessment. Students will be given
a grade based on the percentage of points they received. The Middle School Staff plans to use
the same grading scale that was used the past few years. The grading scale can be found on my
Weebly page.
Test Corrections
Quizzes, tests, and projects can be submitted for corrections. Students will earn a half point
back for every mistake that was fixed correctly. Students may only correct his or her mistakes
once.
Behavior
The Middle School Staff will be using a “three strike” discipline plan this year. Students will be
given two warnings to control any disruptive behavior the teacher addresses. IF the teacher
must address the behavior a third time, the student will be sent to the office to speak with Mr.
Oosterheert and to fill out a “Think Sheet”. IF the student is sent to Mr. O’s office a second
time, the teacher will call a parent. If a student is sent a third time, Mr. Oosterheert will arrange
a meeting with himself, the parents, student, and teacher.
Checking Daily Work on Weebly
Parents and students can use our new Weebly Website to check what work was done in class
every day, and what assignments and tests or quizzes are due. This is a handy way for parents
to monitor their children’s work and for absent students to know what they missed.
Directions to the Weebly:
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Type www.lamontcs.weebly.com into the address bar.
Scroll over the teachers tab and find Mr. V.
Scroll over Mr. V and click on “Daily Work”.
Information about each school day can be found on this page.
Return this paper with a parent’s signature by Thursday, September 3.
Parent Signature: ______________________________________
Date: ______________