Mr. Cassidy's Class Syllabus
7th Grade Math
Contact Information:
Email: mrcassidymath@gmail.com
Class Website: http://mrcassidymath.wikispaces.com/
Tutoring: If you need extra help, I am more than willing to schedule tutoring time before/after
school or even during recess/lunch.
Course Description:
In this class, we will explore a variety of mathematical concepts including numbers, number
systems, arithmetic operations, measurements, geometry, algebra, data analysis, and probability.
This course will equip you with the mathematical tools to become problem solvers who can think
critically, not just simply answer worksheet or test questions. Mathematics is an essential life
skill that is used all the time in the real world. This class will open your eyes to how it is applied
in everyday life and better prepare you for using it as a life-long, problem solving tool.
Materials:
A 3-ring binder (1.5") with 6 tabs is required for this course. This binder should be used ONLY
for math class. There will be random binder checks that count towards your grade to make sure
that you are staying organized. The binder should be divided into the following sections:
 Syllabus and Rules
 Notes
 Skills Sheets
 Content Assignments (Bellworks, Homework, Exit Slips)
 Quizzes, Tests, and Review Packets
 Vocabulary
Additionally, the following materials should be purchased and brought to class everyday:
 Pen or Pencil
 Loose-leaf Paper
Course Schedule:
Quarter 1 (44 Days):
Content Books: Unit 1: Data About Us, Unit 2: Bits and Pieces II
 Data representations, charts and graphs, scientific notation, designing and
analyzing data studies
 Fractions, decimals, percents, number theory, one-step equations, probability,
estimation
Skills Books: Decimals, Fraction Concepts
Quarter 2 (47 Days):
Content Books: Unit 3: Variables and Patterns, Unit 4: Comparing and Scaling
 Absolute value, order of operations, patterns, sequences, slope and intercept,
linear and symbolic algebra, equations and inequalities
Skill Books: Fraction Concepts, Ratios,Percents, & Proportions
Quarter 3 (48 Days):
Content Books: Unit 4: Comparing & Scaling
 Scaling, proportions, similarity, coordinate geometry, geometric transformations
Skill Books: Geometry
Quarter 4 (46 Days):
Content Books: Unit 5: Covering and Surrounding, Review
 Area, perimeter, measurements, geometry shape characteristics
 Review material that has not been mastered
Skill Books: None
Grades:
Grades for each quarter will be given according to the following percentages:
 Unit Tests (35%)
 Quizzes (25%)
 Homework Assignments (25%)
 Participation (Bellworks, Exit Slips, Binder Checks) (15%)
Homeworks will be graded sometimes for completion and sometimes for accuracy. If your
homework is incomplete, you will receive ZERO credit. Late homework will not be excepted
unless you were absent). If it is not worth your time to do all of your homework and do it on
time, it is not worth my time to grade it. A Math workshop grade will be given for mastering
skills books. There will be no unit exams for skill books. Grades will be determined solely by
homework and in-class mini quizzes.
Absence Policy:
If you have an excused absence, you MUST make up ALL assigned class work and homework in
twice the number of days you were absent. That is, if you were absent one day, you will have 2
days to submit your missed assignments. Otherwise, you will receive a ZERO for the
assignment. All of the day's materials will be posted on the website if you need to access them
while you are absent. There are no excuses for falling behind.
There will be an "Absence Binder" in the classroom that will contain all the materials for the day
in hard copy for you pick up at the beginning of the class once you return. Attendance is
extremely important in this class, and if it becomes an issue, parents will be called and you will
have to stay after class to discuss the problem.
Rules & Expectations:
1. Be respectful.
 Put Downs simply do not happen in this class.
 Students will be listening silently while the teacher is speaking.
 Students will their raise hand and wait to be called on to ask/answer a
question.
 Directions will be followed the first time.
2. Be responsible.
 Students will arrive to class on time.
 Students will bring the needed class materials.
3. Be ready to learn.
 Students will participate.
 Students will be actively engaged in the class.
Consequences:
Consequences will be given every class period for not following the rules. All offenses beyond
Strike 2 will be documented. They are as follows:
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Strike 1: Friendly warning
Strike 2: Not So Friendly warning
Strike 3: One on One discussion with teacher
Strike 4: Call home to parents
Strike 5: You do not want to find out...
Rewards:
Individual rewards will be given for student behavior that goes above and beyond our classroom
rules and expectations. This would include:
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Complimenting other students
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Asking insightful questions
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Doing extra homework assignments
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High academic achievement on quizzes/tests
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Helping out other students without me asking
Every time one of these behaviors is seen, I will give you a reward slip. At the end of the class,
You may add your reward slips to the reward jar. At random points throughout the year, I will
pull out slips from the rewards jar. If you're name is picked, you can choose from a variety of
prizes. Following the rules of probability, the more slips you enter into the jar the higher
probability your name has of being drawn.
The classroom wide management system is the “Eddie would go” tracking chart. The Quiksilver
Big Wave Invitational In memory of Eddie Aikau surfing tournament is hosted in honor of the
legendary North Shore life guard and surfer Eddie Aikau. Eddie was known for being a highly
respected, daring, and selfless individual. The memorial tournament only occurs when the wave
height on the North Shore achieves a threshold height of 40 ft.
In my classroom, “feet” will be awarded to the class on a tracking system at the front of the
class. When 40 feet have been achieved, students will have the opportunity to choose between
multiple classroom prizes (listen to music during guided practice, bring in snacks, etc.). Feet will
be awarded during class when certain behavior expectations are met. These behaviors include but
are not limited to:
 The whole class is attentive and engaged
 The whole class is working silently
 For group work, the whole class is on task and completing the assignment
 The whole class is showing high levels of participation
Master Mathematician Club:
All students are expected to master all of the material that is taught. Mastering the material
means that 80% of the questions pertaining to each content objective on quizzes will be
answered correctly. Circles will be put on a tracking chart at the back of the room:
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Green circle= 80% or higher mastery level on the objective
Yellow circle=60-80% mastery level on the objective
Red Circle=60% or below mastery level on the objective.
At the end of each quarter, students who have achieved 80% mastery on all of the content
objectives will be awarded a very special prize. Students who failed to master an objective can
have their circle color changed by completing an additional quiz to the appropriate mastery level
or by mastering the material on the unit test.