Mrs. Whiteman’s 8th Grade Math Intervention Class
2015 - 2016
Syllabus – Math Intervention
I am privileged to have your child in my class become the best mathematician they can be! I look
forward to our partnership in your child’s learning this year.
Contact Information:
Mrs. Denise Whiteman
Email: denise_whiteman@sumnersd.org
Main Office: (253) 891-5000
Room: 407
Website:
http://teachers.sumnersd.org/sms/dwhiteman/index.php
Planning:
7:30am – 8:25pm (M,T,Th,F) and 9:10pm – 9:40 (W)
What is the purpose of a math intervention class?
It is the goal of Sumner Middle School that all students be proficient in math. To meet this goal, identified
students will participate in a math intervention class where they will learn strategies to improve math skills
along with becoming more effective math problem solvers.
How is this class connected to the regular math class?
This class will be directly connected to content, skills and strategies taught in the regaular math class. In
many cases, a student’s math teacher will also be his/her math intervention teacher. This class simply
provides extra support and strategies for students to increase their math proficiency by targeting the specific
needs of each learner.
What is the curriculum for this class?
Curriculum will be designed to support and build on the same Washington State Learning Standards
(Common Core) that students are receiving in their core math class. These are the same standards that will
be measured on the spring state assessment, as well as the 11th grade SBAC assessment where students
must meet specific math requirements in order to graduate from high school.
How are students placed in math intervention classes?
Students who need extra support in math are identified for intervention classes using the following data:
 Smarter Balanced (SBAC)
 Measure of Academic Progress (MAP)
 Teacher recommendation
 Parent recommendation
Will students in intervention classes be in the class all year?
Not necessarily, but students will remain in intervention for, at least, one semester. With focused instruction
targeted to the specific needs of each learner, we expect students will show gains in their skill level as
measured by district tests such as Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) and other district tests. Students
who meet math goals may be exited from the intervention class and placed in a new elective (Encore) class.
How will students be graded?
The intent of this class is for all students to experience success with math. Students will be graded based on
a growth model and grades will be based, in part, on math goals. Practice activities, participation, and
assessment scores will be used as evidence to demonstrate the progress students are making. At the end of
the grade period, an overall grade mark will be assigned.
The following grade marks will be utilized:
 IE – Insufficient Evidence: The student has not completed enough work nor demonstrated enough
evidence to determine performance level.
 MP – Making Progress
 NMP – Not Making Progress
 MG – Met Goal (students have met grade level standards)
For a detailed explanation about the middle school standards-based grading initiative and how it promotes
learning, please visit our school’s page on the Sumner School District Website.
Students will be assessed in three component areas:
 Math Fluency – basic facts
 Current Grade Level Standards
 Problem Solving
Semester Grading Schedule
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1st Progress Report, November 3, 2015
1st Semester Grade, January 29, 2016
2nd Progress Report, March 22, 2016
2nd Semester Grade, June 23, 2016
Absences
When a student is absent from class, it is the student’s responsibility to record learning targets for the
missed day in their student planner, invest extra time before or after school to learn the concept or skill, and
complete the assignment. Be sure to come get help if needed! Missed work and/or assignments can be found
in the Missing Work Files. If a student is absent on the day that an assessment is given, that student is
required to make up that quiz and/or assessment within two days upon their return.
Storing Work
Student practice will be completed and stored in a portfolio (binder), to be kept in the classroom. There will be
no assigned homework for this class, but any classwork not completed due to off task behaviors will be
completed as homework. The binder is an important record of your student’s learning progress.
Extra Credit
There are no extra credit assignments. The most effective way to show proficiency (Making Progress) is by
showing a consistent pattern of understanding of what we are learning in class. Since mastery of content and
skills is so important, students can generally prepare for retake assessments during this time. The goal is for
students to gain the knowledge that will help them be successful in 8th grade and beyond, and not just
complete extra-credit busy work.