7th Grade Math Course Syllabus
Mrs. Landon
Nash Middle School
2011-2012
Welcome to the start of a new school year! Math is all around us, and is used
everyday, which makes this course vital to both students’ academic and social lives. This
year, students will investigate mathematical ideas within the context of a realistic problem,
as opposed to looking only at numbers. Some problems involve real world application or
unusual situations, while others are purely mathematics. We hope to provide a positive, fun
and unique class experience that students will enjoy! We look forward to a successful year
for all our students.
Supplies Needed
 Textbook: Prentice Hall Mathematics Course 2
 Binder filled with an ample supply of loose leaf notebook paper
 Pencils: math work is to be completed in pencil ONLY!
 Eraser
 Correcting pens: red, purple, or green, no blue, black or metallic
 Assignment notebook
Course Content: Math focuses on five primary areas: Number Sense, Algebra,
Geometry, Measurement, and Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability.
Math Binders: Math binders can be used to help students develop, practice, and refine
their mathematical understanding, while also enhancing reading, writing, and
communication skills. The binder will also encourage organization.
Grades:
Grades are earned, not given. Turning in the very best work possible an on time are
ways to help improve ones math grade! The John L. Nash Middle School Grading Policy
will be used.
A= 100-92
B= 91-85
C= 84-77
D= 76-70
F= 69 and below
Late work will be accepted until each designated cut-off date. Following the Nash
policy, the first day late will earn, at best, an 84%. Any day later than one day, you will only
receive partial credit, not below a 50% if effort is apparent, on the late work. In order to
ensure you get the highest grade you can, it is in your best interest to turn every assignment
in on or before the due date.
Your grade will be calculated by the below percents.
Accelerated Math: 10%
Accelerated Math is an individual study, computer-based learning system that, based
on a pre-test, allows the student to start and continue to work at their individual placement.
The "computer” assigns the work on their specific area of need. Once their assignment is
completed, the computer scores their work immediately, providing instant feedback on their
performance. As a skill area is mastered, the student will then move along sequentially to
the next section.
The goal is to assist the student’s learning through individualized, student-based
learning, immediate feedback and reinforcement, with the ultimate goal of moving toward,
and hopefully, achieving a higher level or mathematical knowledge with little to no gaps.
This grade will be calculated twice a quarter, once at mid-term and then again at the
end of the quarter. The Accelerated Math grade with be broken up into three categories:
Accelerated Math Practices, Accelerated Math Tests and class participation. Each time a
student is redirected during accelerated math class, they will lose one point.
Assessments: Quizzes/Tests: 40%
A quiz or a test will be given bi-weekly. Keeping up with work will ensure students
are prepared for them, even in the event of an absence during the week. Assessments are
used to gauge understanding and success of the material being covered. Reviewing the
concepts and completing practice problems prior to the test/quiz would be very beneficial.
Guided Practice: Homework & In class work: 50%
Guided Practice is a majority of the classroom grade. Guided practice is any
assignment in which the teacher is available to assist students in the completion after
teaching the material. Class work will come in many forms. It could be a book assignment,
activity sheet, a lab assignment, part of a project, class participation, or a “Ticket-Out theDoor” problem (TOD). The TOD is when you hand me your work as you leave the room.
Please always make sure you turn these in!
Homework will be assigned almost every A day. Please be sure to keep up with the
assignments so you do not fall behind. You should always write your assignments in your
assignment notebook. Homework assignments will vary. Most homework will be started in
class and finished either during supervised study or at home.
As with anything, correcting our mistakes is one of the best ways to learn from them. That
being said, I allow and encourage students to make corrections on any math assignment.
This will not only strengthen their skills, it will better their grade. The grade improvement
is two fold; one: they will be given a few extra points if the new work is correct and two:
their understanding of the material will show on future assignments.