Pre-algebra
Class Expectations 2015-2016
School Telephone Number: 648-4950 Guidance: 648-4961
Teachers:
Ms. Johnson (Room 565)- Mathematics 6, Advanced Math 6 and Pre-algebra janice.johnson@vbschools.com
Ms. Ammons (Room 569)- Advanced Math 6 and Pre-algebra victoria.ammons@vbschools.com
Ms. Zell (Room 571)- Advanced Math 6 and Pre-algebra cheryl.zell@vbschools.com
Ms. Smith- Gifted Resource Teacher- cathy.smith@vbschools.com
Assignment Information: Information for the class can be found on the teacher’s wikispace. Mrs. Johnson’s address is
www.pams-Johnson.wikispaces.com; Go to the Princess Anne Middle School website and click on “My School Mail”.
Subscribe to the Elements core and you will receive daily e-mails listing homework and other important information.
You can also register for the “Parent Portal” to view your child’s grades. Check Parent Portal regularly. Grades are
updated weekly. Each student will also have an Edmodo account which will be utilized by all classes throughout the
school year.
Supply List: 1 binder with dividers (to be used for Math, Science, English and Social Studies), 3 subject spiral notebook
with plastic cover, wide-ruled filler paper, pencil pouch, pencils, hand-held pencil sharpener, pens, planner (provided by
school), 4 glue sticks, coloring supplies, dry erase markers
Contributions to Be Collected for General Classroom Use: tissues, 1 gallon baggies (boys), 1 quart baggies (girls),
paper towels, disinfecting wipes
Procedures for Conferences, Parental Contacts: If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, please contact
us via e-mail. Conferences will be arranged by the guidance department on an as-needed basis.
Citizenship Expectations: Students are expected to follow the Princess Anne Middle School Code of Conduct located in
the student agendas. Consequences for inappropriate behavior include but are not limited to: verbal warning, Behavior
Modification assignment to be signed by the parent, parental contact (e-mail or phone), morning detention, and office
referrals.
Binders and Agendas: Students are required to keep an interactive notebook referred to as an IAN (3 subject spiral)
and a binder with dividers. Students are required to record homework assignments in the Student Agenda provided by
the school. Homework assignments are posted in each classroom. The agenda also serves as a hall pass. Please check
your child’s IAN, binder and agenda daily.
Make-Up Work: Make-up work is due within 3 days of an absence. It is the student’s responsibility to ask the teacher
for any missing work. Each classroom has a location where make-up work can be found.
P. A. Middle- a school where every child achieves
Grading Scale:
Range
Letter Grade
Points
93 - 100
A
4.0
90 - 92
A-
3.7
87 - 89
B+
3.3
83 - 86
B
3.0
80 - 82
B-
2.7
77 - 79
C+
2.3
73 - 76
C
2.0
70 - 72
C-
1.7
67- 69
D+
1.3
64 - 66
D
1.0
Below 64
E
0.0
Course Description
Pre-Algebra: Pre-Algebra is a mathematics course for sixth grade students who exhibit high mathematical ability and
achievement. The course is designed to prepare students for Algebra I Honors in grade 7. The course focuses on
the development of problem-solving skills and the acquisition of mathematical vocabulary and symbols. The
active engagement of students along with the use of manipulatives and technology, such as calculators, computers, and
spreadsheets, will allow students to develop an understanding of the mathematical principles they are learning. Facility in
the use of technology will not be a substitute for students’ understanding of quantitative concepts and proficiency in basic
computations. Topics include: operations with rational numbers; solving practical problems involving rational numbers;
percents, ratios and proportions; operations with integers; concepts involving exponents and square roots; identifying
and representing sequences and relationships; solving multi-step linear equations and inequalities; graphing
and identifying linear equations in two variables; applying order of operations to evaluate algebraic
expressions; measurement concepts and applications in the U.S. Customary and metric systems including perimeter,
area, volume, and surface area; basic geometric concepts in the coordinate plane; three-dimensional
models; Pythagorean Theorem, and probability and statistics. These students will be taking the 8 th grade SOL Test
at the end of the year.
Text Book: Glencoe McGraw-Hill Math Connects Course 1 (available online only)
Grading Policies and Procedures: Students will be assessed in many ways to accommodate a variety of learning
styles. Observation, discussion, graphic organizers, cooperative learning, oral presentations, quizzes, tests, projects, selfevaluation, written assignments and performance tasks are methods of assessment. A student’s grade on any
assignment reflects and communicates the level of learning the student has demonstrated relative to clearly defined
learning targets or standards. Students not turning in assignments may be assigned academic detention for the following
Wednesday. Prior to Wednesday’s detention, if an assignment is completed and submitted then the detention is voided.
Student’s grades will be calculated using all of the above.
*A homework/classwork assignment will have a base weight of 0.5
*A quiz will have a base weight of 5
*A test will have a base weight of 10
For example: Every 2 quiz grades will carry the same weight as a test.
P. A. Middle- a school where every child achieves
P. A. Middle- a school where every child achieves