Introducing Mrs. Wynne
• This is the start of my 14th year as a
teacher
• National Board Certified Teacher in Early
Adolescence Mathematics
• B.A. in Anthropology from UCLA
• Master’s degree in Education from Pace
University in New York City.
• Alumni of the Teach For America program.
• Began my career teaching eighth grade
math in the South Bronx, New York for two
years.
• I have a clear multiple subject credential
and a middle school math supplemental
credential
Grades
• Every 5 weeks your child will receive a
Portola progress report with all of their
grades. This should be signed and
brought back to the students’ homeroom
teachers the next day as proof that they
have shown you their grades.
• Progress reports go out during the 5th,
10th, & 15th week of each semester.
• The 20th week is their official report card
which goes into their transcript.
Jupiter Grades
• www.jupitergrades.com
• You can access your child’s grades at
any time from anywhere that has
Internet.
• If you haven’t already, log onto the
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JupiterGrades website! 
You can set up how
often you want
JupiterGrades to
e-mail you about
your child’s progress.
Homework
• Homework is given every school day
(including Fridays).
• Expect it to take them about an hour to
complete all math and/or science homework.
Sometimes, it will take much less than an
hour and sometimes slightly longer. If it’s
often taking more than an hour, please let me
know!
• I try my best to give a reasonable amount of
homework while also assuring that students
are getting the necessary practice that they
need to succeed on their state exams, and
more importantly, in life!
Agenda Book
• This is where students write down their
homework everyday.
• I will stamp the agenda each day to
verify that it was written correctly.
• Please check the agenda daily and sign
your name at the bottom.
• Please keep track of the time your
child spends on their homework at the
bottom of the agenda. This will help us
monitor if the amount of homework
given is appropriate.
Late Work
• Only accepted THREE school days after it was
due
• Will have 25% deducted from their score.
• If the late assignment is not complete, it will
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not be accepted.
To receive a “C” (100% - 25%) it must be done
to “A” standards, otherwise the student will
not receive credit for the late assignment.
Science Homework
• For all questions being answered, students
must write in complete sentences and restate
the question when answering the question.
They should not copy down the question.
• They don’t need to have the perfect answer
(just like real scientists don’t always have the
“right” answer), but I do want to see that the
students have thought logically about their
answers, rather than just writing something
random down.
Science Projects
• This year, I am trying to cut back on the
amount of “store bought” supplies for
projects. Please encourage your child to try to
repurpose materials found around the home
before purchasing supplies.
• I hope to encourage imagination and
innovation, in addition to studying important
concepts.
Earth Science Curriculum
• Plate tectonics (earthquakes, volcanoes,
movement of Earth’s plates, convection)
• Earth’s systems
• Resources
• Erosion and weathering
• Ecology
• Earth’s oceans and atmosphere
• Some time in the next two years, California
will be rolling out new science standards
Math Homework
• Students must show all work in order to
receive credit.
• If a student is confused about a question, just
have them try their best. Effort counts as
credit!
• I grade homework based on completion, not
“correctness”. Tests and quizzes are where
having the right answer counts!
• We go over the homework so students can see
and correct their mistakes, and (most
importantly) ASK QUESTIONS!
Math Quizzes and Tests
• Quizzes will be given periodically.
• Questions are taken directly from the homework
assignments they have completed and we have
gone over in class.
• Students must ask questions if they are unsure
about why they missed certain homework
questions so that they will do well on the quiz.
• Tests are usually given at the end of each unit
we complete.
Math Curriculum
Major topics include:
• Ratio and proportional relationships
• The number system (division, decimals,
fractions, integers, inequalities, etc.)
• Expressions and equations
• Geometry
• Statistics and Probability
Common Core Standards
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Drafted by experts and teachers from across the
country.
Designed to ensure students are prepared for
today’s entry-level careers, freshman-level college
courses, and workforce training programs
Many similarities between the old CA math
standards and the CCSS for math
Fewer standards in each grade, but each standard
goes MUCH more in depth.
Moves beyond memorizing a bunch of steps to get
to an answer. Asks students to think critically
about math.
Students will discuss, argue, defend their solutions
to math problems.
Classroom Website
• www.portolams.org
• This is our school website.
• Students and parents can check homework
here every day.
• You are able to download some of the
worksheets and handouts given in class.
Getting Help
• Have students make an appointment during
class to see me after school.
• Encourage your child to ASK QUESTIONS in
class.
• I work hard to ensure that my classroom is a
safe environment where students feel
comfortable to take risks and make mistakes.
Friends of Portola
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FOP is our parent support group which exists
to provide financial and volunteer support to
the faculty, administration, and student body.
FOB helps pay for supplies, equipment, and
even salaries! (Suzy Miller)
Help keep programs such as ALEKS,
Vantage, theatre, etc.
They usually pay for field trips!
They’re here to make Portola better
THEY NEED YOUR HELP
How to contact me:
*The fastest way to reach me is through email*
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karen.wynne@lausd.net 
You can also email me from the school website:
www.portolams.org
Or, call the main office and leave a message:
(818) 654-3300
I can meet for conferences after school (by
appointment) and at different times during the
school day during my conference period.
Emailing the Teacher…
• I welcome email from parents at anytime
• For questions about assignments I
recommend having your child email me
personally
• I will be discussing guidelines for emailing
me with the students in class.
Teacher Wish List?
• Paper, paper, and more paper
• White board markers
• Tissues
• Table wipes (Green Works, unscented bsby
wipes, etc.)
• Safety scissors
• Small boxes of colored pencils
• Rolls of scotch tape
Thank You for Coming to
Back to School Night!!!
If you haven’t already, please
sign the sign-in sheet before
leaving!