Karen Alton

Hello My Name Is...

Karen Alton

6th Grade Math

6th Grade Math Syllabus

Teacher: Mrs. Karen Alton

Contact: Room A111, [email protected], (970)641-7710 ex. 4102

Welcome to GMS and 6th grade math! I believe that every child can enjoy working with mathematics and learn skills that will develop their logical and critical reasoning. Math is like playing a musical instrument. It can take time, patience, devotion, repetition, personal interest, and a positive attitude.

Classroom Goals: By the end of the year students will:

1. Feel success for thinking mathematically.

2. Problem solve using critical thinking skills.

3. Persevere when working through challenging problems.

4. Participate in mathematical discussions and writing.

6th Grade Math Concepts from Open Up Curriculum:

1. Area and Surface Area

2. Introducing Ratios

3. Unit Rates and Percentages

4. Dividing Fractions

5. Arithmetic in Base Ten

6. Expressions and Equations

7. Rational Numbers

8. Data Sets and Distributions

9. Putting it all together

Guidelines for Success:

1. Follow rules and come to class prepared every day. This means bringing your workbook, spiral, and pencil every day.

2. Be prepared to participate, show self-control, and learn. Good attendance is vital.

3. Show kindness at all times and respectful of others and materials.

4. Get help when needed. Student can get help during class, during daily Study Hall before lunch, on Tuesdays at 7:45, at after school Homework Club in the library, or by appointment for other before or after school times.

Mustang Pride Expectations: GMS

G: Give Respect: Be Positive, Be Productive

M: Make Good Choices: Be Cooperative, Be Prepared

S: Stay Safe: Be Prompt, Be Present

Daily Activities may include:

Bell Work for Review of skills

Instructional Time on new content

Practice of Skills with others and individually

Review and Cool Down

Time to enjoy math and others

Grades:

All students will earn an A or a B in the class for each quarter if he/she does the assigned work. It is my belief, that students should be allowed to do corrections and have multiple opportunities to demonstrate that they are making progress or understand the standard or skill. Assignments will be graded in one of three categories:

1. Summative Assessment grades will be assignments such as tests, projects, presentations and count for 50% of the quarter grade. Each quarter will have at least 4 grades in this category.

2. Checkpoint grades will include some classroom assignments, bellwork, quizzes, etc. and will count for 40% of the quarter grade. Each quarter will have at least 4 grades in this category.

3. Daily grades will homework or practice of new skills grades and some in class assignments and will count for 10% of the quarter grade. Each quarter will have at least 4 grades in this category.

Students will be encouraged to do corrections for any Summative or Checkpoint grades less than a 84%. The corrections can bring the student’s grade up to an 85% if turned in by the posted due date. Students do corrections on a sheet of paper and staple it to the original assignment and include a sentence about what they learned or did wrong for each problem he/she is correcting. Students can earn an A on the first attempt. The GMS policy for late work will be followed. Please turn in assignments on the due date or make special arrangements with the teacher as soon as possible if extra time is needed.

Academic Grades reflect student knowledge of mathematical concepts and are based on a percentage grade.

Percentage Grades

A+ 100 - 97.5%

A 97.4 - 92.5%

A- 92.4 - 89.5%

B+ 89.4 - 87.5%

B 87.4 - 82.5%

B- 82.4 - 79.5%

C+ 79.4 -77.5%

C 77.4 - 72.5%

C- 72.4 - 69.5%

D+ 69.4 - 67.5%

D 67.4 -62.5%

D- 62.4-59.5%

F 59.4 or below

Work Habits and Citizenship Grades

Non-academic factors such as behavior should be documented separately.

We use the labels, EXM, PRO, PP, and NE, so at a glance students, parents and teachers can discern the difference between academic grades and WH/CIT when looking at grades.

EXM (exemplary) = 95% equivalent to an A

PRO (proficient) = 80%, equivalent to a B-

PP(partially proficient) = 60% Passing at a D

NE (not evident ) = 50% Failing

Work Habits: Be Prepared, Be Productive, Be Prompt (this includes on time to class and with assignments)

EXM – Always prepared for class, uses class time productively, no late and or missing

assignments, on time to class.

PRO – Usually prepared for class, uses class time productively, few late and/or missing

assignments, mostly in time to class.

PP - Frequently unprepared, does not use class time productively, significant late and/or

missing assignments, frequently late to class.

NE – Unprepared, unproductive, excessive late and /or missing assignments or tardiness to class.

Citizenship: Be Positive, Be Cooperative, Be Respectful

EXM - Outstanding citizenship/leadership, always polite and cooperative

PRO - Good citizenship/some leadership, usually polite and cooperative

PP – Needs improvement on citizenship, leadership, and/or cooperation

NE – Frequently disrupts class, often impolite, or uncooperative

I will support, build, push, guide and do absolutely whatever it takes to ensure all students succeed. Please contact me with any questions, insights or feedback. We are a team. Here’s to a great 6th grade math year!