Classroom Supplies (needed EVERYDAY!)
- Pencils, pencils, and more pencils! (NO PENS ALLOWED!!!)
- Binder with paper and FOUR Dividers. This will be a MATH ONLY BINDER.
- Highlighter
- Calculator (can be issued through the school)
- One composition notebook (for Geometry Only)
Grading Policies
All assignments will be graded according to the grading scale established by Kate Collins, found in the student handbook.
Final grades will be calculated on the following weighted categories:
Each category is equally weighted because I believe that each piece is equally vital to the understanding and implementation of the mathematical concepts we will be studying.
Final grades will be calculated on the following weighted categories:
- Homework - 20% Homework will be assigned Monday through Thursday, never on weekends. Homework will be graded on the attempt, not the accuracy.
- Participation - 20% Participating in class is essential for understanding. Asking and answering questions, being on time, being prepared are the ways to earn these EASY points! For Geometry, you may get graded on your Interactive Notebook as well as part of your Participation Grade.
- Quizzes - 20% Quizzes will happen about once a week, typically on Fridays. Students earning a C or below will enter the Weekly Remediation Program (see below for details). Talking or causing a disturbance will result in a "non-refundable" zero, and will significantly hurt your grades.
- Tests and Benchmarks - 20% There will be approximately one big test/benchmark a month. These are great indicators of how your student is doing. Completing homework and participating in class are the best ways to prepare for these tests.
- Quarterly Projects - 20% Each quarter students will be assigned a project. This project may be group or individual and make be anywhere between a week and a quarter in the making. Please check in on the Homework Help page for information on these projects as they are assigned.
Each category is equally weighted because I believe that each piece is equally vital to the understanding and implementation of the mathematical concepts we will be studying.
High school Credit Classes
Both Geometry and Algebra One are considered High school credit classes. This does cause for some changes that you should be aware of in grading. First and foremost, there will be midterms and finals in both classes. This is a requirement of high school credit classes, therefore it changes how your final end of year grade is calculated. Each quarter will be 20%, and each midterm and final is worth 10% of the overall yearly grade. Secondly, for diploma purposes students are required to have verified credits. This class will count as a verified credit when (not if) the student passes the class AND the SOL at the end of the year. I am not worried about this, and neither should you. I just want you to be aware. Lastly, there is an absence policy for high school classes. Students are not allowed to miss more than 10 days of seat time. If a student misses more than 10 days, they will be required to stay after school to make up the seat time. This is not my choice, these are the rules. We will cross that bridge together if it comes.
Useful Links
- Kate Collins Middle School (http://www.waynesboro.k12.va.us/kcms)
- Virginia Department of Education (http://www.doe.virginia.gov)
- Geometry SOL Standards (found on the Virginia Department of Education Website)
- Algebra One SOL Standards (found on the Virginia Department of Education Website)
- Khan Academy (https://www.khanacademy.org) A great place for teachers, parents, and students to get more help - FREE!