Ms. Moran’s Math Class

1. Ms. Moran’s Math Class Welcome, students!

2. Welcome to 11th Street! • I will introduce you to my expectations for our classroom. • If you have any questions during my presentation, please raise your hand and wait to be called on.

3. All About Me • I grew up in Bowling Green and Nashville. • I attended Potter Gray, McGavock High, Coastal Carolina, Western Kentucky, and Nova Southeastern University. • I was a military wife for 22 years and lived all over, including Hawaii and Japan. • I’ve been teaching since 1991. • I have also taught kindergarten, preschool, and college, but high school is my favorite.

4. My Family • My children • daughters, Samantha, Morgan, and Emily • Samantha and Morgan are twins! • My grandchildren • grandson, Corbin • My pet cat, Tiger, died recently. She was 15 years old.

5. My Goals • To help you learn to think critically and mathematically. • To encourage you to meet academic standards and become responsible caring citizens. • To provide a supportive classroom environment.

6. Class Structure • Simultaneous instruction of multiple courses • Individual, group, and class activities • Reading Notes • Direct Instruction • Hands-on practice, manipulatives • Technology (Labs, Blogs, Games)

7. Classroom Community • Our classroom is a community. In our community, we have rules to help us get along with each other. • Our class rules are: • Be prepared (and on time). • Be responsible. • Remain seated. • Do what the staff asks immediately.

8. Figuring Your Grade • 85% of your semester grade: • Active Participation • Learning Contract Evaluations • Self Evaluation of Effort and Responsibility • Mad Math and Problem of the Week • Projects • Quizzes and Tests • 15% of semester grade • Semester Exam

9. Learning Contracts • Approximately every week to 10 days • Lists assignments and due dates • Signed by student, parent, and teacher • Performance evaluated at end of contract term by student and teacher.

10. Work Standards • Assignments for this class should be neat, legible, show all your work, your thought process, and clearly indicate your answer. • Your name must be on your work! • Answers only are not acceptable to earn a passing score for most problems in this class. • Revision is required for all class work scoring under 80%. • You are responsible for all work missed during any absence or time missed from class.

11. Self Evaluation • Each day you will receive a reflective self evaluation form to complete and turn in to report your responsibility and effort for the class period. • Your evaluation is worth up to 25 points each week. • Hellison’s levels

12. Responsibility Levels • Developed by Professor Don Hellison • Assess your: • Respect for the rights and feelings of others • Effort and participation • Self-direction • Caring for and helping others

13. Level 1: Needs Work • Acts out in a disruptive manner/interrupts class. • Uses negative comments and/or body language. • Does not take responsibility for own actions/work. • Is often off-task, unprepared, and/or does not participate. • Does not share time, materials, or ideas with others. • Demonstrates no effort (unmotivated and does not participate).

14. Level 2: Improving • Presents minimal disruptions and interruptions in class • Controls temper and does not torment others • Makes numerous excuses for own effort, ability, and actions • Must be reminded to stay on-task and rarely participates • Shares time, materials, or ideas when encouraged • Listens, but does not actively participate • Really does not put forth any effort • Cruising in neutral, but not bothering anybody

15. Level 3: Involved • Presents no disruptions or interruptions. • Keeps self from using negative comments and body language. • Demonstrates some responsibility for own effort, ability, and actions. • Stays on-task and often participates. • Shares time, materials, or ideas. • Demonstrates effort when prompted. • Listens, follows directions, and takes care of equipment • Willing to try and is involved in activities

16. Level 4: Responsible • Presents no disruptions and interruptions. • Supports and encourages others with positive comments and actions. • Accepts complete responsibility for own effort, ability, and actions. • Stays on-task without prompting, participates fully, and demonstrates consistent effort. • Demonstrates co-operation, respect, and leadership. • Makes good choices.         

17. Level 5: Caring Citizen • Demonstrates all Level 4 characteristics. • Models appropriate behaviour and recognizes expectations. • Gives maximal effort (motivated and participates fully). • Sets challenging goals and sustains strong commitment to them. • Works with everyone in the class willingly, helping others when needed • Compliments and encourages others

18. Homework • There will be a problem of the week each week, class assignments daily, and several project or group assignments each semester. • You must complete any work not finished in class as homework. • If you need extra help, you can schedule time in Math Intervention during 5th or 6th period at your teachers’ discretion.

19. Problem of the Week • A POW will be posted on the board, the class webpage, or handed out each week. • Record and answer each POW. Show all your work and thought processes – even failed attempts! • Your POW is due on Friday at the beginning of class unless otherwise noted. • Although you will have some time in class to work on your POWs, you will also need to spend time outside of class developing your responses. • You are expected to correct your work after problems are discussed in class.

20. Mad Math Minute • Daily mental arithmetic practice • Complete up to 60 problems in order from left to right across then down the page in 60 seconds • Operation focus changes each week • Addition • Subtraction • Multiplication • Division • Fractions, Decimals, and Percents

21. Class Blog • New this year, we have a class website. • You will be expected to make a written contribution to the class blog each week. • A specific topic or question will be provided to get you started.

22. Math Intervention • Extra math help is available daily during 5th and 6th periods. • If you are not in my 5th or 6th period class, we will make arrangements with your scheduled teacher. • Ask for extra help when you need it!

23. Tardiness • You should arrive in class with your group. • When the bell rings, you need to quickly put away your materials and move to the next class room. • Repeated tardiness can keep you from making your day.

24. Let’s Have a Great Year!