8th Grade CMP2 Course Syllabus - FMS
Teacher: Bill Brewer Room 210
Foothills Middle School School Phone: 664-8961
Home Phone: 665-8762 e-mail: brewer.b@mail.wsd.wednet.edu
Course Description: This regular 8th grade mathematic’s
course is titled, “Connected Mathematics Project 2” (developed
by Michigan State University and tested for ten years by the National Science
Foundation). This course is used by nearly 60% of all middlee schools in the
state of Washington. This year there will be five to six units to investigate.
For each unit, students will receive a soft cover booklet (kept safely in
thier binder). Each unit will follow this format:
Investigations: Each unit will include three to five investigations
that develop conceptual understanding, reasoning, and procedural skill. Each
investigation contains these elements:
* Problem: An investigation includes two to five carefully
sequenced problems. Each problem is launced by the teacher, then students
explore the problem individually, in g roups or as a whole class. As students
solve the problems, they uncover important mathematical relationships and
develop problem-solving strategies and skills. A summary occurs at the end
of each prolbem. The teacher will pull the class together and will help stdunets
explicitly describe the mathematics of the problem, ideas, patterns, relationships
and strategies they found and used.
* Applications: Connections-Extensions (ACE): The problems
in each investiagation are followed by a set of exercises meant to be used
as homework. Students will be asked to compare, visualize, model, measure,
count, reason, connect, and/or communicate their
ideas in writing. To truly own an idea, strategy, or concept, a student must
apply it, connect it to what he or she already knows or has experienced,
and seek ways to extend or generalize it.
* Extensions: These exercises may provide a challenge for
students to think beyond what is covered in the problems in class, provide
an interesting excurison that looks at related mathematical ideas, foreshadow
mathematics in future units or pursue an interesting application.
• Mathematical Reflections: At the end of each investigation,
students are asked to
reflect on what they have learned. A set of questions will help students organize
their
thoughts and summarize important concepts and strategies. After thinking about
the
questions and sketching their own ideas, students will discuss the questions
with their
teacher and their classmates and then write a summary of their findings.
• Assessment: At the end of each unit, an assessment
will be given that tests the
important understandings of the unit. Students will be evaluated on understanding
the
basic concepts, procedures and communication required for mastering the unit.
• Unit Project: At least four units include projects.
They are typically introduced at
the beginning of a unit and fomally assigned at the end. Projects are open-ended
tasks
that provide opportunities for students to engage in independent work and
to demonstrate their broad understanding of the mathematic’s unit.
Parent Involvement: Parents, the following suggestions will
help students be successful and have a positive experience in the 8th Grade
CMP2 course.
• Encourage and support risk taking.
• Talk on a regular basis about the concepts being taught.
• Read and discuss student journal entries on occasion.
• Create an atmosphere at home where there is a designated study space
and study time.
• Be open to math groups working together at homes in evenings and on
weekends.
• When students are asked to teach new concepts to parents, be enthusiastic
and attentive.
• Offer help with homework or make sure your student asks for help before
or after school.
• Look through the CMP2 “binder” on occasion and ask about
organizational strategies.Textbook: Connected Mathematics Project 2, 8th Grade
Additional Assignments: At times students will receive number
sense pracitce worksheets. Students will be asked to add, subtract, multiply,
and divide whole numbers, rational numbers, and to memorize squares through
20 (3 squared= 9 and 20 squared = 400) and conversions of fractions to decimals
and percentages.
Classroom Supplies: Students will need these materials for
math: a three-ringed binder, five dividers, a pencil pouch (to hold pencils,
red inked pen, an eraser, a highlighter, protractor, compass, and a six-inch
straight edge), textbook, and a scientific calculator (TI 30xa is the cheapest
and is excellent),
Attendance: Attendance is required in accordance with FMS’s Policy (see
FMS Handbook in the “Planner”). A student will not be successful
without regular attendance.
Classroom Management: “Make Your Day” is a citizenship
program that encourages students to “Do what is expected” and
“Do your best” each period of the day. Students have opportunity
to earn points which enables them to “MYD” each school day.
Assessment and Evaluation: Grades will be given at the end
of each quarter. Mid-term reports will be sent home with students and must
be signed by parents for points. Grades will be by percentage.
Math Categories: There are five categories for math. They
are: Participation (15%), Journals (15%), Homework (20%), Partner Quizzes
(20%) and Assessments/Projects (30%).
Grading Scale:
93-100 = A
86 - 89 = B+
83 - 85 = B
80 - 82 = B-
76 - 79 = C+
73 - 75 = C
70 - 72 = C-
66 - 69 = D+
60 - 65 = D
0 - 59 = F
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