7TH GRADE MATH SYLLABUS

Ms. Kelly Taylor

Sossaman Middle School - HUSD
2020 – 2021

Grow, Learn, Lead

Contact Information:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 480.279.8554 (voicemail only) Room: 224
School Hours: M - F 8:50 am – 3:50 pm
Tutoring Hours: Tues and Thurs 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Teacher Pages: http://www.husd.org/Domain/1161
Conferences are available by appointment. The best way for parents to reach me is by email.

Course Description: The curriculum for this course aligns with the College and Career
Readiness Standards for Mathematics which may be viewed on the Arizona Department of
Education website. http://www.azed.gov/azccrs/

Curriculum: This year the students will be using the following curriculum: Glencoe Math –
McGraw Hill Education – Course 2. Students will have digital access to all curriculum. Materials
can be accessed by the following link:

https://connected.mcgraw-hill.com/connected/

Ratios and Proportional Relationships (RP)

Analyze proportional relationships and use them to solve real‐world and mathematical problems

The Number System (NS)

Apply and extend previous understandings of operations with fractions to add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational numbers

Expressions and Equations (EE)

Use properties of operations to generate equivalent expressions
Solve real‐life and mathematical problems using numerical and algebraic expressions and equations

Geometry (G)
Draw, construct and describe geometrical figures and describe the relationships between them
Solve real‐life and mathematical problems involving angle measure, area, surface area, and volume

Statistics and Probability (SP)

Use random sampling to draw inferences about a population
Draw informal comparative inferences about two populations
 Investigate chance processes, and develop, use, and evaluate probability models

ALEKS:
Students will also use the ALEKS (Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces) program. It is
a Web-based, artificial intelligent assessment and learning system that follows our curriculum.
ALEKS uses adaptive questioning to quickly and accurately determine exactly what a student
knows and doesn't know in a course. ALEKS then instructs the student on the topics he/she is
most ready to learn.

Canvas:
Canvas is our primary platform for all communication. This will be your child’s primary resource
for contact information, assignments and due dates, expectations, and resources.

Materials:
Students are expected to bring appropriate materials to each class. Please refer to the
Supplies/Wish List link on my teacher page for needed materials. Curriculum resources are
digital.

Classroom Rules: District policies are followed as outlined in the school-wide Student Code of
Conduct. Classroom Rules are posted on the bulletin board. Rules are based on a foundation of
Respect & Accountability.

The progression of consequences if rules aren’t followed:

1. Verbal warning
2. Change in seating assignment
3. Complete goal sheet (parent asked to sign and return)
4. Lunch Detention
5. Parent/Teacher Conference
6. Office Referral
**In some cases some or all of these steps may be skipped depending on the level of the offense.

Homework:
Homework is an important part of learning and mastering math concepts. Students should
expect of have 15-30 minutes of math homework Monday through Thursday in order to
reinforce concepts taught during class. Students receive credit for the assignment.

Late Homework:
Students are expected to complete assignments on time. In the event of an absence, it is the
student’s responsibility to check Canvas, and or with his/her class buddy for missed work and
notes. If there are extenuating circumstances that caused the assignment to be late, parents
should email me. All late assignments will be accepted, if turned in within the time frame of that
unit. If the unit has been completed, it is the teacher’s discretion, whether or not to accept
the assignment.
Grading:
We follow the District Grading Policy. The grading scale is as follows:
100% - 90% - A
89% - 80% - B
79% - 70% - C
69% - 60% - D
59% or below – F

Weighted Grading Scale:

Grades are based on 80% Assessments and 20% Practice

• 80% Assessments
o 20% Cumulative Semester Final
o 60% Unit/Module Tests, Quizzes, Checkpoints
• 20% Practice
o 10% Classwork
o 10% Homework based of effort, work shown, neatness and completeness

The lowest test score and the lowest homework score will be dropped from the grade book at the end of
each semester.

• SMS incorporates a zero policy. Assignments will not be accepted that do not meet
minimal standards of completion.
• On all assessments given by the teacher, there is no minimum grade. Students will
receive the grade that they earned on the assessment.
• Any assignment that is not submitted by the end of the unit of study or two weeks prior to
the end of the semester (teacher discretion), will remain a zero in the grade book.

Homework must be complete and “on-time” (ready at the beginning of class).

All written assignments need to be done in pencil.
All supporting work must be shown for each problem. (Defend your answers!)
Work must be properly labeled with your name, class hour, and assignment
Identify answers
Extra credit will not be available.

Redo and Retake:

SMS encourages students to redo/retake assessments on which they performed below their level
of mastery (excluding the Final and District Assessments). In order to be eligible to schedule a
redo/retake time with a student must complete the following tasks:

• Ensure all assignments for the unit of study are turned in

 • Meet with the teacher to establish criteria to complete the redo/retake form and
associated tasks
• Submit a retake form signed by both the student and parent
A student’s opportunity to redo/retake an assessment is always subject to teacher discretion.

Interactive Notebook (INB) Guidelines:

• Students must have their Interactive Notebook every day to organize and record their
work.
• Table of Contents and Notes must be kept current, dated, labeled, and page numbered
• Students will grade their work and complete corrections in pen

Technology:

Laptops will be issued to the students and used in the classroom for educational purposes.
Students and parents will be required to sign and adhere to the District Technology Policies and
the iPad User Agreement.

Plagiarism/Academic Integrity:

Academic integrity is expected on all assignments. Plagiarism is defined as presenting the work
of another as one’s own. Cheating on an assignment or assessment is another activity that
violates ethics and school rules. Any work that exhibits cheating/plagiarism, will result in a
zero, parental notification, and disciplinary action may be taken.

After School Detention (ASD):

SMS staff and administration believe in the value and importance of teaching students responsibility and
accountability. As a result, students may be assigned After School Detention (ASD). ASD will be held
three days a week. Students who are assigned ASD will serve on the next scheduled ASD day. Students
will not serve on the day it is assigned to allow parents the opportunity to make arrangements to pick up
their child. District transportation cannot be provided for ASD. Students will need to be picked up no
later than 4:30 pm. ASD may be assigned by a teacher for the following reasons:

• Tardy to Class
• Unprepared for Class (missing materials, uncharged iPad, etc.)
• Failure to submit an assignment on the due date

The ASD program is not meant to address behavior issues in the classroom. However, a teacher may utilize lunch
detention, after school detention, or hold student/parent conference in order to address inappropriate behaviors
in the classroom. These consequences are not related to the ASD program and will be accompanied by
communication from the classroom teacher.