Welcome to Math on Team Beech!
TEAM BEECH MATH INFORMATION 2014 – 2015
Fred Hutchinson
[email protected]
Connect Math Program 3 :
Last spring, the Salem School District chose to adjust their math curriculum here at the Woodbury Middle School. Now all three grades will be using a program called Connected Math Program 3 (CMP3). 7th and 8th grade had been using the previous edition of this program (CMP2), while 6th grade had been using Everyday Math. This program (CMP3) is language based and uses “investigations” as the basis for applying the teaching of the Common Core State Standards. Focus questions initiate the basic lesson sequence of Launch, Exploration, and Summarizing. A major difference in this math program is the shift from teacher–focused learning to student-focused learning, as students often explore math in small groups. Another difference is the amount of explanation the students are expected to provide in many of their answers to the problems/questions that are in the books. Additionally, a supplemental online program that supports Connected Math Program 3 called “Math XL” will be rolled out to help provide a way for students to strengthen their weaknesses in math.
Grading:
The school district has begun the process of changing grading to standards-based assessments and has started this at Salem High School this year. In anticipation of this method in the very near future here at WMS, the three math teachers in grade 7 decided to begin changing how we grade to conform to this approach. Formative assessments are de-emphasized (such as homework) and the focus is on summative assessments that reflect only the level of achievement of the standards. In the past, students’ averages may have included grades based on effort or organization, for example. While those are important components of learning, they don’t accurately project attainment of learning standards.
With that said, homework will be assigned, checked regularly, and reviewed but will not be involved in their grades on progress reports or report cards. Each child’s record will be displayed on Infinite Campus so that you can see if they are keeping up with assigned homework. The number “3” indicates that the student passed in the assignment on time and it shows good effort, the number “2” indicates that the student passed in the assignment on time and the effort was satisfactory, the number “1” indicates that the student passed in the assignment on time and the effort was not satisfactory or incomplete, and finally, the number “0” indicates that it was not turned in.
I will be using a points system to compute the quarterly average. This means that I will divide the total number of points achieved by the total number of points possible to get each child’s average. Tests and projects will be worth 300 -400 points, quizzes will be worth 100 points, graded worksheets, partner quizzes, and trio checks will be worth 50 -100 points. The majority of these assessments will be common to all of 7th grade, as most of them will be generated by the 3 math teachers in grade 7.
Re-Takes:
Students may re-take any graded assessment , following these guidelines: 1.) Parent signature, 2.) Student submits Error Analysis, and a brief Reflection/Resolution Plan, 3.) Meets with the teacher for assistance, and 4.) Completes all this within 2 weeks from receiving the assessment back*.
Extra Help: I’m available each morning at 7 a.m., each Directed Study from 9:02 – 9:32 on Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Thursdays and after school by “appointment”. Please see me for a morning pass in advance, if possible. If you didn’t know you would need assistance, see the 7th grade teachers on duty in the small gym and ask to see me. Please be sure to not leave any answers blank, no matter how difficult. Put something down to show your effort. I’m not available after school until after the WMS soccer season is over in early October. Always ask me ahead of time (“appointment”) if you want to stay after for help. My first question will always be to ask you how you ”helped yourself” at home.
Fred Hutchinson
[email protected]
Connect Math Program 3 :
Last spring, the Salem School District chose to adjust their math curriculum here at the Woodbury Middle School. Now all three grades will be using a program called Connected Math Program 3 (CMP3). 7th and 8th grade had been using the previous edition of this program (CMP2), while 6th grade had been using Everyday Math. This program (CMP3) is language based and uses “investigations” as the basis for applying the teaching of the Common Core State Standards. Focus questions initiate the basic lesson sequence of Launch, Exploration, and Summarizing. A major difference in this math program is the shift from teacher–focused learning to student-focused learning, as students often explore math in small groups. Another difference is the amount of explanation the students are expected to provide in many of their answers to the problems/questions that are in the books. Additionally, a supplemental online program that supports Connected Math Program 3 called “Math XL” will be rolled out to help provide a way for students to strengthen their weaknesses in math.
Grading:
The school district has begun the process of changing grading to standards-based assessments and has started this at Salem High School this year. In anticipation of this method in the very near future here at WMS, the three math teachers in grade 7 decided to begin changing how we grade to conform to this approach. Formative assessments are de-emphasized (such as homework) and the focus is on summative assessments that reflect only the level of achievement of the standards. In the past, students’ averages may have included grades based on effort or organization, for example. While those are important components of learning, they don’t accurately project attainment of learning standards.
With that said, homework will be assigned, checked regularly, and reviewed but will not be involved in their grades on progress reports or report cards. Each child’s record will be displayed on Infinite Campus so that you can see if they are keeping up with assigned homework. The number “3” indicates that the student passed in the assignment on time and it shows good effort, the number “2” indicates that the student passed in the assignment on time and the effort was satisfactory, the number “1” indicates that the student passed in the assignment on time and the effort was not satisfactory or incomplete, and finally, the number “0” indicates that it was not turned in.
I will be using a points system to compute the quarterly average. This means that I will divide the total number of points achieved by the total number of points possible to get each child’s average. Tests and projects will be worth 300 -400 points, quizzes will be worth 100 points, graded worksheets, partner quizzes, and trio checks will be worth 50 -100 points. The majority of these assessments will be common to all of 7th grade, as most of them will be generated by the 3 math teachers in grade 7.
Re-Takes:
Students may re-take any graded assessment , following these guidelines: 1.) Parent signature, 2.) Student submits Error Analysis, and a brief Reflection/Resolution Plan, 3.) Meets with the teacher for assistance, and 4.) Completes all this within 2 weeks from receiving the assessment back*.
Extra Help: I’m available each morning at 7 a.m., each Directed Study from 9:02 – 9:32 on Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Thursdays and after school by “appointment”. Please see me for a morning pass in advance, if possible. If you didn’t know you would need assistance, see the 7th grade teachers on duty in the small gym and ask to see me. Please be sure to not leave any answers blank, no matter how difficult. Put something down to show your effort. I’m not available after school until after the WMS soccer season is over in early October. Always ask me ahead of time (“appointment”) if you want to stay after for help. My first question will always be to ask you how you ”helped yourself” at home.