Welcome to Pre-AP Pre-algebra with Ms. Campbell!

This is going to be an exciting year, as we dive into a combined 7th and 8th grade curriculum in preparation for entering algebra a year early. In today’s world, the chance to get as much math under your belt as possible before college can be a real advantage, both in terms of expensive tuition and preparation for a high-tech society. Congratulations on making it into the program!

You can expect:
 To be challenged – strive for the best, but remember that this is a big jump from what you’ve done before. A Pre-AP B is worth more than an ordinary A. We all need challenges in order to grow.
 To spend every minute of class time doing math – off-task or time-wasting behavior will not be tolerated.
 About 30 minutes of homework per week night – much like music, math is a skill. Skills take practice.
 To do some fun and cool stuff – the fascinating world we live in is drenched in numbers and math. Let’s explore it!

MATERIALS
I will provide you with a pocket folder (kept in the classroom) in which to collect homework and class work to be turned in each Friday and averaged together into one weekly work grade. In a composition book, you will take notes and write a minimum of two essays per week (Problem of the Week and Explore). Occasionally, additional in-class or homework essays may be assigned. The composition book will be kept in your binder and turned in each Wednesday for a grade. To get through the school year, you will probably need at least two of them. You will also maintain a math divider and/or pocket in your binder, where you can keep handouts, project direction sheets, foldables, etc.

Come to class each day, equipped with two sharp pencils, at least one black pen and one red pen. The teachers will store your additional pens and pencils for use throughout the year. You may obtain one additional black pen and red pen, and 12 additional pencils from me during the course of the year. (Your other core teachers will have the rest of them for you.) If you use up these supplies, you are responsible for equipping yourself. Any student who is not prepared with a sharp pencil before class starts will be provided with a marker and will receive a 5 point deduction from any grade which is not completely done in pencil. (Or graded in red pen.)

I will dole out notebook paper and graph paper as needed for class work. You will need to obtain some additional paper for your homework assignments. Please do keep a calculator in your binder, if possible. We will use them for averaging grades and various other tasks, but not for routine class work. Please use your calculator only for the more complex homework problems – not all of them.

GRADING POLICIES – Homework, Classwork and Quizzes 50%
Tests and Projects 50%

Homework – Check the weekly agenda in your planner or on the website to see what the assignment is. The homework and class work will be given a combined weekly grade based on completeness and correctness. Every sheet of paper in your folder must have an identifying title, a date and your name. Points will be deducted for incomplete information. Unidentified assignments will not be counted. There will be a separate grade given each week for the notes and essays done in the composition book.

**ALL PROBLEMS MUST SHOW WORK**
As we gear up for algebra, there will be an increased emphasis on justification. Math is more than right answers – you must justify every answer with work and/or explanation or no credit will be given. (This is the policy next year, too, so let’s get used to it now. Think of yourself as a detective or lawyer building a case. Blind accusations won’t cut it – you need proof!)

Quizzes – Once or twice a week there will be a quiz on key concepts and vocabulary. Keeping up with the homework and studying the current vocabulary list will be excellent preparation for these quizzes.

Tests and Projects – Each of the six terms will include about two tests, and one or two projects (some corrections, some hands-on creations), which will count as a test grade. Take home your graded homework packet each week and keep them organized in a folder, so you can use them, as will as the notes in your composition book, and your foldables, to study for the tests. If you fail a test, you have one week to come in during tutorials and retake it for a best grade of 70%.

Absence – Anytime you are absent, you will miss important information and possibly tests or quizzes. It is your responsibility to come in during tutorials to get caught up after every absence.

Tutorials – T, W, Th mornings and M, W afternoons
Please, please, please feel free to come in to tutorials to ask questions about homework, projects, or anything else that needs clarification. Also, I can work with you individually to help you master any topic giving you trouble.

Math Club/UIL – T, Th afternoons (Seeking parent volunteers to help with organization, tutoring, snacks, etc.)
Website – classroom.ldisd.net/webs/scampbell/
e-mail – scampbell@ldisd.net

Parents – Please feel free to contact me anytime. (E-mail is quickest and best.) We are a team, working to help your child reach his/her full potential, and I am always very happy to address questions, concerns, or just get acquainted.