An Eighth Grade Course Outline - Mr. Jakus - Mathematics
8TH Grade General Mathematics - 2009-2010
Teacher: Mr. Jakus
Books: The Connected Mathematics Series. Click on a book to read a parent letter about that book:
Supplementary Books:
- Basic Mathematics - Bittenger & Keedy
- Arithmetic - Barker, Rogers & Van Dyke
- Basic Mathematics - Novak
- Algebra 1: An Integrated Approach McDougal, Littell & Company
- Gateways to Algebra and Geometry: An Integrated Approach McDougal, Littell & Company
Learning is the number one academic priority in this math class. Learning is often the result of schoolwork. I assess student learning by analyzing a variety of products resulting from student engagement in educational activities based upon learning standards and frameworks. Students who work to produce a well-organized math notebook are usually well-prepared to use their notebooks, and standards related ideas in their notebooks, to give "high quality" correct responses to math questions on tests, quizzes, and in discussions. Quiz scores and test scores are major components of every student's grade assignment. In general, students are allowed to use their math notebook and calculator for assistance in developing and finding answers to assessment items. Each student should have a calculator of his or her own (and lots of scratch paper and graph paper too). Extended responses to questions are usually graded most favorably. A "rubric" has been adopted officially for use in grading three aspects of student work. This rubric requires that students
- demonstrate, describe, and explain their mathematical strategies.
- demonstrate and explain their mathematical knowledge. And
- fully and correctly explain logical steps and reasoning that they use to answer math questions.
This rubric is described fully at the Illinois State Board of Education web site.
Learning is also a result of independent efforts students make to complete all homework assignments in a timely way and efforts students make to learn by studying independently, at home, during evenings, weekends, and other times off. Developing and improving math vocabulary is also extremely important for successful performance in math. Please follow the links given here to look up connected math vocabulary words. - Click here to find definitions for words from A to D.
- Click here to find definitions for words from E to H.
- Click here to find definitions for words from I to L.
- Click here to find definitions for words from M to P.
- Click here to find definitions for words from Q to S.
- Click here to find definitions for words from T to Z.
Or, click here to have a look at another math dictionary.
Students who engage in performance-based academic behaviors are also usually most well-prepared to participate in fuller explorations and extension questions based upon the concepts being developed in class.
I do not accept late work. Grades that are missing for work that is not turned in on time are determined from a student's score on the final exam for that grading period. Work turned in that was low in quality is also re-considered and re-evaluated after a student completes the final exam for that grading period.
Grades are calculated from a total of 3 main sources:
- an average of test and quiz scores (daily/weekly grades) 20%
- a final exam score (the final week of each semester) 35%
- a math-notebook grade (collected after the final exam) 45%
I expect all notebook work to contain corrections that satisfy "target 4" ISAT rubric standards as presented in class. All corrections have been presented in class for students to copy into their math notebooks for students to review and study and to ask questions about in class. If five assignments from the list of a respective grading period work that your notebook must contain file are not in a math notebook, then that math notebook grade will be an F. Refer to the assignment lists on the left for details from each grading period.
Students are held to an academic code of honor that encourages personal responsibility, and appropriate group and individual work. Cheating with others, and copying work from others guarantees a failing grade on any given assignment or test.
A Word About Attendance. In an important sense, attendance means more than to be present in a certain room by a certain time. In general, "To attend," means to direct your focus on a particular person, place or thing (for example, on 'an idea')". It means to "give care and thought." This is the kind of attendance that is most important to me as a teacher. I would like to know that all of my students recognize the deeper meaning of "attend" and practice it every day throughout the school day and beyond.
Research on school attendance indicates that students who attend regularly achieve the highest rates of success on their report cards and on the I.S.A.T. test. According to research, students whose attendance is erratic and/or inconsistent are not usually prepared most fully to perform well in school. Daily attendance is critical! Please also consider that inconsistent and/or erratic attendance at the high-school has been the cause for absolute failure, requirements to repeat a semester and, in many cases, dropping out of school. Responsibility, with respect to attendance is a life-skill that is essential in order to successfully hold a job and get promotions in all walks of life - outside of school. This is why we consider timeliness to be so important.
Attendance is important. Please do not miss school on days when it is scheduled to meet; this includes holidays. Your education is extremely important to you, your fellow students, and our community. Students who take extended vacations in the middle of a school year may not only be falling behind themselves, but also retarding the academic growth and performance of all other students in their classes, on their team, and in their community. I know this may seem like an untrue statement when you first hear it, but please believe me... it is TRUE (for many complicated reasons). Please check the Waukegan School District calendar on the Waukegan School's Home Page before you plan an extended vacation. We all need you here (and on time) - every day.
Students on my eighth-grade team follow a nine period schedule. I see my students each day for a double-period of math (called a blocked schedule). Most Jefferson students have a blocked schedule for their math and communications classes. I see students in room 178 during three blocked times. These times are:
- periods 1 and 2
- periods 4 and 5
- periods 8 and 9
All teachers on this team meet every day from 11:25 - 12:06 to handle team business, to call and/or meet with parents, or to arrange field trips or meet with individual students. On Tuesdays, during this time, team members meet to discuss special class accommodations and modifications that will be implemented, and on Thursdays during this period, the team counselor meets with the team to coordinate services for our students.
Other News
Thus far this year, I am a bit disappointed to report, I have observed far too many tardies to school and to classes. Consequences for being tardy once include the assignment of a detention. Detentions are scheduled to go from 2:30PM until 3:20PM on Tuesdays and Friday
As per the Jefferson Student Handbook, AND the eighth-grade team rules, students who fail to attend a scheduled detention - for attendance violations or for other reasons (All parents have signed a form indicating familiarity with the school rules) are automatically assigned a second detention and if continued refusal to cooperate and conform occurs they will be referred to the building administration for additional consequences. The original detentions are not removed from student files until they have been served; even if additional consequences were assigned by the administration.
A student connect form shall be linked here to provide you with information to help you review this important component of the 8th grade team problem-solving format.
Finally, the following table summarizes the 8th grade team's behavioral expectations and consequences.
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RULE
(Area of Concern) |
CONSEQUENCE |
- Safety
- No roughhousing on school property
- Respect
- No Gum Chewing/Candy
- Violation of Honor and Trust
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May include one or more of the following:
- Verbal Warning
- One-on-One student/teacher conference
- Phone call home
- Meeting with counselor or social worker
- Student Reflection (Student Connect Form)
- Parent Meeting With teacher and/or team
- After school detention
- Referral
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Expectations |
1. Emergency Procedures
- Please stay together as a class both as we are exiting the building and once we are outside of it.
- No talking - for your safety. Teachers need to take attendance and you need to listen for their instructions.
2. On Time and Prepared for Class
- Please get to class on time (three minute passing time - maximum) and prepared (with all necessary materials), so we may immediately get to work.
- Be seated in your desk upon entering the room and begin working on any assignments on the board or overhead.
3. Classroom Dismissal
- Your teacher is to be the only one authorized to dismiss students from class.
4. Homework/Assignments
- Turn in homework to your classes "in" folder at the beginning of class.
- Extra-credit labs, and projects will NOT be accepted late
- Students should always use a standard homework heading at the top right corner of student papers and should include names (last name, first name), date, teacher's name, assignment, and date (month,day,year).
5. Absences
- If you are absent, it is the student's responsibility to check with the teacher to receive and turn-in missing assignments.
- You may have one day for each day missed to make up work. Please understand that if you are absent for prolonged periods, we may need to adjust this policy in your behalf. Please discuss this with your teachers.
- Some teachers have on-line homework sites that you may access from internet connected computers anywhere. Mr. Jakus has math class information at: http://www.waukeganschools.org/rjakus
6. Student and Teacher Supplies
- Teachers may provide some student supplies. If you forget a pencil or pen, you may rent one by leaving an item of value with your teacher.
- Please return all borrowed items to their proper areas when you're finished.
- DO NOT help yourself to teacher materials or go into your teacher's desks or filing cabinets. If you need something that is not out and available, please ask. We will try to accommodate your request.
7. Agendas
- Please bring your agenda to all classes. They will not only be used to help you record your homework assignments, but they may be used to correspond with parents.
- Agendas will also be used as hallway, bathroom, office, and locker passes. Some teachers will not allow you to leave the room without your agenda, so make sure to bring it to class every day.
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Efforts to schedule field trips and other enriching events are also underway. Please check back to this website from time to time to see what kind of progress we are making in this area. Please note that all adult support and contributions are always welcome! If you have some time to volunteer, we will find some way to include you in our efforts to provide the best possible educational experience for all children at Jefferson.
I promise to try my best every day to be:
- supportive rather than critical
- encouraging rather that blaming
- listening rather than complaining
- accepting rather than nagging
- trusting rather than threatening
- respecting rather than punishing, and to
- willing to negotiate directly and personally about differences rather than to manipulate, bribe or reward to control student behavior.
If you think I am not being fair in any way, please let me know and I will do my best to change.
Thank You, and Have A Nice Day.
Mr. Jakus
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