Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions
of students and parents.
- When does school start?
- Will I have math homework?
- Is there a time when the teacher can provide extra help?
- What is the best way to contact the teacher?
- How is the quarter grade calculated?
- Is there any extra credit available?
- Can parents meet with the teacher?
- How can the parents know what is expected from their student?
- How should I keep organized for MATH or SCIENCE ?
- What is the MATH Computational Practice Sheet (CP)?
- How can parent/student know their progress throughout the quarter?
When does school start?
September 6, 2011 at 8:40 am
Will I have math homework?
Yes, several problems will be started in class and must be
finished for HW, if not completed in class.
Students are expected to check and correct all ODD-numbered
problems (as they do the HW) BEFORE doing the next problem.
Use the answers in the back of the book.
We will review answers to the even-numbered problems the next
day at the beginning of class, and discuss any problems
encountered while attempting corrections on any problem.
MATH only ******Always show work in pencil or no credit will be
given. Always grade and correct in non-black pen.**********
CORRECTIONS are to be done in pen(not black ink) next to the
incorrect problem in the spiral notebook, so that
students can see what they did wrong and fix it.
Is there a time when the teacher can provide extra help?
Yes, students can come to RM 46 before school at 8:25 or at
break most days.
All missing, late or absent work will be handled between
teacher/student at these times.
Missed SCIENCE labs must be made up on the
following Thursday after school.
MATH students may also come then for extra help.
What is the best way to contact the teacher?
Email is the preferred and most efficient way to communicate.
My email is dderossett@pylusd.org.
Phone messages may also be left at 714) 986-7460 X 47446, and I
will return your call as soon as possible.
How is the quarter grade calculated?
MATH and SCIENCE - see class handout for details.
The scores received on MATH quizzes and tests (80%) are the
bulk of the grade with homework and class participation added in as a
smaller percentage (20%).
Properly corrected and signed tests are REQUIRED.
When a student corrects their mistakes, he or she is more able
successfully move on.
SCIENCE grades are not weighted.
Spiral notebooks are checked periodically and
completed assignments are stamped. Spiral notebook
should be well-organized with all notes and homework
assignments properly labeled and corrected.
Is there any extra credit available?
Usually not, students are expected to complete daily homework
neatly and promptly. The student is encouraged to seek help
when they are struggling.
Students are also expected to return ALL tests and quizzes
after corrections have been made in pen and the test is signed
by the parent.
This is an effective way to keep parents informed of their
child's progress, as well as alert them to any struggles that
arise.
Can parents meet with the teacher?
Of course, just email or call to make an appointment. The best
day for me is usually Thursday after school or Friday before
school.
How can the parents know what is expected from their student?
Students are to record the daily assignment from the board in
their binder reminder upon entering class. Most nights the
homework is posted on my web site as a secondary reference.
Students also have 2 study buddies that can be contacted by
phone.
The notes for the day will be found on the right side of the
spiral. Please be sure the student is taking notes clearly and
completely.
All HW and tests are to be written in pencil only. If pen is
used, the assignment or test will not be accepted.
ALL grading and corrections will be made in pen (not black ink)
immediately next to the problem missed. Please do not use
black ink as it looks too much like pencil.
ALL WORK MUST BE SHOWN OR NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN.
How should I keep organized for MATH or SCIENCE ?
MATH and SCIENCE - students are required to purchase
an 8 1/2" by 11" spiral notebook with a plastic cover and pocket
inside. You will need one per semester for each class.
The 2nd semester spiral for each student will be stored in RM 46.
These can be obtained at various stores like Staples,
Office Depot, etc. The spiral must have at least 100 pages.
The plastic cover provides a spiral with greater durability since
students will be required to have these at all times throughout
the year.
Notes and examples will be copied in class on the right side of
the spiral. All students will number the pages in the spiral -
they must use the spiral for ONLY one subject!
Sometimes handouts are given.
In this case, we will glue the sheet into the spiral.
Please bring a glue stick and scissors to class.
Students are to use the correct page for each assignment.
If an extra sheet is required for an assignment, the student is
to glue a loose-leaf sheet at the top of the HW page needing
additional space.
The left side of the spiral in MATH class will be for
HW problems and pen corrections with an answer column
along the outer edge.
Correcting missed problems and jotting a "note to self" helps
the student stop making the same mistake in the future.
The left side in SCIENCE class will be used to further process
the lesson of the day using various means as directed in class.
Whether the student is in class or at home working, everything
is organized and readily available. Parents and students can
see all work in one place. Every student's notebook will be
organized in the same manner and can be used to discuss by
citing the page number.
What is the MATH Computational Practice Sheet (CP)?
This worksheet is provided periodically, and the student is to
complete 4 problems a night from this sheet in addition to
their assigned classwork.
STUDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET 100% ON THESE CP'S by obtaining
extra help ahead of the due date.
On the due date, we will grade the CP and take a score. All
work must be shown in the space provided or on an attached
sheet if you write large.
The CP sheets contain various problems that strengthen the
student's basic skills at a level higher than expected. There
is adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing of whole
numbers, mixed numbers, fractions, integers and decimals.
Students are tested on these basic skills several times and
grades above 70% are posted.
It is one of my joys to watch the list drastically increase
as students practice these skills daily.
How can parent/student know their progress throughout the quarter?
The AERIES system is designed to keep parents informed and
should be checked often. All problems missed on a test are to
be corrected by the student in pen. The test is then signed by
the parent and returned to the teacher. I will keep these on
file in the classroom.
Periodically, I will send out an email from Aeries, so that
parents can be aware of the grade. These are FYI.
Official Progress Reports are distributed from the district by
mail to the parents half-way through each quarter.
Students are also responsible to keep their parents informed of
their grade in class.
Also, EVERY quiz or test is returned to the student with a
score for a parent signature. I ask that the parent sign
the test each time after the student has corrected the problems
missed and that the student return it the next day for filing.
I may give extra points for returning the signed and
corrected test the next day.
My website will state when a test has been given and returned
for signing.
Each chapter usually has a mid-chapter test given.
At the end of each chapter, a chapter test will also be given.
Pop quizzes are to be expected.
Spiral notebooks containing completed notes and HW are due
before the unit test is given.
Pop quizzes may be given at any time and will be based on
successful completion of the homework.
Parents, please ask to see the quizzes and tests with
the corrections done properly IN PEN. This will greatly
enhance your student's learning.
