Welcome to Mrs. S. Suarez's 8th Grade Mathematics

A year of Exploration & Discovering the treasures of mathematics

I. Contact Information

Room Number: 429

Hours of Planning: 8:30A.M - 9:30 A.M

Email: susan.suarez2@browardschools.com

Phone: (754) 323-4600

II. Course Objectives

Mathematics is one of the most vital tools for any student. It is a tool that they need for everyday life. The purpose of this course is to develop and strengthen how to use math in our everyday life, strengthen our knowledge in the subject, as we develop a different approach of understanding it.

The GEM Program is designed to allow students to move at a faster pace than they would in a regular program. Qualifying students for the GEM program must have a score of 380 or above in Math and a 300 on the reading portion on the Sunshine State Standards (SSS) - Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). GEM students need to go one step further, analyzing non-routine problems and digging beneath the surface in order to see the beauty, elegance, and application of the mathematics being learned.

The GEM students in 8th grade take Geometry, a mathematics course that is the study of visual patterns. The textbook that the students use is unique in that the students actually create geometry for themselves as they proceed through the activities and problems. Concepts are first introduced visually, then analytically, then inductively, and, finally deductively. Students are first involved in investigating and conjecturing before they are exposed to formal proofs. The purpose of the GEM geometry curriculum is not merely to create computationally efficient students, but to offer a learning environment where students are challenged and engaged in complex mathematics problems that can be directly applied to real-world settings.

 Book: GEOMETRY Prentice Hall

 III. Academic Expectations

a-    All the students have to be ready to explore the concepts in mathematics at all times.

b-   Students must take notes and create their own conclusions on their explorations.

c-    Students must be ready for quizzes at all times during the class.

d-    Students must be responsible for their assignments and to maintain at least a C or better as a grade in the course.   

f. Homework: I expect you to have your homework with you the day it is due.  I will only accept late homework if you have an excused absence or we’ve made special arrangements prior to the due date.

Homework is given every single day from Monday to Thursday except on some occasions, in which homework will be assigned on Friday. Any Friday homework is expected to be turned in on Monday at the beginning of class.

 It is expected that all the students complete their homework every day. As it will be checked every day. That is the best tool they have to measure if they understand what they are doing in class every day.

Homework for the week will be collect on Fridays, as soon as they come to class.

Homework will be part of their grade during the first and second quarter.  

IV. Suggested Materials

A-One 1-inch binder or One Folder

G- 1 Compass (for home to do homework)

H- 1 Protractor (for home to do homework)

J- Any color pen (Except Green or Red) 

K- A highlighter any color.

V. Rules and Consequences: 

a. All students must wear their School ID around their neck (School policy)

Consequence: It will be recorder on Pinnacle as an infraction. 

                       *3 times with no ID a 30 minutes detention will be issued.

b. You are expected to arrive to class on time every day, and be ready to work when the bell rings.

Consequence: It is important that each student is in their seat and working on math warm-ups when the bell rings. At the result of getting to class 3 times tardy the student will be given a detention. It is imperative that they are in class on time, for at any given moment a pop quiz will be given, and if tardy they will have missed the quiz.  Unexcused tardies will not be able to take the Pop Quizzes given at the beginning of that class period. However, as a result, their following quiz will count double.

c. If you are absent from my class it is the student's responsibility to make up any work they have missed. There are several ways the student can find out what work they have missed. For example, it will be listed on schoolnotes.com, in the student agenda in the classroom board, and they are more than welcome to either ask a peer, or see me after class or at another scheduled time to catch up.

 d. This is a Gum and Food Free Classroom. Therefore, there is to be NO eating, drinking, chewing gum, personal grooming, or any other types of activities not related to academic learning.

e. Show respect for the teacher as well as the students at all times.

      Examples of  disrespect are the following:

       -talking while I’m talking to the class

       -talking while other students are talking (sharing their ideas) to the class.  This includes whispering.  You are required to listen to other students who share their thoughts.

       -fighting

       -insulting me or other students (for example, name calling, cursing, or “dissing” the ideas and insights of others in class).

       -using derogatory language (curse words or racially-driven words).

VI. Infraction and Procedures:

         First Offense: A verbal warning will be given.

         Second Offense: A second verbal warning will be given students, a student/teacher conference, and parent contact will be made either by phone or email

         Third Offense: A 30 minutes detention will be given

         Fourth Offense: A referral will be given. 

VII. Classroom Methods of Teaching

Class time will be distributed as follows:

      a. Lectures/Classroom discussion

      b. Group work

      c. Independent work

      d. Computer Research

      e. Powerpoint Presentations

VIII. Grades and Percentages

Individual quizzes, tests, homework, and other assignments are valued differently and are graded by point value.  Your grade will be determined by the following percentage breakdown:

Exams                                                                       40%

Quizzes                                                                     30%

Homework                                                                  10%

Chapter summary                                                       15%

Classroom Activities and SURF                                       5%

Total------------------------------------------------à    100%

a. Exams/Test  will be given most of the time on Fridays, and announced with at least two days in advance.

b. Quizzes will be based on homework, classwork, and class discussions. They can be announced or unannounced based on the teacher’s discretion.

c. Homework is mandatory and will be checked at the beginning of the class period, and collected on occasions. Homework must be turned in by the due date in order to receive full credit. Students that have not completed the assigned homework will receive a zero for that assignment.

The GEM students will have a Midterm and a Final exam, both exams are District Exams, which they have to pass with a 75% or better in order to get the High School credit for the course.

If should have any question or concern please contact me at:

Susan.suarez2@browardschools.com

Phone# (754) 323-4600 ext: 3117