Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions
of students and parents.
- What materials should I bring every day?
- What is expected of me?
- What can you expect from Mrs Brown?
- What goes into the math binder?
- Can I turn in late work?
- How will I (my child) do in this class?
- Can I come in for extra help?
- Can I leave the room if I need to?
- What if I don't understand?
- Do we have a class routine?
- How should I head my homework paper?
- Why don't I see an assignment on Skyward?
- What are my teacher's pet peeves?
What materials should I bring every day?
Math binder textbook pencil bag (highliter, pens, pencils, erasers)
What is expected of me?
1. You are expected to come to school on time and prepared to learn.
2. You are expected to bring your "stuff" to class.
3. You are expected to cooperate so others can learn and you can too!
4. You are expected to be responsible for your own learning. This means take notes,
do your homework, and study for exams. Actually study!!!
5. You are expected to participate and absorb as much as possible.
6. You are expected to follow classroom procedures and school rules.
7. You are expected to get along with others.
8. You are expected to work bell to bell. Your teacher will dismiss you.
9. You are expected to feel good about your achievements and rebound from your setbacks.
10. You are expected to make mistakes and learn from them.
11. You are expected to maintain and organize your notebook. it is a grade.
12. You are expected to come to homework party if you need to catch up.
13. You are expected to collect and manage your own Panther Paws for priviledges etc.
What can you expect from Mrs Brown?
1. You can expect to be treated fairly. Come talk to me if you think we need to discuss
a situation or make a compromise.
2. You can expect a calm and friendly work atmosphere.
3. You can expect me to give you challenging and rigorous work to do.
4. You can expect me to call home if there is a problem you aren't taking care of.
5. You can expect me to give you a warning, checkmark, call home, and detention if
you can't manage yourself in the room.
6. You can expect an automatic detention if you receive 3 checks in a period.
What goes into the math binder?
Everyone will keep an interactive class notebook. It will be graded and must include the following...
1. Journal and warm up questions.
2. Vocab activities.
3. Notes taken in class and handouts given with notes on them. Must include section number
and title.
4. Graded homework. Keep these in order by section number.
5. Tests and quizzes.
Can I turn in late work?
You may turn in a late for but it will receive a 20% reduction in grade. After 1 week, the late paper
will be reduced by 50%. Turn in work for the current chapter only. Assignments
turned in after the chapter is over will not be accepted. No DWP's or vocab is accepted late.
How will I (my child) do in this class?
This seems like a strange question but I specifically added this because there are some students
who do not do well in Math. This is not due to lack of natural ability or genetics. It occurs when
students do not practice math (do homework) or attend class regularly. Math is like a sport.
You need to show up and practice everyday. Effort is key to success!!!!
Can I come in for extra help?
I hope that you do. You may come in before school or right after school.
Let me know if you are coming after school. After school homework parties will
be announced in class.
Can I leave the room if I need to?
Every student in the 8th grade will receive 4 exit passes per quarter. These are to be used to go to lockers, restroom,
drinking fountain, and office. Save your passes for emergencies. Save your passes!!! Remember you only get 4. You
can also buy exit passes by earning Panther Paws.
What if I don't understand?
Be sure to copy down the problem and show the attempts you have
made. Look over your notes, handouts, and/or textbook for additional
instructions. See me before/after school. Be specific in telling me exactly what
you don't get. Just saying "I don't understand" is vague and doesn't help me to help
you.
Do we have a class routine?
Pretty much so. Math just works this way. Upon entering the room, be sure you have all
necessary materials. Place your homework on your desk so I can see it while you work on the
daily warm up. Next begin working on the DWP. This is usually a review of previous material.
It is important that you write it down in the warm up section of your notebook and begin working
on it. Next we will spend a few minutes going over the homework. Be sure to trade papers with
someone. Please write your name on the paper you are checking in INK. The answers may be on the screen
or they may be read aloud. Please mark the number incorrect at the top and then return the paper to its owner.
Quickly look over your checked paper for errors and to find out which items were missed.
If time, begin making corrections in pen. Next the new material will be presented. Be sure to
take adequate notes including all definitions and sample problems I give to you. I will also give
you some problems to work on your own. Do these in the notebook and show all of your work.
With some time left at the end of class, you will be given an assignment. Some will get it done in
class, some will have to take it home or do it in study hall if you have one.
How should I head my homework paper?
First and last name goes on first line. Section number orpage number with question
numbers goes below your name or somewhere at the top ofthe page. Please label all
assignments properly. Math papers all look alike and I can't tell what's what unless it is labeled.
Why don't I see an assignment on Skyward?
Assignments are posted by Thursday of each week however they will not show up on Skyward until
later at 12:01 am. Work that is turned in on time gets priority grading. Late work will be graded as
time allows. Please be patient and it will be graded eventually.
What are my teacher's pet peeves?
1. Students who ask "are we going to do anything today?" instead of "what are
we going to do today?" Of course we are going to do something!!! We are going to learn!!!
2. Students who ask if there will be homework. This is like asking your coach if
there will be practice. Mrs Brown will surprise you if there isn't any.
3. Whiners and complainers!! This is a bad habit that parents, teachers, friends,
and employers do not want to hear.
4. Having to write "redo" on a low quality paper that doesn't have work shown.
5. 8th graders that forget they are 8th graders and not 5th graders.
6. Students who come to class and are ready to roll until the bell rings and then suddenly need to
go to the bathroom or locker. Take care of business between classes.
7. Students who want me to check their grade on Skyward for them. PBL spent a lot of money
on this service so you could do it yourself at any time. Learn your password and check it frequently.
You will receive a gradesheet before midterms and after.
8. Students who don't prepare for a test or quiz and ask "Can I retake it?" It's always better to have
tried harder the first time.
9. Students who don't want homework but keep asking "what's the homework?". Ask and you will
receive.
10. Students who don't get credit for late work because they are over the limit for late assignments
and don't attend the homework party.
11. Students who are upset about a test grade but have taken few notes and studied very little.
Success is a choice you make and requires effort!!!
12. Students who tease and bully others. This won't be happening in this classroom!!
13. Students that come to class unprepared and/or have no materials and expect me to give them mine.
14. Students who line up at the door to leave like kindergartners. Your teacher will dismiss you.
15. Students who quit before they try!!!!
16. Students who aren't working in class and tell me "I'll do it study hall".