Welcome! 8 th Grade Honors Algebra Informational Meeting

Transcription

1 Welcome! 8 th Grade Honors Algebra Informational Meeting

2 Agenda Why Honors Algebra In Middle School? Placement Process Specifics of the Class Student Responsibilities Parent Responsibilities Math Program Beyond 8 th Grade Honors Algebra Your Decision Questions

3 Why Honors Algebra In Middle School? To provide appropriate challenge To help bright middle school students learn how to become students Give them the gift of a comfortable struggle Placement, not high school credit To allow talented mathematics students the opportunity to advance to a higher level of mathematics during their high school years

4 Placement Process Factors considered for placement: Achievement in 7th grade mathematics Student s learning profile Reasoning ability Algebra readiness skills Meeting to discuss placement Parents and students discuss the program and accept/decline placement Discussions with math teacher, if needed, etc.

5 Honors Algebra 1 Not just the next math course!

6 Specifics of Honors Algebra Attitudes/Behaviors Must be high achieving and have a great work ethic Must be an independent and responsible learner Can perform calculations quickly without a calculator Can easily make connections between various math topics

7 Specifics of Honors Algebra Attitudes/Behaviors (cont d.) Understands that math is more than just doing equations and getting an answer Participates in class discussions to take their understanding of the material to a higher level Enjoys challenging problems and thinks that math is FUN!

8 It s Important to Be Here! Vacations taken while school is in session can have a huge impact on student achievement. When your child misses instruction, this can put him/her behind for quite a while.

9 Specifics of Honors Algebra Required Materials Text Book: Glencoe Algebra 1 Internet Access (home or school) Pencil Notebook Calculator: TI 83+ or TI 84

10 Specifics of Honors Algebra Grading Criteria Grading criteria will be the same as the high school Honors Algebra class. Grades will be calculated based on tests and quizzes. Homework is assigned daily, but is not calculated into the final grade!

11 Specifics of Honors Algebra Grading Criteria An 85% or higher average is required to move on to Honors Geometry in grade 9. All students progress is monitored in an ongoing way to ensure student success.

12 What if my average is below 85%? By the end of quarter 1, for a student who has an average below 85%, a meeting will be held involving the parents to decide: If the student should move to the Foundations of Algebra course as of quarter 2 or If the student will stay in the Honors Algebra course for the rest of the year with the goal of raising the average to 85% or higher.

13 Expectations for Grade 9 Placement! J An 85% or better average is required to go into Honors Geometry in grade 9. An average of 70%-84% will give you a recommendation to take regular Geometry in grade 9. An average below 70% will cause you to need to repeat Algebra 1(not at the honors level) in grade 9.

14 Student Responsibilities Be responsible for your own learning Complete all assignments to the best of your ability Know when you don t know Study even if you don t have any homework If you re absent, you must check your teacher s website. Maintain at least an 85% average.

15 Parent Responsibilities Check in with your student; talk about the class! Monitor study time; homework each night should take about minutes If you have a concern: Talk with your young person Check PowerSchool for grades and missing assignments Monitor and encourage your child to use the teacher s website. Then call the teacher, if clarification is necessary.

16 Math Program Beyond 8 th Grade Honors Algebra The 8th Grade Honors Math Program prepares students for future honors work in high school mathematics. Students who begin this honors mathematics program in 8th grade have the opportunity to take AP Calculus BC as a senior in high school.

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18 Program Starting in Foundations of Algebra 8th grade Foundations of Algebra students may qualify for Honors Algebra 1 or Algebra 1 in 9th grade.

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20 Honors Algebra 1 Leads to AP Success! Students who take Honors Algebra 1 either beginning in 8th or 9th grade and continue in the honors program in high school have a higher level of success in AP Calculus.

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22 Your Decision Every student here is qualified for this program. Families should discuss the commitment to Consistent effort Monitoring learning and progress Becoming an active learner and engaging in more challenging work. If Honors Algebra 1 feels right, you need do nothing. If you prefer Foundations of Algebra, please contact your principal by May 25.

23 Questions?