8th Grade Math: Syllabus

Teacher Information: School Information:

David Collier Westbank Community School

Email: david.collier@jppss.k12.la.us 2590 Barataria Blvd.
Phone: (410) 302-0441 Marrero, LA 70072
Office Hours: 12-1, Monday-Friday Phone: (504) 371-4651

I. Expectations for Students:

This class will be focused on teaching you necessary skills to succeed in 8th grade math,
high school math classes, and in life. We will spend time on geometry, pre-algebra
concepts, problem solving skills, and probability/statistics. All of these areas are necessary
for life and will be tested on the LEAP test in April.

It is expected that students will maintain an academic focus throughout each class and
throughout the entire school year. Only with a strong academic focus will you be prepared
for success on the LEAP and in high school math classes.

I will teach engaging but challenging lessons everyday for different types of learners. We
will be doing a variety of activities every week to make instruction as interesting and as
relevant as possible. It is up to you, as the student, to rise to the challenge posed by this
class.

II. Goals:

The class goal will be to have 80% mastery of all grade level expectations for 8th grade
math. Achieving all content objectives at the 80% level will ensure that each student is
ready for high school and is prepared to score a Basic or higher on the LEAP test in April.

III. Grading:
Your grade will consist of 4 main parts, broken down below. Your grade is completely
within your control, so I expect you to take all of your work seriously and complete it in a
timely manner.

Unit Assessment: 40%

Weekly Quizzes: 30%
Homework: 10%
Classwork and Participation: 20%

There will be a weekly quiz given every week. It is your responsibility to study for this quiz
to make sure you get a good grade. Each unit will take between 2-3 weeks, and there will
be a Unit Test at the end of each Unit. These tests are worth a large part of your grade, and
there will be study and review sessions to help you prepare for these tests.
Homework will be given on a daily basis. It is expected that you turn in homework on time
and completed. These assignments will be short and should not take more than 20 minutes
per night. It is worth 10% of your grade, so it is in your interest to complete all homework.

IV. Late or Missing Work:

Late work will be accepted at a lower grade. For every day the work is late you will have 1
letter grade deducted from the overall grade on that assignment. So if you turned in A
quality work 1 day late you would get a B on the assignment.

If you miss work because of absence, you have one week to make up the work. After that,
late work will be accepted but points will be taken off of that assignment.

V. Materials:

It is expected that you come to class prepared to learn every day. This means having all the
necessary materials for you to be successful. By Monday September 28, 2009 you are
expected to have these materials in class and ready to use. Please see Mr. Collier if getting
these materials will pose a challenge for you.

1- 2” Binder with Pocket Folders

5 Binder Tabs
1-3 Prong Folder with Side Pockets
1- Composition Notebook

VI. Class Blog:

Your class has a blog! This will post all information, worksheets, assignments, and
enrichment activities for the class. The blog will be the information hub for the class and
will help us stay organized and will be a place where we can archive information so we
don’t lose any important worksheets, notes, or assignments. Here is the link for the blog:

http://westbankmath.blogspot.com/

Check it out tonight to see the information from today’s class that will be posted at the end
of the day. The first useful piece of information on the blog will be this syllabus and
pictures of the materials you need. Consult these posts to make sure you get the right kinds
of supplies for math class!