William James Middle School

7
th
Grade Math
2014-2015 School Year
Room 206
Instructor: Jennifer McMillen, Ph.D.
Telephone: (817) 814-0200
E-mail: jennifer.mcmillen@fwisd.org
Description of Course Content: Math, Course 2 is a complete mathematics curriculum that
helps students to develop essential mathematical skills in preparation for the Grade 7
STAAR test, the eighth grade level curriculum, and their future.
Required Materials:
One 2 or larger 3-ring binder
One package of dividers
One folder
Pencils or mechanical pencils as needed during the year
Loose-leaf paper as needed throughout the year
One bottle of hand sanitizer
One box of facial tissue
One package of colored pencils (optional)

Daily Routine
Enter the class quietly ON TIME (before the tardy bell rings) prepared to learn. Turn
in any homework, sharpen pencils, be seated, open notebooks, copy the agenda into
your planner, and begin the bell ringer activity.
All class work, homework, and tests must be neat and done in pencil. Work submitted
in ink will get 50% of the earned grade. If redone in pencil, the original grade can be
restored.
If pencil lead breaks during class, without disrupting other students, get up quietly -
one at a time sharpen your pencil and return to your seat. Do not leave your seat
when instruction is being given.
All students will respect their teachers (NO class disruptions, NO talking back, follow
instructions the first time), the personal property of their teachers, their fellow
students, and themselves.
When the bell rings, DO NOT move; the teacher dismisses the class not the bell.
All trash around your desk is to be disposed of at the end of class.
If a student is absent from class for any reason, the student is responsible for turning
in assignments upon their return and obtaining missed assignments and notes. You
have as many days as you were absent to complete missed work. If a test is missed,
the student must schedule with the teacher a make-up test day within a week of their
return to school.

Classroom Management Plan
Class Rules:
1. Be in your assigned seat and prepared to work with all needed materials when the bell
rings.
2. Follow directions the first time they are given.
3. Respect your classmates, the teacher(s), and yourself.
4. Refrain from interrupting the instruction and learning process.
5. No inappropriate language or teasing.

Consequences: Rewards:
1
st
offense Student conference Praise
2
nd
offense Student contract Student recognition
3
rd
offense Parent contact (Call/Letter/E-mail/
Conference)
Certificate of Achievement
or similar recognition
4
th
offense Office referral Positive note/call home/e-mail
Serious offense Immediate office referral


Grading Procedure
Grading for each six weeks period will be determined by:
Grade Weights Grading Scale
Item Percentage Letter Grade Average Required
Daily Grade 30% A 91-100
Homework 10% B 81-90
Binder Check 10% C 70-80
Quizzes 15% F 69 and below
Tests 35%

Daily Grade: The daily grade will come from in-class work and class participation.
Homework: Homework will be given to finish assignments, to make up work, or as needed
to further learning and mastery of the material.
Binder Check: Students will be responsible for keeping a binder. It is the responsibility of
the student to obtain all missed work and keep accurate notes.
Quizzes: Quizzes will be given throughout each unit. These will help students check their
current level of mastery of the material.
Tests: The concept of mastery learning will be used for all assessments. All tests will be
cumulative (may contain questions from previous lessons).
Extra Credit: Students may receive opportunities to earn extra credit at the teachers
discretion. No extra credit will be offered to individual students.
Late Work: Students may turn in work late with a 10 point reduction in the grade for each
day the assignment is late. No late work will be accepted after one week.





Targeted Grade Improvement on Fridays (TGIF):
TGIF is academic detention for students who have not met expectations for the week in core
classes. The purpose of TGIF is to promote the completion of work in a timely manner in
order to achieve student learning. TGIF will increase the passing rate by ensuring students
stay current on work in their core classes and thus eliminating zeros. This should also
increase scores on the STAAR as a result of the on-going focus on academic achievement.
TGIF may be assigned if students have excessive missing work. Students will be given a
letter in class no later Thursday to notify them that they must turn in the work or attend TGIF.
TGIF is each Friday from 4:30-6:30 pm through the FWAS program and students can ride
the FWAS bus to the feeder elementary schools if needed. If a student fails to turn in their
work by Friday or attend TGIF, zeros will be assigned for the missing work.

Cell phones:
Cell phones must be silenced and out of sight in class unless being used as part of a class
activity. Students who access their phones during assessment periods may receive a zero
for that assessment regardless of how the phone is used. If a cell phone is being misused in
class, it will be collected and may be turned into the office. Students or parents may pick it up
according to the school policy.

Cheating:
Cheating is using someone elses work as your own. If you are caught cheating, you will
receive a zero for your assignment. Your parent or guardian will be called, and other
consequences, such as an office referral and lowering of your conduct grade, may be given.












Dear Parents/Guardians,
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your child to a
new year at William James Middle School. I am looking forward to getting to
know you and your child throughout the coming year, which surely promises
to bring with it many new experiences and challenges. In order to make the
year a successful one, teamwork and cooperation will be required by all. As
your childs teacher, it is my goal to help him/her become a confident learner,
and I will do my best to help make this year a positive experience for your
child.
The attached syllabus includes my rules and expectations for this
year. Please read through the information with your child and keep it for
future reference.
I look forward to working in partnership with you throughout the
coming year, and I am confident that together we can provide the support and
encouragement needed to help your child excel. If you have any questions or
concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at jennifer.mcmillen@fwisd.org
or 817-814-0200.

Sincerely,

Jennifer McMillen







Syllabus Homework Assignment
Please sign, date, and return: Date: ________________

I, ________________________________ and _________________________________
(Students Name) (Parents/Guardians Name)
have read the Math Syllabus for the 2014-2015 school year. I am aware that if I have
questions or concerns I can contact Dr. McMillen at William James Middle School by e-
mail at jennifer.mcmillen@fwisd.org or 817-814-0200.
Please fill out this information for my records:

Name of parent(s) or guardian(s): ___________________________________________

Mailing address: ________________________________________________________

Phone number(s): _______________________________________________________

E-mail address: _________________________________________________________

My child will have his/her supplies by: ________________________________________

Please tell me a few great things about your child:
______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Student Signature _______________________________________________________

Parent/guardian signature _________________________________________________

(Please sign and return this page only by September 3, 2014)