Math Overview

2016-2017
Laura Pennell, Generals Team
I am so excited to start another year of teaching sixth grade math. This year we will
be completing a more in-depth study of topics covered in earlier grades as well as
introducing new topics of study. Some of the main concepts we will cover this year include:
all four operations with fractions and decimals, percents, integers, statistics, algebraic
equations and inequalities, area/surface area/volume, and the coordinate plane.
Below I have highlighted important information about classroom policies and
procedures. If you have any questions about math class, please feel free to contact me via
email (laura.pennell2@cabarrus.k12.nc.us) or via phone (704-782-2002). Email is probably
the best way to reach me, but I am certainly also available via phone or note. If you contact
me and do not get a response within a day, please contact me again. With the pace of our
school day, it is entirely possible for me to accidentally overlook responding to a contact.
Class Rules: Follow all HRMS rules in the Student Handbook (found on the HRMS website
under Quick Links), come to class prepared, respect the rights and property of others, raise
your hand to speak, listen and follow directions promptly, & copy your homework into your
agenda daily.
Grading policies: Tests count three times, quizzes count two times, and
homework/classwork assignments will count one time each. Some homework assignments
will count as an effort grade based upon completion. Five effort graded assignments will
carry the same weight as one graded homework or classwork assignment. Late homework
will not be accepted for full credit unless students use the One Day Late Pass (see
requirements written on the back of the pass). The student will then have one additional
night to complete the assignment. Graded homework or classwork assignments which are
not turned in on the due date may be turned in up to one week late, however the highest
grade a student may earn is an 80%. The highest possible score on an assignment turned in
more than a week late is a 60% Students may clean out the math section of their binder
after each quarter. Some assignments will be kept at school after being graded. The Parent
Portal is available at the HRMS website. It will allow you to check your students grades in
all subjects throughout the school year. This is an invaluable tool for parents.
Make-up work: Students are responsible for picking up make-up work, asking any
questions they may have about it. The students should make arrangements with the
teacher on the day he/she returns to school to complete this work within a 3-day period.
Students with extended illnesses will be granted additional makeup time. There is a
designated area in the classroom where students should check for missing assignments. I
will not always remember to remind students to do this, so I suggest that they make a note
in their agenda to remind themselves to pick up missed work. They are also responsible for
turning in work that was due when they were absent. This is a commonly missed step. If I
am notified of an upcoming absence in advance, I can sometimes give make-up work prior
to the absence. This isnt always possible, however, as my plans often have to be adjusted
according to student needs.
The Agenda: The student agenda is an important tool for families to keep informed of
what is going on in class. Students should record homework for each class daily. Your child
should write no homework in their agenda if they have none for that particular class.
Please check your students agenda daily for assignments and possible notes about their
progress. Please check my website also if there are any questions about an assignment.
Math Term Notebooks: Students will not be issued math textbooks for math class this
year. They may check out one from the school media center to be used at home, if desired.
Your student will have a Math Term Notebook to be used for recording class notes. This is a
wonderful tool for both parents and students to review how material was presented in class.
Calendar tests: Each month students will receive a math calendar test. It will have a
variety of types of problems, some review and some new. Students may complete it in any
manner they wish (5 problems a day, 10 problems per week, etc.) however it is due at or
near the end of the month. Students must show and attach their work on notebook paper
and record their answers on the back of the calendar. I offer pre-checks as well. Students
may bring their calendar to me during the month and I will mark which answers are
incorrect. I will pre-check each students calendar a maximum of twice per month. Each
month I will announce the deadline for getting pre-checks (usually 2-3 days before they are
due). I will not pre-check calendars with more than 5 problems unfinished. Students can
earn 2 extra credit points for having one pre-check and another 3 extra credit points for a
second pre-check (for a maximum score of 105%). Math calendars will count as a test grade
(3 times) each month. Calendar tests which are not turned in on the due date may be
turned in the next school day with a 10-point deduction. Each additional day late will incur a
10-point penalty. Calendars turned in more than 3 days late will receive a grade no higher
than a 60%. Students who are absent unexpectedly on the due date are expected to turn in
the calendar upon their return. Students who have a planned absence on the due date are
expected to turn in the calendar prior to their absence.
ALEKS: This year we will use the online computer assessment and learning tool called
ALEKS in our curriculum. The goal of ALEKS is to assess what students already know and are
ready to learn. Then students will be able to work at their own ability level to fill in any gaps
from previous years, work on 6th grade topics of study, and even possibly work ahead into
higher level curriculum. Students will use ALEKS at school and will also be required to use
ALEKS at home. Once students have completed the initial assessment and are acquainted
with ALEKS, a grade will be taken generally every two weeks. Grades will be based on time
spent working in ALEKS as well as topics learned in ALEKS.
Tutoring: The Sixth grade math department will have morning math tutoring sessions 2
days per week. This year we will meet on Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 8:00am 8:40 am.
Any student is invited to attend and there is not charge for the tutoring. During tutoring,
there will be a specific focus for each day. These topics will be shared with the students
when we announce the dates and times. We do ask that students be on time so that we can
make the best use of our time together. These tutoring sessions begin on October 4Th.
Students are to meet at the front of the school and then will be escorted to the tutoring
session room from there.
Helpful websites: You can access my website through the HRMS website,
www.cabarrus.k12.nc.us/hrms . To get to my site, click on Faculty/Staff Websites then my
name on the 6th grade list. My class information, including homework assignments, will be
available there. You can also find many links to other useful sites.
Thank you,

Laura Pennell
Please cut on the line below and return the signed bottom portion by ___________________

I have read and understood the information in this Math Overview

Student signature (print) ___________________________________________Date___________
Parent/Guardian signature ______________________________________Date ______________