Dear Seventh Grade Student and Parent(s), My name is Ms.

Thompson and Im excited to be your childs math teacher for this important school year ahead. This is my third year teaching middle school math. My previous experience was in Kinston, North Carolina two years ago and this will be my second year teaching at Pathfinder. I received my undergraduate degree from Oakland University and currently working on my Masters at Michigan State University in Educational Technology. As your childs teacher I promise to be committed to your childs learning. I hold very high expectations both academically and behaviorally. My role as your childs teacher is to make them feel successful. I see parents as partners in the classroom and hope we can work together to make your child have a great year. In math class this year students will learn about graphs (representing and interpreting data), ratios, rates, proportions, linear functions (slopeintercept form), solving equations, scale and area factor, rational and irrational numbers as well as triangle similarity theorems. Please go online and check out my classroom page on the schools website http://pathfinder.pinckneyschools.org/ under the teacher directory click on my name Melissa Thompson to see all of your childs daily in-class and homework assignments. I will also list upcoming tests, projects and any online resources that might be helpful. This is a tool that I will be using for communication throughout the year. In closing, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. My email is mthompson@pcs.k12.mi.us you can also contact me by phone at 810-225-5262. The best time to reach me is during my planning period from 12:29 1:18 or before school. Sincerely,

Ms. Melissa Thompson

Contact Information: Email: mthompson@pcs.k12.mi.us

Phone: 810-225-5262

Classroom Website: http://msthompsonsclassroomwebpage.weebly.com/ Planning time (best time for phone calls): 12:29 1:18 Teacher Website: You can access class information on my teacher website located under directory on Pathfinders homepage. My website provides contact information, weekly agendas, helpful websites and is a way for parents and students to know what is happening in class. To access my website go to Pathfinders Homepage, click directory, then click my name Melissa Thompson. Class Time: Students will be following the block schedule shown on the team handbook. On Friday students will go to all of their classes. Odd Classes (1st, 3rd, 7th) will be Monday, Wednesday, Friday Even Classes (2nd, 4th, 6th) will be Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Math Textbook: The math textbook will be kept in the classroom. Students are more than welcome to checkout a textbook to have as a reference at home. Worksheets, Notes, and Online Websites will be the main resources we will be using in math class this year. These will be given daily in class to complete at home assignments. Math Homework: Math homework will be given every night. In most cases students will have a math quiz on Fridays.

Grading Homework: Math homework will be graded daily in class. It is important for students to do their homework every night, as this is a way to review material covered in class. When students complete homework they feel very prepared when it comes time for tests and quizzes. Test and quizzes count for 65% of the students overall grade. Students will not be graded on how many questions they have right or wrong but upon completion. If students complete their homework with 100% effort showing all work they receive 5 points. If students have half their homework done 3 points and if students do not have their homework the day its due they will receive 0 points. Homework is a learning process and practice makes perfect. Our motto for class is to live by the 5 Ps - Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. I will check for students understand of concepts with Friday quizzes and unit tests. Notebook Checks: Notebook checks are given at the end of every quarter. Students are graded on organization of assignments given during the quarter. Organization is a lifelong skill that will help students be successful. Students are expected to keep every homework assignment in an organized manor in their binder. At the end of each card marking they will get a notebook grade for this. Extra Credit: Extra credit it not normally given in class. When Ms. Thompson does provide opportunities for extra credit please take advantage of receiving those few extra points.

Absence Work: I follow Pathfinders handbook policy on absent work. It is the students responsibility to find out what they missed while being out of class and their responsibility to turn in absent work into the appropriate bin located in class. When a student is absent the following procedures need to take place - Use passing time or come to class before school starts to find out necessary information missed. - Check the appropriate agenda for missed work - If needed, find worksheet in extra worksheet file located in the classroom - Arrange a make-up date with the teacher if you missed a quiz or test. Late Work: Late work will not hold full credit. Any work that is turned in late is worth 50% of the original score. Any assignments turned in more than two weeks late will NOT be accepted. Students will be given one clockbuster per quarter that they may use to turn in a late assignment. Weighted Grades: - Your childs grade is broken into categories. Each category counts for a different percent of the students overall grade. In the picture, you will notice that quizzes and tests are the largest portions of the grade. - Tests: 35% of students overall grade Quizzes: 30% of students overall grade Homework: 25% of students overall grade Notebook Checks: 10% of students overall grade

TeacherEase: Both parents and teachers can check students progress in class through TeacherEase. This is the best way to be informed of your childs progress in class. Grades will be updated weekly. Extra Help: If you feel like you need some extra help, please contact me through email. I will be available for extra help in the mornings before school from 7:40 8:10 unless I have a meeting. Math Supplies: Due September 12th - Students will need to purchase a calculator for math class this year. The type of calculator students will need is a TI30X llS or TI30Xa. Graphing calculators are not required, but are acceptable. - Lots of pencils - Lots of red checking pens - 1 one-inch three-ring binder - 1 box of colored pencils or markers - 5 tabs - 1 notebook spiral bound (70 pg minimum) - 1 ruler - 1 protractor
Donations of the following are always appreciated: - 1 box of Kleenex - 1 container of antibacterial wipes - 1 bottle of hand sanitizer