Pre-Algebra Overview

Just as the name suggests, Pre-Algebra prepares students for Algebra. This 1-2 year course builds upon mastery of basic arithmetic: adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing using whole numbers, fractions, mixed numbers and decimals. We review basic arithmetic as needed while moving steadily through the Pre-Algebra textbook. Basic skills expand to include using both positive and negative numbers while simplifying algebraic expressions and solving simple algebraic equations. Click here for more details. 

How to Succeed in 7th Grade Math

How to Come into Math Class Every Day

• Be on time.
• Walk in and quietly have a seat.
• Get out your homework, ready to go over, done to the best of your ability.
• Bring a sharpened pencil or two and several pieces of binder paper.
• Bring your math workbook and math journal (you will be given these in class).
  

How to Learn Well in Math Class

• Think about today’s math topic – What do you understand...what don’t you “get”?
• Ask your questions – I need to know what you don’t understand.
• Take notes in your math journal.
• Ask for help when you need it.
• Explain how to do today’s math to someone else.

Extra Help From Ms. Knisely

Let me know you need extra help with your math, and I will make an appointment to meet with you either before or after school.


Extra Credit

Ms. Knisely doesn’t give extra credit. Just keep up with your daily and weekly math.


How to Feel Good About Math Class


• Make your best effort to learn and participate.
• Keep asking questions until you understand.
• Help teach someone else. Explain your way of thinking - be willing to work on the board
• Stick with it even if it’s not easy. Ask more questions. Ask for extra help.
• Respect your classmates, our classroom and materials, and the learning environment.
• Follow all the school rules.
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Consequences for Not Following Math Class Guidelines

• Reminder / request to change disruptive behavior.
• Paper pick up / gum scraping to reinforce reminder.
• Detention and phone call to parents.
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General Information

How Ms. Knisely Generally Structures Class

• Students have homework and questions ready to share.
• Ms. Knisely asks which problems need careful explanation.
• Class goes over selected homework problems.
• Homework is collected and students get out paper for classwork.
• New math lesson or review of previous day’s lesson.
• Classwork is usually collected and graded.
• Homework is usually assigned Mon./Tues./Wed. – due the following day.
• Short weekly quiz on Thurs. or Fri. (almost every week).
• Larger unit quizzes or chapter tests every month.
  

Homework

• Homework is where you practice the math concepts and skills being taught in class.
• Homework assignments will be written on the board at the end of class time.
• Write your homework assignment in your planner before you leave Rm. 10.
• Homework is due the next day.
• Late homework will not be accepted unless you were absent.
• Homework is graded daily.
  

What if I’m Absent?

• Call a classmate to see what you’ve missed and try to make it up before coming back.
• Give me your re-admit slip when you return to class.
• Ask Ms. Knisely for copies of anything handed out in class while you were absent.
• You have as many days as you were absent to complete missing work for credit.
• Complete your work, write “ABSENT” at the top, and put it in the Late Homework box.
  

Grades

100-90% = A;  89-80% = B;  79-70% = C;  69-60% = D;  59% or below = F

• Grades are posted outside classroom ~ every two weeks, using student ID numbers.
• Trimester grades: 40% quizzes & tests; 40% homework; 20% classwork.
• Participation, attitude, and effort can result in a rounding-up of your trimester grade at Ms. Knisely’s discretion.



Internet Math Resources


math.com
If you didn't learn something in class, this is the place to go. This excellent website has free math lessons and math homework help on topics from basic math and everyday math to pre-algebra, algebra, geometry and beyond. It is clearly organized and easy to use, with explanations and definitions, step by step examples and solutions, and interactive practice problems.

hotmath.com
This is the online source for help with problems found in our Pre-Algebra textbook. To login to this site, use the following password:  xe28966ca.