Classroom Expectations 

Welcome to 6th grade Math at HK Middle School!  I am so excited to be teaching math again this year and look forward to an exciting year of math exploration!  
 
Every day, you will be responsible for having the items listed below during class. 
 
  • Math Folder or binder – you must have a place to store lesson and homework packets.  I have plastic folders that you can certainly use, but I want you to use an organizational method that works best for you.  You will need to make sure this folder or binder is brought to class every day in good condition!
 
  • Math Notebook – we will be using a notebook to take notes during lessons.  You may use your own notebook or the smaller notebook I have available in class that fits nicely in a folder or binder.  I will leave it up to you as to which style of notebook you wish to use! 
 
  • Student Agenda Book – this must come to every class every day and be used for writing down homework assignments and to use your student passport. 
 
  • Sharpened pencils/Pens or colored pencils for notes and correcting  – I run out of extra pens and pencils very quickly, so please make sure you have enough stored in your binder or have extras in your locker!
 
  • Positive attitude and a GROWTH MINDSET – if we say it is too hard and we can’t do math, then we create a fixed mindset and we won’t grow and learn.  Open your mind to new learning!
 
 
What you will study this year: 
 
  • Ratios and Proportional Relationships (RP unit) – understanding ratio concepts and using ratio reasoning
  • The Number System (NS unit) – computing fluently with multi-digit numbers and decimals, understanding rational numbers; all operations with fractions – adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing, but will mostly focus on multiplying and dividing fractions.
  • Expressions and Equations (EE unit) - variables, solving equations and inequalities; dependent and independent variables.
  • Geometry (G unit) – area, surface area, and volume
  • Statistics and Probability (SP Unit) – understanding statistical variability; landmarks of data; distributions
 
 
Homework and Classwork Completion Expectations
Weekly homework is expected to be completed in a timely manner and turned in on the designated due date.  If you consistently miss homework, your parents will be contacted to discuss strategies for consistent homework completion.   If you are absent, I expect you to check in with me the next time you attend class or check on Google Classroom to see what assignments are due.  I expect that any homework missed will be completed in a timely manner agreed upon by the two of us.  If homework is consistently not completed, this will be reflected in your academic responsibility strand on your report card.  If the homework is a graded homework assignment and is never turned in, a failing grade will be entered into PowerSchool.  My goal is to teach you independence and responsibility, so I will not continuously ask you for missing assignments.  It is your job to turn them in!
Any graded classroom assignments that are turned in more than three days after the agreed upon due date may receive only partial credit. Any assignments not turned in by the end of the marking period will receive a failing grade in PowerSchool.
 
Unit tasks, lesson exit quizzes and assessments
During each unit, you will work at your own pace with a partner or small group through a series of lesson tasks that allow you to practice and think deeply about a concept in a variety of different ways.  You will always complete a lesson exit quiz before moving on to the next lesson.  During some units, you may take one or more mid-unit assessments that will count as a summative assessment (50% category).  Before taking any mid-unit or end of unit summative assessments during a unit, you will complete a review to determine if you are ready to complete a particular summative assessment. 
 
Math Resources
This year, the sixth grade is using a program called Ready Mathematics.  I will use this online resource during mini lesson time or as part of your homework where you will interact with video tutorials and then apply what you learned in class.  We will work through some challenging problems together and then you will work during independent time on various packets that include “Must Do” practice tasks and challenges.  In addition to Ready Mathematics, I have accumulated many other resources over the years that I will use throughout each unit.  Some of the websites that I have found that are very useful for you and your parents are listed below.  You can use them for extra practice, games or tutorial videos. 
 
 
Math Department Grading Expectations and Retake policies
  • Please review the document attached to this letter
 
I hope to make this a fun and exciting year for you in math.  I strongly encourage you to speak up when you do not understand something and to actively seek me out in class or outside of class for extra help.  If you do not feel comfortable seeing me during class, you can also see me during flex, send me an email or write me a note. I hope to help you and all students become more confident, independent and responsible learners! 
 
Mrs. Coogan  



 

HKMS Grades 6-8 Mathematics Department Grading Policy            
 
Grades reflect student’s mastery of content.   Grades will be weighted as follows:
 
Category
Weight

Homework 10%

Classwork  and Performance Tasks 10%

Quizzes 30%

Unit tests 50%

 
HOMEWORK:
  • Homework is expected to be quality work completed on time.
 
CLASSWORK and PERFORMANCE TASKS:
  • Classwork could include Do Now, partner or spotlight challenge and performance tasks.
  
QUIZZES:
  • Quizzes are given so that students reflect on their knowledge and areas that need attention. These include small quizzes, take-home quizzes, larger unit quizzes and spiral review.
 
UNIT TESTS:
  • Unit tests will be the majority of the grade.  Please check the teacher websites for a guide as to when tests are scheduled.
 
TEST RETAKES:
  • Retakes are an opportunity for students to take ownership of their mastery of content.
  • Any student can retake any Unit Test.
  • Students may retake a test to earn ½ of the points with the following stipulations:
  1. The student asks for a “Request to Retest” sheet.
  2. The student submits “Request to Retest” packet and makes an appointment to retake a similar test during flex, lunch or after school within 1-2 weeks of the original assessment.
  3. The student corrects the highlighted errors.
  4. A parent reviews the “Request to Retest” packet which includes the original test and corrections and signs the “Request to Retest” sheet.
 
  • Please note: It is much more work to redo a test than to have prepared properly (studied) the first time.
 
Open communication is important for a successful year.   We are very enthusiastic about growing your student’s math knowledge and are willing to work on any issues that may arise.  Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher with any questions.  Look forward to a great year ahead!
 
 
HKMS Math Department
 
(Mrs. Coogan, Mr. DeRose, Mrs. Leavitt, Mrs. Geoghegan, Mr. Pember, Mrs. Maynard, Mrs. Smalley and Mrs. Rigatti)
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