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Welcome!
If you are reading this, you probably have a son or daughter in one of my math classes.
My math classes are called Mathematical Explorations because although we follow the traditional concepts covered in the text, I try to explore some topics in-depth and incorporate other activities within the math classes. Math in the real world is not just working with page after page of computation. Vocabulary study, writing, historical connections, the arts, research, technology and the sciences are an integral part of our class.
My web page is at http://user.cybrzn.com/~dpintar/math/index.htm or click the link to K-12 Resource Room at the school web page. Check the Topic Outline for the year to get an idea of what we are working on each quarter. If you have any questions, ideas, suggestions or concerns feel free to call, stop in, email me, send a note. I would also like to have your email address to contact you if needed.
Get involved - Have fun!
Parents are encouraged to get involved in the math with their child. For example, once in a while ask your son/daughter to teach YOU the math concept being studied. It's a good way to reinforce the material and will help the student internalize the information.
Students' grades will be based on chapter test scores (40%), homework quizzes (20%) and projects/activities (20%), class participation/behavior (10%) and class activities (10%). I expect students to maintain an A or B average in the advanced classes. I will contact you if your child’s grade falls below that.
A pre-test (Form A) is given at the beginning of each
chapter to help me determine what students already know and how to pace the
unit. It will also give you and the
student an idea of what we will be working on. There are 1-3 quizzes interspersed per chapter covering
the immediate topics in the lessons. The tests are at the end of each chapter
and based on material from the entire chapter.
I try to work in one or two projects per quarter, along with some
additional class activities. Most of the work for these will usually be done in class.
Cooperation and participation are extremely important in a classroom. It is every student's right to have an environment which allows maximum opportunity to learn. If individual students choose to disrupt and infringe on the learning time of the other students as well as themselves, I make a notation on my class list. If this becomes excessive on the part of any individual student I will contact the parents. This will also be reflected in the student's grade.
I will be using the school district's Skyward program this year for grades. You can check Family Access for grades.
I
group chapters in the math book that have a common theme, therefore we do not
always follow the order in the book. Assignments
from the math text are learning tools. Students
check their own work in class for immediate feedback. Students are expected to make corrections on
assignments, but they will not be
graded or collected. It is
important that students make an attempt to do the text practice items, even if their answer may be way off.
It gets them thinking and encourages healthy risk-taking. Besides, they won’t have to worry about a poor grade, as the
assignments are not graded at all. Students
are encouraged to work ahead of where our class discussion is.
My past experience is that this enables the students to ask specific
questions on points they don’t understand.
I understand that there will be times when students do not have an assignment completed the very next day. Family activities are important and students have other classes, too. This will not be a problem unless it evident that the student is not able to understand the concept well without doing the assignment (poor quiz scores, poor class participation, etc.). I will contact you if that occurs. It is important that the student has the material completed/understood by the time we take the homework quiz. Students who demonstrate exceptional mastery of the material may even be excused from the text homework. Sometimes we cover notes in class on several items. Students may have multiple pages for assignments. I always allow extra day(s) to complete these, and often students have time in class when I am working with small groups or individuals.
The projects and activities are usually done within the
class. Often students will be using technology with the projects, working
individually, with a partner
Students advanced to 7th or 8th grade math will be using the Scott Foresman - Addison Wesley Middle School MATH: Course 2 or 3, but at a faster pace as part of the accelerated math program.
Students advanced to 6th grade math will be using Silver Burdett - Ginn text for 6th grade but at a faster pace as part of the accelerated math program.
Students advanced to 5th grade math will be using the Scott Foresman - Addison Wesley text for 5th grade, but at a faster pace as part of the accelerated math program.
At times we will skip sections in the text altogether, or may substitute with other materials on the topic.
Donna Pintarelli
K-12 Resource Teacher G/T Coord.
School District of Wausaukee
N11941 Hwy 141
P.O. Box 258
Wausaukee, WI 54177
Phone/VoiceMail: 715 856-5152
Ext. 248
Fax #: 715 856-6592
Web page: http://www.cybrzn.com/~dpintar
Email: