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Children are learning constantly: at home, in our community, and at school. It is my responsibility as their math teacher to provide them with the opportunity to grow in their appreciation and facility with mathematics.

My goals for each student are that they:

CPM use a variety of instructional techniques including discovery learning and real-world problem solving to interest students. Because the program allows students to discover the mathematics, you will see few step-by-step procedures. This does not mean that students are completely on their own. There are many examples and pages in the text that will help you both identify the content that is most important. 

Students will work on a variety of assignments, activities, and projects throughout the year. Appropriate enrichment and remediation will be planned for each student so that each is able to experience success and reach their maximum potential. Students will be encouraged to utilize their individual learning and thinking styles to solve problems.

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Student work is evaluated every week.  This is not only to record academic progress but also to analyze the effectiveness of instruction and to make students aware of their growth and/or deficiencies. Students will be encouraged to set goals and reflect on their effort and behavior.

Grades will be determined by student achievement on individual and group activities, homework, unit tests, quizzes, class participation, challenge assignments, and may include long-term projects.

Points or percentages will be assigned to projects, homework, tests, etc. Grades will be determined as a percentage over the trimester. The grading scale follows:

Students are encouraged to ask for assistance outside of class when needed. I am willing to meet and discuss assignments, grades, or any other school-related matter. It is my intention to offer an educational environment where opportunities for learning abound.

Teachers keep track of hundreds of individual grades during the trimester. Mistakes can occur.  Students should keep all of their graded work until the trimester grade is reported. In the event of a discrepancy, grade books will be considered indisputable unless the student can produce the graded assignment to warrant a change.

Grades in my Algebra classes have APPROXIMATELY the following weights:

In order to guarantee your child, and all students in my classes, a safe and supportive learning environment. I expect the following conduct from all of us:

No one has the right to stop me from teaching and/or any student from learning. Consequences for inappropriate behavior include loss of privileges, notification of parents, and if necessary, removal from the classroom. The school discipline policy will be followed regarding major incidents and 101 slips. (See student/parent handbook.) I will notify parents if their student’s behavior is classified as a major incident or results in removal from the classroom for the full instructional period.

I hope that my first contact with you will be to notify you of your child's success.

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Students should have a single 1-1/2" 3-ring binder for math class.  The binder will store their textbook and provide a place to keep an organized record of their work. Please purchase at least 2 dividers so that students can separate their class notes and homework from their quizzes and exams. Students should have, at all times:

I will periodically check for compliance - students should keep replacement supplies in their locker.

Textbooks are to be kept in this binder.

** Please purchase an inexpensive scientific calculator for class. In addition to the standard operations, the calculator should be able to perform the following functions:  square root, exponents, and scientific notation.  I recommend the TI –34 ll.  Please become familiar with the operation of the calculator that you decide to purchase.  If you already own a graphing calculator, please keep it at home and use it there.

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It is critical that all students arrive to class on time. Students are expected to be in their seats, working on the 'bell assignment' and ready to learn when the period begins. Tardiness will result in a loss of "101" points. Please be prompt!

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Without practice learning mathematics is difficult. You have a great opportunity to help your child establish excellent study habits this year. Out of class activities will be carefully selected to be worthwhile and rich in value. Your son or daughter will have a variety of assignments and projects to work on outside of class. Parent support is crucial. Please follow these guidelines with regard to homework:

Expect at least 20-30 minutes of quiet study daily (Mon.-Thurs., weekends usually excluded). Students must complete work as it is assigned. There will always be a project or assignment that can be worked on, a test that can be prepared for, or class work that can be read or re-worked. If you hear, "We don't have any homework," please check this website.

Ask to see your child's work and expect them to come home with assignments. Have your child explain what we are doing in class. This is a wonderful way to reinforce what has been learned. I expect to see a sequence of steps, not just an answer. Have you student talk you through their process. Make sure it is organized and visible.

It is the student's responsibility to make up any missed assignments or tests following an absence. Your child has as many days as she or he was absent to complete the work. If your child has a long-term illness, please call and we'll work out a plan.

Common homework questions will be answered in class on a daily basis. Students will sometimes be asked to present homework problems to the class. I will conduct a random check of homework during the week. These checks will be unannounced. Students need to be prepared! Homework points are earned as follows:

In addition, at least every other week a homework quiz is given. On this quiz, questions are taken directly from the assignments and students use their homework papers to answer them. If they've done all the work, and made corrections to the problems they didn't understand, they should do well.

Homework assignments MUST be completed on time. LATE HOMEWORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Projects (not homework) lose 20% if they are LATE. If your family is planning an extended vacation, or if your child is ill on the day a projects is due, the project must still be turned in. If your vacation is planned when an examination is given, your child must complete the work prior to departure to avoid penalty.

When students are absent, they should check this website for assignments. The website is updated daily.

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I believe that good math instruction includes much more than testing. However, examinations will play a large part in your child’s academic future. I will give major exams two to three times a trimester. Here are some helpful points:

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I occasionally offer extra credit. But it is worth very little, an extra .5% of the total grade. I prefer that students put consistent effort into the daily assignments and prepare for their exams and quizzes. Consistent work will do more for a grade than 1-2 extra credit points.

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I believe that parents and teachers should work as a team. I hope to establish positive lines of communication between us. I will inform you of classroom activities and your child’s success in the following ways:

Please feel free to request a conference at any time.

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You are welcome to visit the classroom. (Please just let me know in advance.) Also consider sharing your career, special talent, or hobby with us. And, feel free to contact me. My e-mail address is zanderc@issaquah.wednet.edu.

Please click HERE to view and print the response form acknowledging the above policies.