Upper Perkiomen Middle School
Course: 7th Grade Core Math
2020-2021 School Year
UPMS Mission: Creating respectful, responsible, resilient learners!
Message from the Teacher:
Welcome to Upper Perkiomen Middle School! We are extremely excited to welcome you back after such a chaotic year. We are hoping this year will go smoothly and that learning will not be interrupted, so we can have a successful year in 7th grade whether it is virtual or in person.
Communication:
Communication is key to your success! Students and parents are welcome to contact us through phone or email.
Email: Lauren Keebler lkeebler@upsd.org
Phone: 267-313-4800 x6212
Course Description and Objectives: Core Connections 2 (CPM)
Core Connections 2 (CPM) - is the second of a three-year sequence of courses designed to prepare students for a rigorous high school mathematics course. Students use problem-solving strategies, questioning, investigating, analyzing critically, gathering and constructing evidence and communicating rigorous arguments justifying their thinking. Students learn to collaborate with others while sharing information, expertise, and ideas. This course helps students develop multiple strategies to solve problems and to recognize the connections between concepts.
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
● Complete operations with integers and rational numbers, including using the Order of Operations
● Use diagrams and equal ratios to represent part-whole relationships
● Use percents and scale factors to determine percent increase or decrease, discounts and markups
● Use variable expressions to represent quantities in contextual problems
● Simplify variable expressions by combining like terms and using the Distributive Property
● Solve linear equations, including those with fractional coefficients and those with no solutions or infinitely many solutions
● Solve and graph one-variable inequalities
● Compare experimental and theoretical probabilities
● Distinguish between dependent and independent events and calculate the probability of compound independent events
● Represent probabilities of multiple events using systemic lists, area models or tree diagrams
● Design, conduct, and analyze surveys
● Collect and compare data and describe the distribution of sets of data
● Solve distance, rate and time problems
● Compare ratios and calculate unit rates
● Recognize and solve problems involving proportional relationships
● Recognize and use the properties of similar figures and scale factors to solve problems
● Describe angles, angle pairs, and their measures
● Compute area and perimeter of standard and compound shapes
● Compute the volume of a variety of solids
Student Textbooks & Materials: CPM Core Connections 2
● CPM Core Connections, Course 2 Textbook
Available online - link will be provided to students with login
● Chromebook, fully charged, every day
● Other supplemental resources, as needed
Required Student Supplies:
● One RED graph paper notebook
● One RED 2 inch binder
● One RED single subject folder with pockets and holes (fits in binder)
● One box of 12 Colored Pencils (assorted colors)
● TI 30 XIIS Calculator (available at WalMart, Staples, Amazon, etc.)
Recommended Student Supplies:
● One box of colored Expo markers
● One box of tissues
● One container of Clorox-type wipes
● One container of 8 oz. hand sanitizer
● One pack blue or black pens
● One box of #2 pencils
● Earbuds
● Erasers (either pencil top or Pink Pearl Premium)
● Several highlighters (assorted colors)
● Notebook paper
Major Assessments and/or Projects:
Unit Quizzes Unit Tests Graded Assignments Group Work
Task Cards, Around the Room Problems Projects-Miscellaneous PSSA Review
*This list is not inclusive of all projects and assessments as some will be based off of students’ interest as determined during the course of the year.
UPMS Classroom Expectations:
At UPMS we have developed the following classroom expectations that we have for all students in each of our classrooms:
1. Be on time, on task and be prepared to LEARN everyday!
2. Keep all personal electronics away! Place in your locker or classroom cell
phone pockets.
3. Be RESPONSIBLE for your own learning and behavior.
4. RESPECT your teacher, the staff, the classroom and others!
5. Strive to BE YOUR BEST!
UPMS Virtual Expectations for Students
- Be on time, on task and be prepared to LEARN everyday!
- Virtual classroom time is still classroom time - set up at a desk/table, have pencil, paper, and other supplies. Dress for success just like you would for school!
- Keep all personal electronics away! Place it away from your workspace.
- Share your SMILE with us virtually! We want to be able to put a name with a face!
- Keep online chats and discussions classroom focused and appropriate.
- Be RESPONSIBLE for your own learning and behavior.
- RESPECT your teacher and classmates in the virtual setting!
- Strive to BE YOUR BEST!
Responsibilities of Students:
Daily: These tasks will be completed during the Homeroom Period with your Block 1 teacher each day!
● Write assignments in their agenda book
● Check your email for important updates
● Check Google Classroom/Schoology for your daily assignments/homework
Weekly:
● Check in with your teacher for anything you have questions about, review tests/quizzes. Ask questions!!!
● Check your grades on Skyward for missing assignments
Complete your assignments on time. Deductions will be made for missing and/or incomplete work.
Consequences: It is our goal to work with our students to model and teach respectful and responsible behaviors. The following consequences will be followed when a student does not meet the classroom expectations:
1. A verbal warning will be given.
2. Student/Teacher Conference will be held.
3. Consequence determined by teacher and parent will be notified.
4. Code of Conduct referral will be made to administration.
NOTE: In serious violations, a code of conduct referral may be warranted as the first step.
Statement of Academic Integrity
Homework Policy (Face to Face and Virtual):
Homework contributes toward building responsibility, self-discipline and lifelong learning habits. It is the intention of the Upper Perkiomen Middle School staff to assign relevant, challenging and meaningful homework assignments that reinforce classroom learning objectives. Homework should provide students with the opportunity to apply information they have learned, complete unfinished class assignments and develop independence.
Homework Assignments Include:
- Practice exercises to follow classroom instruction
- Preview assignments to prepare for subsequent lessons
- Extension assignments to transfer new skills or concepts to new situations
- Creative activities to integrate many skills toward the production of a response or product
Responsibilities of Students:
- All students will be required to write his/her assignments in their agenda book daily.
- Be sure all assignments are clear; don’t be afraid to ask questions
- Complete your assignments on time
Communication:
Communication is key to your success, students and parents are welcome to contact me through email or phone.
*Please note, I will NOT be teaching from my classroom, so I will not have easy access to the school phone. If you would like to schedule a phone call, please email me first.
If a student is absent, it is their responsibility to go onto Schoology and view the daily notes and homework assignments. They should come prepared to class knowing what they missed and what they owe. Late assignments will be accepted for half credit.
Schoology is a Learning Management System that teachers can post assignments, grade assignments, and organize work. Students at the beginning of the year will be introduced to Schoology and learn how to navigate this system. More information is provided about Schoology in our At Home Learning Section.
Grading Policy:
● The grade breakdown of Achievement Assessments and Learning Activities will be the following percentage splits for the middle level:
○ Grade 7 (Core Courses)
■ Summative Assessments - 70%
■ Formative Activities/Practice - 30%
Extra Help:
While students are responsible for his or her academic and behavior success, we also want to support our students when they need some assistance. Teachers are available during the PERK Period (when face to face instruction resumes) for extra help. If the student is not enrolled in a Direct Study Course for the class, they should speak with their teacher to obtain a pass in order to seek extra help on a given day with their teacher. Please note that teachers are not always available due to running other offerings during the PERK period but they will do their best to accommodate students who are in need of extra help during this time.
For virtual learning extra help, there are designated intervention times that your child can be invited to or can request help during that time. These times are from 7:20 am to 7:45 am or 2:00 pm to 2:45 pm. If you feel you (your child) needs extra assistance with the content being delivered, reach out to me and I will send you a specific zoom link.
Virtual Learning Information:
7th grade math teachers use Schoology as their Learning Management System (LMS). Starting our school year with at home learning, or partial at home learning means you/your child may not know how to navigate schoology, unless one of his/her 6th grade teachers used it. Below are the steps you/your child must take to begin using Schoology. Your child’s teacher will be providing instructional videos, practice assignments, practice activities, and assessments using the Schoology platform. Please follow directions for specific assignments provided in weekly emails or lesson plans. Zoom links for each class will be provided within the schoology course.
STEP 1: Log-In
Schoology website: https://upsd.schoology.com/login/
Username: student’s email address
Password: student ID number (do not use g00)
STEP 2:
Find the correct course. Look for the name Core Math 7 and click on it.
STEP 3:
You will see labeled folders. Look for the labeled folder that your teacher directs you to open and open it.
STEP 4:
Find the assignment that has been assigned. Follow all directions that are provided to you.
Contact Information: Phone #: 215-541-7425 ext. 7433 Email: jbrittain@upsd.org
