8th Grade Math with Mrs.

Cramton

Subject: 8th Grade Mathematics

Instructor: Mrs. Kristie Cramton

Room: 301

Phone: 727-7552 (ext.) 2301

Prep Period: 1:50 – 2:40

CPM Math Program

“College Preparatory Mathematics (CPM)” was originally an Eisenhower-funded grant program. CPM
teaching strategies focus on how students best learn and retain mathematics. Teaching strategies rely on the
recommendations of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and are based solidly on the
methodological research in teaching mathematics. The research-based principles that will guide the course are:
 Students should engage in problem-based lessons structured around a core idea.
 Guided by a knowledgeable teacher, students should interact in groups to foster mathematical
discourse.
 Practice with concepts and procedures should be spaced over time; that is, mastery comes over time.

The research through this program has shown that overtime mastery of concepts is achieved because of the way
students are required to constantly review material that was presented earlier. This procedure is called mixed
based practice. Students will also be required to work collaboratively in groups to discover through inquiry
based strategies material and math concepts.

 Students learn ideas more deeply when they discuss ideas with classmates.
 Students learn ideas more usefully for other arenas when they learn by attacking problems—ideally
from the real world.
 Students learn ideas more permanently when they are required to engage and re-engage with the ideas
for months or even years.

These three principles (termed, respectively, as “cooperative learning,” “problem-based learning” and “mixed,
spaced practice”) have driven the development of the CPM textbooks from the beginning and each year these
principles are validated by more solid research to prove their effectiveness.

The following common core math practices will be observed daily in lessons.

Mathematical Practices

1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.

2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
4. Model with mathematics.
5. Use appropriate tools strategically.
6. Attend to precision.
7. Look for and make use of structure.
8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

On line resources
All course information such as daily objectives, formative and summative assessments, resources, etc.
 will be available on our class website:
 mrscramton.weebly.com.
Additionally, we will be using an ebook associated with the CPM program. Students will have an access
code and will be able to access it from anywhere including their phones! There is also an amazing
parent site that will help parents assist in learning at home. It even includes questions that you could
ask to help guide students to discovering the answers without giving it to them. You can access this
information without a code and through your phones too! The link will be on our class website too!

Parent Guide for homework help:

 https://pdfs.cpm.org/CoreConnections/ParentGuide/cc2/CC2_PG.pdf

Grading Policy/Homework

Grading will be calculated by using the following new system called Standards Based Grading! Students
will NOT be getting traditional grades, A,B,C,D’s but rather a proficiency rating. This transition will give both
the student and teacher a better idea of where the learner is in their educational process. More tailored lessons
and focused ideas can then be given to each learned to help in their growth. Students will be given a list of all
the standards that will be covered in each chapter throughout the school year. They will also see where and
when the standards will be tested summativly. A summative assessment will not be given until many formative
checks have occurred and the teacher and student are confident in checking the standard summativly.

Please check PowerSchool to see the list of standards that will be accessed this year. The grading will be
distinguished with the following scale:

Standards Based Grading:

AP- Advanced Proficient

P-Proficient

PP-Partially Proficient

NP-Not Proficient

Homework is still a very valuable learning tool which gives you the opportunity to
practice concepts and skills learned in class.

 Always show your work (thought process) when completing assignments.

 You will not receive full credit on assignments if you just have answers written down. How you
came up with your answer and your thinking process is just as important as the answer itself.

 Also, if you are incorrect, it is helpful to be able to see where you made your mistake.
Assignments are due on the assigned date at the beginning of the hour.

 Homework will be recorded per standard by the teacher.

Retake Policy

Retakes are the responsibility of the students. One important change this year is that students will have
recorded attempts in acquiring a proficient ranking in each standard. Our book allows for most standards to be
“retaken” because of the nature of the course. It is important to note that retakes may not be given on a
standard until much later than normal. The reason is because that particular standard may be seen in chapter 2
then again in chapter 5. Therefore, students will need to wait until chapter 5 to see if their understanding of
that particular standard has grown. However, if after the second, or third attempt the student is not proficient,
then I’m willing work with the student so their understanding will grow in that standard. The process of
obtaining a retake will be different for each student but will include:

Students must follow the retake process:

 A written request by the student including an explanation for requesting the retake.

 The student’s demonstration of effort to attain mastery learning which includes test corrections
and caught-up homework.

 Caught-up homework is defined as turning in at least 80% of formative assignments by their

original due date and having all assignments turned in before the summative assessment.

 Formative assignments will still be accepted for a grade up to the date of the summative
assessment, but will not be considered part of the 80% if turned in after their original due date.

 Effort must be made on ALL formative assessments. Turning in incomplete work does not
demonstrate an effort to attain mastery learning. If work is turned in incomplete it will not
count towards the 80% of formative assignments turned in by their original due date and will
have to be completed before the summative assessment to be eligible for a retake.

 The teacher’s approval for retake following steps a. and b.

 The student will be given the Advisory period for the retake.

Rules and Consequences

I follow the Love and Logic philosophy and the following explains how our classroom will operate.

1. I will treat you with respect, so you will know how to treat me.

2. Feel free to do anything that doesn’t cause a problem for anyone else.

3. If you cause a problem, I will ask you to solve it.

4. If you can’t solve the problem, or choose not to, I will do something.

5. What I do depends on the special person and the special situation.

6. If you feel something is unfair, whisper to me, “I’m not sure that’s fair,” and we will talk.
*Severe Disruptions will be sent immediately to the office. *All rules in the student handbook will also be enforced.

Phone:727-7552 ext. 2301

Email:

kcramton@richmond.k12.mi.us

Website:
mrscramton.weebly.com

Prep Hour: 1:50-2:40 These items I’m requesting your

Communication Classroom
child bring everyday toSupplies
class: Math
Reminder101 is also a good tool notebook and pencil, laptop,
to stay updated. I will use this textbook, or other mathematic tools
only for IMPORTANT reminders. required for the day.
See attached sheet to sign up!
 A If you have a smartphone, get push
Parent/Guardian Name Printed ____________________________
notifications.

On your iPhone or Android phone,

open your web browser and go to rmd.at/cramtonm
Parent/Guardian Signature __________________________________Date ________
the following link: th
8 Grade Math Supply List: Supply Wish List:
Join Cramton Math 8
 Notebook (one for each quarter)  Kleenex
rmd.at/cramtonm
Full Name
 Highlighters  Clorox Wipes/ Hand Sanitizer
Follow the instructions to sign up First and Last Name
for Remind. You’ll be prompted to  Pencils, pens,  White Board Markers
Phone Number or Email Address
download the mobile app.
(555) 555-5555  Pencils
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