Welcome to Mrs. Bennight's Math Website- Updated (somewhat) June 2011.  Please continue to look for updates coming later this summer.    As of Fall 2011, I'll be using the  edmodo.com networking site to keep in touch with students and parents.  More information will be sent home with students at that time.
You can find more information about Pacific Middle School math at www.pacificmath.weebly.com .

Dear Parents/ Guardians:

          My name is Mrs. C. Bennight and I want to welcome you and your child to 7th Grade Math.  I'm looking forward to a great year! This letter will outline my classroom policies, and a student supply list for the class is noted below.     Also, note the requirement for a quad ruled composition book in the student supply list.

Effort, good attitude and participation count in our classroom.  My hope and expectation is that students, with your help and guidance, will follow these simple steps for success:

Take care of yourself.  Bring your school supplies each day.  Be on time and ready to learn.  Complete your work and projects on time.
Take care of each other.  Avoid harsh words and comments.  Help those who could use your help when appropriate.
Take care of this place.  Protect our classroom and supplies from damage and abuse.  Take pride in our room, our school and our community.

          Here at Pacific we use the Connected Math Project (CMP 2) curriculum.  Students solve problems and in so doing they observe patterns and relationships; then they conjecture, test, discuss, verbalize and generalize these patterns- making sense of mathematics and its uses.  This curriculum is somewhat different from what was used in years past; sometimes it can seem confusing to those trying to help students with studying and homework.  I will send home a parent's guide to each new unit that reviews the math that will be covered.  Feel free to visit me after school any day to talk about or go over the textbook with you and your child.  Please keep a cover on the book at all times.

     Help your child by together deciding on a time and place to study and do homework.  Students will write homework in their planner when it’s assigned, where you can check for it.  Please do check often.

          We will be working on class technology projects. Photos of students participating in class may be included (in a PowerPoint presentation, or on this website, for example), but they will not be identified by name. If you object, please let me know.
Grades will be based on a point system that reflects the degree to which students have met the standards.

98-100%  A+                   88-89%   B+                   78-79%  C+                    68-69%  D+              59% & below   F       

90-97%    A                   80-87%  B                     70-77%  C                      60-67%  D

          A variety of assessment tools will be used to evaluate student progress, including some or all of the following: Journals, Projects, Daily work, Tests/Quizzes, Homework, Accelerated Math Goals, & 7th Grade Level Expectations  “GLE’s” as set out by the State of Washington.

Thank you for your support.  We’re all looking forward to a great year.

Sincerely,

Mrs. C. Bennight    
bennigcl@ hsd401.org

Homework Tips for Parents and Others Who Help with Homework:
http://connectedmath.msu.edu/parents/tips.shtml

School Supply List for Math Class-Bennight

PENCILS:  Get several packs so running out is not a problem.  Any style.  All math work is done in pencil, not colored pencil, pen or marker.  Please keep students supplied throughout the whole year. 

QUAD RULED COMPOSITION BOOK: Get at least two of these to last all year.  You can find these at most office supply stores like Staples / Office Depot.  A composition book is shorter than a regular notebook, the paper is sewn in, and the spine is covered with a taped binding.  If you can't find one, get a regular quad ruled spiral bound (on the side) notebook, or a regular composition book; however the grid paper book is more effective for learning math and your child will want to have one eventually because we will be making many tables and graphs.   If you plan on getting a regular lined composition book you should also get glue sticks for your child because they will be gluing grid paper in their books for graphs.  One more thought about grid paper books: get one with light, thin  blue or black lines; not purple or thick blue lines, they are too hard to read. 

ERASERS

COLORED PENCILS OR PENS:  For correcting papers.

CALCULATOR:  One like the TI 30 or better if possible.  If not, get any kind.  Put name on it in permanent marker. 

PENCIL POUCH, BAG OR BOX:  Keeps supplies organized- an important life skill.  Must have one .. a ziplock baggie will do just fine if you don't want to purchase one. Put name on it in permanent marker.

*** We will have occasional supply/preparedness checks- please make sure supplies are refilled and kept in pencil pouch.  Thanks!***

KLEENEX TISSUE:  A donation to our classroom is very much appreciated.

HAND SANITIZER:  A donation to our classroom is very much appreciated.

PRINTER PAPER:  A donation to our classroom is very much appreciated.

EXTRA SCHOOL SUPPLIES:  A donation to our classroom of pencils, erasers, calculators, composition books, or any other type of school supply is very much appreciated! 
 




 



For Your Consideration
Math dictionary:  Purchase online (Amazon.com for example) or order from your favorite bookstore.  A great homework help for students and the adults who assist them!  Can be used through high school.  One sample is below but there are many other titles available.  Not required, but highly recommended.

BARRON’S MATHEMATICS STUDY DICTIONARY

Publisher: Barron's Educational     Series (February 1, 1998)

Grade: 6-12

      ISBN: 0764103032

 

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