Dear
Parent/Guardian,
Your child is enrolled in algebra
for the 2006-07 school year at
An important aspect of the Carnegie
Learning program is encouraging students to support each other and work
together as they learn mathematics. Research shows that students are much more
successful in mathematics when they study with other students than when they
work alone. As a result, students will spend some time in class working in
pairs or groups. We also encourage them to work with other students outside of
class by participating in homework study groups and telephone networks.
However, it is important to remember that working together and copying another
students’ work are very different things. In addition, we will make
ourselves as available as possible to help students after school.
Your child will receive a Carnegie Learning© textbook/assignment book provided in consumable form and which will be kept in the classroom. Your child will be required to have a binder in which to keep his/her papers. New this year, each student will receive a supplemental Homework Helper guide which is to be kept at home and used as a reference for you and your child in completeing assignments. In class, students will be able to use rulers and calculators provided by the school. You may choose to purchase these items for your child for use outside of class, though the purchase is not required it is recommended. If you do purchase a calculator, our math department recommends a solar scientific calculator that does fractions (or the Texas Instruments TI-83 for students planning on taking higher math after high school).
Your
child also will be using a computer to do the Cognitive Tutor© section of the
Carnegie Learning© Program. This computer work will be done approximately two
days a week to reinforce the classroom lessons and make the lessons more
meaningful to everyday life problems. Students will be permitted to proceed at
their own pace for this section of the program and will be given a grade based
on their progress. The computer will keep track of their individual progress
and their mistakes. Arrangements will be made for students to make up work on
the computer due to absence from school. This work will be done during
students' study periods or after school as possible. Furthermore, NO STUDENT WILL
BE ALLOWED TO USE THE COMPUTER FOR
INTERNET ACCESS OR OTHER UNRELATED
PURPOSE DURING ALGEBRA CLASS.
Any student found to be using the computer inappropriately during
algebra class may lose his/her computer usage for the marking period and
receive a ZERO for the computer portion of his/her grade for that marking
period.
We need your support. Specifically,
we would like you to encourage your child to attend class everyday and to be
on time. Show interest in your child’s mathematics work by asking what
he/she did in class daily. Encourage him/her to work hard daily. Check his/her
progress by asking to see homework, notebook, tests, quizzes, and grade sheet
weekly. The only way for a student to succeed in math is by attending class
every day and by working hard everyday.
Thank you for your cooperation. If
you have any further questions or feel the need to talk to us, please do not
hesitate to contact us at school by email (
Sincerely,
Mr.