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Ms. A. Nista
Welcome to my sixth grade math class! I look forward to working with you. I want to make your learning experience as successful as possible. I cannot do this on my own, however. I need your cooperation. There are several things you need to do in order to help me in my endeavor to teach you.
Every time you come to class, you must be prepared and bring the necessary supplies.
Supplies
1) pencils, pencils and pencils
2) 1 inch or 1.5 inch binder
3) a pen or colored pencil (for correcting)
4) an assignment pad/agenda/planner
5) a folder
6) highlighters (optional, but recommended)
7) iPad
It is also important that you get to class on time. Do not waste time talking to friends. We only have about 48 minutes together! When you come in, please sit in your seat immediately. First, take out your homework and put it on your desk. Then take out your assignment pad/agenda/planner and copy ALL of your homework. Your homework assignment and dates of quizzes and tests will be posted on the Schoology calendar and on the white board in my room. A copy of the worksheet you received in class as well as class notes will be posted on Schoology. Eventually, the answer sheets to the homework will also be posted on Schoology.
Homework
When you are doing your homework and you aren’t sure about how to answer the question, go through the following steps:
1) Go back to the notes you have from class and try to figure out how to solve the problem based on the information you have.
2) Ask an adult/older sibling for help.
3) Phone a friend—ask that person for an explanation—NOT THE ANSWER.
4) Email me at anista@scarsdaleschools.org and I will try to help you figure out the answer.
5) When all else fails, have your parent send a brief email telling me that he/she was aware that you had trouble figuring out how to answer the question and you will be seeing me for extra help.
How you will be graded
Homework: Everyone starts out with a 0 for his/her homework grade. Each time you complete all of the homework questions you were assigned, you will receive 5 points. If you do not complete the assigned homework or you did not show all of your work, you will receive 0 points. You will be able to complete the assignment and you will get 2 points. If you did not follow directions or your homework was done in pen, you will be asked to do it over and you will receive full credit, once you show me that it was done over.
Quizzes: Generally, you will have one or two quizzes a week. These are short and usually take about 5-15 minutes to complete. If you miss a quiz because you are absent, please see me to arrange to make it up. All of the quizzes together will give you another grade.
Tests: Every two to three weeks you will have a test. A few days before the test, I will give you a study guide, which will provide an outline of the topics on the test and extra practice problems. You will be given the entire period to complete the test. If you miss a test because you are absent you need to make it up. Each test is another grade.
How I will calculate your grade:
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Homework grade: 15% of quarter average
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Total quizzes: 25% of quarter average
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Tests: 60% of quarter average (If there are 3 tests, then each test is 20% of the quarter average. If there are 4 tests, then each test is 15% of the quarter average.)
Statement on Cheating
At times, the work in this class will be challenging and you may feel overwhelmed. There may be the temptation to “take a shortcut”. It might mean that you ask a friend to copy his/her homework or you might ask someone from another section about a test question. These are both examples of cheating. If you are feeling stressed about the work, please come to see me for extra help as soon as possible. Please do not resort to cheating.
Extra help
I am usually available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday after school from 2:40-3:20. I will post the days and times I am available outside of my classroom, inside my classroom, on this website and on my Bitmoji Classroom. (Please check for updates.) You may also see me during reading. You just have to ask your reading teacher if you may come in.
