Pre-Algebra Math Grade 8

Course Overview

This 8th-grade math course is designed to build a strong foundation in key mathematical concepts aligned with the 2025–2026 state standards. Students will explore and apply skills in number sense, algebraic thinking, geometry, functions, and data analysis. Emphasis will be placed on problem-solving, mathematical reasoning, and real-world applications to prepare students for success in high school mathematics and beyond.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand, compare, and perform operations with rational and irrational numbers.
• Apply properties of operations to simplify and evaluate algebraic expressions.
• Analyze and solve one-variable linear equations, inequalities, and systems of linear equations.
• Explore geometric relationships involving transformations, congruence, similarity, angles, and the Pythagorean Theorem.
• Represent, interpret, and draw conclusions from data using statistical measures and graphical displays.

Attendance Policy

All students are expected to attend school daily and arrive on time to each assigned class period, as outlined in the Compton – Drew Student and Parent Handbook.

Students must be:

• Seated and ready to learn no later than 5 minutes after the class period begins.
• Marked tardy if they enter more than 10 minutes late to class.

Students who are tardy more than once per week will receive a consequence, which may include:

• Parent/guardian contact
• Detention
• Loss of classroom or school privileges

If a student is absent:

• They are expected to complete all missed assignments online unless an emergency occurs.
• It is the student’s responsibility to get missed work during open office hours or after school.

Assignments

You’ll complete different types of assignments, including:

• Do Nows (warm-ups)
• In-class work
• Online assignments (Easy – bridge, Khan Academy, Freckle, MS Teams,  IXL, etc.)
• Exit tickets
• Homework
• Quizzes and Tests

Classwork

Classwork is due by the end of the class period or at the beginning of the next class (if your teacher says so).

• No late classwork will be accepted after the due date.
• Final grades cannot be changed after the grading period ends.
• It’s your job to keep track of assignments and due dates in your planner.

Homework

• Homework is due at the beginning of the next class day.
• If not turned in on time, you have 5 school days to finish it.
• For each day it's late, 10% will be taken off your score.
• If homework isn’t turned in by the end of the following week, you’ll get a zero.
• Once a homework assignment closes, the grade is final—no changes after that.
• It’s your responsibility to turn in homework and keep up with deadlines.

Assessments

• Quizzes and tests will be based on what we cover in class each week or unit.
• You can use your class notes to study, but notes are not allowed during the test.
• All questions will be similar to what you’ve seen in notes and classwork.
• You will get a one-week notice before a unit test.
• If you fail a test, you’ll be placed in a small group to review.
  • If you don’t participate, disrupt, or don’t take it seriously, you won’t be allowed to revise your test.
• You can revise any assessment until the end of the unit.
• After the unit closes, all test grades are final.

Make – up Work

• Since your iPads go home every day, only quizzes and tests can be revised after they close.
• If you're absent, check the Classwork folder on the Team page to find notes you missed.
• It's your responsibility to stay caught up on classwork and study materials.

Late Policy

(Based on the School Handbook)

• All assignments (except assessments) are due on their assigned due date.
• Once the assignment is closed, it cannot be turned in or revised.
• You will be informed about each assignment:

• • Purpose
  • Due date
  • Close date

• Closed assignments are final—the grade you receive will be recorded on the online grading platform and cannot be changed.
• It’s your responsibility to track due dates and submit the work on time.

Grading Policy

This class follows Compton-Drew ILC Middle School’s official grading standards. Here's what you need to know:

• All assignments—including Do Nows (warmup), in-class tasks, and online work—are graded for accuracy, not just completion.
• Grades will be updated once per week in Tyler SIS.

The grading scale follows Compton-Drew's standard grading system, shown below.

 Daily Rubric Breakdown (50 pts)                                    

Weekly Rubric Breakdown (250 pts)

Grading Standards (collaboration of SLPS grading policy and the MO state standards)

Do Now (warm up) – max score of 5 points daily

***Duplicates will be treated as cheating after the 3^rd offense. Each offense will result in an email notification sent home to parent/guardian.

Exit Tickets – max score of 15 points daily

Classwork – max score of 20 points daily (rotates based on the day’s structure)

The following types of assignments that are classified as classwork:

Independent Practice (Paper and/or online)

• 10 points – accuracy & completion
• 5 points – showing understanding on concept and neatness
• 5 points – critical thinking and/or explanation (showing your work)

Partner Work (Shared Grade)

• 10 points – Task completion & accuracy (together)
• 5 points – evidence of shared thinking (no duplicate explanations)
• 5 points – positive and educational collaboration

Group Work (small group activity or task)

• 8 points – accuracy & completion
• 7 points – collaboration & roles
• 5 points – group critical thinking/problem solving (no duplicate explanations)

Class Practice, Review and/or Discussion

• 10 points – Verbal and/or written understanding (participates actively and complete notes)
• 5 points – Listening & speaking behavior (engaged listener, occasional responses)
• 5 points – critical thinking and/or explanation (use of academic language and/or reasoning)

Responsibility – 10 points weekly

8^th Grade Leadership Expectations: The 4 A’s

As 8th grade leaders at Compton Drew ILC, you set an example for the entire school. These 4 A’s are your guide to being role models for the 6th and 7th graders. Following these daily entries will help you lead by example. Breaking them will be treated just like breaking a class rule.

The 4 A’s

1. Attire

• Wear your full school uniform every day, as listed in the student handbook.
• Leave hoodies, hats, purses or bookbags, and other non-uniform items in your locker or at home.
• Leave headphones in your locker or at home (personal headphones are prohibited)

2. Attendance

• Come to school every day unless you’re truly sick or have an emergency.
• If you are absent, use your school device to get notes and complete your work that day.
• Make efforts to complete and catch up on any missing assignments (asking for missing work during the class period is prohibited; only office hours, email, or table partner will be allowed)

3. Academics

• Stay focused and involved during class periods.
• Keep track of your weekly assignments (advisory will be assigned a OneNote planner)
• Reflect on how you’re doing each month and set goals for yourself (S.M.A.R.T. goals taught to every advisory class)
• Take charge of your learning and work hard toward success (show curiosity and independence of your own learning abilities / having a desire to improve)

4. Attitude

• Be a leader! Show younger students how to behave in the common areas (lunchroom, field, gym, halls, bathrooms, classrooms, etc.).
• Stay positive, respectful, and responsible in everything you do. (Minimal to low foul language)
• Be someone others can look up to. (act with kindness first, including others, and respectful)

Classroom Routines & Procedures

Entering the classroom

• Walk into the classroom quietly — hallway conversations stop at the door.
• Go directly to your assigned seat.
• Start your Do Now warm-up right away.
• If you finish early, quietly begin working on your Khan Academy Mastery Assignment until the teacher gives directions.

Repeated Tardiness

• You are tardy if you’re not in your seat by the time the warm – up ends.

If you are tardy and miss the Do Now:

• You will get a zero ( 0 ) on your warm – up for the day.
• An email notification to parent / guardian.
• Repeated tardiness will lead to consequences that increase quickly.

Turning in Assignments

• All classwork must be uploaded to MS Teams or turned into the assigned class period’s tray before leaving.
• Each student will have access to optional practice task cards based on the 8^th grade standards taught.
• Practice work can be turned in for review only (not graded or extra credit)
• DO NOT place anything on Mrs. Peal’s desk – anything left there will be thrown away.
• The teacher will not track down missing names on assignments or activities.
• If you forget to put your name, place your work in the "No-Name Tray" at the front of the room.
• Any no-name work left unclaimed by 2:00 PM that day will be thrown away.

Always write your full name before turning in your work!

When You Finish Early

If you finish all your assigned work early, you may:

1. Work on your online practice assignments
2. Review your notes
3. Work on growth assignments in Freckle or IXL (based on STAAR scores)
4. Practice 8^th grade skills from tasks cards (located in classroom)
5. Read a book independently

Do not talk or disturb others while doing these.

Restroom Policy

• No bathroom breaks during instruction.
• Students will need documentation to be allowed to visit the bathroom during instruction.
• Class instruction begins at the end of the Do Now period.
• Per Compton Drew ILC policy: you may not leave the room during the first or last 10 minutes of class period.
• Be responsible and plan – don’t overdrink if you know you can’t leave later.

Class Dismissal

Class does not end until the teacher dismisses you.

Here’s what to do when it’s time to clean up:

• Clean your area (top & floor)
• Place all class materials back in their designated spot for the next student to use.
• Sit down and wait quietly until you’re dismissed by the teacher.

Personal Electronics Policy (including cell phones)

• Cell phones or personal headphones are not allowed in school.
• Phones will be collected during the security check and stored in your 6^th period box for safekeeping.
• iPad devices should be used for school purposes only.
• Any item placed in the teacher’s 6^th period box will only be returned after the student’s bus number is called over the intercom.
• Once the device is retrieved, the student should proceed to designated areas for traveling.

If a student is seen or heard with a personal device, it goes straight to admin:

• Only a parent can pick it up.
• If no parent retrieves it, you may get it back on Friday after 1:30pm. Mr. Hughes, the dean of students, will notify students over the intercom to retrieve their items.

✨ Student Voice Matters

Each class will have a chance to help shape how our room runs! At the start of the year, every class will work together to create a few extra class norms that help us work better as a team. These rules will reflect what the whole class believes is important for making a space where everyone feels respected, focused, and included.

Class Rules (Non – negotiables)

1. Be Ready
   1. Be on time with all your materials (no bags or food)
   2. Be in your seat and focused before Do Now ends.
2. Respect Everyone
   1. Speak and act with kindness toward classmates, teachers, and anyone in the room.
   2. Treat people the way you want to be treated — with respect.
3. Raise Your Hand
   1. If you want to speak, ask a question, or leave your seat — raise your hand first and wait to be called on.
4. Follow Directions
   1. Listen carefully and follow the teacher’s directions the first time.
   2. This applies to substitutes too.
5. Stay Focused
   1. Use your time wisely.
   2. Do your best on assignments and participate in class activities.
6. Use School Devices Only
   1. No personal devices in class (phones, headphones, AirPods, smartwatches).
   2. Only use your iPad or laptop for school purposes.
7. Use Respectful Language
   1. No cussing, rude, or offensive language.
   2. Treat others like you want to be treated — even when you’re upset.
8. No Bullying
   1. Bullying is not allowed in any form:
      1. No " Joning" (roasting), teasing, gossiping, or making fun of how someone smells or looks.
      2. Don’t leave people out of groups on purpose.
      3. If you see it, speak up or report it.
9. Keep Hands and Objects to Yourself
   1. Respect everyone’s space and property.
   2. No play fighting, touching others, or throwing things.
10. Be Honest & Accountable
    1. Own your actions — good or bad.
    2. If you mess up, be real about it and try to do better.

Consequences

We believe in giving everyone a fresh start each day. That means your consequences reset daily, but if a pattern starts to form, it will be noted in your student record so we can help you get back on track.

Here’s what happens if you continue to break class rules:

⚠️ 1st Violation – Verbal Warning

• You’ll get a verbal reminder to correct the behavior.
• You may be moved to a different seat if needed.
• This warning will be documented in your profile.

🔄 2nd Violation – Private Check-In

• The teacher will have a private conversation with you during a class transition or your lunch (detention).
• An email will be sent home to your parent/guardian explaining what’s been happening.

🧑🏾‍🏫 3rd Violation – 8th Grade Team Meeting

• A meeting will be held with Mrs. Peal, the student’s teachers and the student.
• We’ll talk about the pattern and your next steps.
• You will be asked to write a reflection and set some behavior goals based on our meeting.

👩🏽‍👧‍👦 4th Violation – Parent/Admin Meeting (PAM)

• Your teachers will ask admin to schedule a parent and administrator meeting.
• All your documentation (notes, reflections, emails) will be shared.
• You will be placed on a formal Behavior Plan, and this may result in a formal school infraction.

🚫 5th Violation – Administrative Referral

• If the behavior continues, your full record will be sent to school administrators.
• This may lead to In-School Suspension (ISS) or Out-of-School Suspension (OSS).
• It will be officially added to your discipline record.

Materials Needed to be successful

To help everyone succeed, most of the materials you need will be provided for in-class use. However, you’re responsible for taking care of your materials and being prepared each day.

What the Teacher will provide (for in class use only):

• Assigned locker and lock (advisory only)
• 1 scientific calculator
• 1 sharpened pencil
• Access to colored pencils
• Access to pens (black + red)
• Access to sticky notes

What the Teacher will provide (school purposes only)

• Your calculator is treated like a school device – take care of it while using it.
• If it’s broken on purpose, there will be an automatic consequence.
• Your first binder, folder and notebook will be given to you by the teacher.
• You must keep them and bring them to class each day.

Materials not provided by teacher

• Additional pencils
• Mechanical pencils or pens
• Extra notebooks
• Bookbags