Spring Wood Middle School
8th Grade Mathematics Syllabus
Teachers:
Mrs. Doyle – Room 214
[email protected]
Mrs. Fellerath – Room 213
[email protected]
School Telephone:
(630) 893-8900
School Address:
5540 N. Arlington Drive East
Hanover Park, IL 60133
Course Description
As the last stop prior to high school mathematics, eighth grade mathematics is a challenging course which will
continue to utilize the Connected Mathematics Project (CMP3) textbook series to meet the Common Core
State Standards for Illinois. Common Core standards for eighth grade focus on expressions and equations,
functions, and geometry. Students will build their comprehension in these areas by employing the eight
mathematical practices, which emphasize perseverance, critical thinking, and communication.
Common Core Illinois Performance Standards
In Grade 8, instructional time should focus on three critical areas: (1) formulating and reasoning about
expressions and equations, including modeling an association in bivariate data with a linear equation, and
solving linear equations and systems of linear equations; (2) grasping the concept of a function and using
functions to describe quantitative relationships; (3) analyzing two- and three‐dimensional space and figures
using distance, angle, similarity, and congruence, and understanding and applying the Pythagorean Theorem.
Unit Sequence
Unit 1: Butterflies, Pinwheels, and Wallpaper (Trimester I – 4 weeks)
 Understand congruence and similarity using physical models, transparencies, or geometry software.
 Understand and apply the Pythagorean Theorem.
 Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving volume of cylinders, cones and spheres.
 CMP3 Units: Looking for Pythagoras; Butterflies, Pinwheels, and Wallpaper
Unit 2: Revisiting Integers and Slope (Trimester I – 2 week)
 Recall rules of arithmetic involving positive and negative integers.
 Reinforce foundational understanding of slope
 Develop new conceptualization of slope as it relates to graphs, tables, and real-world situations.
Unit 3: Say it with Symbols (Trimester I – 4 weeks)
 Solve linear equations in one variable.
 Interpret the equation 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 as a linear function, whose graph is a straight line.
 Compare and contrast linear and nonlinear functions and their graphs.
 Model a real-world situation involving a linear relationship, and interpret the rate of change and initial
values of the situation from the equation and the graph.
Spring Wood Middle School
8th Grade Mathematics Syllabus
Unit 4: Exponents I (Trimester I – 2 weeks)
 Express numbers in a variety of ways, including exponential notation and standard notation.
 Work with radical and integer exponents involving base multiplication and division.
Unit 5: Looking for Pythagoras (Trimester II – 4 weeks)
 Estimate the value of the square root of any number.
 Relate the area of squares to the area of right triangles to informally understand the Pythagorean
Theorem.
 Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find any missing side length in a right triangle.
 Apply the Pythagorean Theorem to a variety of real-world situations to find measurements which are
otherwise difficult to measure.
Unit 6: Cones, Spheres, and Cylinders (Trimester II – 2 weeks)
 Know the formulas for the volume of cones, cylinders, and spheres and use them to solve real-world
and mathematical problems.
 Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving volume of cylinders, cones and spheres.
Unit 7: Exponents II (Trimester II – 2 weeks)
 Work with radical and integer exponents involving:
o Raising a power to a power
o Raising a base to a negative exponent
o Raising a quotient to a power
Unit 8: Thinking with Math Models (Trimester II – 4 weeks)
 Be able to recognize, model, and solve problems with linear and inverse relationships.
 Be able to use data to make predictions.
 Be able to fit a line to data that shows a linear trend and measure closeness of fit.
 The students will be able to use correlation coefficients to describe the strength of the linear
association of scatter plots.
Unit 9: Growing, Growing, Growing (Trimester III – 5 weeks)
 Be able to represent exponential growth and decay relationships with a table, graph, and/or equation.
 Be able to identify growth and decay rates and factors, and convert between the two.
 Be able to use exponential growth and decay equations to make predictions.
Unit 10: It’s in the System (Trimester III – 5 weeks)
For more details, please visit http://www.isbe.net/COMMON_CORE/pls/level1/pdf/math-standards.pdf
Textbook and Supplemental Materials
Textbook: Pearson’s Connected Mathematics Project for 8th grade
Various supplemental materials will be utilized throughout the year, including manipulatives, technology,
Spring Wood Middle School
8th Grade Mathematics Syllabus
websites, and more.
Student Supplies
Students are required to have the following materials available for class EACH day:








Assignment notebook
1-inch 3 ring binder
Spiral notebook
Loose leaf paper
Scientific Calculator, preferably Texas Instruments TI30X-IIS (see right)
Pencils (all work MUST be in pencil!)
Grading pens (any color EXCEPT black)
Optional: Colored pencils, highlighter, erasers, ruler
Grading and Evaluation Policy
Students will receive a grade based on the following categories:
A……………………………..90 – 100%
B……………………………..80 – 89%
C……………………………..70 – 79%
D……………………………..60 – 69%
F……………………………...below 60%
Special Note: Every 8th grader is expected to achieve at
least a 1.75 grade point average (G.P.A.), for the year as
rd
well as a 1.75 grade point during the 3 trimester in order
to be able to attend the promotion ceremony.
- - -Spring Wood Student Handbook
Quizzes/Classwork: 25% of overall grade
Quizzes will be given on a regular (usually weekly) basis to assess student understanding and to prepare for
the unit test. There will never be a “pop” quiz – students and parents will be able to view scheduled quizzes
on the class website, and announcements will be made in class.
Tests: 70% of overall grade
Unit tests will be given at the end of each unit. Students will receive a study guide before each unit test.
Homework: 5% of overall grade
Homework is given on an almost nightly basis to help students practice and reinforce learning done in the
classroom. While only 5% of the overall grade is based on homework, it is a proven fact that on all
assignments, students who do their homework outperform those who do not.
Late/Make Up Work
It is our hope that all students will be in class each and every day to maximize learning. However, when illness
or other situations arise, students will be expected to make up missing work. Students are responsible for
finding out what they have missed and to turn in their missing work in a timely manner. Typically, students
Spring Wood Middle School
8th Grade Mathematics Syllabus
have the number of days missed to make up the missing assignment. Students are also responsible to obtain
missed class notes from a trusted peer. All missing work should be turned into the “In” folders in class – NOT
to the teacher.
Help Outside of Class
Your teachers are here to help you succeed! If you are struggling with any of the concepts covered in class,
you need to seek help outside of class. Talk with your teacher about coming in for extra help either before or
after school – she will let you know when she is available.
Spring Wood Middle School
8th Grade Mathematics Syllabus
Signature Acknowledgements
I acknowledge that I have received the 8th Grade Mathematics Syllabus and understand the guidelines for the
2015 – 2016 academic year.
Student Name: ____________________________________ Date: _________________________
Signature: ________________________________________
Parent Name: _____________________________________ Date: __________________________
Signature: ________________________________________
Parents, please take a moment to provide the following information for our records:
Home Telephone Number: _____________________________________
Cellular Telephone Number: ____________________________________
Email Address: _______________________________________________
Preferred method of contact (circle one): Telephone
Email
Both