1. Welcome to 8 th Grade Math! Southaven Middle School

2. Welcome to Ms. Pickering’s Math Class! We are going to have a fantastic year!

4. About Me: Each and every one of you is important to me. I am dedicated to providing each of you with the highest quality education that I can possibly provide. I think that math is exciting, and I want to make it as exciting and fun for you as I can. My goal is for you to learn a lot this year and to see just how awesome math can be!

5. About Me: I have an Elementary Education degree from the University of Mississippi. I also have endorsements that make me highly qualified to teach Science, Math, and English in Grades 7-12.

6. About Me: I have lived in Southaven for about 8 years this time. I have moved around quite a bit throughout my life. I have lived in 6 different states and over a dozen different cities. Reading is more than a hobby for me- it is a necessity! I also enjoy cooking and knitting.

7. My Family I am engaged to be married, and I have two wonderful children, Zane Alexander and Miles Geoffrey.

16. Policies and Procedures In order for us to have a highly successful year, there are certain policies and procedures that we must follow. The most important thing that we can all do is be respectful of one another. I will treat you with respect, and I expect you to treat me with respect in return.

17. Policies and procedures Respect yourself:  Dress appropriately.  Act appropriately.  Do not be a disturbance to others.  Come to class prepared.  Follow directions.  Use proper grammar in class.

18. Policies and Procedures Respect others:  Keep your hands and feet to yourself.  Do not make fun of or bully your classmates.  Don’t tell your classmates to “shut up.”  Use your manners. Listen to your peers until it is your time to speak; do not interrupt!

19. Policies and Procedures Respect your school:  Do not write on desks or walls.  Pick up trash and dispose of it properly.  Clean up after yourselves in the bathroom.  Take care of school property.

20. Consequences Positive consequences:  Verbal praise  Phone call or note home to parents saying how wonderful you are!  Positive office referral  Occasional treat/snack at teacher’s discretion

21. Consequences Negative consequences:  1 st offense- Verbal warning and documentation  2 nd offense- Parent Contact  3 rd offense- Parent-Teacher Conference  4 th offense- Office referral

22. Classroom Procedures Start of class procedures:  Enter the classroom quietly and calmly.  Take your assigned seat.  Refer to the board for bell work and announcements.  Complete bell work.

23. Classroom Procedures End of class procedures:  I will instruct you as to when to pack up.  Straighten your area.  Make sure you know what assignments you are responsible for having completed by the next class.  After being dismissed, quietly and calmly exit the classroom.

24. Leaving Class There should be no need to leave the classroom. If you have a medical condition tell me before it becomes an issue! If you have an emergency and must leave the room, you must have a signed handbook. Keep up with your handbook!

25. Absence Policy If you are absent you are responsible for making up all missed work. YOU are responsible for getting with me to find out what you missed and scheduling a make up. You will be given zeroes on any work that is not made up within an acceptable time.

26. What to do when you finish your work early  Work on your math packet.  Start your homework.  Work on a long-term project.

27. Exit Tickets I will be using exit tickets as a way to gauge what you have learned during a class period. When I have you complete an exit ticket, you will hand it to me as you leave the room. It is your ticket to exit the room. I will read them and write comments on them before I pass them back to you. These will be great for you to use when preparing for a test, so save them!

28. And Finally… I am truly excited to get to know each and every one of you this year! I know that together we can make this a very successful learning experience that we both will grow and benefit from. Go SMS Chargers!