Hello!  Welcome to Course I of the sequential Saxon Math Program!

Our hour long math classes usually begin with a short, usually not timed, math facts practice drill. Although I am trying to move away from this model and have the students work in groups through harder problems that have different entry points and ways of being solved. We correct our homework, go over mistakes, and begin our new lesson.  After our lesson students will use the rest of time left in class to begin their homework.  Homework is ALWAYS all THIRTY problems (except at the beginning of the year--see below!)  Starred problems should be done first in the classroom while students have the help and support of their classmates and teacher.  The starred problems are word problems, multi-step problems, or the ones that focus on the new lesson.  Ideally students will finish these problems at school and only bring home the remainder for homework and that should be review.

Homework is assigned daily; students are to write the homework down at the end of class. Assignments and up coming pretests and tests are posted on my web page usually the week before.  Do not rely solely on the website; we sometimes have server issues that prevent our web pages from being updated or displayed.

Homework 20 minute rule:  In sixth grade, students are to spend 60-75 minutes on homework a night. At the beginning of the year, I require students to spend a minimum of 20 minutes on math each night. I suggest students start with their math homework and work on it for 20 minutes. Then students should move onto LA, SS, and science homework. If students have time left in the 60-75 minutes they may return to their math homework. If students cannot finish their homework please write a note on their homework -- example: "Johnny worked on this from 6pm-6:25 and 7pm-7:15 (don't forget to sign it!)."

As the year progresses, and students use their in class and study hall time more wisely, become more organized and familiar with the Saxon math program, and gain confidence I will expect all thirty problems done daily.  I will be working with students and their parents to make sure that this healthy development happen.  Homework MUST eventually show WORK done and use words to EXPLAIN or JUSTIFY the problems that ask the students to do so.

In sixth grade, students are expected to spend 60 -75 minutes on homework a night, in seventh grade, students are to spend 70-85 minutes on homework a night, and in eighth grade students are expected to spend 80-95 minutes a night on homework.