Frequently Asked Questions...
When is the best time to meet with Ms. DeGraffenreid?
I am available to meet before school. Please e-mail or call to set up an appointment.
How can I contact Ms. DeGraffenreid?
You cannot call directly to my room, but you can leave a message on my voice mail. I check my voice mail in the morning and afternoon. You can also contact me via e-mail at kdegraffenreid@pylusd.org
What is the math notebook?
Math notebooks are suggested to help keep students organized and is an important learning tool in our class. All notes are recorded here, so it is the best place to look for answers to homework and to study for a test. It is recommended that your student have 2 math notebooks for the year. The best, and most durable, notebooks are 8 1/2" x 11", have a plastic cover, and a strong spiral coil. Staples sells two that are really nice...the Staples Accel 1 Subject Notebook (100 pages) and the Staples Accel 3 Subject Notebook (150 pages). For most students, the single subject will be enough. If your writing is on the larger side, you might want to go with the 3 subject. When you start your new notebook, keep the old one...benchmark tests cover material from the ENTIRE year. It's also a great reference for 8th grade!
How is my child doing in your class?
Students, and their parents, can access grades for all classes online. Grades are updated about once a week. If you cannot access the grade online, please let me know and I will be happy to send a grade report home with your student. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS AERIES.
How is my child graded in math?
Grades are weighted in math. Tests, quizzes, and projects are 70% of the grade. Homework is 30% of the grade. Students are not allowed to re-take tests, however, test corrections are accepted to earn a maximum of 70% on a test. Test corrections must follow specific guidelines to receive credit.
How can I help my child do better in math?
1. Check the daily learning objective on the math homework page. Ask your student about the objective each day to see if he/she has mastered the concept. Each week, make a list of the daily objectives and use them to study for tests.
2. Sit down with your student and review notes often.
3. I rarely collect work on the same day I assign it. Even if your student claims to have no homework, he/she should have the completed assignment in his/her notebook or backpack. Look it over to make sure it is complete. Ask your student questions about the assignment.
4. Ask to see your student's opening assignment. This is a daily, in-class assignment that is used to review key concepts. Make sure your student wrote down the question(s) and answered completely. Ask your student questions about the information he/she wrote down.
5. If your student has done poorly on a chapter test, they may submit test corrections. Be sure to follow the test correction guidelines.
6. Encourage your student to speak with Ms. DeGraffenreid. I am available at 8:00 each day to help students review for a test, organize their notebook, go over a test, or review a concept that they're struggling with. If 8:00 doesn't work, other YLMS teachers are available during the school day and after school. Click on "Office Hours" to the left to see the availability of each teacher.
Do you give extra credit?
Extra credit opportunities are few and far between. Don't wait for one of these opportunities to improve your grade...you may be waiting a long time. There will be no "special" extra credit assignments at the end of a grading period for students with low grades.
Do you accept late work?
If excused absence, the student has 2 days for every day missed to make up work. The student can earn full credit. If not excused, late work will be accepted for partial credit if it is submitted during the chapter of study. Work submitted after the chapter will be accepted for zero credit, but it will clear the "red box" in aeries.
I am available to meet before school. Please e-mail or call to set up an appointment.
How can I contact Ms. DeGraffenreid?
You cannot call directly to my room, but you can leave a message on my voice mail. I check my voice mail in the morning and afternoon. You can also contact me via e-mail at kdegraffenreid@pylusd.org
What is the math notebook?
Math notebooks are suggested to help keep students organized and is an important learning tool in our class. All notes are recorded here, so it is the best place to look for answers to homework and to study for a test. It is recommended that your student have 2 math notebooks for the year. The best, and most durable, notebooks are 8 1/2" x 11", have a plastic cover, and a strong spiral coil. Staples sells two that are really nice...the Staples Accel 1 Subject Notebook (100 pages) and the Staples Accel 3 Subject Notebook (150 pages). For most students, the single subject will be enough. If your writing is on the larger side, you might want to go with the 3 subject. When you start your new notebook, keep the old one...benchmark tests cover material from the ENTIRE year. It's also a great reference for 8th grade!
How is my child doing in your class?
Students, and their parents, can access grades for all classes online. Grades are updated about once a week. If you cannot access the grade online, please let me know and I will be happy to send a grade report home with your student. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS AERIES.
How is my child graded in math?
Grades are weighted in math. Tests, quizzes, and projects are 70% of the grade. Homework is 30% of the grade. Students are not allowed to re-take tests, however, test corrections are accepted to earn a maximum of 70% on a test. Test corrections must follow specific guidelines to receive credit.
How can I help my child do better in math?
1. Check the daily learning objective on the math homework page. Ask your student about the objective each day to see if he/she has mastered the concept. Each week, make a list of the daily objectives and use them to study for tests.
2. Sit down with your student and review notes often.
3. I rarely collect work on the same day I assign it. Even if your student claims to have no homework, he/she should have the completed assignment in his/her notebook or backpack. Look it over to make sure it is complete. Ask your student questions about the assignment.
4. Ask to see your student's opening assignment. This is a daily, in-class assignment that is used to review key concepts. Make sure your student wrote down the question(s) and answered completely. Ask your student questions about the information he/she wrote down.
5. If your student has done poorly on a chapter test, they may submit test corrections. Be sure to follow the test correction guidelines.
6. Encourage your student to speak with Ms. DeGraffenreid. I am available at 8:00 each day to help students review for a test, organize their notebook, go over a test, or review a concept that they're struggling with. If 8:00 doesn't work, other YLMS teachers are available during the school day and after school. Click on "Office Hours" to the left to see the availability of each teacher.
Do you give extra credit?
Extra credit opportunities are few and far between. Don't wait for one of these opportunities to improve your grade...you may be waiting a long time. There will be no "special" extra credit assignments at the end of a grading period for students with low grades.
Do you accept late work?
If excused absence, the student has 2 days for every day missed to make up work. The student can earn full credit. If not excused, late work will be accepted for partial credit if it is submitted during the chapter of study. Work submitted after the chapter will be accepted for zero credit, but it will clear the "red box" in aeries.