How to Write a Middle School Math Syllabus
A syllabus outlines an academic course from beginning to end. At least, that is the dictionary's definition. What else goes into a course syllabus is often up for interpretation, depending on the teacher, the specific course and the age of the students. Syllabi for college students look very different from syllabi for middle school students.
Instructions
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Write a Middle School Math Syllabus
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Start with a calendar format (available on Google Documents or Microsoft Office). Use your district's calendar to fill in the school district's important dates, such as vacations, quarter or semester endings and state testing days.
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Find out if your district has an expected schedule of tests or even textbook chapters to be covered. Some districts create course calendars for each class offered and expect all teachers to follow them.
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3
Schedule quarterly and/or semester tests prior to each grading period if your district does not have an official schedule for you. Make sure to give yourself time to grade the tests for inclusion with your grade cards.
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Expand the calendar with a pacing guide. A pacing guide shows the order of topics to be covered in the class without giving exact dates. Exact dates are often difficult to predict because of possible interruptions, such as assemblies or snow days, as well as the challenges of knowing ahead of time how students will respond to the material. Organize your pacing guide so that you cover the required topics and objectives each quarter. The guide should show the name of each topic, the corresponding textbook chapter and pages, as well as the objectives.
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Include objectives. Your state and your district have objectives for each unit of math study. Coordinate those objectives with your pacing guide so that students and parents can see why you are covering the topics you are covering.
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Decide what other information you want the students to have. You might include your attendance policy, your homework policy, the best ways to get in touch with you, times you offer extra help, your grading system, your behavioral expectations and consequences, and/or your credentials.
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Tips & Warnings
Your colleagues will be invaluable to you while you are writing your syllabus. Ask to see copies of theirs to help you write yours.
Have another colleague proofread your syllabus before sending it home to parents and students.
