First Trimester Coming to an End

As the first trimester is quickly coming to an end I am beginning to realize how quickly this school year is moving. Now is a great time to take a moment to reflect on the first trimester and set goals for the second trimester. Students should think about their progress in all of their classes and what is and isn't working. Students may not realize how soon teachers have to make recommendations for high school classes, but many of us have to work on them over Winter break. We definititely take into account how students are currently doing in our classes. It is never too late to improve!!

With all of this in mind, I hope everyone has a restful and fun Thanksgiving break. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday and I am looking forward to spending my break with my daughter, my husband and our families.

Math Update

This week in math we have been very busy with fractions. Next week will will have a test over Chapter Four. Students should spend time looking over Chapter Four this weekend to prepare for Tuesday's test.

In Algebra we have finished covering the topics in Chapter Six. Next Wednesday we will have the test over this chapter.

Have a great weekend!!!

Fraction Frenzy

Students in my math class have started a short chapter on fractions. We will spend time reducing and comparing fractions, as well as working with exponents. Next year in Algebra students will be expected to be comfortable working with fractions. Hopefully this year we can clear up all of the confusion around fractions.

Extra Credit??

The trimester is quickly coming to an end so I have decided to offer a couple of extra credit opportunities for my students in periods 2-8.

1. I have put out extra credit problems in the back of my room. Students may take up to two of the problems to do. They must show their work and have the correct answer to get credit. Each problem is worth 5 points and they may do two. THE PROBLEMS MUST BE STAPLED TO THEIR TEST ON WEDNESDAY 11/5 FOR POINTS. I will not give any points if the student has any missing work for Chapter 3.

2. It has come to my attention that students do not regularly look at their grades online. Many students have no idea what their grade is in my class or what work they are missing. I have decided to offer an incentive for them to look at their grade. If they can write their percentage as of Monday, 11/3, on Wednesday's test, they will receive two extra credit points. I have also encouraged all of my students to take an interest in their grades in all of their classes. I have told them that they should check their grades at least weekly. They should be looking at the assignment grades to make sure that their grades are correct. (I do make mistakes!!) I will offer this opportunity again in the future, but I will not announce it ahead of time.

A Visit to Downers Grove South

This week I made a visit to Downers Grove South to observe 9th grade math classes and talk with the math department. The purpose of this visit is to see how our former students are doing and what we can do to make the transition to high school math as smooth as possible. It was very useful to actually observe the different math classes available for freshmen. I also really enjoyed seeing all of the teachers using SMART boards to present their lessons! I am a little jealous of the students and wish I had been exposed to such great technology when I was in school. I don't feel that old, but we just had chalk and chalkboards in our math classes!! It was also fun to see some of my former students in their math classes. I think they were a little scared I was there to check up on them:)

Barbie Bungee

This week in Algebra students have been working on the Barbie Bungee project. The students conducted an experiment to determine how many rubberbands Barbie would need to safely bungee off the roof of the school. The students did a great job gathering data, making graphs and writing equations to give Barbie (and Ken) a safe, but thrilling jump! Most of the Barbies were able to walk away unscathed, a few however, definitely needed a medic!
Thanks to Mr. Windsor for helping us bungee Barbie from the roof!

Homework Completion

Remember that all missing homework needs to be turned in before the test for that chapter. That means all homework for periods 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8 needs to be turned in before the test Friday!!