Regaining Credit

A few students did not earn a passing grade in the first semester of Math, and therefore did not earn Credit. If you are in this situation, there is a chance to earn that credit in the second semester.  I emailed the following letter home to parents, and gave a copy to students who need to earn credit.  Remember that this is just an option, if you would like to pursue 1st semester math credit another way, such as summer school, that is your choice.

Both myself and Charles, who is running the after school study hall, has material students can use to study the first semester content in preparation to retake the tests.  As students feel ready, they should schedule a time with me to retake each test.




Dear Parent/Guardian,

Your student failed 1st semester of math this year. We are offering a chance to
regain the credit without having to take summer school. Here are the guidelines to
regaining credit:

• Your student must pass second semester with a grade of a C or better

• Your student must come in either before or after school to retake all exams from first semester. They may take exams up to 2 additional times and earn a 70% or better average on all tests. These times must be prearranged with the teacher to make sure materials are ready and that a teacher can be present during the testing time.

If your student does both of the above, they will earn a “P” for first semester.

Office hours will continue to be available to help your student.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact either Sarah Miller at
sarahm@cityhighschool.org, or KC Engelmann at kce@cityhighschool.org. We
would be happy to answer your questions!

Sincerely,

The Math Team
City High School

Daily Update - 1.24

Today was the Geometry students' turn to take the Galileo Test.  This test is designed to be an indication of where students are as they prepare for the AIMS test.  As we are over halfway through the Geometry curriculum, students should be able to do most of the test.  The results will inform me who is on track to meet or exceed the standard, and who needs some support.

After the test, students began their homework, which is about Central and Inscribed Angles.  There is an explanation and examples on the worksheet for students to look at if they need help.

Daily Update - 1.23

Today in Algebra, we took another Galileo test.  These tests are taken on the computer, and are meant to inform students and teachers about a student's progress toward meeting or exceeding the standard on the AIMS test.

As students finished the tests, they worked on missing math work, or started tonight's homework, which is an equation solving practice.  There were several problems on the page, students may choose any 8 odd-numbered problems and any 8 even numbered problems to complete.

Daily Update - 1.20

Whew...Friday sure came fast this week!

In Algebra, students solved rational equations  - equations that have a big fraction in them - with expressions for the numerator and denominator.  Once we learned the trick, they became easy to solve!  Homework was to finish the practice sheet, which is a double-sided sheet with 8 problems.  There is room to show their work on this sheet.

Geometry students took a quiz today on Arc Length, Sector Area and circle vocabulary.  Grades should be up on PowerSchool tonight!

Daily Update - 1.19

In Geometry today, students had a quick lecture about finding arc length, and then practiced on their own.  I also provided an opportunity for students to work with me in a small group setting to practice finding sector area, if they so chose.  Since these two skills are highly related, students who understood one were able to use that to understand the other.

Homework tonight was to finish the practice problems that didn't get finished in class.  Students should try to do these problems without a calculator, as they will be expected to do so on the AIMS test.

Also, there will be a quiz tomorrow on finding sector area, finding arc length, and circle vocabulary.

The Homework Situation

Overall, I've been impressed by the level of homework completion in the new semester.  There are still a number of "NHI's" in my gradebook, still, and I'd like that to change.

I also would like to post about my homework policy in the second semester:

I will not be collecting homework.  I go through and check that homework has been completed at the beginning of each day.  Then, I display the homework answers so that students can grade their own work.  It is up to them to use this resource wisely.  I also try to ask the students if there are any problems they really struggled with that they'd like me to review or solve with them.

Late work is worth half credit.  Unless a student has a valid reason for turning in homework late, I will give them half credit for the assignment.  "Late" includes finishing it during the school day and reporting back to me at the end of the day.

Late work will only be accepted for one week.  I will accept assignments up until a week past their due date.  After that they may not be made up.  All late work (including that for absences) should be placed in the box on the corner of my desk.  I've also adopted Molly's grade book trick - "NHI's" may still be handed in; "0's" may not.

Daily Update 1.18

In Algebra today, we did "centers," which I told the students was my favorite part of Kindergarten!  We split into 5 groups, and rotated through 5 activities today, including learning to solve equations with variables on both sides, and playing a calculation game on the iPads.  

Homework was a quarter sheet with 7 equations to solve.  Students must show their work on a separate piece of paper - I told them there was no room on this little slip I was giving them!

Daily Update - 1.17

Due to the day off yesterday, today was a special schedule and students visited all of their core classes.  

In Algebra, we broke into small groups and worked through some multi-step equations.  These problems require some simplifying, such as combining like terms or distributing, before they can be solved with inverse operations.  We worked from a sheet in class, doing the odds, and a number of the evens were assigned for homework.  (#6, 14, 18, 20, 22, 24)  Earlier I posted a list of resources if you'd like some help with solving equations.  

The Geometry students broke themselves up into three groups.  With one group, I re-taught how to find the area of a sector.  In another group, they worked with partners on sector area problems, getting help as needed. The third group moved ahead, working on finding arc length.  Homework tonight was practice with sector area and circle vocab. 

On Thursday, we will find arc length as a class, and will take a quiz on Friday.  If students are still struggling with sector area, they need to see me in Office Hours or get help from someone!  Also, I've posted some resources in an earlier post for any circle stuff students would like to review.  

I need help!!

Here are some resources for what we are currently working on in Algebra and Geometry.  They are a collection of videos, website tutorials, and practice problems.

Algebra -
What is an equation and a solution?
Solving 1-step equations
Solve 2-step equations
Solving multi-step equations
Solve multi-step equations
Solve Equations (all types)

Geometry -
Circle Vocabulary 
Circle Vocabulary 
Finding Circumference
Area and Circumference
Sector Area
Sector Area

Daily Update 1.13

Happy Friday!  Plus, it's a Friday before a three day weekend.  Woohoo!

Today in Algebra, we took a quiz on solving equations.  Scores will be posted on PowerSchool tonight!
After the quiz, we started trying out multi-step equations.  Soon, we'll be able to solve (just about) any linear equation out there!  No homework assigned tonight.

In Geometry, students took a "no-pressure quiz."  We quizzed on Area, Circumference and Sector Area, but the scores on the quiz will not count toward their final grade.  On Tuesday, we will review Sector Area and also begin Arc Length.  Our first official counts-toward-your-grade quiz will be next Friday, and it will cover circle vocabulary, Area, Circumference, Sector Area and Arc Length.  No homework assigned tonight.

Don't forget: Monday is a holiday - no school!

Daily Update 1.12

I had to be out again today, sorry Sophomores!  I miss you all :)

Today, in Geometry, the students found sector area, which is just finding the area of the entire circle, and finding the proportion of the circle's area that the sector takes up.

We'll catch up tomorrow and make sure everyone is up to speed, but by now students should know several circle vocabulary words, how to find the area and circumference of a circle, and how to find sector area.

Homework tonight was four questions on sector area, which is posted on the homework page.

First Semester Final Exam Scores

So, I recently realized that I inadvertently "hid" the scores of the final exams in the grade book.  This meant that students and parents could see their overall semester grade, but not their grade on the Final Exam.  This  has been corrected!

Students have received their tests back by this point, anyway, so this isn't as essential, but it is fixed, nevertheless.

Daily Update 1.11

In Algebra today, we broke into three groups, and practiced solving equations.  By the end of the day, students should know how to solve a 2-step equation and check their solution.

Also, we are learning the correct way to communicate the math we are doing.  It matters how we write things on the page just like grammar and spelling matter in writing.

For homework, there is another sheet with five more 2-step equations to practice.  If students are not feeling confident about these, they should come see me during office hours, Keith or Karyn during before school tutoring, find another student to connect with, watch a video online, or find some way to learn it!!  This is because our first quiz is on Friday.  On that quiz, students will be expected to solve 1 and 2 step equations.

Daily Update - 1.10

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a restful break, enjoyed intersession week, and are ready to start the second semester!

In Algebra, we started an equations and functions unit, which, in my opinion, is the "heart" of Algebra.  On Monday, we solved one and two step equations using inverse operations.  We'll practice some more on Wednesday, and then take our first quiz on Friday.  Homework was a half sheet with 5 one-step equations and 5 two-step equations, due on Wednesday.   I am expecting that everyone will come in on Wednesday with the homework completed to the best of their ability!

On Tuesday, the Geometry students had a substitute, as I went with the Freshmen on a day trip to the Biosphere.  Students began a circles unit with some circle vocabulary, and finding area and circumference of circles.  Homework was short and sweet, with a few challenge problems I'd like the students to try.  For example, how would you find the area of a half-circle or quarter-circle?

Both homework assignments will be posted on the homework pages.