2/18/10
Hi,
Our chapter 8 test is tomorrow (Friday 2/12) and we will begin chapter 9 on Monday. I continue to post resources for students (and parents) on my [ http://jhms.tcsd.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=308306&pageId=422110 ]web page http://jhms.tcsd.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=308306&pageId=422110
Students are aware of what is available for them to use. One of them made the comment that I had "taken away all there excuses for not getting work done!" In case you haven't visited lately, everything I hand out to students is also posted. In addition, in a secure area linked as Practice Worksheets (user name algebra password math), are not only extra worksheets with answers for each section but copies of each section of the student book.
The Wyoming Math Competition will be held on Thursday 3/4/10 from 12:15 to 3:00 at JH High School. There is a middle school division and I encourage all students to participate. Attached is a pdf of the entry form and competition information. Students will need a ride home since buses will run before the competition is over. This is the day before our chapter 9 test, so I will be having an after school session that day. I will extend that until 4:00 for students who participate in the competition and also want to attend the help session.
PAWS testing begins 3/8. Please make every effort to have students in school 3/8-3/11 & 3/15-3/18. We are required to have all students complete all tests and the less we can disrupt classes the week before spring break with makeup testing, the better.
Conferences are 3/8 & 3/9. Hope to see you there.
Below are dates of upcoming events. The calendar on my web page also has these items listed.
Please contact me with any questions or concerns.
Th 2/25 After school help 2:45-3:30
Mo 3/1 After school help 2:45-3:30
Th 3/4 State Math Competition @ JHHS 12:15pm to 3pm
Th 3/4 After school help 2:45-4:00
Mo 3/8 – Fr 3/26 PAWS testing window
Mo 3/8 Conference 3:00–7:00
Tu 3/9 Conferences 3:00–7:00
Fr 3/12 No school
Fr 3/19 8th Grade Quarterly Recognition activity
Fr 3/19 End of third quarter
Fr 3/26 2:35pm Spring Break begins
Mo 4/12 7:35 am Back to School
12/15/09
Good Afternoon,
We are moving along and making progress. We tested on chapter 5 at the end of last week. Grades have been posted and most students have seen their tests. I still have two students who need to take the test, so the tests have not been returned.
We started chapter 6 and are learning about slope and linear equations. This chapter will continue after the break with the test scheduled for 1/12, a few days before the end of the second quarter.
I have posted some new resources on my web page
http://jhms.tcsd.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=308306&pageId=422110
On this page there is a link for Practice Worksheets. This is a password protected page. The user name is algebra and the password is math. I have had some students ask for extra practice problems from various sections. Rather than print packets of worksheets, most of which end up in the trash or recycling bins, I have posted them here. Solutions are also included.
With section 6-3 I have started giving students a form to help them with taking notes and getting information from their pre-reading. These are also posted in each chapter's homework folder.
Finally, the district subscribes to a resource called Atomic Learning which has short 1-3 minute videos primarily designed for computer application training. There are modules about the TI-84 calculator. Our licensing allows student and parent use. Check it out at www.atomiclearning.com. Students should use the user name jhms@teton1 and a password atomic. Parents should use user name parents@teton1 and a password atomic. Once logged in, select Training Library on the left of the menu bar and then Technology Skills from the dropdown menu.
I hope you have a safe and restful holiday with family and friends. 2010 here we come!
Th 12/17 After school help 2:45-3:30
We 12/23–Fr 1/1 Break
Tu 1/5 After school help 2:45-3:30
Th 1/7 After school help 2:45-3:30
Mo 1/11 After school help 2:45-3:30
Fr 1/15 End of Quarter 2
10/20/09
How can the first quarter already be over!?
Algebra students are well into chapter 4. I've attached the homework sheet for your reference. All items that I send you, and more, are posted at my website, http://jhms.tcsd.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=308306&pageId=422110. This includes answers to the nightly homework assignments. This allows students to check their work. We have spoken in class about doing the problems and using the answers as a resource to help with their learning, not provide a quick way to "complete" homework.
Parent conferences are next week on Tuesday and Wednesday from 3 to 7 pm. If at all possible, please have your student accompany you. Looking forward to visiting with you.
There is no school on Friday 11/6. Student council has scheduled a dance for Friday 11/13 from 7-9. Students may be attending a live performance of Macbeth on 11/12 which may necessitate a change in our next test date.
Fr10/30 Tech literacy assessment 8th grade during math
Fr10/30 Quarterly Recognition activities
Fr10/30 End of Quarter 1
Mo11/2 After school help 2:45-3:30
Tu11/3 Conferences 3:00–7:00
We11/4 Conferences 3:00–7:00
Fr11/6 No School
Tu11/10 After school help 2:45-3:30
Th11/12 After school help 2:45-3:30
We11/25 – Fr 11/27 Thanksgiving Break
10/19/09
Just a quick update on some date changes:
Wednesday 10/21 students will work problems from both the self test and review sections.
Thursday 10/22 there will be a review session after school for students who wish to attend.
Friday 10/23 will be the chapter 3 test.
Monday 10/26 there will not be an after school session.
Please remind your students about pre-reading the next section each night. We talk about it every day in class, but my sense is that many are not. Thanks for helping with this.
10/7/09
We briefly went over the chapter 2 test in class. Students will not be able to keep their test until next Tuesday when absent students will have returned and tested. I reminded students that I was available to help them with any questions they had or wanted to go over outside of class.
Today we began chapter three dealing with linear equations and inequalities. Most students seemed to have pre-read section 3-1 and it gave rise to some good classroom discussions. I've attached the homework sheet for this chapter. The test will be on Tuesday 10/27, which will be the last grade for this quarter.
Th 10/8 Ride to school. Brrrrr. I'll be meeting students at the Stilson Ranch Parking lot at 7am to ride in.
Th 10/8 After school help 2:45-3:30
Mo 10/12 No school for students. Inservice.
We 10/14 After school help 2:45-3:30
Th 10/15 8th Grade testing periods 3–5
Mo 10/19 After school help 2:45-3:30
Mo 10/26 After school help 2:45-3:30
Fr 10/30 End of Quarter 1
9/21/09
Today we begin chapter 2 in our algebra adventure. Students will be exploring the math behind some magic tricks, so be prepared to be amazed. Base vocabulary and concepts will be continue to be emphasized. Pre-reading the next day's section each day is a critical part of each night's assignment. The chapter 2 homework sheet is attached. It is also posted on my website. http://jhms.tcsd.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=308306&pageId=422110
Scores for chapter 1 notebook and test are posted on PowerSchool. Students received their notebooks back during class today. Comments I made to them are also attached to their score on PowerSchool. There is an overwhelming theme of working on organization, neatness, showing work, and honest grading.
They also had the opportunity to look at their chapter 1 tests. They will be able to keep them tomorrow but I still have five students who have not completed the test. There were a series of four questions on the test that a disproportionate number of students missed. After analyzing the questions and possible reasons for the issues, Kathy Vaughn (teaches the other algebra class) and I decided to give students back half the points they missed on these four questions. The score in PowerSchool reflects this adjustment.
Map testing for reading will be on Wednesday and Thursday during English classes. Math Map testing for my classes will be next Wednesday 9/30.
I have scheduled after school help shown below. As always, if a student needs assistance, I'm available other times that we can coordinate.
Finally, from what I hear from the students, most have the TI84+ calculator at home or have one on order. If you are unable to get one, please let me know.
Enjoy the beautiful week.
We 9/23 MAP Testing begins math & English classes
Th 9/24 After school help 2:45-3:30
Mo 9/28 After school help 2:45-3:30
Th 10/1 After school help 2:45-3:30
Mo 10/5 After school help 2:45-3:30
Tu 10/6 Chapter 2 test
Mo 10/12 No school for students. Inservice.
9/16/09
We have finished the new material for the first chapter. The remainder of the week is being spent on review problems leading up to Friday's test. I will have another after school help session Thursday afternoon.
If students don't have a graphing calculator at home yet, this web site offers an online calculator with very limited capabilities. It does however provide the basics that we have covered so far.
http://my.hrw.com/math06_07/nsmedia/tools/Graph_Calculator/graphCalc.html
Please let me know if you will be unable to have a graphing calculator at home.
MAP testing will begin next week. Students will take the reading portion during their English class either on 9/23 or 9/24, and the math portion during math class 9/30.
Open house is tonight (Wednesday) 6:30–8:00 with a prompt start. Students should have provided parents with a copy of their schedule.
I am working on keeping a web site for my class updated. We have talked about its content and visited it during class. About half the class indicated they had visited and used the resources. Here's the direct link: http://jhms.tcsd.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=308306&pageId=422110
See you tonight.
9/11/09
If you are still considering purchasing or searching for a source for the TI84 calculator, here is some more information.
I just looked at Staples online and they have the TI-84 Plus calculator on sale for the $89.99 price (after $10 rebate) through 9/26/09. The web address is http://www.staples.com/Texas-Instruments-TI-84-Plus-Graphing-Calculator/product_566641
They show an expected deliver of 1 business day. It also indicates that delivery is free since it is over $50.
I just called the local Staples store and they are in the process of unloading a truck. The person I spoke to "believes" that there are about 15 available.
Hope this helps.
9/8/09
Date Change: JHMS Open House is Wednesday 9/16 6:30pm to 8:15pm. Parents & students will be following a normal day's schedule to have the opportunity to hear from each teacher. Ten minutes per class and a prompt 6:30 start!
A key component of the new series we are using in algebra is teaching the students to use and read the textbook. We will continue to spend time in class discussing how to read and get information from their book. Part of every night's homework is to pre-read the next day's section. When you ask the dreaded parent question "Is your homework finished?" please also ask if they have done the reading.
9/5/09
School is underway again. Hopefully your students had an enjoyable first three days back and are now enjoying a long weekend.
We have a new algebra book and curriculum this year. I believe it is a better book and will offer more opportunities for application of the algebra concepts that are introduced. One big new addition is the integration of a graphing calculator throughout the text. As a result, the school is purchasing classroom sets of the Texas Instruments TI-84-plus calculator. These calculators will be available for students to use in school.
While not required, if possible, it would help if students could have the same calculator at home. I would expect students to keep this calculator at home and use the school calculators in class. This would significantly reduce the chance of loss or damage. Staples has this calculator on sale beginning on Sunday (9/6-9/12) for $89.99 after a discount and rebate, $30 off the regular price. I have checked online prices and have not found a better price other than the occasional ebay opportunities. Again, this is not a requirement!
I have attached the course syllabus, chapter one homework, and notebook/homework expectations. We have gone over all of these in class but I thought you might like a copy.
Our first test is currently scheduled for Friday 9/18.
For this email I used the address(es) that are listed in PowerSchool. If you have a different address you would like me to use, please let me know.
Please contact me if you ever have any concerns or questions.
We 9/2 First Day
Mo 9/7 No School
Tu 9/8 After school help 2:45-3:30
Mo 9/14 After school help 2:45-3:30
We 9/16 Open House 6:30–8:15
Th 9/17 After school help 2:45-3:30
Mo 9/21 MAP Testing begins math & English classes
Tu 9/22 School Pictures
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