This week's Friday Fun features the kind of thing you don't always see at your local student union. Check out a fairly atypical day at Ohio State University (~cough Go Blue cough~)
Friday, November 12, 2010
Conference After Action Report: Responsiblity
After, I think, a productive evening at Parent Teacher Conferences I have a few additional thoughts to get out there for all of us, parent, student and teacher, to reflect on.
First of them is the reminder that this website and blog is intended to be a tool that serves a variety of uses. It is a communication tool to share upcoming test and quiz dates. It is a supplement to my classroom teaching with additional examples. It is a means to share ideas with parents and gaurdians to help them communicate with their student not just about grades, but also about the actual "stuff" of our classes. It is a place where students can earn extra credit by becoming participants, and contributors, and it is a place for them to ask questions and discuss.
It is not a garuntee of success, but it is another arrow in the quiver for each student.
As such I do have the expectation that students make a habit coming to this site at a minimum of once a week. I think this is a reasonable expectation given the general accessability our school and community offer.
And this leads to my other primary thought: Responsibility.
Students have many opportunties to review the material in class, to get additional face time with myself, or with an NHS tutor, and to demonstrate their understanding in their own way. This includes reworking missed problems on quizzes (which provides good study opportunity) as well as the option to retake a BA Exam after showing that they've mastered the material they had not when they took it the first time. These are opportunities, however, that students must take the initiative to persue.
I will continue to update this blog with things I find interesting, relevant, funny, timely, and engaging. I will continue to post problems from class to YouTube, and remind students of the online text book that they can reference for additional help and examples. I will continue review every homework problem every day with students. I will continue to review every quiz item with them, and provide them a place and time to ask for additional help and understanding.
And I will continue to believe that this can be a great year for all of us.
First of them is the reminder that this website and blog is intended to be a tool that serves a variety of uses. It is a communication tool to share upcoming test and quiz dates. It is a supplement to my classroom teaching with additional examples. It is a means to share ideas with parents and gaurdians to help them communicate with their student not just about grades, but also about the actual "stuff" of our classes. It is a place where students can earn extra credit by becoming participants, and contributors, and it is a place for them to ask questions and discuss.
It is not a garuntee of success, but it is another arrow in the quiver for each student.
As such I do have the expectation that students make a habit coming to this site at a minimum of once a week. I think this is a reasonable expectation given the general accessability our school and community offer.
And this leads to my other primary thought: Responsibility.
Students have many opportunties to review the material in class, to get additional face time with myself, or with an NHS tutor, and to demonstrate their understanding in their own way. This includes reworking missed problems on quizzes (which provides good study opportunity) as well as the option to retake a BA Exam after showing that they've mastered the material they had not when they took it the first time. These are opportunities, however, that students must take the initiative to persue.
I will continue to update this blog with things I find interesting, relevant, funny, timely, and engaging. I will continue to post problems from class to YouTube, and remind students of the online text book that they can reference for additional help and examples. I will continue review every homework problem every day with students. I will continue to review every quiz item with them, and provide them a place and time to ask for additional help and understanding.
And I will continue to believe that this can be a great year for all of us.
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| Photo Credit: Government Archive |
Monday, November 8, 2010
Out of the Office: 11/9
As we continue through two intense chapters in Algebra and Geometry I regret that I won't be available Tuesday 11/9 afterschool for help or review as I'm flitting off with my little guy to the dentist at 3:30. Ah, 3 year-olds and dentists....
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Talk about Algebra: Make your Own Problems
How often are you told that it's a "Good Thing" to create problems for yourself?
Here's your challenge: Write a story problem following the model shown below. Then compute the slope for that set of data and, of course, show your work. You have to have at least 4 data points (and thus 3 slopes to calculate and compare).
You may even find one of your problems snuck onto Monday's Quiz, which while your classmates may dislike, you at least will know the answer!
Here's a sample with solution:
A local indoor play center can be rented for kid's birthday parties. With Xander rapidly approaching the ripe ol' age of 3, we decide to investigate one. Asking some people who've been to Jungle Jim's Jamboree, we find that they've had parties there too and here is the data we got:
10 kids, $70
12 kids, $82
15 kids, $100
20 kids, $130
Does this follow a linear relationship? What's the slope?
Now on to the solution:
Here's your challenge: Write a story problem following the model shown below. Then compute the slope for that set of data and, of course, show your work. You have to have at least 4 data points (and thus 3 slopes to calculate and compare).
You may even find one of your problems snuck onto Monday's Quiz, which while your classmates may dislike, you at least will know the answer!
Here's a sample with solution:
A local indoor play center can be rented for kid's birthday parties. With Xander rapidly approaching the ripe ol' age of 3, we decide to investigate one. Asking some people who've been to Jungle Jim's Jamboree, we find that they've had parties there too and here is the data we got:
10 kids, $70
12 kids, $82
15 kids, $100
20 kids, $130
Does this follow a linear relationship? What's the slope?
Now on to the solution:
Friday, November 5, 2010
Off Topic: Friday Fun in ASL
I have always been impressed and amazed by American Sign Language. On my list of things I want to do "someday" is to learn ASL to the point of fluency. As it was the closest I have is that last year I signed a song along side one of the seniors performing at the spring pops concert. And this feat was only possible as the result of watching the video of the song signed over and over and over until I had it down.
So following up on Halloween, I bring you a pair of ASL videos I like:
So following up on Halloween, I bring you a pair of ASL videos I like:
Algebra: Help Post
There is still a quiz on Monday in Algebra as posted here.
This will cover topics from 5-1 (What is a Linear Function?), 5-3 (rise and run) and 5-4 (the Slope Formula). As you work through your homework if you have questions you can email them to me ( RobertOsterman (at) wlcsd.org) or you can post them here as a comment.
To post a question, click on the link below that says "Comment". Then type in your question. You will need to check back periodically for an answer. Depending on the complexity of the question I may video tape my response and post the video to YouTube Channel.
This will cover topics from 5-1 (What is a Linear Function?), 5-3 (rise and run) and 5-4 (the Slope Formula). As you work through your homework if you have questions you can email them to me ( RobertOsterman (at) wlcsd.org) or you can post them here as a comment.
To post a question, click on the link below that says "Comment". Then type in your question. You will need to check back periodically for an answer. Depending on the complexity of the question I may video tape my response and post the video to YouTube Channel.
Geometry Help Post
There is still a quiz on Monday in Geometry as posted here.
This will cover topics from 4-1 (classification of triangles), 4-2 (angles of triangles) and 4-3 (congruent figures). As you work through your homework if you have questions you can email them to me ( RobertOsterman (at) wlcsd.org) or you can post them here as a comment.
To post a question, click on the link below that says "Comment". Then type in your question. You will need to check back periodically for an answer. Depending on the complexity of the question I may video tape my response and post the video to YouTube Channel.
This will cover topics from 4-1 (classification of triangles), 4-2 (angles of triangles) and 4-3 (congruent figures). As you work through your homework if you have questions you can email them to me ( RobertOsterman (at) wlcsd.org) or you can post them here as a comment.
To post a question, click on the link below that says "Comment". Then type in your question. You will need to check back periodically for an answer. Depending on the complexity of the question I may video tape my response and post the video to YouTube Channel.
End of the Marking Period
Here are some thoughts as the 1st Marking Period comes to a close. It has been an exciting time, with interesting classes, fun lessons and some wonderful conversations (most of which are on topic too!)
BA Retakes can be done through the end of the Semester
Students may retake any BA all the way through January. However they can only retake a given BA once. One time. It is absolutely essential that students take that re-test seriously and prepared better for the retest than they did for the original test.
Students must show their study and review notes before I schedule a retest.
I have some concerns that many students are scheduling retests without showing me any review notes and when pressed have dug up old homework to say is their "evidence". This worries me because I fear that some aren't really putting the time in to take maximum opportunity here and are instead taking what I call the shot gun approach: aim in the general direction and hope you hit something.
I appreciate students taking the time to stay after school or come during SRT to retake a test they did poorly on. However, they will be turned away if they cannot show ample evidence that they learned what they needed to learn and demonstrate on the BA. This is consistant with my posted and oft-repeated rules.
I am a last minute kind of guy
I'm not horribly proud of it. But the reality is that if I'm told grades are due at 1200 on Monday, then at 1158 I push the post button. It's a personal quirk I'd like to work on and get better at, but I'm currently putting "get things done more in advance" behind things like "get homework posted when it's assigned", "respond to emails within a day", and "plan lessons a day or two out." I'm still getting those three things mastered so....
It has been fun!
Honestly. Despite some tensions in some classes it has been a fun 10 weeks. I'm blessed with some amazing students, some of whom even have made a habit of checking this website out. As far as this semester goes, we're half way there... ooo oooo livin' on a prayer...
BA Retakes can be done through the end of the Semester
Students may retake any BA all the way through January. However they can only retake a given BA once. One time. It is absolutely essential that students take that re-test seriously and prepared better for the retest than they did for the original test.
Students must show their study and review notes before I schedule a retest.
I have some concerns that many students are scheduling retests without showing me any review notes and when pressed have dug up old homework to say is their "evidence". This worries me because I fear that some aren't really putting the time in to take maximum opportunity here and are instead taking what I call the shot gun approach: aim in the general direction and hope you hit something.
I appreciate students taking the time to stay after school or come during SRT to retake a test they did poorly on. However, they will be turned away if they cannot show ample evidence that they learned what they needed to learn and demonstrate on the BA. This is consistant with my posted and oft-repeated rules.
I am a last minute kind of guy
I'm not horribly proud of it. But the reality is that if I'm told grades are due at 1200 on Monday, then at 1158 I push the post button. It's a personal quirk I'd like to work on and get better at, but I'm currently putting "get things done more in advance" behind things like "get homework posted when it's assigned", "respond to emails within a day", and "plan lessons a day or two out." I'm still getting those three things mastered so....
It has been fun!
Honestly. Despite some tensions in some classes it has been a fun 10 weeks. I'm blessed with some amazing students, some of whom even have made a habit of checking this website out. As far as this semester goes, we're half way there... ooo oooo livin' on a prayer...
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Weekly Update:
Geometry:
Mon (PLC Day) Started chapter 4.
Block 1: Reviewed 4-1 and did 4-2.
Block 2: 4-3 - Definition of Congruent Figures and Triangles
Algebra:
Mon (PLC) - Started chapter 5 - What is a Linear Function?
Block 1 and Block 2: What is Slope?
All classes there will be a quiz on Monday 11/8 covering this week's content. It will be open note. Also the "word of the day" for the quiz will be an animal that shares the same first letter as your first name. In other words, my "word of the day" could be a Robin, or a Rhino, or a Rat.
The marking period ends on Friday. Students wanting to retake BA's must do them by Thursday if they want a chance of me grading them before grades are due. Please reveiw the retake rules. Many students are still ignoring these. I find it vexing.
Mon (PLC Day) Started chapter 4.
Block 1: Reviewed 4-1 and did 4-2.
Block 2: 4-3 - Definition of Congruent Figures and Triangles
Algebra:
Mon (PLC) - Started chapter 5 - What is a Linear Function?
Block 1 and Block 2: What is Slope?
All classes there will be a quiz on Monday 11/8 covering this week's content. It will be open note. Also the "word of the day" for the quiz will be an animal that shares the same first letter as your first name. In other words, my "word of the day" could be a Robin, or a Rhino, or a Rat.
The marking period ends on Friday. Students wanting to retake BA's must do them by Thursday if they want a chance of me grading them before grades are due. Please reveiw the retake rules. Many students are still ignoring these. I find it vexing.
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