Core 1 - 7A Math
2nd half of the year, here we come! Students are getting a true taste of Algebra as they solve multi-step equations algebraically - many have appreciated this challenge and are eager to learn more! As we progress through the second half of the year, students will be focusing their studies on 7th grade skills revolving around ratios and proportions as well as 8th grade skills including the Pythagorean Theorem and writing equations in slope-intercept form. With the content becoming more challenging, please encourage your student to utilize Connect and Flex time to ask questions (so that means completing homework at home each night so they know what questions to ask :) ). Students should also be finishing their 7th grade ALEKS pie in the next couple of weeks so that they can work to finish the 8th grade ALEKS pie by the end of the year. Please ask your child to show you their ALEKS pie as well as their math continuum so you can see the progress they have made up to this point in the year.
Core 2 - 7th Grade Math
Equations, equations, equations! Students have immersed themselves into the world of solving equations algebraically. One-step, two-step, and multi-step equations have all been on the menu. Some students have even challenged themselves to undertake 8th grade level equations! Coming up in this new year students will continue to challenge themselves as we learn about solving algebraic inequalities before diving into ratios and proportions. Students should be at about 225 topics completed on their ALEKS pies - please ask your student to show you their progress as well as their math continuums.
Core 4 - Algebra
Our Algebra students have now finished the first semester of Algebra 1 and completed “finals” for the first time ever! Their continuums have been updated to show their proficiency. If you have any questions about your learner’s continuum, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are moving into Chapter 6: Systems of Equations and Linear Inequalities. Please remember, if your learner is ever absent, direct them to the Chapter Portfolio Page for tutorials and videos on the concept if they wish to stay on track and not fall behind, and to use Connect/FLEX upon return to meet with us. As a reminder, your student’s Aleks pie should be over 50% if they have been working on it weekly. Check our daily slideshow to view the weekly pacing.
Burton
Core 1: Math 6A
We have been exploring equations since the beginning of the year (2019)! The students have grasped this concept quickly and effectively. We have moved into equations and angles currently, and will assess this towards the end of the month. We will then head into a unit on Inequalities. ALEKS pies should be over 50% at this point in order to finish by the end of the school year. Our next Math Auction will be end of February/Early March, so watch your e-mail/Twitter for another request for donations!!
Cores 2 and 4: Math 6
The 6th graders seem to be taking some big steps lately towards becoming self-directed! We have structured our class into 4 groups, and this seems to have made a big difference in behavior, attentiveness, and work habits. We are wrapping up our unit on Ratios and Proportions, as well as Decimal Division. We will move into a short unit on Fraction Division, then head into Expressions and Equations. ALEKS pies should be over 50% at this point in order to finish by the end of the school year. Our next Math Auction will be end of February/Early March, so watch your e-mail/Twitter for another request for donations!!
Grosskopf:
Core 1:
Our Core 1 is all over the place! We have students working on Circles, Inequalities, Constructing & Classifying Triangles, Square Roots & Cube Roots, and Real Numbers; ask your student to where he/she is at in their continuum, and how they’re choosing to work and learn. As a reminder, your student’s Aleks pie should be over 50% if they have been working on it weekly. Check our daily slideshow to view the weekly pacing.
Core 2:
We are wrapping up our equations unit and starting inequalities! Some learners have chosen to work on 8th grade targets within equations and it’s been pretty cool to see them challenge themselves! Check back in a couple weeks to see your learner’s continuum updated. As a reminder, your student’s Aleks pie should be over 50% if they have been working on it weekly. Check our daily slideshow to view the weekly pacing.
Core 4:
Our Algebra students have now finished the first semester of Algebra 1 and completed “finals” for the first time ever! Their continuums have been updated to show their proficiency. If you have any questions about your learner’s continuum, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are moving into Chapter 6: Systems of Equations and Linear Inequalities. Please remember, if your learner is ever absent, direct them to the Chapter Portfolio Page for tutorials and videos on the concept if they wish to stay on track and not fall behind, and to use Connect/FLEX upon return to meet with us. As a reminder, your student’s Aleks pie should be over 50% if they have been working on it weekly. Check our daily slideshow to view the weekly pacing.
Wray
Math 8 (Core 1 and Core 2):
Last week, students in Math 8 used what we have been learning about functions and linear equations to analyze an In-N-Out Burger problem. In the next couple weeks, we will be analyzing the calories too, along with many other real-life applications of functions. We will be completing this unit in mid-February and then moving on to Volume, where we will once again be able to connect what we are learning to multiple real-life situations. As always, students should continue making progress on Aleks to build their math skills with continued practice. By the end of January, students should have at least 150 new topics learned. Students with missing work from our first 6 units need to make plans to come-in for Connect and Flex to turn-in any late work and work-on incomplete or missing assessments. Please check For All Rubrics to see if your student has any missing work and what they can be working on at home to get caught-up, or give them a big high-five if they don’t have any missing work.
Geometry (Core 4):
In Geometry, students made it through the 1st semester exam without problems. Our first unit of 2nd semester is Similarity. This is a relatively short unit and we will be finished in a couple weeks. Then, our next unit is Trigonometry! That word scares a lot of people, but there are so many real-life applications for Trigonometry, and the students often times discover that it really isn’t scary at all. I’m excited to get to Trig because it’s like a foreign language to the students at first, but once they learn it, they will be able to do so much more. In addition to our new units, students are still working on Aleks. The minimum expectation is 150 New topics by the end of January. Some students need to spend some time working on Aleks at home, so please check your student’s Aleks to see how they are doing. This is also something that we reflect on each month on For All Rubrics, so you can see their progress and reflection on there.
Independent Geometry, Algebra 2, and Pre-Calc (Core 4): Students in the Independent Geometry, Algebra 2, and Pre-Calc group have set personalized goals on Google Classroom as well as on For All Rubrics. Each month, students who are working independently will reflect on their progress and set new goals for the next month with guidance and support from Mr. Wray. Check For All Rubrics to see how your student is doing with meeting the goals and expectations set personally for them. At this point in the year, we are seeing a number of students transition from Geometry to Algebra 2 and will be working on their 2nd high school math class for the year...only at STEM!