BURTON:
Core 1: Math 6A:
We are currently wrapping up our unit on Algebraic Equations, which will be done by break. Our next unit will be on Inequalities, starting after the break. We did have outstanding math auctions last week! The students really enjoyed spending their earned money, and quickly realized the importance of taking advantage of earning opportunities that are provided over breaks. We are again offering ALEKS bonuses over the holiday break, earning $1000/topic, which will help them keep their math skills sharp as well as pad their accounts for the next auction!
Coming soon after the break will be the winter round of Math MAPS Testing. We are excited to see the growth from Fall testing, as well as set some goals for the second half of our school year.
Please regularly check ForAllRubrics (FAR), which keeps you as parents up to date for completion of various daily tasks, as well as all summative assessments. Also, remember to check the math continuum, found in FAR or the google sheets app, to keep up with proficiency on units. Green means proficiency has been shown and yellow means they need to re-learn and retake assessment; which they would need to meet with me during a connect or FLEX time.
Core 2 and 4: Math 6:
We are currently wrapping up our unit on Ratios and Proportions, which will be done by break. Our next unit will be on Geometry, starting right before the break. We did have outstanding math auctions last week! The students really enjoyed spending their earned money, and quickly realized the importance of taking advantage of earning opportunities that are provided over breaks. We are again offering ALEKS bonuses over the holiday break, earning $1000/topic, which will help them keep their math skills sharp as well as pad their accounts for the next auction!
Coming soon after the break will be the winter round of Math MAPS Testing. We are excited to see the growth from Fall testing, as well as set some goals for the second half of our school year.
Please regularly check ForAllRubrics (FAR), which keeps you as parents up to date for completion of various daily tasks, as well as all summative assessments. Also, remember to check the math continuum, found in FAR or the google sheets app, to keep up with proficiency on units. Green means proficiency has been shown and yellow means they need to re-learn and retake assessment; which they would need to meet with me during a connect or FLEX time.
GROSSKOPF:
Core 1: We are wrapping up our 3D Volume and Surface Area unit with cylinders, cones and spheres. They’ve been working towards calculating dimensions of composed figures, which are more complex involving half spheres, cones and cylinders and even combining some of those 3D solids. We’re hoping all students take the summative assessment before break. Please check your student’s FAR to make sure their work for this unit is turned in. We will be moving into 3D Volume and Surface Area with Prisms and Pyramids next. If you want your student to do something productive over winter break, they can always work on their Aleks pie. When we return from Winter Break, that will be the 50% mark for the school year. Your student has a personalized Aleks pacing document on Google Classroom as well as a reflection from earlier this month on FAR.
Core 2: We are embarking upon the world of equations. Last week we learned how to do one step equations. The week before winter break, we started to dive into two step equations. When we return from Winter Break, we will continue to work on two step and multi-step equations. We have some students who are choosing to work ahead and challenge themselves with Math 8 Equations; this is exciting to see the number of students who are challenging themselves on next year’s content this year! If you want your student to do something productive over winter break, they can always work on their Aleks pie. When we return from Winter Break, that will be the 50% mark for the school year, so your student should be at least 50% done with their Aleks pie.
Core 4: Our Algebra 1 crew has finished their first High School Final Exams for the semester. We were very happy to see the growth that many of our students made. It was also great to see students take charge in their preparation for exams by coming in for help after school, and asking for extra practice during Flex and Connect time. All students have received their exam results and their continuums will be updated to reflect their progress by the end of winter break. We will be having conversations after break with some parents and students regarding the exam results. We will start the new semester with a completely brand new topic of exponents. Some students may have seen this concept on Aleks, but we’re expecting this to be new material for the majority of our students. If you want your student to do something productive over winter break, they can always work on their Aleks pie. When we return from Winter Break, that will be the 50% mark for the school year, so your student should be at least 50% done with their Aleks pie.
HEMPHILL:
Core 1:
Just this week we finished our unit on solving equations algebraically. Students in this class tackled both 7th grade level equations (variable located on one side of the equation) and 8th grade level equations (variables on both sides as well as one, infinite, and no solution). In these days before winter break, students are beginning a unit on using angle relationships to write algebraic equations to find missing measurements.
We also recently had a successful math auction - thanks to all who donated items! The students really enjoyed it, and it was a fun way to reward the hard work being done in class! Over winter break, students should be working to finish up their 7th grade ALEKS pie so they can begin the 8th grade pie as soon as possible. Have a great break!
Core 2:
Just this week students are finishing up a unit on solving equations algebraically. Students displayed considerable growth with showing work algebraically, with some students even beginning some work on solving 8th grade level equations!
Over winter break, please take a moment to check in with your student on two areas: 1) For All Rubrics - any red checkmarks should be getting completed over winter break and turned in upon our return in the new year; 2) ALEKS - students should be at approximately 50% of their 7th grade pie finished. Please ask your student to show you their personalized ALEKS pacing guide (found on Google Classroom) and their progress in their pie. Winter break would be a great time to catch up or work ahead on topics. Have a wonderful break!
Core 4:Our Algebra 1 crew has finished their first High School Final Exams for the semester. We were very happy to see the growth that many of our students made. It was also great to see students take charge in their preparation for exams by coming in for help after school, and asking for extra practice during Flex and Connect time. All students have received their exam results and their continuums will be updated to reflect their progress by the end of winter break. We will be having conversations after break with some parents and students regarding the exam results. We will start the new semester with a completely brand new topic of exponents. Some students may have seen this concept on Aleks, but we’re expecting this to be new material for the majority of our students. If you want your student to do something productive over winter break, they can always work on their Aleks pie. When we return from Winter Break, that will be the 50% mark for the school year, so your student should be at least 50% done with their Aleks pie.
WRAY:
Core 1: Math 8/8A:
This class is co-taught with Mr. Wray and Ms. Grosskopf. We are wrapping up our 3D Volume and Surface Area unit with cylinders, cones and spheres. They’ve been working towards calculating dimensions of composed figures, which are more complex involving half spheres, cones and cylinders and even combining some of those 3D solids. We’re hoping all students take the summative assessment before break. Please check your student’s FAR to make sure their work for this unit is turned in. We will be moving into 3D Volume and Surface Area with Prisms and Pyramids next. If you want your student to do something productive over winter break, they can always work on their Aleks pie. When we return from Winter Break, that will be the 50% mark for the school year. Your student has a personalized Aleks pacing document on Google Classroom as well as a reflection from earlier this month on FAR.
Core 2: Math 8:
Core 2, Math 8 is the same course and content as Core 1, but without a co-teacher. We are wrapping up our 3D Volume and Surface Area unit with cylinders, cones and spheres. They’ve been working towards calculating dimensions of composed figures, which are more complex involving half spheres, cones and cylinders and even combining some of those 3D solids. We’re hoping all students take the summative assessment before break. Please check your student’s FAR to make sure their work for this unit is turned in. We will be moving into 3D Volume and Surface Area with Prisms and Pyramids next. If you want your student to do something productive over winter break, they can always work on their Aleks pie. When we return from Winter Break, that will be the 50% mark for the school year. Your student has a personalized Aleks pacing document on Google Classroom as well as a reflection from earlier this month on FAR.
Core 4: Pre-Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus (Core 4):
Students in the Chapter-by-Chapter Geometry just finished Chapter 6: Polygons and Quadrilaterals. The final task for Chapter 6 was to create a presentation and teach a small group about the properties of special quadrilaterals, such as parallelograms and squares. It’s great to see students show their learning in more ways than just on an assessment. When we come back from Winter break, we will be taking the 1st semester exam. As a reminder, you can always check For All Rubrics to see how your student is performed on the work they have finished so far. Your student also has a personalized ALEKS pacing document on Google Classroom and a reflection from earlier this month on FAR. If your student is behind on Aleks, then Winter Break is a great time to set aside time to get caught up.
Students in the Independent Geometry, Algebra 2, and Pre-Calc group have been making a lot of progress. Some students have already finished their Aleks course, taken major exams, and started working on application projects. Other students are progressing on Blackboard. Each student has set personalized goals on Google Classroom. Each month, students who are working independently 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.