Mrs. Susan Belman
Hello, I’m Mrs. Belman and I’ve been with STEM Saratoga for almost two years now. I’ve recently switched roles, putting me in the math department, serving as a math aide/math interventionist. Within the classroom my main focus is helping keep the class focused and on task, while also providing small group/individual attention when/where needed. Outside of class, as math interventionist (or math lab as I call it), I am given a unique opportunity to work one on one, or within in a small group to help improve students’ math skills, help grow their confidence, set learner goals and master their current math topics.
I have had the privilege of working with many kids the past few months and the progress they have made is simply amazing. Tell them I’m proud of them, and to keep it up!
Burton
Core 1: The sixth graders in Math 6A are in a 7th grade unit on Ratios and Proportions, where the students will be using concepts such as unit rate, proportional reasoning, and percentages. They will also be partaking in a mini project having to do with scale. Finally, our second math auction is literally around the corner, first week in March, so any donations would be much appreciated!! Also, please keep up with your 6th graders’ proficiency by checking their Math Continuum, found in FAR (For All Rubrics) and also found under the Sheets app on their iPad. Speaking of FAR, please regularly check this several times a week to help them eliminate any red checks, indicating late/missing work.
Cores 2/4: In our Math 6 classes, the students are in the middle of a unit on Expressions and Equations, where they are working with PEMDAS (Order of Operations), the Distributive Property, grouping like terms, and their first official trek into the world of Algebra with Algebraic Expressions! Finally, our second math auction is literally around the corner, first week in March, so any donations would be much appreciated!! Also, please keep up with your 6th graders’ proficiency by checking their Math Continuum, found in FAR (For All Rubrics) and also found under the Sheets app on their iPad. Speaking of FAR, please regularly check this several times a week to help them eliminate any red checks, indicating late/missing work.
In wrapping up, please discuss with your 6th grader how they are using both Connect and FLEX times each week. That time gives them 4 ½ hours each week to work with their teachers to catch up/finish any work they have. Remind them to base those decisions on what classes they are behind in, not where their friends are?!
Grosskopf
Core 1 - Math 8/8a: We are in the wonderful world of Functions! Our Core 1 has been working on everything to do with functions; they’ve been inspecting graphs, tables and equations, creating equations, and learning how to graph slope-intercept form. Some of you may remember “y=mx+b.” This is a crucial unit for our learners heading into Algebra 1 next year. We will be spending time in class to ensure the kids are striving for proficiency. Please make sure you’re checking FAR. We are in our second of the year, and we still have students that haven’t taken first semester assessments. We’d appreciate a conversation at home with your student about making a plan during Connect/FLEX to get these done! Also, please encourage your student to be working on ALEKS regularly.
Core 2 - Math 7: Our Core 2 has been focusing on geometric shapes the last couple of weeks, and will be heading into Spring Break with wrapping up 3D shapes. We just finished the Circles Unit. Please check FAR to see your student’s level of proficiency. Their continuums have all been updated prior to this geometry unit. Please your student how they use their Connect and FLEX time prior to an assessment. They should be coming in for extra practice, and if they are approaching proficient, they should be coming in for retakes! With our next geometry unit, we will be looking at triangles, quadrilaterals, prisms and pyramids. We had to take a step back and work on the basics for area and perimeter of some of our more common polygons; hopefully this two day review will pave a path of success for our kiddos attempting to work on 3D shapes. The kids will never look at an ice cream cone again without seeing circles, triangles, cones and spheres! I hope they start to see 3D shapes everywhere! Please make sure your student is finding time to work on their Aleks pies at home. They should be completing around 15 topics a week to be on track to finish their pie by the end of the school year.
Core 4 - Algebra 1: We just wrapped up one of our favorite units of Simplifying and Factoring Polynomials. Please check FAR for your student’s grades on Chapter 7 and Chapter 8 Summative Assessments. This unit lays the foundation for Chapter 9: Quadratic Functions, where students will learn to graph and solve quadratic functions. We will be spending about a month or so on these new concepts. Due to the complexity of these concepts, you should see students spending more time working on Algebra at home since it will be quite challenging to finish entire assignments during Connect/Flex. After spring break, we will be finishing up our last couple of units and then start preparing for final exams at the end of May. At this point of the year, students should have 430 topics completed on their Algebra ALEKS Pie. Please have your student log in to show you their progress.
Hemphill
Core 1 - 7A Math: Pythagoras and Theodorus would be proud! Students are working diligently in our current unit on the Pythagorean Theorem. They are exploring proofs of the theorem and are learning how the Wheel of Theodorus is found in the world around them. They are testing their skills at creating a wheel of their own!
As second semester swings into full gear, students are in the midst of learning about a variety of 8th grade learning targets. As the content gets more difficult, tasks are going to take longer for students to complete so you should see them working at home for longer periods of time. In addition, students should have already finished their 7th grade ALEKS pie and should be working to complete their 8th grade ALEKS pie by the end of May. Please check in with your student to see their progress.
Core 2 - 7th Grade Math: Students recently finished a unit on solving inequalities algebraically and will soon be turning their attention to the geometry world for a bit. Finding the area and perimeter of two-dimensional shapes is next on the docket followed by an exploration of circles (just in time for Pi Day on 3/14)!
At this point of the year, students should have over 50% of their 7th grade ALEKS pie completed. Please have your student log in to show you their progress. Just a reminder that tasks and assignments can be found on For All Rubrics. For any missing work, students should be working on the tasks at home and then coming in during Connect/Flex to check them in. Any reminders or discussions you can have reminding students to use the extra 4.5 hours each week productively (and not where friends are going) would be much appreciated!
Core 4 - Algebra I: We just wrapped up one of our favorite units of Simplifying and Factoring Polynomials. Please check FAR for your student’s grades on Chapter 7 and Chapter 8 Summative Assessments. This unit lays the foundation for Chapter 9: Quadratic Functions, where students will learn to graph and solve quadratic functions. We will be spending about a month or so on these new concepts. Due to the complexity of these concepts, you should see students spending more time working on Algebra at home since it will be quite challenging to finish entire assignments during Connect/Flex. After spring break, we will be finishing up our last couple of units and then start preparing for final exams at the end of May. At this point of the year, students should have 430 topics completed on their Algebra ALEKS Pie. Please have your student log in to show you their progress.
Wray
Cores 1 & 2 - Math 8/8a: We are in the wonderful world of Functions! We have been working on everything to do with functions; they’ve been inspecting graphs, tables and equations, creating equations, and learning how to graph slope-intercept form. Some of you may remember “y=mx+b.” This is a crucial unit for our learners heading into Algebra 1 next year. We will be spending time in class to ensure the kids are striving for proficiency. Please make sure you’re checking FAR. We are in the second half of the year, and we still have students that haven’t taken first semester assessments. We’d appreciate a conversation at home with your student about making a plan during Connect/FLEX to get these done! Also, please encourage your student to be working on ALEKS regularly. Aleks is an important part of our learning model: it personalized the content that students are ready to learn, it cycles back around to previously learned concepts on knowledge checks to make sure that students are retaining those skills, and it is previews concepts that we have not yet learned. Every student has personalized Aleks pacing, which are goals to strive for by the end of each month throughout the year. This is a great tool, in addition to For All Rubrics and their Math Continuum, to keep them achieving their full potential.
Core 4 - Pre-Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus (Core 4): Students in the Chapter-by-Chapter Geometry are finishing Chapter 9, Circle Properties, this week. So far this semester, we have learned Trigonometry and Similarity too. Our next two units are Perimeter & Area and Surface Area & Volume. Obviously these two units will have a LOT of real-life applications, since these can be seen in the world around us every day. Also, please encourage your student to be working on ALEKS regularly. Aleks is an important part of our learning model: it personalized the content that students are ready to learn, it cycles back around to previously learned concepts on knowledge checks to make sure that students are retaining those skills, and it is previews concepts that we have not yet learned. Every student has personalized Aleks pacing, which are goals to strive for by the end of each month throughout the year. This is a great tool, in addition to For All Rubrics and their Math Continuum, to keep them achieving their full potential.
Students in the Independent Geometry, Algebra 2, and Pre-Calc group have been making a lot of progress. Some students are already working on their 2nd Math course this school year. It’s truly amazing to see the student independence in this classroom with students working on Aleks, Exams, Projects, and Blackboard, all at the same time. Don’t forget that students who are working independently have all set personalized goals that can be found on Google Classroom or For All Rubrics. Each month, they 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.
Hello, I’m Mrs. Belman and I’ve been with STEM Saratoga for almost two years now. I’ve recently switched roles, putting me in the math department, serving as a math aide/math interventionist. Within the classroom my main focus is helping keep the class focused and on task, while also providing small group/individual attention when/where needed. Outside of class, as math interventionist (or math lab as I call it), I am given a unique opportunity to work one on one, or within in a small group to help improve students’ math skills, help grow their confidence, set learner goals and master their current math topics.
I have had the privilege of working with many kids the past few months and the progress they have made is simply amazing. Tell them I’m proud of them, and to keep it up!
Burton
Core 1: The sixth graders in Math 6A are in a 7th grade unit on Ratios and Proportions, where the students will be using concepts such as unit rate, proportional reasoning, and percentages. They will also be partaking in a mini project having to do with scale. Finally, our second math auction is literally around the corner, first week in March, so any donations would be much appreciated!! Also, please keep up with your 6th graders’ proficiency by checking their Math Continuum, found in FAR (For All Rubrics) and also found under the Sheets app on their iPad. Speaking of FAR, please regularly check this several times a week to help them eliminate any red checks, indicating late/missing work.
Cores 2/4: In our Math 6 classes, the students are in the middle of a unit on Expressions and Equations, where they are working with PEMDAS (Order of Operations), the Distributive Property, grouping like terms, and their first official trek into the world of Algebra with Algebraic Expressions! Finally, our second math auction is literally around the corner, first week in March, so any donations would be much appreciated!! Also, please keep up with your 6th graders’ proficiency by checking their Math Continuum, found in FAR (For All Rubrics) and also found under the Sheets app on their iPad. Speaking of FAR, please regularly check this several times a week to help them eliminate any red checks, indicating late/missing work.
In wrapping up, please discuss with your 6th grader how they are using both Connect and FLEX times each week. That time gives them 4 ½ hours each week to work with their teachers to catch up/finish any work they have. Remind them to base those decisions on what classes they are behind in, not where their friends are?!
Grosskopf
Core 1 - Math 8/8a: We are in the wonderful world of Functions! Our Core 1 has been working on everything to do with functions; they’ve been inspecting graphs, tables and equations, creating equations, and learning how to graph slope-intercept form. Some of you may remember “y=mx+b.” This is a crucial unit for our learners heading into Algebra 1 next year. We will be spending time in class to ensure the kids are striving for proficiency. Please make sure you’re checking FAR. We are in our second of the year, and we still have students that haven’t taken first semester assessments. We’d appreciate a conversation at home with your student about making a plan during Connect/FLEX to get these done! Also, please encourage your student to be working on ALEKS regularly.
Core 2 - Math 7: Our Core 2 has been focusing on geometric shapes the last couple of weeks, and will be heading into Spring Break with wrapping up 3D shapes. We just finished the Circles Unit. Please check FAR to see your student’s level of proficiency. Their continuums have all been updated prior to this geometry unit. Please your student how they use their Connect and FLEX time prior to an assessment. They should be coming in for extra practice, and if they are approaching proficient, they should be coming in for retakes! With our next geometry unit, we will be looking at triangles, quadrilaterals, prisms and pyramids. We had to take a step back and work on the basics for area and perimeter of some of our more common polygons; hopefully this two day review will pave a path of success for our kiddos attempting to work on 3D shapes. The kids will never look at an ice cream cone again without seeing circles, triangles, cones and spheres! I hope they start to see 3D shapes everywhere! Please make sure your student is finding time to work on their Aleks pies at home. They should be completing around 15 topics a week to be on track to finish their pie by the end of the school year.
Core 4 - Algebra 1: We just wrapped up one of our favorite units of Simplifying and Factoring Polynomials. Please check FAR for your student’s grades on Chapter 7 and Chapter 8 Summative Assessments. This unit lays the foundation for Chapter 9: Quadratic Functions, where students will learn to graph and solve quadratic functions. We will be spending about a month or so on these new concepts. Due to the complexity of these concepts, you should see students spending more time working on Algebra at home since it will be quite challenging to finish entire assignments during Connect/Flex. After spring break, we will be finishing up our last couple of units and then start preparing for final exams at the end of May. At this point of the year, students should have 430 topics completed on their Algebra ALEKS Pie. Please have your student log in to show you their progress.
Hemphill
Core 1 - 7A Math: Pythagoras and Theodorus would be proud! Students are working diligently in our current unit on the Pythagorean Theorem. They are exploring proofs of the theorem and are learning how the Wheel of Theodorus is found in the world around them. They are testing their skills at creating a wheel of their own!
As second semester swings into full gear, students are in the midst of learning about a variety of 8th grade learning targets. As the content gets more difficult, tasks are going to take longer for students to complete so you should see them working at home for longer periods of time. In addition, students should have already finished their 7th grade ALEKS pie and should be working to complete their 8th grade ALEKS pie by the end of May. Please check in with your student to see their progress.
Core 2 - 7th Grade Math: Students recently finished a unit on solving inequalities algebraically and will soon be turning their attention to the geometry world for a bit. Finding the area and perimeter of two-dimensional shapes is next on the docket followed by an exploration of circles (just in time for Pi Day on 3/14)!
At this point of the year, students should have over 50% of their 7th grade ALEKS pie completed. Please have your student log in to show you their progress. Just a reminder that tasks and assignments can be found on For All Rubrics. For any missing work, students should be working on the tasks at home and then coming in during Connect/Flex to check them in. Any reminders or discussions you can have reminding students to use the extra 4.5 hours each week productively (and not where friends are going) would be much appreciated!
Core 4 - Algebra I: We just wrapped up one of our favorite units of Simplifying and Factoring Polynomials. Please check FAR for your student’s grades on Chapter 7 and Chapter 8 Summative Assessments. This unit lays the foundation for Chapter 9: Quadratic Functions, where students will learn to graph and solve quadratic functions. We will be spending about a month or so on these new concepts. Due to the complexity of these concepts, you should see students spending more time working on Algebra at home since it will be quite challenging to finish entire assignments during Connect/Flex. After spring break, we will be finishing up our last couple of units and then start preparing for final exams at the end of May. At this point of the year, students should have 430 topics completed on their Algebra ALEKS Pie. Please have your student log in to show you their progress.
Wray
Cores 1 & 2 - Math 8/8a: We are in the wonderful world of Functions! We have been working on everything to do with functions; they’ve been inspecting graphs, tables and equations, creating equations, and learning how to graph slope-intercept form. Some of you may remember “y=mx+b.” This is a crucial unit for our learners heading into Algebra 1 next year. We will be spending time in class to ensure the kids are striving for proficiency. Please make sure you’re checking FAR. We are in the second half of the year, and we still have students that haven’t taken first semester assessments. We’d appreciate a conversation at home with your student about making a plan during Connect/FLEX to get these done! Also, please encourage your student to be working on ALEKS regularly. Aleks is an important part of our learning model: it personalized the content that students are ready to learn, it cycles back around to previously learned concepts on knowledge checks to make sure that students are retaining those skills, and it is previews concepts that we have not yet learned. Every student has personalized Aleks pacing, which are goals to strive for by the end of each month throughout the year. This is a great tool, in addition to For All Rubrics and their Math Continuum, to keep them achieving their full potential.
Core 4 - Pre-Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus (Core 4): Students in the Chapter-by-Chapter Geometry are finishing Chapter 9, Circle Properties, this week. So far this semester, we have learned Trigonometry and Similarity too. Our next two units are Perimeter & Area and Surface Area & Volume. Obviously these two units will have a LOT of real-life applications, since these can be seen in the world around us every day. Also, please encourage your student to be working on ALEKS regularly. Aleks is an important part of our learning model: it personalized the content that students are ready to learn, it cycles back around to previously learned concepts on knowledge checks to make sure that students are retaining those skills, and it is previews concepts that we have not yet learned. Every student has personalized Aleks pacing, which are goals to strive for by the end of each month throughout the year. This is a great tool, in addition to For All Rubrics and their Math Continuum, to keep them achieving their full potential.
Students in the Independent Geometry, Algebra 2, and Pre-Calc group have been making a lot of progress. Some students are already working on their 2nd Math course this school year. It’s truly amazing to see the student independence in this classroom with students working on Aleks, Exams, Projects, and Blackboard, all at the same time. Don’t forget that students who are working independently have all set personalized goals that can be found on Google Classroom or For All Rubrics. Each month, they 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.