Tuesday, September 25, 2007

What is new in math class?

I have introduced what I call a "Parking Lot." It is a place in the room where kids can leave comments for the blog. It is also a place where they can ask questions or make comments regarding class. Usually it will be a topic that he/she is not wanting to bring up in front of the entire class. He/she places the comment or questions on post-it notes (I leave a supply around the room.) and then places it on the the Parking Lot. I then bring up the topic the next day.

Then, each day after we go over homework I will check the Parking Lot to see if I need to discuss anything or re-teach a concept. Below are my first notes:

"Math was pretty cool today." Sommer M. 9/24 (I liked this one a lot!)

"I was so mad because somebody didn't do their homework." 9/24 (Classes earn rewards every fifth day when all work is turned in. This class had made it to day 6 when they had to drop back to zero days in a row!)

As time progresses I hope to have more student involvement with the blog. Baby steps!

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

New Year - New Goals

Each of my three classes have been going very well. The kids are learning to utilize the three-ring binder system for note-taking and organization. Keep checking on them at home. Ask to see the binder once every few weeks and note any positives you see. They are more inclined to share and tweak the system if their attempt is viewed with praise.

I continue to email progress weekly. If you have not been getting reports please send in a printed email address and I will enter it into my computer. I send them out on Friday's before I head home.

I have taught 45 minute blocks of math for nine years. This year we have 85 minutes of daily instruction and it is awesome! We can cover the material in greater depth and they have been writing analysis and comparissons of their work several times per week. Since most math is getting done in class or power hour you may not be seeing the textbook too often. That is ok. However, a few minutes each night can be used to quiz over basic facts (42 divided by 7 = ?) and going over vocabulary. Division is a weakness and one that won't go away without constant practice.

We are surviving ISTEP week. Remember that going to bed early and eating breakfast has been shown to increase ISTEP scores by as much as 3%! Below you will find a few comments about math class from the kids who suffer with me everyday:

Alli R. - Mrs.Sharp Is the best math teacher I've had.She explains things very well.