FAQ

Flipped Mastery Overview for Parents

*Part 1

What does the latest brain research tell us?

*Part 2

The process we use to learn.

*Part 3

Impacts on homework and grades.

*Video explanations for Part 1-3 still to come.

Can I go as slow or fast as I want?

Pacing - This class is NOT “work at your own pace.” I have provided a pacing guide calendar that shows the bare minimum pace you need to finish all of the material for year. It is highly recommended that you work ahead as some sections will require more time and you may be absent throughout the year. However, if you fall behind, you can catch up without late penalty.

Is there homework?

At home- You usually will need between 50-95 minutes of time to complete a section, including the mastery check. We have 65 minutes every class. This means that you might be able to complete a section in class without needing to work at home, but more likely you will need to do at least 15-20 minutes of practice or notes at home between classes. You should always be aiming to get ahead of schedule. However, you are in charge of how much you actually do at home.

Some students prefer to always watch the video and take notes at home, while others prefer to do that in class with headphones. It is really up to you, and you may need to experiment to find your rhythm.

This is all about YOU LEARNING the material!

What do we do in class?

In Class- You will need every minute of class time. Your teacher will give immediate feedback on Mastery Checks as well as provide individual help for your individual needs. This is huge! You may also work with your peers when learning new skills. Of course, we recommend working with other students that are on the same section or ahead of you.

This is all about YOU LEARNING the material!

How can I help my child?

Encourage your student to get ahead of the minimum pace. Being ahead of pace ensures the student's grade is always good, allows the student more time on sections they find challenging, and makes unexpected absences much easier. Parents are more than welcome to watch videos as well! All four teachers give time outside of class to help students as well. Encourage your student to use all class time wisely, do 10-20 minutes of work a day outside of class, and attend my office hours for extra help. If your student needs more help, ICS offers an Algebra 1 Guided Studies course that would give them an additional period to work on mathematics.

What if I'm having trouble accessing the videos?

Nothing worse than a slow buffer. Luckily, all videos and resources are available to you at anytime. You can download any of the videos at home, or at school, wherever your internet connection is best. If you need help, ask Mr. Brian and he can put them on a flash drive for you.

If accessing a device is an issue, talk to Mr. Brian, he can help arrange to get a device you can use in the classroom.

Ask if you have any other issues, we can find a solution!

What if I finish the course early?

This would be awesome! Depending on how early you finish, we can discuss options for taking an online class to get extra credits for your transcript, or possibly you could begin to prepare for the next course on your own. There are options, and we will find a solution that best helps you be successful at your learning in all courses.

What if I don't finish all the material for the year?

This is a real possibility. Most courses you attempt 100% of the content, but may only master 70% of it. The way mastery learning works is that you may only attempt 70% of the material, but you will master 100% of that content. The grade result is the same, but you have a much better foundation for moving on to Algebra 2 with the mastery model. You might even be able to finish up some of the work over the summer, ask if you would like to investigate this possibility. We can definitely talk to Mrs. Amber about it.

How do grades work?

Grades are constantly changing!!! It is very possible to go from an F to A in one class and vice versa. If you do not finish the material required for one quarter you will not move on to the next quarter. So if Q1 ends with section 4.3 and you are section 3.5 then you will have zeros for all missing sections. Q2 will start but you will still be on section 3.5. As soon as you finish Q1 material and your grade is an A, B, or C, your teacher will change the grade in FACTS. However, your Q2 grade will be a 0% until you catch up. This is also true for Semester grades. In flipped mastery learning students will pass every section and every test, it is just a matter of doing it early, on time, or late. A course may take some students more than a year, and other students three-fourths of a year. Grades are constantly changing to reflect your real time performance.

As long as you stay on the minimum pace or ahead, you are guaranteed an A, B, or C. If you fall behind the minimum pace, a missing (which counts as a zero) will be put into the gradebook for each mastery check you fall behind on. If you do not take a test on the minimum date, a missing will be put into the gradebook for a unit test ensuring a bad grade. If you are worried about grade checks for sports or your parents, do not fall behind pace! As soon as you finish a mastery check or unit test, we will input the score into the gradebook.

What are some tips for success?

#1 USE EVERY MINUTE OF CLASS TIME!

Students that work hard in class every period have very little work to be done outside of class.

#2 GET AHEAD OF PACE!

This is a huge help in case you miss a class or run into a challenging section. Being ahead of pace ensures that you have a good grade at all times.

#3 NO SHORTCUTS

Don't waste time by trying to skim through videos, not check practice solutions, or leave parts of the packet blank. This only slows you down as your teacher will not allow you to mastery check until the packet is done correctly. More importantly, you are more likely to fail the mastery check when you cut corners. This means you will get extra work by doing a Corrective Assignment.

#4 MAKE UP YOUR WORK

When you miss class, you are missing 80+ minutes of math work. If you miss class, you must make this time up. That is why getting ahead is so key. If you plan on missing school for vacation or a field trip, make sure you have access to the videos and packets. You must complete your work even when you are not in class.

What are in our learning packets?

We have learning packets for you to keep your Notes, Practice, and Application all in one place. Packets are provided in class and also available online. You must complete EVERY part of the entire packet. Make sure that you have summarized your Notes, graded the Practice, asked questions, finished the review, and completed all Applications. Now you can show your hard work to Mr. Brian in order to get a Mastery Check.

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