Post date: Sep 10, 2016 10:06:20 PM
Math 7H Period 1
SOLs Covered: 8.5 Squares & Square Roots
Math Unit: #01 Exponents, Powers, & Roots
CCPS Student Digital Resource: Squares, Cubes, & Roots
Upcoming Assessments: Square Roots & Integers Quiz (Mon. 9/19)
MSM2 Periods 3 & 4
SOLs Covered: 7.1d & 8.5 Squares & Square Roots
Math Unit: #01 Exponents, Powers, & Roots
CCPS Student Digital Resource: Squares & Square Roots
Upcoming Assessments: Square Roots & Integers Quiz (Tues. 9/20)
Greetings to everyone! We all made it through the first week back to school and I think we're off to a great start! Everyone can expect to get weekly updates from me (Ms. Lambert) about what we covered in class (the topics/SOLs, a summation of the activities/work completed, any "major" events that took place during the week, etc.) as well as a look ahead for what to expect next (mainly upcoming assessments). I try to send these updates on Fridays if my schedule allows, but you should expect it no later than Monday at the latest. These updates, which I call my Weekly Class Summary (WCS), can be found on Synergy/ParentVUE (Synergy will send an email copy to those with registered accounts) as well as the class website, so they can be reviewed at a later date if needed/desired. Now that the intro has been given, let's get on with the show!
All classes started the week with an introduction to 7th grade math: school/class procedures, class expectations, available resources, and much more. Students introduced themselves to me via a Selfie paper in order to let me get to know them as individuals and a Math Inventory to let me learn how they learn best. Parents/guardians and students should note that while this papers as well as the Parent Contact Form, the Math Letter/Error Analysis info sheet, and the folder that was requested on the supply list are all listed in the gradebook on Synergy, they are all in the "Not For Grading" category and thus are not calculated into grades. I do this to make it easier for everyone to keep track of what is needed since I know there are many things to keep on top of in middle school, especially at the very beginning of the school year. If students are still missing any of these things, they can check with me for another copy or print a new one (each linked above).
Throughout the rest of the week, a good bit of time was spent collecting all of that first day paperwork and establishing norms for math class and for 7th grade in general. The kids have set up their math notebooks, which will essentially become their own personal textbook for class. They'll get printed notes to start each unit but are expected to add to them throughout the unit. While a majority of the assignments will be digital, a good portion of the students' work will go into the notebook, meaning they'll find the problems on a digital worksheet in Google Drive but will write all the work and record their answers in the notebook. The notebooks will at times be collected for a "notebook check" grade. Students will also receive individual unit grades at the end of each unit in addition to the obvious assessment grades and the occasional project grades.
As the kids will quickly be able to tell you, I'm very much a tech nerd and we'll be using the Chromebooks everyday in class. I know not all students are comfortable with technology in general and even those who do embrace it, some are much better at mobile technology (i.e. their smartphones and tablets), but I plan on helping them become experts, discovering how to take full advantage of the available technology... we'll even try a bit of computer programming before the year is done! I am more than happy to help them with their technology needs for any other class and I will provide time before and/or after school to help with technology as well as math. Information on future help sessions will be posted as they are scheduled.
Well, I think I've given everyone enough to mull over for now. Not every week's email will be quite this long, but I wanted to make sure everyone had a good idea what to expect with this year. I want to encourage everyone to feel free to contact me whenever you have questions/concerns. Together, we can make 7th grade an awesome year for the kids! Thank you for your continued support and involvement!