Post date: Jan 10, 2020 6:44:20 PM
MSM2 Periods 1 & 4
SOLs Covered: 8.15-16 Relations & Functions
Math Unit: 13 Relations & Functions
Daily Agenda: Jan. 6-10, 2020
Upcoming Assessments: 2.03 Relations & Functions Quiz (finish on Mon. 1/13); 2.04 Data Analysis Quiz (Thurs. 1/23)
Math 7H Period 3
SOLs Covered: 8.15-16 Relations & Functions
Math Unit: 15 Relations & Functions
Daily Agenda: Jan. 6-10, 2020
Upcoming Assessments: 2.03 Relations & Functions Quiz (finish on Mon. 1/13); 2.04 Data Analysis Quiz (Thurs. 1/23)
Happy New Year!!! I hope everyone has had an amazing start to their year! It's been great here and I've loved seeing all the kids again, but it's definitely been difficult readjusting to the (very, very) early schedule and regular routines after being out for two weeks. I know a lot of the kids felt the same way, so we eased our way back into things by reviewing the work we did prior to break before branching off into the new work. The new work is just a continuation of the same topic (relations and functions), which further helped with getting back into the swing of things.
As part of the new work for the topic, I introduced the kids to the Desmos graphing calculator. This is the same calculator the kids will use on their high school math SOL tests starting next year (this year they're using the Desmos scientific calculator I've mentioned in previous updates). Not teaching the high school course, I haven't heard any of the plans for the "old school" calculators they've always used in the past (the various TI graphing calculators, specifically the TI-83, TI-84, and/or TI-Nspire), but I wanted to put the idea out there now so that parents/guardians don't go and spend a fortune on a calculator the kids may or may not be able to use next year. If you've got an old one hanging around, it might still come in handy at the very least as an extra resource at home, but save your money for now until you know exactly what your child's math teacher requests. Even then, I'd hold off on buying one if it's not a class requirement since the graphing calculator is free online and they've even developed apps for both calculators (iTunes and Google Play Store).
We wrapped up the week with a quiz, but since we started the block reviewing and going over any questions the kids had first in each class, a fair number of kids still need a little extra time to wrap the quiz up on Monday. I've also pushed the deadline for turning in work for this unit (13 for the MSM2 classes; 15 for the honors class) until Monday since I know we were slow getting out of the gate this week (the struggle is SO real!). Hopefully this little bit of extra wiggle room will help the kids get fully adjusted to our usual routines and we'll be back on track again with our norms.
Before I close things out, I wanted to send a request for help with restocking pencils in the classroom and small snacks for snack bar. Like previous requests, this is obviously not required, but we're completely out of both and I'm just too tapped out at the moment to be able to restock myself. In regards to pencils, we'll take anything: a handful of random pencils handed out by booths at different functions, golf pencils, half used, whatever. We're not picky about our snacks either, though I avoid the common allergens (especially peanuts); most often I have boxes of store-brand Cheerios with sandwich baggies for the kids to pour them into and take back to their desks. Anything you can send to help would be greatly appreciated by us all!
Well, that should cover everything, so I'm going to wrap it up here but as always, please feel free to email if you have any questions. I hope everyone has an amazing weekend!!!