Post date: Sep 18, 2020 8:52:22 PM
MSM2 Block 1
SOLs Covered: 6.6 Review of Integers; 7.1 & 8.3 Exponents & Roots
Math Unit: 01 Integers & Absolute Value; 02 Exponents, Powers, & Roots
Daily Agenda: Sept. 14-18, 2020
Upcoming Assessments: 1.01 Integers, Absolute Value, Squares, & Square Roots Quiz (Wed. 9/23)
Math 7H Blocks 2& 3
SOLs Covered: 6.6 Review of Integers; 7.1 & 8.3 Exponents & Roots
Math Unit: 01 Integers & Absolute Value; 02 Exponents, Powers, & Roots
Daily Agenda: Sept. 14-18, 2019
Upcoming Assessments: 1.01 Integers, Absolute Value, Squares, & Square Roots Quiz (Wed. 9/23)
Greetings! I don't know about you, but it feels like this has been the longest week ever! For that reason (and the fact that I still need to get out of here and go grocery shopping), I plan to keep this quick. Just a quick reminder before we get into the class stuff that if you haven't completed the parent/guardian form for updated information, please do so here.
As I'm sure you know from the kids, this week has been filled with more tech troubleshooting and just trying to figure out how to navigate the world of Canvas with smatterings of math thrown into the mix. The good news is that I think we all have a better understanding of it all and we've worked out the major kinks, but please reach out if you have any questions. Also remember to check the Tech Support folder I've set up for some immediate help (bit.ly/edms-tech). I've played around with some additional Canvas features to make it a little more obvious to students which assignments are applied to their grade. To view this update, they should look on the modules page for the extra details. There will now be a little circle at the end of any graded assignment and a note to submit next to the due date and point value. I'm not sure, but I think (hope) that they'll get a checkmark in the circle or something else that will further indicate their progress, but I'm unable to check that on my side and will have to check with the kids next week.
I just finished grading everything that is currently past-due and while there are still missing assignments out there, I still encourage everyone to see zeros and notes as "missing" as an extra reminder that something needs to be taken care of for class. Please encourage students to go back and complete the work as needed and then submit. If students run into an error, have them first double check the Tech Support folder and then if they don't find their solution, to send me a screenshot of the problem.
In regards to math, we did a quick review of integers at the beginning of the week, which included a review (or introduction for some students) of the use of the Desmos VA Scientific calculator, which is the calculator students will use throughout the year and for the SOL test in the spring (which we're still planning on at this point). While the kids are allowed to use the calculator for all of their work, I made a point of reminding them that calculators can only give you correct answers if you give them the correct problem, meaning that if you don't understand the concept and type it incorrectly, you'll be given an answer but it won't answer the problem you had correctly.
The last part of the week was spent first reviewing perfect squares before moving onto the first new topic of the year, imperfect squares (they might not be "perfect" like their counterparts but we still love them anyway!). We'll continue with this topic as well as reviewing for our first quiz next week.
Well, that got much longer than I set out to type, but I'll admit that's a tendency with me (sorry!). As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions. Hope you all have an amazing weekend!!!