MSM2 Block 1
SOLs Covered: All Math 8 SOLs
Math Unit: Math 8 SOL Review
Daily Agenda: May 24-28, 2021
Upcoming Assessments: Coding PBL (via Code.org, tentative due date Fri. 6/4/21)
Math 7H Blocks 2 & 3
SOLs Covered: All Math 8 SOLs
Math Unit: Math 8 SOL Review
Daily Agenda: May 24-28, 2021
Upcoming Assessments: Coding PBL (via Code.org, tentative due date Fri. 6/4/21)
Greetings! I'm trying to keep this quick and get it out a little early so I can go help our testing coordinator get everything ready for the final SOL tests that will be given next week. In regards to testing, just a heads up to all the parents and guardians who drop off kids that June 3-4 will again likely be high-traffic mornings since virtual students will be coming for testing (my apologies for forgetting to add that in last week!).
We wrapped up our official SOL work on Tuesday with our SOL test. While there are still a few students who plan to come in for make-up testing, we're now done with all of our "serious" work and the only things left are the fun stuff (at least I think they're fun and I hope the kids do as well). These final grades will be things that can only help the students overall grade and there's no chance of grades dropping for my class at this point. With that being said, there are still students with older missing assignments and assessments and I've been pushing the kids to take care of those things. I'm asking parents and guardians to again help me with pushing the kids from your side.
I'm happy to report that 65% of my students have zero missing assignments at this point due to some pretty serious work time this week. Of the 35% with missing assignments, many are down to 3 or less missing assignments, which for most aren't having a huge impact on their overall grade. Regardless of how many or the type of thing missing, I would love it if every kid could end the year with the highest grade possible and will still take these older assignments/assessments through June 14th. In addition to this, the kids can still complete the ALEKS extra credit even though it's officially due today. Kids, let's do everything we can to end the year at our very best!
Those kids who are completely caught up on their work were introduced to my usual end-of-year coding project. I'm so happy we get to do this since I missed not having the chance to last year. As I've mentioned before (though it's probably obvious even if I hadn't mentioned it), I'm a complete nerd, which includes being a tech nerd. I completed a program back in the summer of 2015 through CodeVA (which is the group that also happens to be responsible for CodeRVA High School) and Code.org that shows the link between computer science and algebra (check out my class website for details). Through the student program, the kids are being introduced to some basic coding and will end up with a video game they coded themselves. I'm hoping some of the kids will develop an interest in coding and possibly take it further as there are some many opportunities in computer science and it can be taken into any career path they might chose to take. Kids, let me know if you want a recommendation if you decide to apply to CodeRVA High School!
Well that should cover everything but as always, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Hope you all have an amazing long weekend!