Math 7H Blocks 1 & 2
SOLs Covered: 7.3 & 8.4 Consumer Applications; 7.8 & 8.11 Probability
Math Unit: 16 Consumer Math; 17 Probability
Daily Agenda: January 24-28, 2022
Upcoming Assessments: Quiz 3.03 Probability (Thurs. 2/3)
MSM2 Block 4
SOLs Covered: 7.3 & 8.4 Consumer Applications; 7.8 & 8.11 Probability
Math Unit: 16 Consumer Math; 17 Probability
Daily Agenda: January 24-28, 2022
Upcoming Assessments: Quiz 3.03 Probability (Thurs. 2/3)
Well, it's been another exciting week of teaching/learning math here in Room 705! Guess how fun it is to try to work without internet when even your calculator is online. I no longer have a classroom set of calculators since the Desmos calculator is the standard for testing now, so that definitely threw a wrench in our plans this week. We managed as well as we could, but I communicated with Dr. Strittmatter about it and he agreed that if it ever happens again, I can grant temporary permission (just while internet is out) for cellphone usage. I added an announcement to each of the Canvas class pages with links to the relevant calculators to make it easier, but with parent/guardian permission, I'd like to request that all students who have and are permitted to bring their cellphones to school download these Desmos apps (Apple iTunes Scientific & Graphing; Google Play Scientific & Graphing). They're not 100% identical to the Virginia SOL versions as they are the general Desmos calculators, but they're very similar and have all the features our testing online calculator has (some features are removed on the testing versions). I know not all students will have a cellphone or might not be allowed to bring it, but if enough do, then I should have enough of the backup handheld calculators for those who don't.
In regards to our regular "math happenings" this week, we wrapped up our consumer math work at the beginning of the week. I walked the kids through setting up their cash registers and any final questions they had, but with us being a little behind this unit and then adding in the internet issues, I told the kids they have through the weekend to finish it up if they need to. I've graded those that have already been submitted in their entirety (all three required parts) and students who might have lost points can make corrections to earn those points back as well. As I've told the kids, while I can see their work on Canvas even if they haven't submitted, I literally can't attach a grade if they don't at least remember to click submit for the worksheet portion. Since this is the first graded Google Course Kit assignment we've done (the others were all just regular classroom practice and many were even done on paper instead) it hasn't been an issue thus far, but it's imperative that they remember this step in order for me to add their grade. Please help me by encouraging the kids to double check that they've completed this step. If they unsubmitted to make changes, they'll need to go back and resubmit or it's the same issue (no grade and will eventually get marked as missing).
The rest of the week was spent starting one of my favorite units of the year, probability. We've started with the basic review I always do (probability of simple events, fundamental counting principle, theoretical vs. experimental probability), but I think it was even more critical as these parts were potentially what they could have missed out on from when school's first closed in March of 2020. They've been doing really well so far with this, in part because I'm sure they enjoy the topic as well. Hopefully that enjoyment will continue as we work our way up to independent vs. dependent probability next week. I think it will, but there will likely be a little frustration as well. I'll of course do what I can to help alleviate those frustrations, but it will be important that the kids work through their independent practice outside of regular class time to make sure they don't fall prey to the little "tricks" (generally small twists on phrasing in word problems) that make up the frustrating side of it.
That should cover everything (and I want to get to the grocery store for my regular shopping before the rest of the area loses its collective mind due to the forecast), so I'll wrap things up here. As always, let me know if you have any questions. Hope you all have an amazing weekend! Stay safe and warm!!!