SOLs Covered: SOL 8.14 & 8.18 Solving & Graphing Multi-Step Inequalities
Math Unit: 12 Inequalities
Daily Agenda: January 9-13, 2023
Upcoming Assessments: Take-Home Quiz 3.01 Relations & Functions (A-Fri. 1/27; B-Mon. 1/30; first grade of Q3); Q2 Benchmark Test (A-Thurs. 2/2; B-Mon. 2/6); Winter VA SGA (exact date TBD)
Greetings! This week's update will be on the brief side... seriously! I know I've said that before and then you've gotten a dissertation, but there isn't too much to report from this week as it was predominately spent on assessments. Plus, I also have to be all the way over in Chester soon, so I need to skedaddle as soon to make it in time.
As previously promised in the last update, I went through the Unit 12 formative check with the B-day students on Monday, going over the "Desmos hacks" and test-taking strategies that should make it impossible to fail the assignment, especially as I did 70% of the questions with the kids. The grades should have thus been a 70C or higher, but unfortunately there were still students who failed either because they did not pay attention and thus didn't get the answers or because they still haven't submitted the assignment. These same "hacks" and strategies, which were reviewed again at the start of class prior to the assessments, should have also made it impossible to fail both the inequalities quiz given on Tuesday and Wednesday and the test given on Thursday and Friday, especially when you factor in that students were allowed to use their notes. I even did two of the questions from the test itself as part of the review at the start of class Thursday and Friday. Again, there are students who unfortunately aren't using the strategies, didn't either keep their notes or write them done in the first place, and some even getting those two questions I did wrong. If you see a failing grade for any of these (the unit 12 formative check, quiz 2.03, or the unit 3 test), please help me by having a conversation with your child about the importance of paying attention in class and taking notes.
I will be sending letters home next week with any student who is still currently failing or at risk of failing, but I also ask that all parents/guardians please look at grades on Tyler. There are comments included (just click on the V to the left of the assignment grade) for low grades. Any grade that received zero points has not been completed but all assignments and assessments will still be accepted. Everyone is reminded that formative checks can be redone and unlimited number of times, quizzes can be redone a second time, both quizzes and tests can be corrected to earn back half credit, and there are various extra credit opportunities available (see previous updates and/or Canvas for details). Students who would like help with any work or just need a quiet space and/or access to WiFi to complete things are welcome to come to any of my before-school help sessions (Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Thursday morning starting at 7AM in my classroom). We have three weeks left in the term, so please help me encourage the kids to finish strong!
Well, that should cover everything and it didn't get too "out of control" long, so I'm going to wrap things up here. As always, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Hope you all have an amazing weekend!