SOLs Covered: 8.6 Surface Area & Volume; 8.7 Composite Figures
Math Unit: 16 Surface Area & Volume; 17 Composite Figures
Daily Agenda: March 6-10, 2023
Upcoming Assessments: Quiz 3.04 (A-Thurs. 3/16; B-Fri. 3/17; Catch-up days due to SOL testing (A-Mon. 3/20; B-Tues. 3/21)
Greetings! It's been a loooong week, so let's get straight into this week's math happenings. Due to the quiz and the test, there isn't much news to share, but the results of the test has left me concerned. As previously promised in last week's update, I set up some "Desmos Hacks" documents to help students remember the tricks of how to set up the Desmos calculator. Between those (this one for Unit 15 and this one for Unit 16) and the fact that I've been allowing the use of their notes on tests since we came back after winter break, no one should have failed the test. They weren't guaranteed an 100A+ with this as there are still a few tricky questions, but they definitely should have gotten a C or higher. While they were testing, they were reminded of these things and encouraged to show their work on their test papers, even if it was mainly highlighting or underlining the important bits for the problems predominately worked out on the calculator. From what I observed of the kids while they were working and while marking the papers so kids could do corrections (which by the way earns them back half credit!), many students had nothing but their answers circled on their paper, and some didn't even have that. Then there's the issue of students just straight up sleeping instead of working. They were told to wake up and get back to work and though some did, others ignored me and just kept sleeping. I've tried to explain the importance of showing work, staying awake, focusing, etc., but I'm not seeing much progress with some students. My weekend will be taken up with emailing parents/guardians about grades and if your child is one who is sleeping in class, that will be included in there, but I'd still appreciate if all parents/guardians would also add their encouragements to put more effort into their work.
Now just because you see that the test score is listed as a 0F and missing doesn't automatically mean your child falls into that category as some just need some extra time to finish the test because they're doing the opposite and putting a TON of work into it. They'll get that time during the independent work time each class, but I'm also working in a "catch-up day" on March 20th and 21st. This is in mostly due to the writing SOL test taking up the mornings of March 15th and 16th next week, but it will be for anything else the kids need catching up on for this term. For the morning classes (1st and possibly 2nd depending on how long testing takes both days), these days will mostly be needed to finish up the new topic we started today, composite figures, but students needing more time work on things or just help in general are reminded that I have help sessions every Tuesday and Thursday morning starting at 7AM. Again, I ask that students or their grownups give me a heads up on the days they'll be coming in just to ensure I'm in the room and not off taking care of other morning things like delivering work to other rooms or checking in with other staff. I do want to point out that aside from the tests, students can work on everything else for my class on their own at home. I know internet access is an issue for some, but students are always given paper copies of their quizzes and if they need paper copies of their formative checks for this reason, I'm happy to provide them.
Finally, as promised the extra credit for this term is now available! It's again on IXL, which can be accessed via the PG Class Link. This is being applied to the test category, which means it can provide a big bump to grades! This will stay open until April 13th, which is the day before the term ends. Please help me by encouraging the kids to take advantage of this opportunity as well as all the other opportunities they have to improve their grades.
Well, that should cover everything for this week. As always, please let me know if you have any questions. Hope you all have an amazing weekend!