SOLs Covered: SOL 8.14-8.18 Patterns, Functions, & Algebra; All Math 8 Standards 8.1-8.18
Math Unit: Math 8 SOL Review
Daily Agenda: May 15-19, 2023
Upcoming Assessments: Math 8 SOL Test (Thurs. 5/25)
Good afternoon! Before I get carried away and forget to mention it, next week's morning tutoring session has been moved to Wednesday, May 24th to accommodate for all the tasks associated with setting up for SOL testing that I'll need to handle on Thursday. Additionally, this will be the last morning tutoring session with me for the year. I'll still be pulling kids for ETEH time on days we have it and of course I'll be available to help during class, but since the bulk of our work will be complete at that point, everything can be handled during regular class time.
Additionally, I'm out on Monday for my niece's graduation, but the kids have been given all of their SOL review packets at this point and I've included detailed keys in the Canvas module to go with them. Kids can email me any questions, which is highly encouraged as I will not end up seeing my 2B or 4B classes again until after our SOL test due to next week's scheduling. Monday and Tuesday are both B-days with the Science 8 SOL test taking place Tuesday morning; Wednesday and Thursday are both A-days with the Math 8 SOL test taking place Thursday morning. The periods have been shifted on testing days due to this week's adjusted schedule, so 1st and 4th are being switched (i.e. class order will be 4, 2, 3, 1) on Tues. 5/23 and Thurs. 5/25.
Now in regard to this week's math happenings, we started the week by wrapping up our final SOL review strand quiz, which was again completed on the board together as a class for the kids' second attempt so we could also review test taking strategies and work out any lingering confusion. This particular strand/category (patterns, functions, and algebra) is the biggest overall but also probably the most important in regard to preparing the kids for their math work next school year as it's the foundation to Algebra I. I was really proud to hear the kids using the strategies we covered throughout the year, especially considering this was all originally covered back in the winter. They were also doing really well with the "real world/practical application" problems (aka word problems), which can often be some of the harder questions. While some of the kids didn't always take the "algebra approach" to those questions, they were able to make the real life connections to the problems. I of course put a little more emphasis on the so-called "proper way" to set up the problems algebraically, but I'll freely admit I'm very rarely setting up an equation when I'm having to use math in my daily life. As long as they can see the connection between their more practical approach and the algebraic way of setting up the question, they'll both do well with those questions in school as well as with utilizing it in their daily lives when their older.
With that final quiz and formative check, our grades are mostly done. There are still three more "regular" grades left with the Royal Block weekly Jefferson Labs (JLabs) requirement and while I might take a grade for the work we complete after the SOL test, they shouldn't have a negative affect on their final term and year grades (i.e. they'll only able able to help improve overall scores). I'm still debating exactly which of my usual end of the year projects I want to do, but I'm leaning towards the Banzai Teen math program, which covers what I consider to be the most important math that can be done in school - financial literacy. It covers things like rent/mortgage, taxes, loans, and credit cards and the curriculum both supports the VA SOLs for economics and personal finance (which is a required subject for VA high school students) and is funded/supported by local banks and credit unions. I say all of this both because it makes my nerdy little heart happy (can you tell I'm a fan of the program?) and because the kids generally both like and value the program (some might freely admit they're not a fan of math in general, but the money math parts are always a hit).
Well, that should cover everything for this week and I've already gotten carried away a few times, so I'll close things out here. As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions. Hope you all have an amazing weekend!