Week 1 Reflection

Please respond with you honest opinions and feelings. Do not ask other students what you should write, instead write what you actually feel. Be honest in your responses as you cannot learn from a reflection if you lie to yourself. Answer each question with a complete sentence. Take your responses to the following questions and turn then into a paragraph:

1. Describe your first week of mathematics class, in two or more sentences.

2. Are there any topics you are learning this semester that you are afraid of or worried about? (Algebra, Statistics or Geometry)

3. What new mathematics words have you learned this week?

4. Do you feel like you understand algebra better? 

5. What are things you do not like about math class?

6. If you could change one thing about math class what would it be?

After the winter break, what I feel about math is math is getting more interesting, but also seems to be harder. It's because we got 3 project meanwhile we only had one last semester. I'm kinda worried about statistical questions and geometry, because I'm not good at sketching shapes and statistics, but I'll try my best to finish it. One new word I've learned this week is Polyminal, " which means the family name for any expression with terms."Poly" means "many." After learning volcabularies I think I improved in algebra. I don't really like the Weekly Reflection and seating plans. I know the purpose is reviewing what we've done for the past week, and helping us meet new people, but I just don't like it. If I can change one thing for the math class, I will probably remove some projects because I'm lazy, just don't want a lot of work.

Week 2 Reflection

1. Describe your second week of mathematics class in two or more sentences.

2. Do you thinking learning Algebra Vocabulary has made understanding algebra easier?

3. Were you able  to understand how to simplify algebraic expressions, why or why not?.

4. Give two reasons that make you think you are getting better at math?

5. Give two reasons that make you think you are not as good as you could be at math?

6. What are two things you do not like about math class or the way topics are being taught? 

Give suggestions on how you would like it?

7. Do you think we are learning things too slowly or too quickly? Do you think you are learning too many things too soon?

8. Would you like more time to complete tasks?  e.g. worksheets or examples in class

In the second week of math class, I feel I adapted to learning math every day. For now, I feel Math is very fun. In my opinion, learning the volcabulary definitly make learning algebra easier. I think I'm able to simplify algebra expression based on the current level. I feel like I'm getting better in Math because I've learned some new vocabulary that not only works in Algebra, for example, other names for operations, and the second reason is that we've got notes that can remind us if we forgot something. When I overlook the value sign, I get the answer wrong, and when I read the question too fast, I leave out some numbers I didn't notice. To improve this, I will double-check my answer and compare it to my peer's. I don't really like translating algebra and Reflection because it's difficult, but I know it's helping us to review what we've learned and to practice translating algebra, so I will do my best even though I don't like it, if translating algebra to Gimkit, I will probably like it. I think the current speed of learning is just enough, not learning too much stuff, and also not too little. I think I don't need more time to do it, it's enough for now.

Week 3 Reflection

1. This week we learned about algebra patterns and direct proportion, which of the two did you find more difficult?

2. Was it confusing that the word "term" is used both in algebra statements and algebra patterns? 

3. Between algebra patterns and direct proportion which topic was easier? Why? did you think or feel it was easy?

4. What new mathematics words have you learned this week?

5. What are two things you do like about math class or the way topics are being taught? 

Give suggestions on how you would like it?

6. What are two things you do not like about math class or the way topics are being taught? 

Give suggestions on how you would like it?

One thing I found difficult this week was simplifying algebra expression. It's hard because we had to write a lot of things, and simplifying algebra expressions has multiple steps, which cost a lot of time. I can't complete all the questions carefully in the time we have now, so I can only briefly go through the questions, and I often make mistakes. I think I'm not confused with the word "term" using on both algebra statements and algebra patterns, it's because I can identify their meaning based on the question we have. Between patterns and direct proportion, I think both of them were easy, but I think the easiest one was direct proportion, it's because I already know how to calculate it, and I've learn it when I was in 4th grade. I've learned a new word; it's Alpha, it's the name of the direct proportion symbol. Two things I like about Math class were Gimkit and examples on the whiteboard. It's because I think Gimkit is a fun way to learn, and showing examples can help us better understand the topic. I don't really like writing notes. I think writing notes is useless because I won't read them ever again. Other than this, I think Math class was perfect.

Week 4 Reflection

1.  This week we have review direct proportion, looked into rates of change and linear equations and linear graphs, of the stated topics which one do you feel you understood the least?

2. Which of the topics we did this week, did you understand the most?

3.  Explain one of the the concepts we learned about this week and describe an activity we did in class which demonstrated the concept.

4. Explain the process of drawing a line from an equation?

5. Explain how to calculate the "m" of a line if you only have the graph?

6. Do you think this week was easier or harder than past weeks?

7. Do you think we are learning things too slowly or too quickly? Do you think you are learning too many things too soon?

8. Would you like more time to complete tasks?  e.g. worksheets or examples in class

The topic I understood the least in this week was linear equations. I feel like I already knew how to calculate it, but I sometimes still get it wrong. In contrast, I think I understood rates of change the most. I remembered how to calculate it and get the correct answer. This week, we practiced linear equations. Even though I still got them wrong sometimes, the graphing activity helped me better understand them. The process of drawing a line from an equation is to first decide the value of X, then calculate the value of Y, then graph 4 dots and connect them. If you want to calculate M, you first need to find two dots and apply y2-y1/x2-x1. I think this week isn't harder or easier than last week; the difficulty just stays the same. We are not learning too many things too soon. I think the current speed is the perfect speed for us. Just keep the same rhythm. I think we might need a bit more time on GSP for us to write it wisely, but for the worksheet, I think the time is enough.

Week 5 Reflection 

1. Do you think solving algebraic equations was easy or difficult?

2. Were you surprised how much vocabulary we have learned in algebra?

3. Do you feel like the practice work we did before your notes helped to get ready?

4. Did you feel prepared for the quiz? What did you do to prepare for the quiz? was what you did to prepare enough?

I think solving algebra equations is easy; you only need to follow the steps to calculate them. I'm surprised by the amount of vocabulary in the previous class; it's a massive amount. The practice work we completed before the notes didn't help much, but it did help me prepare for the test. I felt prepared for the quiz, but I still feel worried about my grade, even though I prepared a lot. I anticipate that I can at least get 80 %.

Week 6 Reflection 

1. Did you feel like you had enough examples while you learning coding.2.  Do you think coding is difficult because you have to type everything exactly or because you do not understand it?

3. If you learning coding before how did you learn it?  If this was your first time learning programing describe your experience learning it in my class.

4. Would you want to continue learning programming?

I think we had enough examples in coding, we've got like 3 of them. I think coding is not that hard; it's only difficult when you are doing a big project. I've learned coding before, I think that's a good experience, I also like the atmosphere in class, coding is just a fun activity to do. I would be really willing to continue learning about coding, it's just so fun to learn, and I want to complete more projects about coding.

Week 7 Reflection 

1. Do you think statistics is interesting, confusing or weird? Explain your answer in two sentences?

2. Do you read the provided notes and handouts, if yes are they helpful, if no why? are they too boring, too long or too difficult to read?

3.  What new words related to statistics have you learned this week? Explain that word and why you find it interesting?

4. Are you excited for your statistics project?

I think statistics is definitely not interesting, it's boring and complex. It's muti-steps, but I think probability is easy. I always read the notes provided, I think they are helpful but it's a bit too long, I only read the notes once. One new word I learn in this week is "Mode" it means the value that appears he most in the data set. I found it interesting because it can sometimes be very important and sometimes not. I not excited for the statistics project because I know it's going to be very hard.

Week 8 Reflection 

1. What was an example or calculation done in class this week that help you understand statistics better? Write the date it was done and describe it in one sentence and in another sentence how it helped you.

2. Do you think statistics is useful topic in mathematics and is there any topics you are hoping to learn?

3. Have you learned statistics before? if so have you learned anything you did not know before? If this is your first time learning statistics, you do you think of the topics so far? For everyone describe how statistics is different to other parts of mathematics. (two sentences minimum)

4. What was an example or calculation done in class this week that confused you and made it hard to understand statistics? Write the date it was done and describe it in one sentence and in another sentence how it confused you. Also mention if you understand it now.

5. What new mathematics words have you learned this week?

6. Do you feel like you understand statistics better this week compared to last week? 

7. Do you think we are learning things too slowly or too quickly? Do you think you are learning too many things too soon?

8. Do you think the notes are helping you to understand or are they just a waste of time? Do you read them, if yes how has it help you. If no they why, are they too long or too difficult to read.

On April 14, we did an example of drawing cards, which helped me understand probability.  This example helped me because it converted the difficult math algorithm to an easy card drawing example, making it easier for me to understand. Statistics is a useful topic so far; I don't plan to learn other topics in statistics. I do learned statistics before in 6th grade, but what I learned is completely different. In 6th grade, we're just learning about like identifying statistics questions. I think statistics is different from other parts of math because statistics focus on real world data, not just pure calculation. In this week, I've learned a new work called "frequency", it means the number of times a specific value, event, or observation occurs in a dataset or an experiment. I felt I understood statistics better compared to last week, I learned new vocab, new math terms, and a lot more. I think the notes do helped me a bit, but not much, it's too long so I will probably not read it much. I think the note is suppose to only include the key point.

Week 9 Reflection 

1. How do you feel this week went compared to previous weeks? Was it more difficult or less difficult than other weeks? Explain why in one to two sentences.

2. This week we work with many different graphs and charts, which one do you think is the easiest to work with and why?

3. The Statistics Unit is ending soon, do you feel ready for the End of Unit Quiz, if yes then explain why? If not then explain what you will do to prepare.

4. Name and describe at least 3 ways that graphs can be misleading. In your own words explain why a company or business or group would want a misleading graph.

5. What was an example or calculation done in class this week that help you understand statistics better? Write the date it was done and describe it in one sentence and in another sentence how it helped you.

6. What are two things you do not like about math class or the way topics are being taught? 

Give suggestions on how you would like it?

I think compared to the previous week, the worksheet is turning easier, and we got less homework then before, might because I have already adapted the pace. I think the table chart is the easiest to work with, it's because the table chart was simple, it gave you the numbers and the categories, unlike the pie chart, which gives you percentages instead. I'm not feeling ready for the Statistics Unit quiz, it's because the quiz will be including a lot of questions just like last time and I didn't complete the test last time. I will be studying the concept and memorizing the vocabulary to prepare for the test. A graph can be misleading if the data is distorted, like you suppose to start the y-axis at 0, but instead you start at 50, making your data look enormous. 3 ways that graphs can be misleading are Truncated y-axis, which is the one I talk about previously, it zooms in on the y-axis, making your data look enormous. The second trick is specifically for pie charts, pie charts that do not add to 100%, for example, if a pie chart is distributed to 40% 60% 50%, this graph can be misleading because the total percentage is not 100%, so the numbers can be fake, or the categories are miscounted. The 3rd trick is for a 3D pie chart. A 3D pie chart can make similar percentages visually the same because of the angle, making the graph misleading. An example we had completed during the class is about how many score to student get on test, we first calculate the mean by adding all the scores together and divide by how many respond we got, then we calculate the mean by selecting the middle number after we order the number from small to big, thirdly, we calculate the mode, which is the number that appears the most, and fourthly we calculate the range by subtracting the largest number to the smallest number. Lastly, we calculate a few examples about probability. This example helped me understand how to calculate all of those concepts by practicing all of them. For math class, I don't really like too many examples, even if some of them really help. Too many examples make the class boring and make me sleepy. I think we can discuss after an example to make the class more interactive.

Week 10 Reflection 

1. Were you surprised how much vocabulary we have learned in statistics? How useful were the notes and vocabulary list?

2. Do you feel like the practice work we did before helped to get ready?

3. Which words are you going to look out for in questions in the quiz? Are you ready to read clearly because the words will not be highlighted, what can you do to get ready for that?

4. Was statistics an easier or harder topic than you thought? What made it harder or easier?

5. Did you feel prepared for the quiz? What did you do to prepare for the quiz?

I'm surprised at the amount of vocabulary we've learned in statistics. In statistics, we got a full note on vocabulary, which helped us understand it better. I think the practice work we did before helped us get ready for both Project 2 and the unit quiz. The practice work prepared us to complete the work efficiently. There's no exact word I will be looking for on the quiz, but I think I'm not ready to read the quiz clearly, so I'm going to write notes to prepare myself for the quiz and probably do practice to help me build up. I think statistics is easier than I thought. Even though this topic is still hard, it is pretty much easier than I expected. I thought statistics was more like word stuff instead of calculation, but in reality, it is more about the calculation instead of what I thought. I don't feel ready for the quiz, but I will try my best to do the quiz. In order to get a good score, I will write notes and practice the topic I'm weak at.

Week 11 Reflection 

1. What was the experience of doing the project in groups?

2. Did you apply you learning in statistics to help complete this project?

3. Were the instructions clear and helpful or did you find them confusing?

4. Do you think you would be interested in working with statistics as a job? Explain why or why not.

5. What was a challenges that your team faced and how did your team overcome it, if not challenges then why did you team work well together?

6. Were there any new words and new concepts you encountered in the project?

I think the experience of doing the project in groups is pretty good, everybody completes their work on time. I think doing a project in groups can upgrade the quality of our work because we have more to work on it by distributing the work evenly. I think learning statistics is very helpful to this project, to complete the project, you need to have the basic understanding on statistics, so if we didn't learn about statistics, we would not. be able to complete the project 2. The instruction is pretty clear; we know what we should do at what point. I think it will be interesting to work with statistics as a job. It's because you can observe different data so you can know why things are different from others. The job will be full of randomness if you are working with statistics. Our challenge was that on day 1, we didn't know how to add all 50 numbers quickly. We got three different answers, so we couldn't calculate the mean or the median. How we overcame this is that we ask teacher and he told me a tip on google sheet where you type in a command and it instantly calculate the answer for you. I haven't found new words throughout the project, but the project has enhanced my knowledge about statistics through the process.

Week 12 Reflection 

1. What was an example or calculation done in class this week that help you understand geometry better? Write the date it was done and describe it in one sentence and in another sentence how it helped you.

2.  How do you feel this week went compared to previous weeks? Was it more difficult or less difficult than other weeks? Explain why in one to two sentences.

3. What new mathematics words have you learned this week?

4. Do you think we are learning things too slowly or too quickly? Do you think you are learning too many things too soon?

5. Do you think the notes are helping you to understand or are they just a waste of time? Do you read them, if yes how has it help you. If no they why, are they too long or too difficult to read. 

6. What are two things you do not like about math class or the way topics are being taught? 

Give suggestions on how you would like it?

I think the example and calculation done in class really help me understand geometry. The impact to be is even bigger than the note we've copied. In 5/14, we've went through some angle calculations, which deepen my knowledge in geometry. I think this week's difficulty is in the middle compared to the previous week, we got fewer worksheets but more to copy and write. For this week, one new word I learned is "Acute Angle", which means an angle smaller than 90 degrees. I think we are learning things at the right pace, just the best speed. I think the notes are pretty useful, it helped me to solve questions I don't understand when writing worksheets. I always read the notes when I need them, often when I'm struggling with some math questions. I don't really like worksheets. This week, I think the whiteboard example calculation is much better than worksheets, worksheet takes a lot of space when you got returned but the whiteboard calculation does not. Other than this, math class is fun and a place to learn a lot. 

Week 13 ReflectionThis is the week that introduced 3D solid and the vocabulary surrounding them. 

1. What new mathematics words have you learned this week?

2. At the start of this week, how did you feel about 3D shapes? How do you feel now?

3. What was the hardest thing for you this week? (For example: telling a prism from a pyramid, counting hidden edges, choosing surface area or volume, or remembering cm² and cm³.)

4. Where in real life do you think people use surface area or volume? Give one example.

5. What is one thing about 3D shapes you still want to understand better before the unit test?

In this week, some new words I learned are vertex, and also cylinder. Vertex mean the point were the edge meet. I felt 3D shapes calculations are easy, but now, I knew that's wrong. The hardest thing for me in this week is to calculate a circle's surface area and volume because you need to use 兀 in your calculation. In real life, people use surface area like wraps on wrapping of gift box, and volume in terms of how much water a water tank can serve. One thing I want to understand better before the test is how to calculate a circumference.

Week 14 ReflectionThis was the week were we working with compound or composite figures both in 2D and 3D.

1. How did you feel when you saw the first compound shape — like the L-shape or the running track — broken into smaller shapes? Was it easier or harder than you expected?

2. This week you used the same big idea for both 2D and 3D:  did you draw hard shapes or cut  compound figures into easy shapes you already know. Why do you think this "decompose" (break into smaller pieces) idea is so useful in maths?

3. What kind of problem did you enjoy most this week — area, perimeter, surface area, or volume? Which did you enjoy least?

4. The geometry unit is almost finished. What is one thing about compound figures or solids you still want to practice before you feel ready?

5. Where in real life might someone need the area or volume of a compound shape? Give one example (think of rooms, swimming pools, water tanks, buildings…).

First impression when I saw a compound shape was nothing, I felt nothing special, it's just two shape put together, it's easier than I expect. I think the idea of decompose is useful in math because, it can make calculations easier, and to simpler work, so you get to calculate the part you know, and I also drew easy shapes I already know like rectangle, and triangle. I enjoyed perimeter type question the most in this week, and volume type question the least in this week. However, even though the unit is almost ending, I still want to know more about how compound shape can be calculated quickly, it's because one big problem I had right now is that I know how to solve stuff, but I just don't have enough time to do it, so if I get to know how to calculate compound shape faster, I can do more work in shorter time. In real life, people might need to calculate area or volume for compound shape because maybe they are building a swimming pool where the end is a semi circle, they need to know the volume for it so they will know how much water they should pour inside.

Week 15 Reflection

This was the week of project 3.

1. How did you feel at the very start of the week, when you read the Safe Harbor scenario and saw your team had only five days to design a whole camp for 4 families?

2. How did you feel the moment your team received your randomly assigned Landscape Card and realised your plan would have to change?

3. Looking back, do you think being forced to change your plan made your final design better, worse, or just different? Why?

4. The work mixed drawing, calculating, and writing. Which kind of work suited you best, and which did you find least enjoyable?

5. You were only allowed to work as a team, never alone. Why do you think this project needed a team and could not be done by one person?

6. When your team disagreed about a decision, how did you sort it out? Did your Team Contract help?

7. The project asked you to think as a Global Citizen. What did designing a safe, fair camp for displaced families make you think or feel?

In the beginning of the week, I felt impossible to complete the whole big project in just one small week. I'm very happy with the landscape card we received, it's because the landscape card was open, so we don't really need to change something big. We're not forced to change our plan, but the final changes does make our project better because we change the shelter shape so each family get equal spaces to live. I think writing and calculating suited me the best, I think drawing is the least enjoyable. It's just very boring. This project need to work in a team because it's a big project, so it's impossible or very difficult for one person to complete it in 5 days, despite the difficulty, we alsoneed to practice team work. When our team are struggled to make decision, we will do a vote to see which idea is the best, but we don't really have a disagreement during the process. Designing the safe shelter made me feel that there's a lot of people in the world are still homeless and poor, so we need to be grateful of what we had right now, and also designing a shelter isn't an easy job.