Monday, May 25, 2015

Week 38

Textbook Returns
If you did not return your textbook by this past Friday, you have been billed for the cost of the textbook ($75).  If you have the textbook and bring it to school, you may return it to the library before school, during lunch or after school and the bill will be removed.

Staying Sharp in Summer
Several parents have asked about different programs for staying sharp in summer.  Math Enrichment is a program that some of our math teachers promote (our own Mr. Cabral and Ms. Schuler work there during the summer).  I also have some workbooks from our textbook publisher that students could work through (please let me know if you would like a copy; supplies are limited).  However, I really believe that the best way to stay sharp in summer is to see math in real life: through daily interactions and through games.  Playing games and solving real life math problems helps kids see that math is not an academic subject in a vacuum.  The number sense that they build through games and problem solving creates a context for the content they see in the classroom.  This is one of the reasons that I have hosted board games club during lunch on Thursdays this year.  In class, I'll be going over this with the students using the attached handout.  I want to give students the opportunity to learn the different games (some of which require as little as a paper and a pencil) and hopefully something will stick.

Below is a sample of my recommendations:

Apps for Mobile Devices:

  • Flow Free
  • 2048
  • Ticket to Ride

Solo Games:


Multi-Player Games:


Final Days
I will be on medical leave from Wednesday, May 27 through Wednesday June 3, but I will return for the last day of school on Thursday, June 4.  Mr. Ayala will be the substitute teacher for all 6 days.  He will be leading the students in the various games that I have described above.  I will be available over email the entire time.

Placement for 6th Accelerated Students
The data collection for determining placement for 6th Accelerated students has been complete (except for students who have been absent the last few days).  Students will be receiving letters on Tuesday that detail their scores for the various measures as well as their math placement for the 2015-2016 school year.  The criteria for Algebra 1 and 7th Grade Accelerated are as follows:

  • Algebra Readiness Test Multiple Choice (80% for Algebra 1, 50% for 7th Accelerated)
  • Algebra Readiness Two Free Response (4 for Algebra 1, 3 for 7th Accelerated)
  • Semester 1 and 2 Grades (B for Algebra 1, C for 7th Accelerated)
  • Unit Test Results (4 for Algebra 1, 3 for 7th Accelerated)
The two free response questions as well as the unit tests were scored on the following rubric:

  • 5 - Above Grade Level
  • 4 - At Grade Level
  • 3 - Basic Understanding
  • 2 - Minimal Understanding
  • 1 - No Effort
The free response section of the Algebra Readiness Test was only scored as a tie-breaker for students who were on the cusp of either Algebra 1 or 7th Accelerated.  

Monday, May 18, 2015

Week 37

Textbook Return
Please remember to bring your textbook back on Friday, May 22.  This is our scheduled date to return the math textbook.  If you do not bring it back on Friday, it will be up to you to return it to the library before school, during lunch, or after school.

6th Accelerated (https://sjusd.app.box.com/s/4da00xgz3wfsxk92o874)
On Monday, we will play a review game for the final unit test.  We will take the unit test on Tuesday.  Students will receive the results on Wednesday.  On Thursday, we will take the Algebra Readiness Tests (45 multiple choice questions and 2 short response questions).  On Friday, we will be returning our textbooks to the book depository.

7th Grade (https://sjusd.app.box.com/s/fvpzcxpzao0bdhrp86pg)
This week, we will be completing our study guide and practice test in preparation for the final unit test.  The final unit test will take place on Thursday, May 21.  On Friday, we will be returning our textbooks to the book depository.

Monday, May 4, 2015

Week 35

Open House Reminder
Open House is this Wednesday evening.  Please come visit our math classroom 504 from 6-6:45pm.

6th Accelerated (https://sjusd.app.box.com/s/4da00xgz3wfsxk92o874)
We are continuing our final unit on Probability.  This week, we are seeing how probability is played out in different types of simple games (spinner, dice, cards, etc.) on Monday/Tuesday.  On Wednesday, we will be taking notes on Independent versus Dependent Events and Disjoint versus Overlapping Events.  On Thursday/Friday, we will be playing more probability games and writing reflections about those games.

Looking ahead, we have two final tests coming up that will be used for consideration for next year's math placement.  The last unit test will take place on Tuesday, May 19 and will cover Probability.  On Thursday, May 21 students will be taking the Algebra Readiness Test, which includes 45 multiple-choice questions and 2 short answer questions.  This final exam carries the most significant weight on math placement and students who score at least 80% on the multiple choice and a 4 or 5 (out of 5) on both short answer questions will be recommended for Algebra 1.

7th Grade (https://sjusd.app.box.com/s/fvpzcxpzao0bdhrp86pg)
We are continuing our final unit on Probability.  This week, we are seeing how probability is played out in different types of simple games (spinner, dice, cards, etc.) on Monday/Tuesday.  On Wednesday, we will be taking notes on Independent versus Dependent Events and Disjoint versus Overlapping Events.  On Thursday/Friday, we will be playing more probability games and writing reflections about those games.

Letters to select 7th grade students will be going home this week about a special summer math program.  7th grade students who demonstrated grade level (or above grade level) proficiency on the unit tests this year and their grade will be receiving invitations to attend a ramp up math course.  Successful completion of the course and a passing grade on the Algebra Readiness Test will qualify these students to be enrolled in the Algebra 1 course at John Muir Middle School in the fall (instead of Math 8).  Algebra 1 is an advanced math course where students may earn high school credit if they successfully complete the course.