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:

• KenKen
• Sudoku
• Kakuro
• Logic Puzzles
• Jigsaw Puzzles

Multi-Player Games:

• Mastermind
• TicTacToeTen
• Card Games (Rummy, Crazy Eights, Hearts, Spades, Euchre, etc.)
• Board Games (e.g. Guillotine - $13, Lost Cities - $19, Blokus - $18, Connect Four - $8, Set - $11)

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.  

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.

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.

Week 32

6th Accelerated (https://sjusd.app.box.com/s/4da00xgz3wfsxk92o874)
This week, students will be working on a 2-D 3-D project where they must design one complex prism (built of two simple prisms), find its volume, create a net, find its surface area, and build both.  They may choose to work in partners or alone.  The project is due on Thursday, April 9.  Students will have time in class on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to complete the project.  It should be able to be completed in class without taking it home.


7th Grade (https://sjusd.app.box.com/s/fvpzcxpzao0bdhrp86pg)
This week, we will be preparing for and taking the Unit 5 Test on Geometric Reasoning.  On Monday, students will receive a packet that includes the Study Guide (with notes and exercises) and Practice Test.  Students will have the majority of time in class to work on this packet.  The Study Guide Notes should be completed by the end of the period on Monday, the Study Guide Exercises should be completed by the end of the period on Tuesday (last chance to ask the teacher questions!), and the Practice Test should be completed by the end of the period on Wednesday.  The test will be this Thursday, April 9.  I will be out on Wednesday, but Mr. Ayala (the substitute teacher) will have the answer key for the entire packet and will go over the answers to the Practice Test at the end of the period.

Week 31

Office Hours Reminder
Due to the Talent Show rehearsals which take place on Monday afternoons, my office hours will be on Thursdays through May 14.

Upcoming Absences
I shared with the students in December that I am pregnant.  I'm about 28 weeks along now and some complications have come to light that require me to see several specialists for extended appointments during the day.  I will be out this Wednesday (April 1) and next Wednesday (April 8).  My due date is June 20 and I hope to finish teaching through the end of the school year, but this may not be something that I can control.  Thank you for your understanding.

6th Accelerated (https://sjusd.app.box.com/s/4da00xgz3wfsxk92o874)
This week, we will be reviewing for our 6th Unit Test (Geometric Reasoning).  Students will receive a Study Guide on Monday (which is also available on box).  We will play a review game on Tuesday.  On Wednesday, they will take a Practice Test and the solutions will be given at the end of the period.  The test will be on Thursday, April 2.  I have shared with the students the data regarding their progress towards Algebra 1.  In making the final decision, the math department will be taking into account multiple measures: Semester 1 grade and Semester 2 grade (minimum: 84%B), each Unit Test rubric score (mostly 4/At Grade Level and 5/Above Grade level), an objective final exam (minimum: 80%), and two final short answer questions (minimum: 4/At Grade Level).  Students that meet these criteria will be recommended for Algebra 1 in 7th grade.  Students that do not will considered for 7th Grade Accelerated or 7th Grade Common Core.  I have met individually with each student to let them know what they are "on track" for.  At this point, there is enough data to show students with reliability where they are headed, but there is still enough time (there are 3 remaining unit tests) for students to increase their unit test scores and overall grade, if they are motivated to do so.  If you have any questions, please email me and I will be happy to respond over email or set up a conference.

7th Grade (https://sjusd.app.box.com/s/fvpzcxpzao0bdhrp86pg)
This week, we will extend our knowledge of angle relationships (complementary, supplementary, and vertical angles) by adding angles in a triangle to our repertoire on Monday.  We will practice challenging problems that require students to synthesize all of the angle relationships on Tuesday and Wednesday.  On Thursday, we will add another level of complexity: algebraic expressions.  We will practice these skills on Friday (no quiz this week).  Our next Unit Test 5 is scheduled for the following week on Thursday, April 9.

Week 30

Office Hour Change:  Due to the Talent Show rehearsals which take place on Monday afternoons, my office hours will be on Thursdays through May 14.

Practice SBAC

6th Accelerated (https://sjusd.app.box.com/s/4da00xgz3wfsxk92o874)
This week, students will take their skills of finding missing angles through angle relationships (complementary, supplementary, vertical, and angles in a triangle) to solve for missing variables of algebraic expressions in angle diagrams.  Their quiz will be on Wednesday this week because on Thursday and Friday they will be doing the Practice SBAC (Smarter Balance Assessment Consortium), the practice test for the standardizes assessment that will take place after spring break.

7th Grade Common Core (https://sjusd.app.box.com/s/fvpzcxpzao0bdhrp86pg)
This week, students will be learning about several angle relationships and using those to find the value of missing angles (complementary, supplementary, and vertical).  Their quiz will be on Thursday this week because onFriday they will be doing the Practice SBAC (Smarter Balance Assessment Consortium), the practice test for the standardizes assessment that will take place after spring break.

Week 29

6th Accelerated (https://sjusd.app.box.com/s/4da00xgz3wfsxk92o874)
This week, we will finish our series on volume by exploring the proof and formula for volume of all kinds of right prisms.  On Wednesday, we will start our study of angles (adjacent, vertical, complementary, and supplementary).  On Thursday, we will look at angles in a triangle.  There will be a quiz on Friday.

7th Grade Common Core (https://sjusd.app.box.com/s/fvpzcxpzao0bdhrp86pg)
This week, we will start our series on volume of right prisms.  Additionally, we will review area and circumference of circles.  There will be a quiz on Friday for volume and a re-take on the circles quiz from last week (the score from this week's quiz on circles will replace last week's score on the quiz on circles).