17 Down, ...(183-17) More To Go!

**Disclaimer:  I actually wrote this about a week ago.....

Well, we've been in school for about 3 weeks-ish.  It feels like it's already been a semester.  Well, let's get started.

8th grade math's first unit started with the number system.  Blegh.  But we made it through.  Changing repeating decimals to fractions and approximating square roots.  There were others, but this is what my students struggled with the most.  BUT, once they got it, I nearly jumped for joy.  I was sooooo excited!!  They understood perfect squares and square roots.  They knew the mathematical process for changing repeating decimals to fractions, not just the shortcut.  Y'all, I was happy.  Then, it was quiz time (insert ominous music hear).

Quiz results were less than what I had hoped.  Much less.  Extremely less.  Exponentially less.  You get the point.  I questioned myself and my teaching first.  Had I covered everything correctly?  Did I present it in a form where students understood it?  I went through every single question, and wondered if that type of example was reviewed in class.  What had I been doing for about 2 weeks?  Well, that whole process lasted for about 5 minutes.  Once I realized this is what we were doing since the beginning of school, I wondered what happened to the students.  Why did they bomb this test (not everyone bombed it, there were some really good grades)?  Once I gave them back their quizzes and we reviewed it, the students confirmed they knew how to complete the problems, but they either made careless mistakes or they didn't ask questions when needed.  I was very disappointed.  The only thing that comforts me as of right now is that it was the first quiz.  They're still getting accustomed to me, the way I teach, and my layout for quizzes/tests.

Compacted Algebra just finished covering parts of an equation, and understanding the parts of an equation which models word problems.  They had a quiz as well.  Refer to the above paragraph concerning that, but they had much more higher grades than 8th grade math.  Enough of that.

This is a very choppy blog post.  Oh well.

One thing that I've changed for this school year is how we do bellwork.  It serves as a constant review for the entire school year.  For the first week of school, it was a review, basically seeing what they remembered from 7th grade math.....which wasn't much.  Now, however, it will always be something we've covered in class.  Therefore, at the end of the school year when we review for state tests, they will not have forgotten everything we've learned.  When we review converting repeating decimals to fractions, it will be fresh in their minds because they're doing it everyday for bellwork.  Bellwork is usually about 5-10 questions each day.  Currently, it leans to being only 5 questions.  As the year progresses, this number will probably increase, but I don't want it to exceed 15 questions.  The students like the bellwork, because they see it as a way to constantly remember what we've been doing.

My goal for this year is to make sure that my students think on a high level every day.  Every.  Single.  Day.  I know this will be a task, especially as the school year picks up, but it has been working well so far.  Even when we learn "basic" topics, I want them to know why it's true.  Is there a proof to it?  Can they understand the proof?  I want my students' minds to be blown every day.  I want them to walk out of the door having learned something crazy about math.  I want them to appreciate learning mathematics, not necessarily enjoy it.

The best thing so far this school year has been talking to parents.  They all tell me that their child loves math because I make it fun, and that I seem like a fun, laid back teacher.  I love this because, at the same time, they respect me.  Niiiiiice.

Until next time,

Ms. C. Watson

Bye, Bye Summer. Hello Students!

Summer is over.  So is my first year of teaching!  But now, it's time for year two.

My summer was amazing!  No, I didn't dive into Common Core studies, activities, or curriculum.  I enjoyed summer!  Somehow, it seemed as if summer break was over before I knew it had really started.  Two months flew by!

Last year, I was so excited about decorating my classroom and setting up everything.  This year, I wanted to wait until the first teacher work day.  I didn't want to step foot into those doors!  I knew this would be a terrible idea, so I went a few days prior.  I didn't do anything special.  At all.  I was surprised at myself.  I knew this year, however, that my main focus was going to be increasing those test scores!  I have a new teaching partner (of whom I'm extremely excited to be working with), and I really want to construct awesome Common Core aligned lessons, activities and assessments.  Decorating my classroom was almost the last thing on my to do list.

It wasn't until the first day of school that I truly remembered that I love teaching!  Yea, I know.  I had to be reminded of this.  I was too focused on summer being over.  Nonetheless, once those students began to flood the halls of PMS (Panem Middle School), I was overjoyed!  I was so excited!  This time around, however, I knew where the cafeteria and bathrooms were.  I was no longer a newbie.  Students were walking in saying "Hey, Ms. Watson!"  It felt so good.  Like this school was where I needed to be.  Where I belonged.

First day of school activities.  Blegh.  I mean, who really wants to go over expectations?  I surely didn't want to.  But I did.  For a small bit.  But before that, we started class by doing a "Find Someone Who..." worksheet.  They really enjoyed it.  Here's where I pinned it!  We also did the Marshmallow Challenge.  They loved it!!!  We didn't have time to watch the TED Talk.  I was a bit bummed about this, but we used this activity to introduce the fact that we do a great deal of group work in our class.  Between me and you though, we did it because it's fun!  The tallest standing tower was 69 cm.  I was impressed with their structure!

Now.  Hmmmm.  I should probably share some goals for this upcoming school year.  Here you go.

1. I want my students to be able to say that I am a fair teacher.  This is very important to me!
2. I want my students to know they are learning at a high level in my class.  I want them to be appropriately challenged.  
3. I aim to grow exceptionally as an educator.  I know everything I try will not turn out perfectly, but I want to learn from my mistakes and improve my victories.

Again this year, I am teaching 8th grade math and Algebra 1.  However, our Algebra 1 class this year is a compacted course, including standards from 8th grade math.  Whew!  We'll make it.

Until next time,

Ms. C. Watson