Plans for June

I have a few students coming in June to make up some work from second semester.  I hope this works out well, but I am nervous.  I need to have a plan, however, so that this time is productive for them.  Here is a basic outline:

Week 1 (June 2, 4, 5):  Solving Linear Equations

Week 2 (June 9, 11, 12):  Solving Systems of Equations

Week 3 (June 16, 18, 19):  Exponents and Radicals

Week 4 (June 23, 25, 26):  Polynomials

June 30:  FINISH

These are all things that we did second semester, but these students who are coming in June were not successful on.  Hopefully I will be able to help them be more successful this time around (and hopefully they will be more motivated to be successful).  Sometimes I wonder what I got myself into...

-Kathryn

#MTBoS30

21/30

[Unit Overview] Statistics in Brief

I only had a short amount of time left to study Statistics in Algebra 1, but I wanted to do what I could.  Here is what we focused on.

I can describe the correlation of bivariate data.

This is probably not where I should have started, but since I had seen this post by Mrs. Hester (which led by to this post by Sarah) it was what was on my mind at the end of a long week.  So it is what I ended up starting with.

I always break down what "bivariate data" means for students.  Then I gave them this document to cut up and sort based on the definitions.  Then we discussed and glued it in.

Next day I gave students these scenarios to label with the correlation they would expect to see.  I tried to frame it for them like this:  "If _________ increases, I would expect __________ to increase/decrease"  We always start by thinking of one as increasing, because that is how the definitions start.  We sorted these and glued them in after discussing.

I can graph bivariate data.

This should have been first...not sure why I didn't think of it at the time, but it is what it is...

Big starting point here is to define a scatter plot.

Then we did this investigation on height vs. armspan.  I've done it twice now, and I like it, but I would like other ideas for bivariate data I can collect immediately from students.  Anyone have good ideas?

I then gave handouts for using the calculator to create the graph.  I found one for TI-84 here and one for TI-nspire here.

I can find the line of best fit for bivariate data.

We just used the calculator to calculate linear regression.  I showed them how and then asked them to write down steps for themselves in their notes.

To sum up the unit I had students complete a project.  Basically they had to decide what to collect data on, collect the data, create a scatter plot, and find the line of best fit.  Here is my file if you would like it.

That is a brief overview of my brief statistics unit.  Hopefully I will expand (a lot) on it next year.

-Kathryn

#MTBoS30
20/30

Last Day of School

Today was the last day of school.  It is sad to think that one part of my teaching experience is over.  I will never be in that same setting again with those kids and it makes me really sad. Now begins the reflection time.  I need to find the appropriate amount of time to wait before reflecting...

Some things I know I need to reflect on include:

• Interactive Notebooks
• Grading
• Homework
• Motivating Students
• Building Relationships with Students
• Curriculum Structure
• Classroom Organization
• Integrating various types of Problem Solving
• Classroom Management

Hope to start soon!

-Kathryn

#MTBoS30

19/30

Graduation

Happy Graduation to the Class of 2014!

I was very proud of our speech-givers today.  Both did an excellent job.

The first was based off of Shel Silverstein's "Whatif" poem.  She shared how although they have outgrown some of those "what-ifs" there are new ones in their place.  And just as they all made in through the first set of "what-ifs" they can make it through the ones they feel now.

The second speech was about preparing yourself to succeed by surrounding yourself by people who will help you succeed.  He pointed to people who had helped them develop this outlook such as teachers, coaches, and parents.

Congratulations to all SHS Grads!

-Kathryn

#MTBoS30
18/30

Student Project: Frog Project

I've been working with a student all year in conjunction with Upward Bound Math and Science out of Northwest Missouri State University.  Students who have completed the summer program are encouraged to complete a project of their choosing during the school year.  Then they are encouraged to share it with a wide audience.

I worked with a 10th grader, Shania Mather.  I would like to share her summary of her project with you.  She worked on this all outside of school hours!  I was most impressed with her ability to choose a strategy to represent the process and to persevere in finding a solution.  Good job, Shania.  I'm glad to have had the opportunity to work with you this year.

The Frog Project

The Problem

My problem consisted of having seven lily pads and six frogs. On each side, there were three frogs of the same color. You had to get the same colored frogs from one side to the other, only going from one lily pad at a time, and you may cross a frog of the different color.

Steps taken

We had to find a way to model the problem so we could see how to solve it. We made papers that had seven circles in each row that were representing the lily pads. Instead of using colored frogs, I used triangles on one side and squares on the other side. The squares and triangles represented the frogs two different types of frogs. Each row of lily pads represents a new step that I used.

After I was was done with a paper and used all the lily pads, I looked back at the previous steps that I used to see what I could do different to solve the problem. I would always look back on my steps and see what I could do to get closer to solving the problem. Each time that I tried I would get a little bit closer.

The Solution

I was working on the last paper before the final solution I came up with and realized that I was close to solving it. I looked back on all the previous steps before and saw something that caught my eye. I felt like if I changed a few of my steps I would solve it or at least get closer. As you can see, I added more lily pads in the end because I was getting close to solving the problem and felt like I just needed more lily pads.

Thanks for reading and sharing in the success of my student!
-Kathryn

#MTBoS30
17/30

Body Image

I blame Anne and her post here for this post.  A previous post of hers about being a role model for her students in regards to body image make me think.  I agree that as a young, female teacher that is a good role to play.  I thought about the the ways I am a role model for my students and called it good.  I liked the challenge.  And I tried the challenge, but when it got hard I decided to stop.  I didn't show that I valued it.

Today I decided I need to post.  I got to thinking about my body image.  I'm pretty much in the same place as Anne.  I don't have body image issues.  But I don't always love my body.  As I was thinking through it, I started to wonder about the "love your body" mantra that is supposed to help girls feel beautiful no matter what our bodies look like.  And I started to wonder if it helps promote a positive body image, or if rather it creates more negative body image for girls who don't love their bodies.

Isn't accepting what is better than trying to sugar-coat?  Is stating the truth better than saying everything is perfect no matter what?  I find the most rewarding conversations about weight to be ones that are based in honesty and fact rather than acting like things are great when they are not.

I had one of those conversations at lunch today.  I walked away feeling supported and connected to those who were involved.

What do you think?  Do you think promoting "love your body" is valuable for building body image?  What makes you feel the most positive about your body?  Or at least the most OK about your body?

-Kathryn

#MTBoS30
16/30

Things That Have Suffered Since I Started #MTBoS30

Just a quick list of things that I haven't given as much time to since starting #MTBoS30.  Consider these things I will enjoy even more once I complete the challenge.

• Sleep
• Grading
• Sleep
• Picking up Dirty Laundry
• Sleep
• Long Blog Posts that Have Value
• Sleep
• Lesson Planning
• Sleep
• Family Time
• Sleep

I'm sure most of this has more to do with the end of the year stress, but that and the challenge really compacts it.

-Kathryn

#MTBoS30

1/2