A Rewarding School Year.

This year has been especially rewarding due to the new implementation of the Common Core Curriculum. Everyone learned  as we asked each other questions, critiqued each others work, justified our answers, and collaboratively problem solved together. Students learned to work cooperatively in groups in order to help each other first discover and then grasp the mathematical concepts. Academic conversations were the norm throughout the year as students developed higher level thinking skills. A final lesson on determination helped end the year with the goal that students would continue to persevere throughout their educational career.

School Begins!

     It is always exciting to begin a new year of school. This year we will be introducing the new Common Core Curriculum. For Algebra students, this means more project based learning and real world application. That means our  focus during the year  will  be to help students  apply the new concepts and ideas practiced in class. Our first project will incorporate the use of food/nutrition labels to explore different  food choices. Students will be charting graphs and using formulas to determine calorie intake and to determine their own healthy weight.
     I look forward to working with your son or daughter this year and I look forward to meeting you at our back to school night in August.

Have a Wonderful Holiday.

          I just wanted to take a moment and wish my students, parents, friends and everyone I have the pleasure of working with at Hemet High School a wonderful holiday season.  We have worked hard this first semester and we will continue to work hard through out the coming new year. There will be some changes coming with the implementation of the new Common Core State Standards but we are looking forward to progressing in our efforts to help all students find success in their study of math.

Welcome to the New School Year.

         It is always an exciting time when school begins again. I am looking forward this year to working with students at Hemet High in both the Algebra and Geometry Skills courses. The new buildings are beautiful and everyone is hustling and bustling around busily getting things ready.
     This year my blog will have all warm ups, lessons, and homework available for students who miss class or who want to review or "take a second look" at what was taught in class. This will be especially helpful for students who like to learn at their own pace and in their own place. Thank you for visiting and we'll see you when the bell rings!
    

Coming Up

     Just a reminder that our California State Test in Math is quickly approaching.  We will have after school enrichment workshops every Wednesday and Thursday from 3:30 until 4:30 to prepare for the test. We will review by going over the key standards with games, activities and problem solving groups.  Please email me if you would like your child to attend. They will also earn bonus points for attending the workshops. If you cannot attend but would like to see the problems we will be solving together, click on the link below.

Practice CST problems 

Don't Like Math?

     "I don't like math. When will I ever use this? I fail every math test!"   If  this sounds familiar, as a parent, you are not alone.

      Many students struggle with learning math. They just don't see the value or how understanding and being able to use some basic math skills will help them. 

      This year our district changed the way students were placed in math classes. Instead of having the majority of our students take Algebra I, they were placed in an Algebra Readiness class. Students who scored below proficient on their last years math CST were given an additional class referred to as "math intervention". 

     So how is this helping our students like math?  To start, students have more time to explore math with hands on activities, real world projects, alternative forms of assessments (more project based tests) and computer programs which engage and entertain.

      Making math more meaningful and user friendly benefits our struggling math students and has been a primary goal of Algebra Readiness. Building this strong foundation will help our students become successful next year in Algebra and as they pursue higher level math classes.

     As a parent encourage your child to use the math they are learning. Take them grocery shopping and have them estimate the final bill.  Have them price compare and determine which product is cheaper. Have them figure out the discount on sale items. If they are eating out, have them figure out tax and tip. Allow them to use calculators and most of all, encourage and praise their efforts.