Day 10 - August 30, 2013

I have assisted in finding an Internet solution for a special needs student using her iPad.   

I spent the last day with all of my virtual students.  I have the unique opportunity to help students when they need it instead of teaching all students the same.  I am able to spend less time reviewing every topic needed and only focus on students's individual needs.

Day 9 - August 29, 2013

After going over the formulas of the six trig functions, I asked the students to pick one of 4 problems within instruction based on their confidence level with respect to using the trig formulas.  The 4 problems varied in difficulty.  The students were able to find success at their own level.  I was able to not only have students work different problems throughout the room but also identify the students feelings of understanding. This enabled me to reteach throughout the classroom on an individual basis.  The even the students working on the easiest problem were wiling to ask for help.

I attended the kickoff for the United Way fundraiser month.  I will be working with 2 others to raise $16,500.  We will work together to make a difference in our community.

I have worked with Cathy to arrange for the TCC Online College Algebra coordinator to speak to our classes about being prepared.  I also assisted Cathy in getting MyMathLab access for a student with severe physical disabilities.

Day 8

Biggest accomplishment for the day...I took attendance without having to call out any names in my 1st hour.  I went from student to student and gave the student's name.  The best part was seeing that my students were proud that I knew their name.  #6

Day 7

The students were asked to answer some question involving their prior knowledge.  They then met with a partner and discussed their answers.  The students were encouraged to add information to their notes that they had neglected to include.  #7

I attended the back to school bash.  I did not have a specific assignment, but assisted in monitoring student behavior and had the opportunity to get to know some of my students better.  #2

Day 6

Today I discussed a student's IEP with home during his hour as an office aide so that no other students (or faculty members) could hear the discussion.  It is my goal to always make sure my students are never singled out for having an IEP.  I seldom need to make visible accommodations for my students, yet all accommodations needed for success in my classroom are implemented.  I followed up the conversation with an email to the student to make sure we both totally understood our conversation.  #6, #16

Over this past weekend I spent some time preparing lessons for the next 2 weeks.  All lessons included literacy strategies and critical thinking.  The lessons include Mathematical Practices (MP1, MP2, MP6, MP 7).   #1, #7, #8

Students are learning how to learn using MyMathLab.com Technologies. They are learning how to rework problems missed and view examples to assist them.  #10

Day 5

Today I had a student, who had been in class all week, give me a fake name.  So, I questioned him.  He repeated the name.  I said, You're not on the list.  He said I was yesterday.  I said, I know and it is the same list.  Then, he started smiling.  I closed his notebook and saw his real name and won't ever forget it.  It also showed me that I was doing something right.  My student wanted to trick me and laugh with me.  Only one other student heard the conversation!  That's the kind of teacher/student relationship that I like!  #6

At the end of the instructional class period I asked the students to share the concepts discussed today.  I was looking for the 4 main points.  I got the 4 main points PLUS about 8 other ideas that were mentioned.  Yeah!  #15

At our first day of embedded collaboration, Cathy and I discussed changing our focus for RAO this semester.  We will now focus on the Trig related ACT questions in RAO with those students who need to increase their math subs core in order to be eligible for TCC online college algebra in the fall.  We started analyzing ACT objectives to identify where to start.  #19

Day 4

My classes use MyMathLab a program that gives students immediate feedback as they work on assignments.  I have the program set up so that my students can work on all assignments until the concepts are mastered.  This frees me to help those students who need it most.  The students who know their answers are correct are not asking for their answers to be checked.  #13, #10

All students have the opportunity to discuss their questions with others as they work on their assignment, to view and listen to video lectures about specific questions, and to read examples to help clarify all misunderstandings. #6,  #7

I worked on repairing 9 graphing calculators today.  I was able to fix 4!  After communicating with Texas Instruments, I discovered the source of the issue with 2 of them and TI will send replacement parts.  Three were unable to be fixed, but TI will replace them at NO COST!  #3,  #16,  #19, #20

Day 3

I helped students to tie new knowledge to prior knowledge.  #7. #15

I implemented strategies for effective wait time.  Encouraging student to wait to answer giving all student to formulate their own answers prior to hearing someone else's answer.  #13

I skipped a section in my instructional time when I noticed that every student gave a thumbs up for their confidence level in solving that type of problem.  #14

After discussions with a special education student and his mother it was determined that he would have more success if I provided him a template of the instructional information to ensure his success.  He will be given the notes at the beginning of each instructional day, hole punched and ready for his notebook. I intentionally checked on him numerous times to ensure that he was able to maintain success.  #16

Day 2

My students worked to complete an introduction to MyMathLab.  The assignment asks students to read about how to enter their answers in MyMathLab and then submit an answer.  The students had to read several paragraphs in order to understand the ways to correctly submit their answers.  #7

I introduced myself to the TCC college algebra instructor and the students enrolled in the class to let them know that I was available to support them as they need assistance.  I will coordinate their registration codes for MyMathLab and help the instructor to ensure success for all students. #3

I emailed the parents of the students that I have for the second year to let them know that I am thrilled to have their teenagers in class again this year.  I also let them know that they can contact me with any questions that they may have about their student's course.  #19

Day 1

Setting the tone!  I have set the tone for a great year!  I informed my students that the rule for my class is RESPECT.  My students eyes lit up.  The look on their faces was a look of amazement that I would respect them.  It instantly set the tone of a room full of young adults, not a group of teenagers still being told what to do.  #2

We started our first instructional day.  I asked students to answer questions about angles and precision in their measurement.  The students were able use their background knowledge to write complete sentences which helped my students to realize that they could define a few of the tems we will be using this semester.  #7 #8 (mathematical practice - 6)

Work Day

As an OEA trainer for the math CCSS cadre, I received an email 2 weeks ago that there was not a trainer for The Highly Engaged Classroom session at Dewey Public Schools.  I decided that since the training was based on a book with which I had led a book study as a part of the Master teacher project , I could do it.  A week later, I was notified that I was needed as the trainer.  Upon receiving the information for the presentation, I realized that since I had not been in the group that created the presentation, it didn't make since in places, didn't have all the supplementary materials and was missing some key ideas in Forget's book, The Highly Engaged Classroom.  Therefore, I, unexpectedly, had to rewrite the presentation so that it would have the structure that was needed and would include the most effective techniques shared by Forget.  On August 8, I had the honor of presenting to all the teachers at Dewey, PK - 12.  They were a great group of teachers!  They shared lots of ideas with each other!  I wish I had the opportunity to do a follow up with them so see how their amazing ideas work in their classroom. #17 #20

I spent several hours preparing the graphing calculators for the beginning of the year.  78 calculators are ready for checking out to virtual students or using as a class set.  Cathy and I decided to share calculators to minimize time spent dealing with calculators each day.  This will enable us to have a class set of calculators in our first floor instructional room and in one of our computer labs. This will be a great solution until second semester, when we will need a set of calculators in both labs every other day.  #1

Cathy and I have worked through the first week of lesson plans to ensure success of all students.  We continually work together to maintain a pace that is effective. We strive to use a minimum of 2 literacy strategies and focus on one mathematical practice each instructional day.  #4. #7 #8

Kickoff

Today was Kickoff for the new school year!  Each day I will post what I did that day that may be related to the TLE.  

Today as the building professional development, I assisted with the district sign in sheets in the morning.  In the afternoon, I provided the sign in sheets for the faculty meeting. #20

This year I will have a Buddy Teacher to assist.  She is a new teacher to our building. #17 #20

I attended a OEA Common Core Cadre Training in June.  I am now trained to present current Common Core information to districts across the state.  #17  #20

I attended the Vision 2020 Conference.  I focused on math, coaching and virtual learning as I chose sessions.  #17

I have attended Cognitive Coaching training.  This was the most meaningful professional development for this summer.  I learned how to respectfully get other teachers to think through their teaching!  #17. I will use the information to grow US.#20

I attended district math retreat and virtual learning academy training to more specifically hone my skills.  At the math retreat we worked with CCSS sample problems to identify where algebra 1 & 2 & geometry are heading over the next few years.  #17 #8