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Algebra A classes:
October 20, 2009
This week has been a bit hectic since we've had so many absences due to flu and other issues. As students return they may have missed up to four days of classes and have missed that much instruction. Topping off the week has been our online system not functioning correctly, leaving me unable to update grades and/or enter current assignments. I will be spending Thursday working to bring the class back together and have been meeting with students individually to bring them back up to date. If I need to know about any extenuating circumstances regarding your student, please let me know and I can make accommodations for them. Thursday will be our regrouping day and a chance for the students to get back on track so that we can move ahead. I believe that all of the current assignments have been listed on the calendar. 
October 8, 2009
Next week we will be reviewing and doing retakes of Unit One in class. I had planned for them to be done afterschool but our schedule has this class meeting on Monday and Wednesday of next week. After school buses are not available for extra students so we will do the test retake in class.
October 1, 2009
  On Monday, October 5th we will be taking our first Unit One Test. On Thursday we completed a practice test and reviewed answers that each student had written. Each student has with them the items they need to review before Monday.
September 30, 2009
 We are just finishing review all of the skills that have been covered in the first Unit of the text. 
  Next Tuesday the students will be taking their first test. It will count for 70% of their current grade.  Tomorrow we will be finishing a review of all skills that we have covered and then taking a practice test. I've rewritten the exam so that they will actually be working with problems that are more difficult than on the exam. We will be spending a lot of the period answering questions, reviewing skills and leaving each student with a clear idea of what will be on the test and how to handle each question. Parents should ask about today and help your student to come to me if there is something that they need help with.
   I have been working with students to understand what they are doing and know how to perform the tasks asked of them on a test. I'm impressed with the sincerity and efforts that the students have made. We're entering the first challenge of their skills and if they have been focused in class they should do well. Our first test is next Tuesday and grade will be available online shortly after the test.  
September 15, 2009
 On Tuesday we will be reviewing the work and questions that students have regarding the homework that they were assigned. All of the students in these classes have run into disappointments regarding mathematics in the past. I am spending a lot of time to create an environment where they feel comfortable enough to ask questions, share their confusion, and teach them to take a risk. If I see that they have demonstrated they understand a skill then I will write "done" on their paper and they will receive full credit for the assignment. This approach seems to be working very well with all of the students and I welcome comments and concerns from parents. If you feel that we should meet at anytime, just let me know. 
  Some of the skills they are learning are new, and will be practiced at the beginning of each class. I will give them a graded assignment when I know that the skill has been learned and understood. Please encourage your student's to share their questions and know that they will be praised for asking and I will work to find another explanation that helps them understand and be able to perform the tasks easily. 
  You will notice some assignments that appear blank for a period of time. These held blank until the student demonstrates mastery and then a full grade is placed in the assignment cell. The first example you will see is Multiplication Facts. Each student is being taught a great method for learning and retaining facts. It's called a corrective loop and I will post to this site the instructions as soon as the students are using it fluently in class. Another new skill they are learning is to reduce fractions using PRIME numbers. It allows them to work with fractions using only three steps. These are two major areas that hold back students from understanding the teaching of new concepts as the year progresses. 
   I am very impressed with the performance and effort the students are putting into this class. If your student ever feels overwhelmed I encourage you to contact me right away. 

The Alternative Education Program at the Junior High is a viable option for those students that are having difficulty in their general education classes and need further support in developing better organization and study skills as well as academic assistance when needed.

  
Transition Math  – (Returning 9^th Graders)

Mathematics Prep:

At alternating times students will attend the period at Tahoma High School, while the rest of their class is working at the Junior High.  Both classes will be working on the same material and we are hoping to be using live video broadcasting to allow for full interaction between our two groups. Students will receive a Pass/Fail grade and possible .5 credit for their successful participation in this part of the program. Those students that exceed in meeting all criteria may be able to move to the HS at the end of first semester. Make sure that you read the expectations and discuss them with your student before beginning the semester. There is a grade for completing this task. Dates that students will be going to the HS are shown below:

9/22, 9/28

10/6, 10/13, 10/19, 10/27

11/2, 11/10, 11/17

12/1, 12/7, 12/15, 12/21

1/5, 1/11, 1/25

2/2, 2/9, 2/22

3/2, 3/8, 3/16, 3/23, 3/29

4/13, 4/19, 4/27

5/3, 5/11, 5/17, 5/24

6/1, 6/7

Apex – Computer Based Learning

Each student will be assigned a course that meets his/her  academic needs so that they can move onto the HS.  Life Skills:

Student’s in this course will be expected to participate in group dynamic skills that range from dealing with appropriate school and social behaviors to developing self-advocacy skills through development of acceptable options.  As a part of this requirement students will attend “Ropes” course to demonstrate and develop transitional skills with the HS students. The activities covered in this part of the program require the students to problem solve as a team and develop the dynamics of a strong social community. The skills taught and developed during this part of the program will insure their meeting the Alternative Education Contract signed at the beginning of the year by each student. Study and Organization Skills will be taught through the use of “WIKI” pages that are linked to the classroom website. Students will post weekly grades on their individual site and be able to house current work in progress. 

Ed Growth and Development:
Study Skills are practiced through the use of WIKI pages that each student maintains and uses this format to communicate with me and to demonstrate their academic progress.  On their WIKI pages, their current grades and assignments are shown. Students are graded on their Academic Intent through the observation of their grades and academic performance.

Apex – Computer Based Learning

Each student will be assigned a course that meets his/her  academic needs so that they can move onto the HS.  Student will earn .5 credit if all requirements for the semester are met.