Summative Assessments are Posted

Grades for the summative assessment are now posted in Infinite Campus, as are the new grades.  If a student is eligible for a retake, it is also posted in IC after the assessment scores --- "Eligible for Retake? (y/n)"  If a student has "Y" in this column, he or she may retake the parts of the assessment on which he or she was not proficient. 

What if I AM eligible and I want to retake?
Step 1 - email me - include the word "retake" in your subject line.  Email me by Thursday, 9/26.
Step 2 - I'll look over your test and let you know what you need to do and any additional practice problems you should try.  A time line will be included in this email.  Be sure you adhere to the timeline.
Step 3 - Send me the work from Step 2 and we'll schedule a re-take time.
Last day for retakes = Friday, October 7th.

Integrated 2--- Week of September 23-30

If students tell you that we have no homework this week - they are correct.  The summative assessments for this quarter will be given this week, and their job is to be ready.  How can they do this?
 - make corrections on HW#7 (if it was not proficient) & give to me by Wednesday, 9/25
 - turn in HW#7 (if not turned in)
 - bring home practice --- it's available!

This Week's Schedule:
Monday - refresher on Systems word problems
Tuesday - District Assessment (Summative Assessment #1)
Wednesday - Finish District Assessment (shorter periods today)
Thursday - get help/get advanced practice/correct mistakes from district assessment
Friday - re-assess or add advanced practice:  Summative Assessment #2

Tuesday, 9/27
District Assessment - most students did not finish the assessment, so we'll finish up tomorrow.
"This week's schedule" above has been modified

Integrated 3--- Week of September 26-30

Monday, 9/26
Today we played a little cut and paste... I have included the worksheet below; if you were absent, you might want to do it before you come to class.  Focus: how do I write inequality questions, inequality solutions, descriptions of the inequalities (in the context of the problem), graphs that represent the inequalities and tables that do the same.  Instructions:
1.  Cut out each box on page 3.
2. Find which graph matches which inequality solution.
3. Read the problem situaitons on page 57 #1-2.  Match a description with each graph.  There will be two descriptions without graphs.  Actually, there will be two graphs that have more than one description.  See if you can find which ones they are.
4.  Look at page 1 of the worksheet.   Match a graph, description and inequality solution with the inequality problem for each row on page 1.
5.  Create a table that shows where the solution to your inequality lies.  See the examples in the hall, if necessary.
Keep the leftovers for tomorrow - we'll do something with them then.
Inequalities Sort Cards link here

Homework #18:  page 57 #3abc:
part a.) do as instructions say
part b.) show ALL your steps to find the equation.
part c.) check your answer to part b.  It is in part c ;-)
                sketch a graph and show with dots where the solutions to part c lie... do NOT find the solutions;
                just show where they are on your graph.

Tuesday, 9/27
Practice Day
1.  Finished the inequalities chart from yesterday
2.  Made corrections on the exit question from Friday
       If you did not turn this in during class, make sure I have it tomorrow!
3.  Made "fix & finish" corrections to the chart from last week --- p. 51 #5
4.  Worked on finishing up HW#18...
      Revised HW#18:  page 57 #3 a-f

NOTE:  Proficiency Check tomorrow (Weds. 9/28)
               One more review/get help/practice advanced day (Thurs. 9/29)
               Summative Assessment Unit 1, Lesson 3 (Fri. 9/30)
All homework #15-18 must be turned in no later than 9/30!

Integrated 3 ---Week of September 19-23

Monday, 9/19
In Class Problems: page 50-51 #1-4
Homework - none tonight

Tuesday, 9/20
In class today groups split up the work to complete problem #5 on page 51.  You can find a graphic organizer for this work here.  Complete the table and turn it in to me as soon as possible.

Homework - page 52 "On Your Own"
   Be sure that if you solve the problems using a graph, that you SHOW the graph and where the solution lies.
If you solve the problems using a table, SHOW a portion of the table and where the solution lies.
If you solve by using algebraic steps, show those steps!

Wednesday, 9/21 (sorry this posted so late!)
In class today we started talking about the Kent County Summer Theater Program and our "Peak Profit" problem.  It will come back again and again this year - so familiarize yourself with it!
Classwork: page 52-53 #1-2
Homework #17: page 56 On Your Own parts a, b and d (not c)

Thursday, 9/22
We continued our work on finding the maximum income and where the break-even points are...
Classwork: page 52-53 #3-4 (#5 = advanced practice)
Homework: none, if your HW#17 was beautiful... otherwise, fix it and turn it in tomorrow.

Integrated 2 ---Week of September 19-23

Monday, 9/23
In Class Problem: page 54 #1a-f
Homework WS #7  - Monday's problems

Tuesday, 9/24
In Class Problems:  We reviewed the four things that we discovered in our "Elitch's" problem yesterday that we can do to equations...
  * we can multiply an equation through by a number
  * we can add two equations together
  * we can divide an equation through by a number
  * we can subract an equation from another one
We then used the add/subract properties above to solve simple systems.  You can see this method in action by going to the MathTV website, choose (on the left side) "Algebra" --> Systems of Equations --> Addition Method.  Look at video #1 and video #2 only!
Homework:  Do Tuesday's problems on HW#7 Worksheet

Wednesday, 9/25
Today we looked at problems that do NOT add/subtract to eliminate either x or y --- now we have to multiply one of the equations to make them "match" to eliminate a variable.
Online Video:  Math TV, choose (on the left side) "Algebra" --> Systems of Equations --> Addition Method.  Look at video #3
Homework: Do Wednesday's problems on HW#7 Worksheet

Thursday, 9/26
Today we wrapped up the elimination (aka - addition) method by looking at problems in which we needed to multiply BOTH equations by a number. 
Online Video: Math TV, choose (on the left side) "Algebra" --> Systems of Equations --> Addition Method.  Look at video #4  (#5 if you want some fraction practice)
Homework: Do Thursday's problems - Worksheet is due tomorrow!

Integrated 2 ---Week of September 12-16

Monday, September 12
For the past 2 weeks we have been working on solving equations during our numeracy time.  Today:
Warm-Up - solve equations
Self-Assess - Solve by graphing vs. Solve an Equation Algebraically
Intro - how to use substitution to find where 2 lines cross.
  MATH TV - you can watch a video (or four) that demonstrates how to do this on the MathTV website.  You'll have to choose, from the list at the left:
 * Algebra
 * Systems of Equations
 * Substitution
There are 4 videos - I'd watch #1 or #2.

We started problem #6 (parts a and b) on page 52 and we'll continue with this tomorrow...
HW #6 - available here - try only Monday's assignment at this point.

Tuesday, September 13
More practice on substitution -
If you haven't watched the MathTV videos - they're not a bad refresher.
A Good Practice Website: This site does NOT teach how to solve by substitution, BUT you can do the math, plug in the answer and see if you're correct for immediate feedback...
HW - do Tuesday's assignment

Wednesday, September 14
Self-assess on substitution...
Tomorrow we will do some small group practice and help.  Students that are proficient will be able to either a.) assist other students OR
b.) work on more challenging systems of equations
Self-Assessment today to determine placement tomorrow...
HW - do Wednesday's assignment

Thursday, September 15
Small groups practicing more solving systems by substitution
Tomorrow - Proficiency Check on Solving Equations & Solving Systems
HW - Thursday's assignment is optional, but make sure Monday-Wednesday is complete to turn in tomorrow.

Friday, September 16
Proficiency Check today (aka - quiz) over solving systems by using either graphing or substitution
Students that need to finish should do so by the end of the day Monday, 9/19
HW#6 was due today - I'll pass it back Monday for those needing to make corrections.
HW#6 can still be turned in for credit (no corrections) Monday-Wednesday next week.

Have a great weekend!

Integrated 3 ---Week of September 12-16

Monday, 9/12
Today we formed groups based on student choice - practicing for the assessment tomorrow.  You can find these practice pages below. 
Practice Solving Triangles (Law of Sines, Law of Cosines, Right Triangles)
Practice Solving for a Variable (re-writing equations)

Advanced Practice Solving Triangles
Advanced Practice Solving for a Variable

A document containing keys to all four workshets can be found here.
NOTE:  because of all the equations that are embedded - it looks a little strange at first sight.  Give it a minute to "warm-up" and it'll look just fine!

Tuesday, September 13
Assessment (Summative)
No Homework

Wednesday, September 14
Corrections on Assessment
page 47 #1-4
Homework: page 47 #1-4 (finish)

Thursday, September 15
Students discussed problems #1-5 on page 47-48 and had to answer several questions regarding solving these problems using:
 - graphs
 - tables
 - equations
Students should be able to use ALL THREE methods to solve at this point.
Homework #15 (I skipped numbers on purpose!)
  page 49 "On Your Own" all parts BUT
   on part b - if you use a table or graph, be sure to include a portion of your table or your graph to support your answer
   Good Practice - write decimal answers in fractional form

Friday, September 16
Basic Inequalities (<, >, < and >)
New Inequalities (AND, OR and NOT EQUAL)
Notes - if you were absent, make sure you copy from a team-mate when you return!
WS - practice (pick up from me when you return - sorry - it's not download-able)
HW#15 - continued... page 49 "On Your Own" - on part b, make sure you write your answers both as an inequality (ex: m>5), and in words (ex: Plan A is cheapest when you talk more than 5 mintues)

HAve a great weekend!

Integrated 2 ---Week of September 6-10

Tuesday, September 6
Warm-Up - how to check your solutions once you have them.
Explore - p. 50 #1
    There was a quick powerpoint with the information on it from pages 49-50 that I won't post here because you can just read it in the book :-)
    There was also a graphic organizer to go along with the book to make sure you answer ALL the questions and are thinking about your process and solution.  You can download the graphic organizer here.

Homework #5 WS - do only Tuesday's problems.

Wednesday, September 7
Big Idea: using points to graph lines (review)
Synopsis: for any equation you can choose your own x values and then figure out the y value.  Once 3 points are plotted (making sure that they're in a row) you can connect to form a line.
Homework: Wednesday's problem

Thursday, September 8
Using graphs to find the intersection of two lines (ie - find the solution)
CLASSWORK = p. 51 #2
Homework = finish up Wednesday's homework problems... we'll do the Thursday material next week.

Friday, September 9
Homework #5 was collected today as well as corrections on HW#4
Students worked on numeracy ideas to prepare for next week's big idea. 
Homework - none (have a good weekend!)

Integrated 3 ---Week of September 6-10

Tuesday, September 6
Warm-Up = Homework Check (If you were absent, make sure you check the key outside the door before you turn it it.
Big Idea = Using the Law of Cosines (along with the Law of Sines) to find missing parts of triangles.
Explore = see Power Point Presentation here
  * You can also access MathTV.com for this - Select a Topic: Trigonometry then Triangles, then Law of Cosines.  There are 2 problems that Mr. McKeague demonstates... watch only the first one!
HW #9 = p. 36 - On Your Own

Wednesday, September 7
Group Challenge - page 33-34 #5
Advanced challenge - find the area of the plot

We did not finish this problem yet so we'll wrap it up either Friday or Monday.

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT set for Tuesday, September 13. 
 * Solve for a variable (equations like z=xy and z=ax+by)
 * Use Law of Sines and Law of Cosines to solve triangles (missing angles and sides).

Sorry - I didn't have a chance to update last night with conferences going on.  Here's Thursday & Friday.

Thursday, September 8
Today we solved for angles using the law of cosines.  See the powerpoint and specifiacally look at/do:
WARM-UP - slide 3 (solution: x=-2.75)
NOTES - slide 5
PRACTICE - slide 7
PRACTICE SOLUTIONS - slide 9
 * You can also access MathTV.com for this - Select a Topic: Trigonometry then Triangles, then Law of Cosines.  There are 2 problems that Mr. McKeague demonstates... watch the second one!
HW#10 - page 35 #8

Friday, September 9
1. Students received their last quiz/proficiency check back.  Absent students - check in your folder when you return.
2.  Proficiency Check - Law of Sines & Cosines - 2 triangles for a quick quiz
3.  Finished up (hopefully) the group posters for page 33-34 #5 and woked on Advanced Applications (find the area of the trapezoid)

HW - do what you need to do to get ready.  The following was suggested practice for the weekend so that students can get the help/practice that they need on Monday:

-WS (trapezoid) – law of cosines  (handed out in class) - can be found here.

-Pg. 40 - #1ab (part c=Adv) – law of sines

-Pg. 21 - #5 – solve for a variable

-ADV solve for a variable: pp. 36-37 – read #1-2, do #3-6

-Correct Mistakes on Proficiency Checks (both of them)

Progress Grades are Posted

First of all, let me tell you that I hate doing progress grades - especially during 1st quarter.  The reason is very simple...

I tell students and the school tells students and the district tells students that their formative work does not affect their final grade in a class.  And this is true.  But for progress reports, we do not have anything to base a grade on except formative work.  And I'm supposed to assign a grade based on the learning process, not the final outcome.  It's tough and nerve-racking!

Case in point:  Sashi (not a real student, it's my nephew's name) is working toward proficiency in solving triangles.  He is not there yet, because he is still in the learning process.  The feedback he has gotten indicates where he needs to work toward proficiency and he has received all pp scores (partially proficient) so far.  Since Sashi has NEVER reached proficiency, his grade is a D.  But these are not his summative scores.  Sashi may pull out proficiency by the time he is summatively assessed - and thus earn a B or an A.  Or he might be proficient on some of those big ideas - and earn a C.  Or he may never reach proficiency and earn a D.  As a teacher, I have a hunch how Sashi will do... but all I have right now to base a "progress grade" on is his day-to-day learning. 

Parents - please don't panic if your student's grade is not where you expect it to be at the end of the quarter.  And students - you too.  Pay attention to all the little notes I leave you on your proficiency checks, your homeworks, warm-ups and exit questions.  Correct your mistakes and check your answers with me!  Use the progress time as a time to make growth toward proficiency.  And come see me at conferences this week... Thursday, September 8.