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Algebra parent night 2010
- 1. Welcome to Pre-AP Algebra Quail Valley Academy Don Simmons
- 27. Thank You! Don Simmons
Editor's Notes
- Thank you for coming I have had this spring meeting for a number of years, but this is my first one here at the Academy. It has been my experience that this preview is good insurance that we are all āon the same page.ā Allow me to go over what I think are the key items, and then weāll have a short Q & A session. NEXT SLIDE TRANSITION ā Who is this guy?
- Fair question ā the photo is pretty scary In FBISD 20 years Been teaching algebra to middle-schoolers for 15 or more years Have been a department chair Come to QVA from Sartartia Math coach NEXT SLIDE TRANSITION ā What is my philosophy?
- Everyday the kids see the shirts and the college names ā I have close to 100 different schools and the names rotate throughout the year The students donāt know it, but this becomes ingrained in them Many of my shirts come from ex-students who send me a shirt from their college ā and some from parents who think their school deserves āface timeā on the wall. The banners have a more immediate message ā they are about what class is about on a daily basis. I think they are indicative of how I think and what I want from the kids. NEXT SLIDE TRANSITION __ Allow me to review the banners with you.
- Kids are always ready for something to be āgood enough.ā One of my jobs is to help them lose this acceptance of mediocrity; of āits okay.ā I donāt want acceptance ā I want pride They need to know they can take it up another notch
- This banner is for parents as much as it is for the students. All too often when we are talking to our kids about school, we talk in terms of grades. I ask you to put the fascination for grades aside and instead ask you child what they are learning. Pay attention to their growth and their excitement for learning ā this is the important stuff. The grades will follow.
- Kids hate word problemsā¦ and I love them This banner hangs right over my whiteboard ā It gives them something to groan about daily Problem solving is an integral part of my algebra course We will do it on several levels ā from the simple word problems found in the textbook to obscure solution path problems with full two-column write-ups
- I love this banner ā it is a daily credo that reminds the kiddos that they are responsible for their own choices and decisions It comes from an old Don Mclean song ā here are the lyrics The message here is valid for all of us: for the kids, for me as teacher and for you as parents -- There are always warning signs and we need to pay attention to them. We canāt pretend that something is not going well. We canāt pretend we didnāt know. We have acknowledge situations and step up and address them. If either you or I notice a problem beginning, we need to communicate so it can be nipped in the bud NEXT SLIDE TRANSITION ā Okay. Now letās take a look at Algebra
- Thinking of algebra as a civil right makes a powerful statement. Like reading, knowing algebra should be an entitlement of everyone. It has become that important. I cannot stress strongly enough that importance of this course. Almost everyone uses it almost every day. In our information world, its importance has increased exponentially. Almost every skill and profession requires knowledge of algebra.
- There will be a degree of discomfort in the early days. Most of your kids are just now making the transition from the concrete to the abstract. If we think of concrete thought as one side of the river, and abstract thought as the other side of the river, then your child is somewhere on the bridge. And I can guarantee you that the bridge has kids strung out from one end to the other. But we will get them across the bridge. We will bring them to the other side. And it will be goodness and light. NEXT SLIDE TRANSITION āYou need to know some things about how it specifically pertains to your child
- I think it is important that you understand the paradigm shift your student will be going through. They will work harder, think more, groan and complain more, and learn more than they have in any previous classroom They may also get some grades that they are not accustomed to getting. Thatās understandable, because this isnāt middle school. When they walk into algebra class, they are spending 50 minutes in high school. NEXT SLIDE TRANSITION ā Letās look at the course goals
- These are the over-arching goals for the course I am particularly concerned with the last item ā underlying processes I want my students to understand what is happening, not simply memorize rules These kids are the scientists and engineers of tomorrow ā it is important they have the very best math foundation NEXT SLIDE TRANSITION ā How about success?
- Work Ethic This is the main stumbling block. The quality and quantity of the work increase significantly in algebra Over the years I have found that student success in algebra is all about time and effort. Students willing to make the effort will be successful. Abstract Thought Many middle-schoolers are still in the transition from concrete to abstract thought ā Pseudo-conceptā is typical ā they think they understand, but have trouble re-creating on their own Fast Pace Donāt let your child fall behind. Make sure they are always current. NEXT SLIDE TRANSITION ā With all that is happening, your child is bound to experience ā¦
- It is my goal for every student to experience cognitive dissonance every week ā preferably several times each week. If your child is not some complaining about how difficult algebra is; how much extra thinking is needed; how hard the homework is, then Iām not doing my job! NEXT SLIDE TRANSITION ā Hereās how it all works (lesson cycle)
- Each lesson has a minimum of 4 exposures Notes Pre-reading prepares the student for the lesson Text notes mean that your student has done more than just pass eyes over the page They prepare the student for the next dayās discussion ā and they provide a foundation for class notes This is hard for kids this age ā It will need you to keep a constant check Practice Practice (homework) needs to be done carefully and neatly Classroom solution check with discussion allows students to ask questions about areas where they are having difficulty NEXT SLIDE TRANSITION ā word problems
- Word problems are a favorite of mine I even have a banner in my room that reads āLife is a word problemā Knowing how to do the calculations is simply acquiring tools ā solving story or word problems is putting the tools to use We will do word problems throughout the year ā some fairly simple, some very complex Some problems will reinforce learned skills Some will be āobscure solution pathā problems The students will learn the method, organization, and structure of good problem-solving skills NEXT SLIDE TRANSITION ā Assignments
- There is ALWAYS an assignment Readings that precede the lesson & practice that follows the lesson A lot of the practice is offered at different levels of difficulty ā this is often student choice Answers are available for most practice ā check as you go The hard problems we go over in class I do not collect homework ā But I may check that it has been done Generally the quizzes tell me whether or not the work is being done NEXT SLIDE TRANSITION āAssessment
- We have to check and see how everyone is doing Unless circumstances prevent it, Friday is assessment day ā for quizzes and tests You should see a graded paper every Monday Quick quizzes (pop quizzes) can happen anytime ā cover the previous dayās lesson or assignment I didnāt do notebook checks this year ā a mistake. I will return to them next year NEXT SLIDE TRANSITION āNeeded tools & supplies
- Quad-ruled paper helps the kids with neatness and organization (a problem for 13 year olds) The TI-84 calculator is good through high school Mechanical pencils mean reasonably sharp points NEXT SLIDE TRANSITION ā Assuring Success
- This needs to be a group effort Your kiddos will be successful if you are an integral part of the process There are plenty of studies and many examples that demonstrate that a strong Student ā Parent ā Teacher triangle is a recipe for success I know that you want your child to be more self-reliant and responsible ā I understand that ā but algebra is not where it should begin NEXT SLIDE LEAD-IN ā Student expectations
- Preparation Students are expected to be ready for Q & A daily Students must ask questions when they donāt understand Staying Current Math is a building-block, cumulative process ā students must stay current to be successful NEXT SLIDE TRANSITION ā Parent Expectations
- Talk to your kiddos frequently about what is happening in algebra Listen to their confidence and volubility when they answer Yes, we did have homework last night ā and we have it tonight ā and weāll have it tomorrow night Check your studentās work -- frequently Keep up-to-date with the website Contact me when you have a concern NEXT SLIDE TRANSITION ā Teacher Expectations
- Along with all the stuff about rigor and excellence, I still try to have fun with my kids. There are always some jokes and a bit of teasing Even on test days we manage at least one laugh NEXT SLIDE TRANSITION ā Website ā the communications center
- Students should use the website daily Check what is happening when absent ā no excuses Parents should use it frequently We actually will begin during the summer with summer tutorials NEXT SLIDE TRANSITION āSummer Tutorials
- Let them work at a relaxed pace ā this is vacation time! BUTā¦ this will only be as good as the effort the kiddos put into it Please donāt push them by buying books, having them do problems, or teaching them some algebra so they can āget ahead.ā Two things will result from this ā neither positive They get burned out They āalready know itā and donāt pay attention in class (whoops, I guess I didnāt know it after all) NEXT SLIDE TRANSITION ā A last word -- about eye sight of all things
- Many kiddos have problems reading the whiteboard or SmartBoard from a distance. They wonāt admit this to you ā they do not want to wear glasses ā BUT they should! Please get their eyes checked this summer. NEXT SLIDE TRANSITION ā Your Turn ā Questions?
- Okay ā itās your turn If there is anything I didnāt address or was not clear, please feel free to ask.
- I appreciate everyone being here. Please e-mail me if you have further questions