Math Department Update 8/17/13
News you can use!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
You've made it through the first week of school. Despite the bumps and bruises, I hope that the start of your year was a good one!! I don't know about you, but the kids made my week the best ever!! Lets work smarter, not harder and make this year a great one!!
Below are three (FREE) sites that can assist you in working smarter and not harder. I use all three to enhance my learning environment. Try one or more out...don't be shy!!
Edmodo
Edmodo is a social learning platform for teachers, students, and parents. It is commonly thought of as the Facebook for school. Current uses include posting assignments, creating polls for student responses, embedding video clips, create learning groups, post a quiz for students to take, and create a calendar of events and assignments. Students can also turn in assignments or upload assignments for their teachers to view and grade.
Google Docs
Google Docs is a free Web-based application in which document s and spreadsheet s can be created, edited and stored online. Files can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection and a full-featured Web browser . Users of Google Docs can import, create, edit and update documents and spreadsheets in various font s and file formats, combining text with formulas, lists, tables and images.
Jing
Jing allows one to capture anything on your screen as a static image or a movie, then save it or store it on TechSmith's free 2GB of server space (hosted at Screencast.com). If you choose to store it, send the link to anyone and everyone. There's also a 2GB bandwidth limit, so be judicious about letting your link get spread around too much.
What's Next...
Reminders for the upcoming week...
- ATTENDANCE: Make sure that you take attendance during the first 5 minutes of class; students can be working on a warm-up during this time.
- GRADEBOOK (eSIS): I will be sending out instructions for setting up your preps in your grade book. Before you input your grades, please send me a screenshot of your preps so that I can assure that your preps are input properly. All weights are county mandated and can not be altered.
- TEAM PLANNING: Those who teach common courses need to determine a date, time, and place that you will meet each week to plan. I need to provide this information to Mr. Swanson and Ms. Black by Friday, August 23, 2013.
- LESSON PLANS: Lesson plans are to be uploaded into the "Math Department" folder located in First Class under the "Red School House". Lesson plans are due each Saturday by 12 noon. The lesson plan template is in the Math dropbox.
- FIRST CLASS: Familiarize yourself with First Class. This is our email source and a repository for county information,
- WEBPAGE: Work on creating your webpage. Go to the AMHS school website and peruse the websites of other teachers for ideas.
- TEXTBOOKS: Hopefully, by now, everyone has an e-number and is now in the system. You can issue textbooks!!!! YAYYYY!! If you have NEW textbooks, these need to have the barcoded stickers placed in the inside back cover and need to be scanned in to the system BEFORE you can issue the textbook to students.
- COMMUNICATION LOGS: Call parents when students are tardy to class, cause disruptions, do not come prepared, are not doing well in class, etc. Communication is KEY to your success as a teacher. Document all parent phone calls and conferences on your parent contact log (a copy is in the math dropbox). Communication logs are due each week and are sent to Ms. Black,
- EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT MEETING: Textbook training on Monday, August 19, 2013 at 3:30 pm. All teachers must have the training. If you have planning during 6th or 7th period, I can train you during your planning period.
- FACULTY MEETING: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at 3:30 pm.
Tip of the Week!!
A seating chart is useful for learning the names of students as well as a behavioral control. I create an alphabetical seating chart to learn names, at first, and then observe the student social patterns. After I "learn" my students, I then create another seating chart to promote a study conducive learning environment.
Email: Dierdre_M_Watkins@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
Website: http://fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us/~DIERDRE_M_WATKINS/
Location: Arabia Mountain High School
Phone: 678-875-3682