Algebra II News Stand
Building a community of learners
A New School Year
Teacher Spends Time on Community Building
- Group work roles
- Rubrics for problem solving
- Tardy policies
- Homework policies
- And, starting routines.
So what was decided? The students and Ms. Schiavone put in writing that:
- Groups of 3-4 students is best. Each week one person in the group is the material collector, one is the spokes person, one is the documenter, and one is the conversation prompter. The roles will rotate through so each student will take on every role multiple times during the year.
- Every group math problem will be graded on correct steps taken, organization, and clarity.
- If a student is late to class, they are asked to sit in an empty chair quietly. If the teacher is not teaching, they may ask a neighbor what they are working on. If a student comes late and the class is in small groups, they will the teacher which group to go to.
- Homework should always be completed to the best of the student's ability. Ms. Schiavone will collect homework at times. Homework can help a students grade. Twice a month there will be a homework quiz where students are asked to write down four problems from past homeworks. This shows they have worked assignments.
- Each day students will walk in quietly and complete the warmup. They are not to talk to neighbors until Ms. Schiavone gives directions. When students leave they are to turn in any activity papers into the class's box. Students who have the role of materials will return all materials for their group.
Ms. Schiavone believes that sharing these policies with student's families will help the success of the class. She often studies Vanessa Siddle Walker's articles when it comes building a community in her classroom. Siddle Walker wrote about joining the community of her students' families to help her own teaching methods. She believes in communicating often with parents on what is expected of students. It has shown to ease classroom management and success of the students especially in a diverse classroom (Siddle Walker, 2001).
Siddle-Walker, V. (2001). African american teaching in south: 1940-1960. American Educational Research Journal , 38(751), Retrieved from http://aerj.aera.net
Upcoming Projects Taking Center Stage
Pacing for the Month of September
Week #1, September 1-5:
Chapter 1
- Properties of Real Numbers
- Defining Algebraic Expressions
- Basics of Solving Equations (First group activity in class)
Week #2, September 8-12:
- Solving Inequalities, both algebraically and through graphing
- Working with Absolute Value equations and graphs.
Chapter 2
- Probability part 1 (In class Problem Based Learning Assignment with write up completed at home)
- Probability part 2 with Chapter 1 and 2 review discussion
Week #3, September 15-19:
- Chapter 1 and 2 test on Monday, September 15th. Prior to test all students must turn in review sheet they created.
Chapter 3
- Related Functions
- Linear Equations
- Real world applications of linear equations group activity
Week #4, September 22-26
- Monday, September 22, No school
- Direct Variations
- Using Linear Models with Line of Best Fit
- First Homework Quiz Friday, September 26
If any changes occur in the pacing, Ms. Schiavone will post changes. Please contact if there are any questions. All pacing will be covered in Back to School Night, September 25th.
Teacher Uses of Active Instruction and Collaboration
Chappell, M. (2004). Empowering the beginning teacher of mathematics in high school. Manuscript submitted for publication, National Council of Teachers in Mathematics, Print.
Using a Game to Improve All's Mental Math
Want a fun math game to play with the whole family? In Algebra II we play Krypto whenever we have an extra five minutes. The rules a easy and can be followed by a fourth grader and up. The perks are your mental math will get faster! Here's how you play:
- Pick 5 numbers at random between 1-25
- Pick your target number, between 1-25
- Using the 5 numbers only once, use any combination of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to reach the target number. Take score if you want!
For Krypto on the go, visit:
http://illuminations.nctm.org/Activity.aspx?id=3569Families Can Contact Algebra II Ms. Schiavone in Multiple Ways
Email: hrschiavone@school.edu
Phone: (765)-234-5678 Ext (2110)