Ms Watkins' PreCalculus Update
September 6, 2013
Grades are being entered!!
Greetings Parents,
The balancing of classes is over and we are cleared to input grades. As this is the case, I have input the following grades:
Syllabus Signature – Is extra credit and does not affect your child’s grade. The zero indicates that I do not have the information on the google doc. The signature sheet is a google doc located underneath the two syllabi on my DCSS webpage. You can only access this via a computer or smartphone that has flash capabilities (iphones and ipads do not have this capability).
HW Quiz – Technically this is not a quiz, but merely a homework check. Students were given a set of 10 problems, picked randomly, that were completed as classwork or homework and reviewed in class. If there is a low grade on any HW quiz, that means that your child is not completing his/her CW/HW consistently.
M & M Lab – This is a participation grade
Instagram Vocabulary Search – Students were given a week to sign up for a new Instagram account, take pictures of something that made them think of the word and explain it on Instagram. Alternative: No Instagram, students who inquired were told that they could create a word document or PowerPoint with the same information and pictures. A bad grade on this assignment can be the result of one or more of these occurrences: it was not done; no explanations are a few explanations (students were given an alternative to posting as some experienced issues hash-tagging and providing explanations on Instagram); no pictures and just explanations; and/or not all word represented.
Additionally, I need your support in stressing the importance of completing homework. Homework is practice and is not meant to be done perfectly and mistake free. Actually, homework coupled with classwork is your child’s opportunity to experience learning by making and correcting mistakes. In class, we review the homework and students have the opportunity to ask questions. I do not collect HW daily, as these are college-bound students who need to understand that homework is beneficial to success on quizzes and tests; additionally, it helps to develop good study skills. HW quizzes are my way of “collecting” homework.
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PreCalculus Webpage
https://sites.google.com/site/precalculuswatkins/
Reminders
- EXCESSIVE TALKING: Please speak to your student about the importance of LISTENING and not SOCIALIZING in class.
- SLO's - Students who were absent will be scheduled to take this test this wee.
- SUPPLIES: Students need to make sure that they have pencils, a TI Nspire calculator, several composition notebooks. colored pencils, personal pencil sharpener, tissue, and hand sanitizer.
- TI-NSPIRE: The TI Nspire is the preferred calculator of the school. You may purchase another type of calculator, however, your student will have to be the "expert" for that calculator.
- HOMEWORK: Homework is given daily. It may consist of reading, studying, notetaking, researching, doing problems, creating webguides, videos, etc. Whatever the case, students should spend at least 45 minutes of their time dedicated to math.
- WEBPAGE: I have created a webpage for each course that I teach. Students are expected to visit it daily and keep abreast of assignments and due dates. I will not be posting assignments in the classroom.
- TUTORIALS: Math Dept. tutorials are held on Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30. Tutorials are a privilege, not a right. Tutorials are by appointment only. Students may sign up via a a google doc on my webpage and must obtain a pass from me the Monday prior to tutorial. Students must come with their notebook and their specific questions. I will encourage study sessions in my tutorials as I prepare my students for college survival.
- TARDIES: Please remind students to come to class on time. Right now, the majority of tardies occur in First Period and after lunch.
- DRESS CODE: Many students are following the dress code, YAY!! However, some are getting in trouble for wearing multicolored shoes (shoes should be white, brown, blue, or black) and outerwear (sweaters and jackets) that is not in school colors (outer wear should be white (not beige), navy blue, or hunter green.
- LARGE BAGS: I know that large bags are stylish, however, they pose a safety threat. Large purses/handbags are not allowed in classrooms. If the bag is large enough to carry a book, it is considered a book bag and should be mesh or clear, otherwise it must remain in the locker.
Contact me!
Email: DIerdre_M_Watkins@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/precalculuswatkins/
Location: 6551 Browns Mill Road, Lithonia, GA
Phone: 678-875-3682