Ms Watkins' Class Update
August 23, 2013
Welcome!!
Greetings parents, I will use this newsletter to keep you abreast of the happenings in your child's math class. I am here to help your child be successful in math and I welcome your assistance in helping me with this endeavor!! I hope that this year will be one of the best your child experiences in school!!
EDMODO
Edmodo is like Facebook for education. Students are asked to join (and parents can too) and we can do many exciting things on Edmodo, from blogs to quizzes. It is available on the computer and as a phone app.
Instagram is a social networking site that allows one to upload pictures and videos. In class, we will use this as a way to liven up vocabulary reviews and the learning of concepts. It is available on the computer and as a phone app.
KHAN ACADEMY
Khan Academy is a repository of videos for almost any math concept studied. Students can use this resource as they are developing an understanding of math concepts. The videos are free and there are also practice modules for many of the concepts on this website. It is available on the computer and as a phone app.
PreCalculus Webpage
Students should check this webpage daily. All assignments, quiz/dates, links to math resources, etc. will be located here.
https://sites.google.com/site/precalculuswatkins/
Calculus Webpage
Students should check this webpage daily. All assignments, quiz/dates, links to math resources, etc. will be located here.
https://sites.google.com/site/apcalculusabwatkins/
Reminders
UPDATE: The first two weeks of school have been all about reviewing past math concepts. Students were given an assignment sheet which listed their homework (researching these concepts) and classwork (sample problems). The problems were reviewed in class and students had the opportunity to ask questions for clarification.
- 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 day prior to tutorial. Students must come with their notebook and their specific questions. I will be encourage study sessions in my tutorials as I prepare my students for college survival.
- HW QUIZ: Students were given a homework/classwork quiz on Friday. This is a timed quiz and is a check to see that students are doing their work. Students are given a random selection of problems completed during the week. The students are to copy the problem, the work and the correct answer onto the quiz document. If the HW quiz grade is low, that is a strong indicator that your student is not completing assignments as he/she should.
- CLASS BALANCING: Several students may experience the pain of a schedule change. Ms. Black and the counseling staff are working diligently to ensure that every student has the correct schedule and that class sizes are not too large. Please be patient during this process.
Contact me!
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns! E-mail is my preferred way to communicate, however, all forms of communication are welcomed.
Email: DIerdre_M_Watkins@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
Location: 6551 Browns Mill Road, Lithonia, GA
Phone: 678-875-3682