December 2018
Important Updates for Secondary Math Teachers
What's In This Newsletter
- NEW ODE pilot course available / Math 4 option
- ALEKS updates to Math I, II, and III to CURRENT standards
- Update on scratch paper / calculator AIR policies
- ALEKS Geometry Contest info
- Brain teasers - THREE chances to win prizes!
- Updated info on MS Accelerated Math Testing
- Equatio for Google: take part in our pilot program
Applications must be submitted by Dec. 21, 2018.
Scratch Paper / Calculator Policies for AIR
Test administrators must provide at least two sheets of blank paper to students who are taking an English language arts test. Test administrators may provide blank paper for the math, science and social studies tests upon student request. Test administrators must have sufficient blank paper available for students who request it. Students may not bring their own paper.
Specialized paper may be provided in lieu of blank paper as long as the paper does not have any writing on it. Specialized paper includes grid, wide-ruled, braille, raised-line grid, wide-lined grid and colored paper. It is recommended that students use a form of paper (blank or specialized) they are already familiar with from their instruction. Immediately after the test ends, test administrators will collect the used and unused scratch paper. The test administrator must securely shred used paper locally.
The specialized paper referenced in Manuals refers to forms of semi-transparent paper (patty paper) or transparent paper (overhead/transparency sheets). Students may be familiar with semi- or transparent paper from instruction with transformations and therefore, may want to use it during testing. The specialized paper cannot contain writing that may suggest a solution strategy.
Calculators
Students should become familiar with the online DESMOS calculators. They can be practiced by clicking on the links below (also available on the CCS website):
- Ohio Version of Desmos Scientific Calculator (grades 3-8)
- Ohio Version of Desmos Graphing Calculator (high school)
Students may also use handheld calculators during testing. In fact, many high schools provide the red "OGT" calculator and allow students to use the online graphing calculator.
See below for more information from ODE on calculators:
ALEKS Geometry Contest for HS Students
Students can sign up to take part in our High School Geometry ALEKS contest!
Integrated Math I and II courses have been created with updated Geometry standards as the focus of our new contest. This contest has been designed to help students currently taking either Integrated Math I or II as well as students who will be retaking an AIR test for either subject.
NEW: Students will fill out a form to notify the math office when they have signed up, allowing us to activate their account.
Students will receive one entry for each 10% of the course mastered. Random students will be chosen to receive gift bags filled with school supplies. The contents of each bag will vary and may include Blokus and 24 games, USB drives, cell phone charging device, TI 30SX calculators, and more!
Download a poster to advertise the contest below.
PUZZLE NUMBER 1
Have An Answer to PUZZLE NUMBER 1 Above?
The form will be turned off after winners have been identified. Names will be posted below and the newsletter will be updated. Answers will appear in the next newsletter.
We're still waiting on 3 right answers!
Congratulations to:
1. Cameron Assadian, Whetstone HS
2. Mike Barnes, Briggs HS
3.
4.
5.
Geometry Academy
Sign up today at: http://bit.do/SatMathPD
Middle School Accelerated Math
- Earned 230 or higher on BOY Map this fall
- Earned 224-229 on BOY Map this fall plus all 3s and 4s on Math 5 report card
- Identified as Gifted-Talented in math or superior cognition
- Earned a 4 or 5 on Math 5 AIR test
- Taking Math 6 as a fifth grader
Teachers may also recommend students. Please see this link.
Parent dates are still available for December:
December 10, 2018
Berwick PreK-8
6:00pm - 7:00pm
December 13, 2018
Wedgewood MS
6:00pm - 7:00pm
For more details, visit our website at https://www.ccsoh.us/accmath
Principals, teachers, parents, students or members of the community can nominate exceptional teachers from those fields who are teaching grades 7-12 in the 2018-2019 school year. Teachers also may apply directly at paemst.org.
The nomination deadline is March 1, 2019, and the application deadline is May 1, 2019.
More information about these awards is available on the Department’s website.
Established by Congress in 1983, up to 108 exemplary teachers are recognized each year. Awardees receive a trip to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation, which administers PAEMST.
Integrated / Traditional HS Math Focus Group
HS Department Chair Dates
Department chair meetings run from 3:30pm - 5:30pm, usually the 3rd Wednesday of each month (see dates at right).
Our next meeting will be held on December 19 at Linmoor Education Center.
AIR Support
1. Students should visit the Ohio Department of Education website and take the practice AIR tests.
2. Teachers can download released items and sample questions from the Digital Resource Binder and share these items with students.
3. Since many of the updates concern geometry standards, special geometry classes are being set up in ALEKS to help students prepare. Watch for information coming soon!
4. Students currently enrolled in courses such as Integrated Math III or AQR can be enrolled in Integrated Math I or II courses instead, or they can work in the new geometry courses being created.
PUZZLE NUMBER 2
Have An Answer to PUZZLE NUMBER 2 Above?
To submit your answer, use your CCS Google Login and click HERE.
The form will be turned off after winners have been identified. Names will be posted below. Names will be posted below and the newsletter will be updated. Answers will appear in the next newsletter.
We're still waiting for 3 more right answers!
Congratulations to:
1. Mary Barber, Columbus North International
2. Marcos Segovia, West HS
3.
4.
5.
BIG NEWS: ALEKS UPDATED
- Students will not be required to complete another initial assessment.
- New topics have been created to match Ohio's newest standards (such as G.CO.14)
- Prerequisites have been realigned as necessary.
- Number of topics reduced: Int Math I went from 589 topics to 445.
- Student percentages may change after moving them into the new classes.
To use the new classes, follow these steps:
- Log into your ALEKS account.
- Hover over "Class Administration" and select "New Class".
- Select "Copy a Class by Class Code at Any Institution".
- Locate the desired code below. Enter it and click Continue.
- Follow the onscreen prompts to continue. Be sure to "Carry Over Progress" is selected. For Subscription Length, choose "K-12 12 month".
Integrated Math I: PYFRM-4W6CN
Integrated Math II: CYVJL-PDUYD
Integrated Math III: 369GY-N6UVQ
Now, navigate to your old course. From the Class Roster, place a checkmark next to each name (up to 20 at a time). Select "Move" and choose the new class. Data will be preserved.
Medina ALEKS Contest
Equatio Pilot
Equatio is free for all teachers but costs for students to use. We are looking for 5-10 middle and high schools (or individual teachers) interested in piloting Equatio with their classes. Please email Steve at shiner@columbus.k12.oh.us if you are interested.
PUZZLE NUMBER 3
Have an Answer to PUZZLE NUMBER 3 Above?
To submit your answer, use your CCS Google Login and click HERE.
The form will be turned off after winners have been identified. Names will be posted below. Names will be posted below and the newsletter will be updated. Answers will appear in the next newsletter.
We're waiting on two more right answers!
Congratulations to:
1. Mary Barber, Columbus North International
2. Mike Barnes, Briggs
3. Kristen Pierce, Yorktown MS
4.
5.
Answer to Last Month's Brain Teaser
(0! + 0! + 0!)!
(1 + 1 + 1)! = 3! = 3 x 2 x 1 = 6
Miss Our Last Newsletter?
You can view our past newsletters here: