Barbie Bungee Jumping was a great activity for the students to wrap up their intense study of linear functions. I’ll be asking some of my students to push themselves by trying to create a Voicethread about the project. They will be using Voicethreads a lot in high school science so I might as well give them the tools now. It’s probably best that I give it a go though before I ask them to jump in with both feet! Check out the Voicethread below to see it all unfold!

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My mom-in-law is a GREAT blogger. She has taken it to a whole new level and I have so much respect for her. She’s is one of those people that have a CAN DO attitude rather than a can’t do attitude. She amazes me and inspires me everyday even though we are thousands of miles apart.

A couple of weeks ago she officially tagged me. She mentioned my professional blog on her her blog. Her blog is officially blocked in China, but as many of you know, there are ways to get around that so I am able to visit her blog a few times a week. When she tagged me, she included me in a social network that hits every major continent in this flat world of ours. A big thanks to her as she has increased the readership on our blog… now it’s time for me to reciprocate. Play along if you will and don’t forget to give credit where credit is due – it’s like that pat on the back I make you give yourself in class!

The Rules:Link to the person that tagged you.

1. Post the rules on your blog.
2, Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
3. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
4. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

The six non-important/habits/quirks about myself are:

• I am a passionate math teacher, but for some reason some aspects of every other subject really inspire me as well. Many of my students know how to get me off on a tangent by talking politics… I certainly have my opinions.
• Non-important – this does not affect anybody other than me: I am a terrible sleeper. I get on my students for their terrible sleep habits. I can tell that Tomas has logged into our online classroom at 1:00am, but I notice this while I am up at 3:00am.
• The greatest thing I have ever done to date is being a mom. It’s humbling.. impossible… inspiring… mind-boggling… fantastic. Words cannot describe the depth of love I have for my children. Never forget that your parents feel the same way about you.
• Quirky – when somebody tells me something that I don’t quite agree with or if I think they are slightly off kilter, I wiggle my mouth just like Elizabeth Montgomery on Bewitched. I know I’m dating myself here, but she rocks and even though I like Nicole Kidman, she just doesn’t quite cut it.
• Habit – Before I get on ANY plane, I always pat the plane three times to the right of the door. I look up and say a quiet thanks and then I start each and every plane trip off with a tomato juice. It’s a habit and it has worked well for me for a long time now. (I hate flying and love traveling.)
• Non-important (to you maybe) – my husband has blinders on to all of my faults. He tells me he loves me everyday and loves all of the quirks I have listed above. He thinks I’m the greatest thing in the world, but that’s okay because I think he’s the most amazing person in the world. My wish is for my kids (in school and my own at home) to feel this exact same way someday.

So those are the six random things about me. These are the blogs that I love to read..:

Beckett-To-Be (This blog is the whole reason I started blogging in the first place. Beckett is right between Maddie and Amelia in age and I love checking in on him.)

Sentiments On Common Sense (blocked in China, but well worth the read!)

The Thinking Stick (I’ve know Jeff for nearly seven years now and he has inspired me to learn more and more every step of the way.)

Dare to Dream (I love this blog so very much. I keep going back to read my favorite post when the house is quiet and the girls are asleep. I wish this for my girls… to be more like Rachel. My second favorite post so relates to me and I try to give myself a break. I suppose I’ll always be the gatekeeper of Maddie’s dreams, but perhaps the wait time can be a bit shorter. Thus… a snowman on snow day!

Maddie’s Minute (Is it bad for me to tag my daughter’s blog? I have to admit though that I read this blog more than any other blog. It’s our thing: Maddie and I sit at the computer every single day and walk down memory lane. Great conversations!)

The Swivel Chair (A colleague of mine, Mr. Power, started blogging this year with his kids and has really ran with it. I have so much respect for him because he jumped in with both feet and is truly building his social network and his students’ social network.)

Photos: Blogging for Dummies by Somewhat Frank
Snow Day in Shanghai by Amanda DeCardy

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Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow… I woke up to snow covering the ground and some very slippery roads here at the Links today. There are snowmen to be built and math tests to prepare for… what a perfect day! The schedule will look like this when students return to school on Wednesday. Wednesday Core 3 and Core 1 Thursday Core 2 and Core 3 (Math test for both cores) Friday Core 1 and Core 2 (Math test for Core 1) Use the day to prepare for your math test and science quiz! I am at my email all day so please send me an email if you have questions and I’ll get back to you right away.

Happy Studying!

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Semester one final exams are over! The students knew the importance of this test. As I told them, the test serves as one of the indicators for which math class a student should take once they enter high school. Our 8th grade students are all currently taking a complete Algebra I course. Students will either take Algebra again next year or they may be placed into Geometry. This decision is not made lightly and Mrs. Saich and I are already talking to students a lot about their goal for next year. I know this much is true: Algebra I is the foundation for all future math studies. Students must be solid with their Algebra skills in order to be successful in higher math. I am confident that the majority of our students would do well in Geometry next year, but some may have difficulty when they move on to Algebra II their sophomore year of high school. Some students would benefit from taking a second look at Algebra I their freshman year.

If a student takes Algebra I their freshman year of high school, they are not behind in math in anyway, shape or form. Their math sequence may look something like what you see below. At the high school in Pudong, students are allowed to “double up” on math their sophomore year so that they are able to take a higher level of IB math their junior year. Another option for some students is to take Geometry summer school after their freshman year in order to get into Algebra II/Trigonometry their junior year. My point is that there are always options for students. Their math career and sequence is not set in stone because of their freshman year placement.

I have talked with each student to let them know my first thoughts about what math they should take next year. Recommendations will occur in the spring and be finalized in May. If a student would like to work over the summer towards a higher placement, they should take the math placement exam the week before school starts next year. More information will be available during the 4th quarter about this process.

If you have questions or concerns about math placement, please contact me and I will walk you through the process!

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All students will be taking the Algebra 1 semester exam on early next week so we are spending this week reviewing. Is simply reviewing the best way to study for final exams though? Studying for major exams is much more proactive than simply re-reading the textbook. I came across this approach on a study habits website and I think it’s a great addition to what we are doing in class. Don’t re-read everything. Instead, find out what you don’t know as well and focus your studies in that direction!
A: Approach/attitude/arrange

• Approach your studies with a positive attitude
• Arrange your schedule to eliminate distractions

S: Select/survey/study!

• Select a reasonable chunk of material to study
• Survey the headings, graphics, pre- and post questions
  to get an overview
• Study marking any information you don’t understand

P: Put aside/piece together:

• Put aside your books and notes
• Piece together what you’ve studied, either alone, with a study pal or group, and summarize what you understand.

I: Inspect/Investigate/inquire/:

• Inspect what you did not understand.
• Investigate alternative sources of information you can refer to:
  other text books, websites, experts, tutors, etc.
• Inquire from support professionals (academic support, librarians, tutors, teachers, experts,) for assistance

R: Relay

• Relay understanding:
  How would I make this information understandable to other students?

E: Evaluate/examine/explore:

• Evaluate your grades on tests and tasks
  look for a pattern
• Examine your process
  toward improving it
• Explore options
  with a teacher, support professional, tutor, etc.

As you are studying for the test, remember to try and look at problems several different ways. If an eight year old can do this, so can you!!

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/HBf25kNs0tA" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

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