Matthew's Assignment Example

The Next Ten Minutes


“Will you share your life with me? For the next ten minutes?” It was like looking down a long tunnel, and not being able to breathe. Words couldn’t form in my mouth, my mind was blank. I was freezing and my teeth were chattering and I couldn’t figure out what Rick was talking about. The high temperature for the day at over 11,000 feet above sea level was around 0 celsius. And then those lyrics: The next ten minutes. This picture was taken at Jungfraujoch, in the Alps of Switzerland, right after Rick proposed to me… and I accepted. These are our hands, of course, and our rings. The white space surrounding them is actually the snow of the glacier we were standing on. This picture represents the best of my summer bouncing around Europe—the memory of a lifetime. It symbolizes love, companionship, trust, faith, fun, passion, commitment… and one heck of a journey!

I am excited to be beginning another year at CFS. It is my fourth year here after graduating with a degree in Middle Grades Education from NC State University the same number of years ago. One of the most important reasons I teach at CFS, other than believing in the philosophy and mission of the school, is the support and love and acceptance that I receive… which is another reason why I chose this picture to represent my summer. ☺

The First Assignment -- A Picture is worth a thousand words...

Dear Students of My Morning Math Classes:

Hi! My name is Matthew and I will be teaching you First Year Math / Math 6 / Pre-Algebra / Jacobs Experience. The document that you hold in your hand is your very first assignment and I’m so excited to share it with you that I’m going to waste no time with small talk!
It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. We’re going to test out this theory here at the beginning of class.

Your assignment is to choose one, yes ONE, picture from your summer that represents either WHO you are or HOW you spent your summer. The sky is the limit on this one; but pick carefully! First things first, choose a title for your picture. Then, I would like you to compose a caption that describes the picture and how it relates to you, your summer, AND how you are thinking and about your upcoming year in math. But keep your caption short… maybe a paragraph. Remember, the picture is the focus of this assignment.

You may choose to include an original picture that has been pasted onto a piece of paper or a picture that you print off from your computer. The picture does not necessarily have to be one you took—if you have any worries about this, please ask. One reminder is that I will hold on to these pictures for awhile… so pick a picture that you can live without for a little while. ☺

The best part?! I will respond individually to all of your captions within the next week (once I get your pictures and have a chance to sit down and look at them).

I’ve also given you my version of completing this assignment as an example for you to consider.
Enjoy the process of completing this assignment! And, as with your materials, this assignment is Due Tuesday, September 2.

Much love and light--

Welcome to Pre-Algebra!

Hello!

My name is Matthew and I am your child's Pre-Algebra teacher. As promised, this is the follow up email. :)

We met as a class for the first time on Thursday and in that time your children received two things: a sheet of paper describing what they will need for Pre-Algebra and how to contact me (posted on the blog) and their first assignment.

The Blog - http://preal2nd.blogspot.com/
We have a class blog! What grew out of an experiment in keeping parents informed about class happenings last year has grown into a staple of my morning classes. A blog is kind of like an online journal that dates posts chronologically. I have grown to at most posting several times a day and at the least every other day. Once I realized that I could post pictures to the blog, my postings grew from simply words to pictures of notes from the chalk/white board... to becoming an online reservoir of my classes. There have even been videos of me teaching posted on the blog! Besides being a little nervous about watching myself teach ;), all of these mediums (text, picture, video) are meant to help keep you informed about what is going on in your child's math class and to serve as a resource for your child should they lose track of their notebooks or are absent from class.

You may be thinking, "Jeez, Matthew?! Do I have to check this blog every day??" Well, that depends. Can you manually check it everyday? Sure. Do you have to? No. It is totally up to you to choose to check in on what's happening in class. Is there a way to make it a bit easier to stay informed? Yup and I'm glad you asked! On the right hand side of the blog there is a box that says "Subscribe via email" and when you enter your email in there and follow the instructions, you can get an email (once a day if there has been a post) that contains all of the posts for that day. Sometimes the timestamp is a bit wonky, but most of the time the emails go through without a hitch.

I want to go ahead and invite you to Back to School Night on Thursday, September 25. On this night you will be able to put a face to all of your child's teachers and we will get to spend some time together. During your time with me, I'm planning on showing you the blog and some of the cool things it can do.

Emails
So, you may be wondering, am I going to continue to get long emails from you, Matthew? Only occasionally, I promise! Starting this week, notes like this will be posted on the blog and I will only email you when the information I'm sharing is time sensitive. I'll also be posting this email up on the blog as soon as I hit send. :)

The First Assignment
I always like to give kids a getting to know each other first activity when we meet for the first time. I'm only going to mention that the assignment exists, and that it is due (along with their Materials) on Tuesday. I'm going to post the actual assignment online on the blog in a little while... you can check it out there. :)

Materials
On the sheet of paper your children came home with there was a list of materials they will need. The most important are a 3-ring binder, paper, pencil, and a pencil pouch. As second and third years, my expectations are high for their ability to get and stay organized. Their Pre-Algebra Notebook will serve as the vessel for learning another (quite strict) way of staying organized. On the sheet I say 2-3 inches and I tried to convey to the kids on Thursday that I wasn't kidding--their notebooks will fill up fast. I also urged them to recycle old notebooks for their Pre-Algebra notebook--those 3-ring binders are expensive! And, just to be clear, Pre-Algebra can be the only thing in that binder. Pencils. They must have pencils. Writing in pencils for math is one of the hills that I will die on! And the pencil pouch. I encourage the use of a pencil pouch to ensure that the pencils that I'm so adamant about live in their notebooks with all the rest of their Pre-Algebra stuff. Therefore, there is never the "I don't have a pencil!" dilemma. :)

Whew! What an email!

That's more than enough for now. On Tuesday/Wednesday there will be a post on the blog about how we organize our notebooks and then we'll be off and running!

I hope this email finds you all well, enjoying your Labor Day weekend, and let me know if you have any questions! Love and light--matthew

What you will need for Pre-Algebra

This is what I gave your children today:

Bring these materials to class Tuesday and we’ll get started!
o Three-Ring Binder (at LEAST 2’’ – your notebook will fill up fast!)
o Pencil pouch (to hold your stuff)
o Pencils
o Basic calculator
o Notebook paper (College ruled)

How do I get in touch with Matthew?

There may be times throughout the year when you need to reach me when we’re not at school. Here are some ways to get me:

• Cell Phone – 919.414.1983. This is your best bet. If I don’t answer, leave a message and your name and number (if it’s not in the directory) and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
• Email – ross.matthew@mac.com (try this one first) or mross@cfsnc.org. I also am pretty good about checking and replying to email, but if it is urgent—call.
• Blog – http://preal2nd.blogspot.com/ Every day I will post information about what we’re doing in class including homework and pictures from that days’ lesson or activity on our class blog

For your Parents: Email & The Blog

Parents: I have created email lists of all of your emails that are listed in the directory. Regularly throughout the year I will be emailing you updates on what we’ve been doing in class. Our primary means of everyday communication, however, will be through our class blog at http://preal2nd.blogspot.com/ -- your homework tonight (parents!) is to check out the blog and Subscribe to receive Email Updates if you choose. I’ll also be emailing you about this so if this doesn’t make sense, no worries! I’ve got most of your email addresses, but if would like to receive updates at an email address not listed in the directory, shoot me an email ross.matthew@mac.com so that I can write it down and add it to my list!

Disregard Earlier Posts!

Welcome to the 2nd Period, Pre-Algebra Blog!

This space used to house Pre-Al 4th Period from the 2007-2008, so please disregard earlier posts. :)

Exams Begin Tomorrow!

Exams for all periods are tomorrow!

Tips for Getting Ready:

- Don't try and cram tonight! You're ready!
- Go to bed early (or at your regular time)
- Don't eat anything funky or new tonight for dinner
- If you normally eat breakfast, eat breakfast. If you don't, then
don't.
- Laugh A LOT between now and tomorrow!
- Move through the test answering the questions you know first. Then
you can study tomorrow night things that you aren't so sure about and
nail them down on Wednesday.
- There will be plenty of time to work!!!
- You're going to do great!

Exam Time!

Hi all!

So, after a successful Art's Eve on Thursday and Our Town performance last night, I'm finally getting around to posting the exam review topics. You'll find in the next post a list of topics that your kids will need to review for they will be on the final exam, Tuesday and Wednesday. We've spent the past few days (and tomorrow) reviewing things that they feel they need more practice on.

Again, the exam is more of a diagnostic than anything else--to help me know, in another way, where your children are at skill-wise.

Hope you've all had a great weekend!

Exam Review Topics

Things You Will Want to Review/Study for Your Pre-Algebra (4th) Final

Order of Operations/PEMDAS
Exponents

Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying & Dividing Mixed Fractions
Converting improper fractions to mixed numbers and visa versa
Reducing Fractions & Equivalent Fractions
Converting Fractions to Decimals
Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying & Diving Decimals

Plug it in, plug it in (Evaluating Algebraic Expressions)
The Rules for Solving Equations
One-Step Equations
Translating words into expressions and equations
Word Problems involving one-step equations

Area & Perimeter of: Square, Rectangle, Triangle, Circle, Trapezoid, and Parallelogram
Surface Area & Volume of: Cubes, Rectangular Solids, Prisms, Pyramids, Cones, Cylinders, and Spheres
(with formulas given)

Properties of Real Numbers:
Commutative of Addition & Multiplication
Associative of Addition & Multiplication
Identity of Addition & Multiplication
Addition & Multiplication of Zero
Multiplication by One
Distributive Property

Predict the path of a billiard ball on a table based on its dimensions
Prove/disprove a number trick using inductive/deductive reasoning
Be able to chart a number trick using squares and circles and using algebraic expressions (from Jacobs, Ch. 1)

Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying & Dividing Integers

Combining Like Terms
Distributing

Solving Percent problems by decoding and solving equations

Solving Two-/Multi-Step Equations
Translating words into expressions and equations
Word Problems involving two-step equations

Recognize patterns in Arithmetic, Geometric, Square, Cube and Fibonacci Sequences (from Jacobs, Ch. 2)

Plot points on the coordinate plane
Transform equation in two variables from standard form to slope-intercept (y=mx+b)
Identify slope, x- and y-intercepts, direction of a line
Graph a line using an x/y chart and using y=mx+b
List domain and range of a relation
Function vs. Relation

Solve basic proportion problems

Test Day!

Today was a test day in all morning classes. The kids will receive
feedback tomorrow during class, as well as a checklist of things that
they will want to review for their final exam, next Tuesday &
Wednesday, May 13-14. I will post that up here as well, tomorrow.

Have a great day!

Lines Test Tomorrow!

Today we spent our time prepping and reviewing for our Lines Test tomorrow.

They should be able to:

• Identify the domain and range of a relation
• Determine if a given relation is a function
• Graph an equation in y=mx+b form using an x/y chart
• Identify the slope and y-intercept of a line when in y=mx+b form
• Find the x- and y-intercepts of a line in standard form
• Graph an equation in y=mx+b form using slope & y-intercept
• Transform an equation from standard form to y=mx+b
• Find the equation of a line based on its graph
Solve a basic proportion

More later!

Ratio & Proportion Word Problems

Word problems, again?!

Yup -- and this time using ratios and proportions.  We worked on many of them together and Henry made an amazing discovery about how to use equations and proportions at the same time.  Everyone got the opportunity to practice solving some proportional word problems -- and we all worked really hard!

No homework this weekend -- but heads up!  Test on lines is NEXT Tuesday!

Simpler proportions

Algebraic proportions

Pop Quiz and Ratio & Proportion!

Today started with a pop quiz!  (On lines and such -- if you check yesterday's posts, you'll see the lines skills that kids need to be able to do.)

We also started a brief two-day unit on Ratio and Proportion and you'll see posts (pictures) below of the notes we took.

Tonight's homework is in a packet -- three pages... but it should go REALLY fast. :)

Simple example of a ratio

What is a proportion?

Ex of proportion

Proportion formula

The final 11 days of Pre-Al Schedule

What the kids should know about lines...

Ex of finding x/y intercepts

Ex of function or relation?

Ex Writing equation from a graph

Ex of graphing using y=mx+b

Ex of transforming an equation

The Possibility of Transformation

D=rt Transformation

Ex #2

Warm up from yesterday

Transformation!

Today was about transforming equations, specifically about turning standard form linear functions to y=mx+b.

They'll want to fix the problems they missed last Thursday... for homework.

Where has Matthew gone?

I was going through the pictures that I had taken last week making sure all of them made it to their specific blogs, and low and behold I realize I haven't blogged for Pre-Al 4th period all week!  You must feel neglected!

What a week it was.  We're still doing our thing with lines and your children are doing beautifully.  In fact, I think I'll be able to squeeze in a mini-unit on ratio & proportion before the end of the year!  Whoohoo!

I promise to be better this week. :)

Notes from last Thursday

Slope!

Today we got more acquainted with slope--and the kids socks were knocked off!  They have/had 6 problems to graph for homework.

Warm up with intercepts

The ways we know how to graph lines

Slope

Upcoming Exam Days

Heads up posting--

All of my morning math classes take an end-of-year, cumulative final
exams. I wanted to go ahead and let you know those dates: May 13 &
14. Believe it or not, it really does take two days to complete the
exam. :)

And of course, the week prior to those days will be spent in review.
The kids will find this out this coming week.

Have a great weekend!

Step by Step

We have been steadily walking through the land of linear functions, step by step.

Today we talked mainly about y-intercepts and x-intercepts and how once we know those two things we can then graph the line in question.  I would have hoped to have introduced slope today, but no worries, it's on the agenda for Monday.

Someone mentioned in class today that there are something like 15 or 16 days left of normal classes. Sheesh!  How time flies!

Intercepts

Different forms...

What a day!

What a day!

Today I shared with the kids some of the things I learned yesterday at my professional development day in Raleigh. Be on the lookout for more information about that soon in another post. :)

We worked the packet that I left for the kids to work on yesterday.  It was quite challenging--it was actually the same thing i left for my Jacobs kids to do.  So, with that being said, we started working our way through it today, and wherever the kids are with it is just that--wherever they are with it.  No homework tonight, we'll pick it back up tomorrow. :)

How does it change the graph?

Break it down...

Points up or down?

HW

No HW!

Today we started looking at a section of the Jacobs text that the kids will see next year on functions and lines.  They just got a chance to start and should NOT do anything for homework tonight!

Chart it up! Workday

Today instead of just checking our x-y charts like normal, we graphed them to check our answers!  This is still new and fresh for them so it turned into our warm-up as well.

On that note, today was a workday... tons more x-y charts and a handful of charts that they had to graph.  

We're into our final unit full-on!  LINES.  :)

They will need to finish what they didn't finish in class for homework.

Reminders...

Domain and range

Relation vs function

Example of relation

Building what we've learned this year...

The great leap...

HW

What is a relation?

What is a function?

An example of a relation

Another way to think of functions and relations

Warm up 1

Warm up 2

New numbers

HW

Surfing the Coordinate Plane

Today we checked homework and had a workday--on a Cartesian Cartoon!  The title of the graph is This Puzzle is Alarming and they will need to finish this for homework. :)

Warm-up

HW 3-4

HW 7-8

HW 5-6

Matthew was proved wrong!

This Puzzle is Alarming!!

Graphing!

We are in full-swing of our next unit--graphing and then graphing equations (lines).  Today we took a pop quiz on the coordinate plane (see below) and then we checked our homework.  We wrapped up with plotting some good ol' fashioned points.  Some folks may need to finish this tonight for homework.

Onward!

Classwork