Getting Back into Tutoring

I am considering getting back into the world of math tutoring. I stopped tutoring back in in 2006 when I began teaching math full time. There really is nothing like working one on one with a student. Generally they want to learn and you are in an environment where that can be accomplished.

Online gradebook

Welcome back I hope you all had a wonderful summer.

This year I will be experimenting with an online gradebook. This way students and families can have individual access each student's progress. It will show past assignments, missing assignments, future assignments, current grade and due dates. There are other applications like flashcards and online review quizzes that I might play with as well.

Each student will be given an account next week in class. Currently, we will be using Engrade.com for this purpose. Later in the semester I might be switching to an Esis online gradebook but currently Esis is not running.

This blog will no longer be the best way to know what is going on in your child's math class. Please go to engrade.com to see your student's account.

June 3rd

IMP 100
They are doing a unit on function notation. This unit will also serve as a review of previous topics like, domain, range, slope, distribution...
In the previous unit on statistics many students failed to complete the second half of a project. The project was to develop a game that required strategy and used probability. Majority developed the game but only a handful explained how strategy and probability were used.
Recent assignments: "Parabola Graphing" due yesterday, Statistics Review, HW 20 and HW 19

IMP 200
Yesterday we had a very exciting class where we proved the Law of Cosines. The students have been given a 3 page packet with all the assignments for the week. After a day of review there will be a quiz early next week on the Law of Sines and Law of Cosines.

Geometry
We've finished chapter 6 on circles. Next class will be review day and the following will be a test.

Pre-Calculus
They finished the unit on conic sections and are now working on polar coordinates.

Projectiles
The finished there lab that combined both horizontal and vertical motion last week. This week we did a mini-lab to review linear regression and to address the misconception that so move point of balance to the 1/3 mark would require 1/3 more weight on one side (distance from the fulcrum not considered)

In all math classes there will be a final during finals week.

May

IMP 200
Since midterms there has been a packet on absolute value and piece0wise defined functions, A review on the same topics and a quiz. Following that unit we've been working on trigonometry. The HW has included the unit circle, 10 board questions, graphing sine and cosine, introduction to Trig, solving cosine, SOHCAHTOA, and trigonometric transformations.

IMP 100
After midterms we did a unit on writing linear equations followed by statistics. There were two sections of practice I copied from a textbook, Review Linear, HW 13, HW 14, POW 6, a Linear Quiz, HW 17, Spins and Draws, and HW 19. Currently the students are working in groups to develop a game that involves both probability and strategy.

Projectiles
There have been two labs since midterms Parametric Paths and Trigonometry Investigation.

Geometry
We've now finished all of chapter 5 and are half way through chapter 6. Chapter 6 is all about circles.

PreCalc
HW: Solutions to linear systems, Coded Message, Matrix Review, Matrix Packet, and Matrix quiz. Currently we are working on Conic Sections.

Midterms

The following HW and tests will be factored into a students midterm grade
IMP 100:
HW: 4.5 Slope, 4.7, Graphing linear inequalities 6.1, 2 gambling equations, "What are the Chances," HW 3, HW 6, "Area Probabilities," "Rug Games," bar graph, 3.1.3 Resource page, Sticky Gum POW
Quiz/POW: Graphing inequalities quiz, writing linear equations quiz, POW "sticky Gum or Statistics quiz

IMP 200:
HW: 5.2 Systems of equations, 5.6, Dimensional Box, 9 board questions, HW 2 + Alice, Exponential Packet, Review systems, adding and subtracting radical expressions, review exponential, exponential practice or systems practice, review #2 exponential
Quiz: Systems of equations, Exponential equations
Currently: Absolute value inequalities and piece-wise defined functions

Projectiles:
Labs:Temperature of H2O/Spring/Pump, Throwing lab, Pencil Cannon
HW: Linear regression, 4.8, Average rate of change, Trigonometry investigation

Geometry:
Chapter 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8 and chapter 4 test
Currently: Chapter 5.1, 5.2

PreCalc:
Interesting interest packet, review exp, p 384, Logarithms packet, inverse p365,
Quiz: Exponential Equations, Logarithms
Currently: Matrices packet

Feb 28th

IMP 100: Yesterday we had a test on graphing inequalities and writing linear equations. Today we started a new unit on statistics. There was no HW tonight.

IMP 200: We have been reviewing solving systems of equations. There will be test tomorrow on this topic.

Geometry: We are currently in Chapter 4.4 and will beginning triangle similarity proofs

PreCalc: We took a test today on exponential equations, interest situations and exponential rules

Projectiles: We started a lab called "throwing rocks" the concept we are working on is average rate of change and the concept of average velocity.

Feb 22nd

IMP 100
WS 4.3 and 4.5
Worksheet on graphing inequalities

IMP 200
Project on maximizing the volume of a box
WS on systems of equations

Geometry
Chapter 4.1 and 4.2

Projectiles
HW on Linear Regression
Intro-Lab


Pre-Calculus
Turn in 2 of the following three assignments (Interesting Interest, Exponents or p. 390)

January 18th

It has been really crazy around here, sorry there has not been a new post in a while. In every class except math and art there will be portfolios due at the end of the semester.

In IMP 100, students are working on a POW (Problem of the Week) which is a bit of a misnomer as it takes more than a week and often the students feel like a (Prisoner of War). The topic of the POW is divisors. They've been working on it for the past 2 weeks, many are struggling doing the write-up. Today there will be a quiz retake opportunity that some students will take advantage of.

In IMP 200, there is also a final project that is the culmination of our statistics unit. They will be doing presentations and posters.

In Pre-Calc there is a quiz today on Trigonometry. The next two classes are for review of semester 1 topics for our final.

In Math and Art there will be both a final and a final project due by the end of the semester.

In Geometry we are reviewing chapter 3 today for a test on Monday. There will be no final in this class. The remainder of the semester will be given to chapter 4 and retests on previous chapters.

Dec 14th

IMP 100:HW: Algebra Practice with lots of fractions

IMP 200: HW 8, Box and Whisker Plot, HW 10 Normal Distribution

PreCalc: Unit Circle

Math and Art: Topology WS

Geometry: Chapters 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5

Dec 6th

IMP 100
HW: Scientific Notation, Conversion Pre-test, Metric Conversion Practice
We will have a quiz tomorrow, with extra time on Wednesday.

IMP 200
HW: There has been a 4 page packet on Probability and Statistics that has covered combinations, permutations and the counting principle. They have also been working on exponential growth and decay. There has been one assignment concerning this topic; Dice decay.

Geometry:
Today we had a test on chapter 2. The chapter 2 review was due and the packet of chapter 2 HW was due last week. Many students have not turned in that assignment.

Math And Art
We are starting a unit on quilt making and probability.

Pre-Calculus
They have a quiz tomorrow on limits and epsilon and delta arguments. There will also be a re-quiz opportunity on asymptotes.

Nov 29th

IMP 100
We're working on unit conversions. We've needed to review the metric system in order to progress. Recent assignments: Metric Conversion Practice, and HW 16

IMP 200
Recent assignments: HW 1, HW 2, HW 3 and "Alice"

Pre-Calc
In Professor E McSquared (2.2.1 and 2.2.2)

Math and Art
Composition of functions ws and fractal drawing

Geometry
Student have been given the choice of either doing a packet containing the chapters 2.2, 2.3, 2.5 and 2.6 or to do the questions from the textbook. Most students are choosing to do the packet. There was a separate packet for chapter 2.1.

Advising
These next two Fridays are for assessment. Currently, there are 2 Juniors who have permission not to attend. Everyone else has work samples and state tests to take.

Midterms

This past weekend I calculated each student's midterm grade. The grade on the progress report inly reflect HW and assessment scores. In IMP a student that has not shown mastery of half the material but is doing the assignments they can take the class for 1/4 credit instead of 1/2 credit. I will mention on the progress report any topic not mastered by the student so they know where to focus.

IMP 100
We are finishing a unit on distribution and should have an assessment opportunity at the end of the week. Yesterday assignment 16 was given out it should be turned in today for full credit. Today students who are caught up on assignments will be watching "The Story of One" by Terry Jones. This is in preparation for our next topic, unit conversions.

IMP 200
Yesterday we started a new unit on Statistics and Probability. Homework one was assigned. It addressed what made an appropriate sample for a population. Today I will give them HW 2 which addresses sampling methods and ratios.

Advising
They have a guest speaker tomorrow, the topic is philosophy. There are still a few ESIS forms out there that the office is needing. Yesterday student received their student IDs. This Friday it will be our turn to work on the wall outside Trillium.

Geometry
We have started chapter 2 which deals heavily with logic. I'm trying to give worksheets as an option. So far we have covered chapters 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3

Pre-Calculuc
They finished the topic of asymptotes last week. Today they will get an updated syllabus that will outline the remainder of our classes this semester. This week we'll be discussing limits and finishing the first section of Prof. E McSquared's Calculus Primer.

Math and Art
They have a fractal drawing due on Thursday. Today there will be more work with composition of functions which should be done in class.

Nov 8th

IMP 100: The following has been assigned: HW 13, HW 14, "polynomials," "Distributing the Area," and HW 15. Last Thursday I broke the class into 4 groups depending on what each student needed (HW, solving 2-step equations, substitutions and evaluation, and challenge) All groups except the challenge group made progress towards their goals. Today we will be looking at how distribution can be used to do multi-step multiplication the homework will be HW 16. There will be an assessment day in the near future.

IMP 200:There has been two assignments related directly to the quadratic formula and two assignments related to vertex form. Student who struggled to complete the square have been struggling with vertex form. Starting last week we have begun a work sample that uses many of these topics. At this point no one has completed the work sample but a few will finish today.

Geometry 200: Assigned 1.5 (p 64) 1-23 odds, 1.6 (p.70) 1-11, 13-15, 18-20, 1.8 (p.83) 1-29, Review for test (bonus). There was a test last Wednesday on chapters 1.4-1.8 and a retest opportunity on chapters 0.1-1.4.

Pre-Calculus: The packet on Asymptotes/Powers is due tomorrow as is a supplemental assignment on asymptotes. There will be test tomorrow on the topic and a retest on linear functions.

Math and Art: We finished our work on change of scale and have moved onto fractals. Students who have not been turning artwork into me should as soon as possible. A fractal piece will be due early next week.

Advising: An advising newsletter went out Friday. One addition, this Tuesday our advising will be having a PJ Potluck event during lunch.

Oct 20th

IMP 100: They just took a quiz and quiz retakes. The review for the quiz should have been turned in. Today there will be an assignment, HW 12.

IMP 200: They also had a quiz this week. Yesterday we proved the quadratic formula so completing the square can be put behind us. There was a review for the quiz that should have been turned in and all work on completing the square should also have been turned in.

Geometry 200: Quiz today on chapters .1 through 1.4. All work for these chapters should be in.

PreCalc: They also had a quiz this week on linear functions and numbers. They had an assignment due from the big precalc book due aswell.

Math and Art: We started changing scale yesterday. A new piece of art is due in a few classes.

OCT 13th 2010

IMP 100
Generally students are going very well in this class. There are a few students, however, who have not turned majority of their assignments. I will be giving advisors lists of these students later in the day.
Current HW consists of "one step" or "two step" equations. Each student is responsible for completing a total of 30 equations by next class. If a student completes 60 they will receive bonus credit for their work. The assignment HW10/"Back to the Lake" was not turned in by majority of the class.

IMP 200
Without an exception all of this class has turned in majority of assignments. Great job! There are 2 assignments due next class "completing the square" and "the completing the square" I should probably work on naming by worksheets differently. There will be quiz early next week on factoring/distribution and completing the square. Students will be able to pass all or part of this quiz.

Geometry 200
The current assignments in this class are 1.2 (1,5,7-10, 15-19, 24, 25, 30-38) and 1.3 (1-31 odd) Next Wednesday there will be a quiz on chapters up to 1.4.

Pre-Calculus
The linear packet is due next Tuesday along with page 118-122 1-19odd, 71, 73, 77 from the big pre-calculus book. The problems 1.4.3, 1.4.4 and 1.4.5 are currently past due.

Math and Art
The students' 2 point perspective drawings are due at the end of next class.

9/21/10 Week 2

I have been pleasantly surprised by all of my classes so far. So thank you students and families for getting us off to a good start. This week there will be quizzes in IMP 100, IMP 200 and Pre-Calculus. If a student does not show mastery with the quiz they will be encouraged to retake the quiz in a few weeks. Hopefully this will decrease any anxiety students are experiencing while still holding them accountable to the material.

IMP 100:
HW 2, HW 3, and HW 6 are past due. HW 8 is due tomorrow, many students have already turned it in. We will have a quiz on Thursday on: graphing, order of operations and substitution and evaluation. Students can show mastery of all three topics or any combination. On Tuesdays and Thursdays smaller groups will form to better meet individual's needs.

IMP 200:
"patio," and HW 29 are past due. Tomorrow all students are suppose to come to class with a graph of two points and their slopes determined. There will be quiz on linear equations on Thursday.

Geometry 200:
Chapter 0.1 (#3, 4, 5, 7, 8), Chapter 0.3 (#1-7) are past due. Chapter 1.1 (1-31 odd) is due tomorrow.

Pre-Calculus:
At this point little in the way of homework is being formally collect from the students. So far everyone is living up to the expectations of the class. I will be collecting page 4 from the packet "Function function whats your junction" Thursday. Also on Thursday there will be quiz on set notation, and functions, anything covered in class or from the homework is fair game.

Math and Art:
The first graded assignment is due in three class periods. In class a rubric was handed out defining the expectations. The topic is two point perspective.

Welcome Back 9/13

Welcome back to another year of math. For those of you new to following this blog let me explain what can be found here. Generally, I will give weekly or bi-weekly reports for each of my math classes. This consists of homework that has been previously assigned and currently assigned. Occasionally there will be announcements regarding projects, tests and class progress.

So far in each class every student has received a syllabus and there have been assignments in IMP 100, and Geometry. IMP 100 should be turning in HW 2 tomorrow and Geometry should be turning in work from page 4(#s 3,5,6,8 and 9.) IMP 200 is beginning with a short group activity that will be presented tomorrow.

Pre-Calculus and Math+Art meet for the first time tomorrow.

Closing Classes

In majority of my classes portfolios are due. Please help your students organize and get this last thing into me. There will be no new assignments in my classes only time to get caught up on past quizzes, projects and homework. Students will have bonus work available to them.

I will be collecting geometry books from students starting tomorrow. If you student has lost their book they will be responsible for the replacement.

In Statistics we are still working on presenting the bullying data, to the school. Students should be prepared to finish that work this week.

In advising this week we will be making plans for that last week of classes. I hope to have a field-day with them on Monday and on Tuesday a field trip.

May 17th

IMP 100: We are currently doing a work sample in class right now. We just finished POW 8 and work with perpendicular lines. The students are continuing to struggle with the idea of slope and how to represent it in situations.
Past HW: Review of Slope, perpendicular lines, Distance Rate, tri-rugs

IMP 200: We just took a test on trigonometric transformations. This week we will be working on the law of sines.
Past HW: Solving with Cosine, 6.5, SOHCAHTOA, Trig Transformations

Geometry: Tomorrow we will be having a test on chapter 6. The review of chapter 6 is also due that same day.
Past HW: 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, circle packet, ch 6 review.

Stastics: We started hypothesis testing and will return to that shortly after we analyse date collected from a bullying survey done at school.
Past HW: Hyp testing

Experimental Math: Pencil Cannons lab was due last week, in which we covered horizontal velocity of a projectile only knowing the height and distance. We then started a lab on instantaneous velocity and vectors using a police laser gun and the Max. This lab will be due on Thursday.

Advising: We have service this Friday at the shelter. Friday is senior project night. Camp out is next week.

May 4th

IMP 100:
Past assignments: Algebra Review, Nailing Down Area, Hw 3, Hw 4, HW 5, Hw 6, Hw 8 and Hw 16
Currently: POW 8 and tri-rugs

IMP 200:We working on trigonometry
Past assignments: sine grapg, cosine graph, where next, review unit circle, sine and cosine with unit circle, finding h, Graph of sine and cosine worksheet, solving with cosine, intro to trig

Current: 6.5

Geometry
6.1 and 6.2 worksheet
6.3 and 6.4 worksheet
6.5 worksheet

Statistics
Sample size, p 307 5 questions, Confidence intervals and sample size review, Lazy Student

Experimental Math:
Spear throwing lab, Rock Throwing lab

Currently: pencil cannons