Keepin' busy but going well . . .

Things have been running very smoothly lately! I changed my seating arrangement, and that has helped a few minor problems I was having. Also, a few problem students have been 'removed' from school for one reason or another. Time is flying by, and I am just amazed that we are already starting to talk about and plan for MAP tests--that seems like too far away!! We are focusing on our Smart goal and setting up how we will measure improvement and data. We are setting up a team wide rubric and giving MAP-like constructed response questions once a week. Then we are gathering the data to set reasonable goals for the MAP scores.

This next week, I am going to be bringing my students to the library computer lab for a unit on the compters. We will be using the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives (http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html). Currently, we are finishing up a geometry unit on similarity and relationships. I would like to explore a few concepts of geometry such as area and perimeter and how this changes when side lengths of polygons are changed. We will be using the Geoboard where the students can illustrate area, perimeter, and rational number concepts. There are random puzzles for students to try by changing the side lengths or adding side lengths to the given polygons. I am excited to see how they like this and to see how it goes.

1st Quarter over already!

I gave my students their last test for the quarter. I am super excited, because they did really well on it. It raised most of their grades. I also just experienced my first parent-teacher-student conferences. They went very well, and I learned a lot just by talking to parents.

My business math class is doing a project where they are collected numerical data from the rest of the 7th graders. Then we are going to the computer lab to use computers to organize and graph the data that they found. They are really enjoying this. They have to to display the information and then present it to the rest of the class. My students are also going on an online shopping spree in this unit. They have to calculate the price, discount, tax, shipping/handling, etc. for whatever they want to purchase.

My regular math classes are going very well. I am really noticing a problem with student engagment in my classroom. Therefore, I have decided to focus on this topic for my research. I am basically going to see what strategies I can use to get my students more engaged and on task. I want to see which activities will be more beneficial in my classroom. I am going to start out by conducting student interviews, student surveys, and research some strategies. I am going to study the learning styles of my students to see what effect this has. I am really excited to see where this will go this year. I am

There are some exciting new things happening around Mexico Middle School. Our library just got 20 new computers for the students to use!! So now more than one class can use the computer lab at a time!! Our students are also doing some creative things during their P.A.W.S or advisory time at the end of the day. Each Wednesday is character education day. Last month, the word was "respect" so one of the classes created a short movie clip about respect. They danced, had background music, and showed everyone was respect was through interviews and skits. This next month it is MY turn to do the video. The word is "responsibilty". My students are busy coming up with ideas so that we can record our short video for the whole school to see!! The kids are excited that they get to be on TV!! After everyone saw the first video, they wanted to know when they could make theirs!! Other than that, my business math students are busy going to the library to use computers for stocks, etc. We are exploring savings plans and types of savings accounts in my business math class through the use of Microsoft Spreadsheet.