Classroom Brochure

Classroom Brochure

I was inspired to change up my classroom syllabus that I've used for two years by two things:

1. Couldn't find the file without going to my classroom (in July...at 10pm on a Sat).

2. Elementary teachers get all the cutesy type of stuff for them.

So, I googled and searched through Teachers Pay Teachers and Pinterest until I finally opened up Microsoft Publisher.  Usually I find a template online and then manipulate it; however, I used one of the basic set-ups by Publisher.  

It's difficult to consider what a 12-13 year old would like as I am over twice the age of my students.  I gave up adjusting everything to their tastes about a year ago.  My students do not care if I spent 6 hours coming up with the perfect foldable.  They care about making things their own.

So I put myself in their shoes and came up with this:

You can download it here:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Class-Syllabus-Brochure-Editable-2678031

Of course, the one I will be using in my classroom has my contact information on it.  The rectangle on the first page is actually where I have our school logo.  I felt it was inappropriate for me to leave it on the blog.  

My students will have interactive journals this year and no binder (*cringe*).  As such, my students will have to glue this form (contact info side down as they won't need it) onto page 1.  As we go through the year, I will post more information regarding our journals, so you can get an idea of what we do in my classroom.  :)

New Integer Strategy!

New Integer Strategy!

During CAMT 2016, I attended a session called "Access for all:  Collecting like terms and solving equations."

The presenters:

Drew Wyrick, Fort Worth ISD Colleen Eddy, University of North Texas

This session was AMAZING!!  The biggest take away from this session were these mats they use in the secondary classrooms to assist students dealing with positive and negative numbers.  I am NOT making any money off of this.

Algeblocks would be perfect for these mats; however, it is imperative that you have your students draw as well.  This will help your students gain a better tool for their tool belt.

Here is a link to a prezi presentation by the presenters; however, there is not an example provided showing the usage of these mats:

https://prezi.com/yxxrajr5stuk/access-for-all-1/

Here are the mats:

The students will write the problem at the top of the mat.  They will then draw circles/squares/something to represent 1 unit.  They can also draw rectangles to represent variables if you would like.

The students then combine like terms by matching zero pairs.  What was perfect for this mat is it is quick and easy to replicate for the students.

My example:

-3 + 5

Step 1:

In this example, I "drew" 3 negative circles and 5 positive circles.  Note that I did not have to put several negative or positive signs (Phew!).

Step 2:

I found a zero pair (AKA, a negative and a positive to cancel out).  I marked out one negative and one positive on each side.

Step 3:

I found 3 zero pairs and marked them out.  I found by marking out the zero pairs that I have exactly two circles left.  As they are in the "positive" section, I know my answer to -3 + 5 is a positive 2.

It's pretty simple, but it will definitely help fill in this gap for my students.  :) 

To take the mat further, you can use this below for equations and inequalities.  

Ok, when I first saw this, I was like "what the what?!"  After working with the great team that presented, I now feel comfortable implementing this into my classroom.

Step 1:

Solve 2x + 3 = 9

I wrote the problem on the line.  I then created the problem visually by drawing the left side of the equation on the left side and the right side of the equation on the right side of the mat.

Step 2

I need to cancel out my units as I cannot cancel multiplication while there is addition.  As such, I need to create a zero pair.  I do this by drawing 3 units (to match the 3 positive units) in the bottom left negative box.  This is equivalent to adding a -3 to the equation (or subtracting by 3 as some say).

Step 3:

If I add three negative units to one side of the mat, I must add three negative units to the right side of the mat.  It is an equation and must follow the rules of keeping the equation balanced.

Step 4: 

I then find zero pairs vertically (positive and negative on the left).  I cross them out.

Step 5:

I also complete this step on the right by finding zero pairs.

Step 6:

The most difficult step for our students is dividing.  For this instance, the students will need to count how many variables on the left and make exactly that many groups on the right.  In this case, it came out perfectly.  There are two variables, thus two groupings.  As there were six positive units on the right, I can make two groups of three.

Therefore:  x = 3.  I know 3 is positive as the units are all located in the positive section and my variables are in the positive section.

I do hope these mats help in your classroom.  Again, these are NOT my mats.  I am not making any money by sharing these mats.  I am sharing the knowledge I gained from the CAMT 2016 session.

Thanks!!

Classroom Economy

Classroom Economy

Ok, let me preface this by saying the idea of a "Classroom Economy" was given to me at a workshop during the summer of 2015.  I was given permission by the individual (Nikki Parker) to adjust and make my own.

I was able to grow her elementary level classroom economy to meet my Jr High needs as I have 6 class periods of Math.  As such, I have over 100 students to keep track of and to teach basic personal financial literacy in the background of each class period each and every day.

Having a classroom economy is EXPENSIVE.  At least, in regards to the pencils.  I have bought hundreds upon hundreds of pencils.  When I charged my students $3 a pencil, they began to bring pencils (at least at a higher rate than previously).  

I updated my system this year, and I am excited to get started setting up my store!  Everything is free, so you can go to my Teachers Pay Teachers store and download for free!

Here's what the system consists of:

The checkbook register the students will keep track of

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Checkbook-Register-Editable-2016-2630702

The way to earn or have money taken away

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Earnings-Fines-Expenses-Editable-2016-2630693

The Job List

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Job-List-2016-Editable-2630698

The Job Application

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Job-Application-Editable-2016-2630696

If you have any questions, please let me know!  I will post pictures after I have my store set up.

~Miss Lovett

Summer Planning 2016

Summer Planning 2016

Like so many teachers right now, I am planning for my classroom.  For some teachers, it is mentally preparing themselves for the upcoming year.  For other teachers, they are learning about a new curriculum or moving to a new room, building, or district altogether.

For me, I am moving from the classroom I have been in for 2 years to a classroom down the hall  (I'm stealing it because the SMART board is in the optimal position in the room!).

I am going into my third year of teaching, and I am quite excited.  I have heard that the next bunch of students will not be as well-behaved as my last bunch.  It is hilarious because I heard the same thing about my current batch.

I am not sure what to expect for this year, but this is what I know.

I will continue teaching 7th grade math where I will have the Special Education Inclusion students, with the assistance of an Inclusion Aide daily.  I will be assisting another new teacher to teach the same subject and grade level as me (have done so for other teachers in the last 2 years so I have some practice).  I will be sponsoring Student Council mainly by myself which is okay since I am a micromanager, lol.

And most of all, I will be completing my principal certification practicum.  Well, this year will be tough, but I am using this summer to do what I can for it.  The better prepared I am for the new year, the better I'll feel about it...since planning makes everything better, right?  HA!  I'll try.

Here are some things I am going to do to prepare myself:

1. Keep track and maintain my Eric Condren Teacher Planner.
2. Meet weekly with my new Inclusion Aide and ensure she participates appropriately in the classroom.
3. Meet weekly with my 7th grade Math planning team.
4. Grade papers in class as much as possible.
5. Input grades within 3 days of receiving the papers.
6. GIVE THE GRADED WORK BACK IN A TIMELY MANNER! (I'm really bad at this since I tend to pile it up and give it all back at the end of the 6 weeks).
7. Make copies only 2 days before I use them.  (I can't tell you how many times our plans have changed after printing off hundreds of papers we will no longer use).
8. Speak with each student's parent or guardian at least once POSITIVELY each semester.
9. DO NOT do lunch tutoring.  (I always weigh myself down with these and it ends up being a social time instead of learning time).
10. Do not take on someone else's job (especially when they just don't want to do their job/tasks when they should have done their job/tasks earlier or asked for help).
11. Don't take test scores personally.
12. And finally, take some time for myself each day.

My goals for this year for Math:

• Create a positive learning atmosphere in each class period.
• Find and train two "math stars" in each class period who will assist with peer tutoring when necessary.
• Improve test scores significantly from the first checkpoint to the fifth checkpoint.
• Test and review at the end of each unit.

My goals for this year in Student Council:

• Complete each task early and completely.
• Encourage a positive atmosphere within the organization.
• Pair 7th and 8th graders to create mentor-mentee relationships.
• Exceed previous fundraising amounts.

Is each goal possible to accomplish without wigging me out?  Maybe.  Will I complete every one of these goals?  Hopefully.  

When you are on your own, you sometimes have to take a step back and pray that you have enough time in the day, week, month, and year to accomplish everything.  My students will not know if I cut out half of a lesson because I have to reteach a lesson.  My students will not know if I have to come up with an additional assignment if we soar through the current lesson.  I have to fake it until I make it.  And this will be my toughest year yet.  

This last year was incredible in regards to the kids I was blessed to teach.  I can only hope and pray that I will be able to be the teacher my next batch of students need and want.

~Miss Lovett