The day before TAKS one of my students came in to go over Functions, Slope, Quadratics and more.  We reviewed the impact of the rate of change on the graph, the shift of graphs both linear and quadratic and discussed strategies to use.  For example Mrs. Douglas showed us an easy way for students to [...]

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Preliminary scores for 9th grade math TAKS are approximately 76% passing. These are rough estimates and the percentage could go up or down but probably not by much. Our goal was 74% so we are VERY pleased with this information. This is a 6% improvement over last year’s scores and I believe it is a [...]

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Students will be going to the computer labs to begin working on their alternative assessments starting on Monday. Teachers will pair up and 1 will take students to the computer lab for training and the other will remain in the classroom with students as they review material already covered. This will prevent students in the [...]

Posted in Algebra 1, Alternative Assessments, News and Updates 1 Comment »

The students are responding favorably to the opportunity to correct assignments, quizzes, and tests.  The homework has been leveled now along with the quizzes and assessments.  The downside here is the re-grading of all work.  Here is what I am doing.  I grade, marking all errors by level, then if they have a 60 or [...]

Posted in Algebra 1, Reflections 2 Comments »

I thought that the most difficult part of bringing in Standards-Based grading would be convincing teachers to buy in. Nope…it’s figuring out HOW to do everything. We have been so well trained – by pre-service courses and classroom experience – to do things the way we’ve always done them that coming up with practical, replicatable [...]

Posted in Algebra 1, Reflections 2 Comments »

According to the book study, we should have power standards K-9 which prepare students to be successful citizens after high school regardless of their plans for higher education. Then there are higher standards for 10-12 that are for upper level classes. Also there should not be more than 15-20 power standards per subject with no [...]

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As far as the students are concerned they do not realize there is anything different. Which is a good thing. We do need to decide how to use the work ethic grade in a better way. If we follow the principles in the book, then in addition to assigning Homework Recovery, we will reflect a [...]

Posted in Algebra 1, Reflections 5 Comments »