Hello
In Math the students have just finished writing their unit test on Thursday. With the progress reports coming up this an important measure as to how the students are doing in Math class at the end of the second month. Prior to the test students had a couple of days of algebra review in class, then on Monday I gave the class a practice test which contained a sample of all the types of questions that they had already encountered in their homework and that would be on the real test. I also put a checklist of all the things we need to know and study for on the board which I had the students copy down.
On Tuesday I put the students into Math groups (all of which contained a wide range of math skills) where they went over their practice test answers together asking questions and demonstrating to each other how they solved the problems. Near the end of class I gave each group an answer guide which they could use to double check the answers. During this time I visited each group to see if there were any problems that the groups could not handle.
On Wednesday last week I offered a Math club at second recess and only had four students show up for the extra help (some students forgot to check to board to see if they were "invited" to join me). Math club consists of those who volunteer to come and those who are volun-told to be there. After this Math unit test, the volun-told list has grown...
The Unit test covered all the math that we had covered so far and included some of the same questions that were on the first quiz that has already gone home for signatures. During the test the students were allowed to use the word wall (definitions and examples of the math concepts covered), there was anchor charts on the wall for referencing some of the more complicated parts, and were allowed to use their Math bookmarks that were create and update in class (reference notes). I gave extra time at both first and second recess for any students who needed some more time to work on their answers (a few used both recesses).
On marking the tests I have calculated the average for both Math classes, 8Y had a class average of 75% with 11 A's while 8Z had a class average of 73% with 7 A's.
Unfortunately in both classes there seems to be a number of students who are not completing work, seeking extra help, accepting extra help when offered, or preparing properly for the quizzes and tests. Next week I will be going over the tests with the students and then starting a new unit in Math. I will be talking to some students at recess about their marks. There will be students who will get a passing with difficulty this term in Math on their progress reports but we will continue to work at raising our Math marks and more importantly our understanding of the math concepts covered in class.
I ask that parents check regularly with their children to make sure that they are completing homework when assigned and are preparing (in advance) for tests.
Many thanks
Mr. Brooks
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