I hold a few beliefs close to my heart and my practice. First, that all students can learn math. Second, learning is about discovery and problem solving, and school is about teaching students how to be learners in the context of various subjects that are real-life and applicable. Third, that school needs to be a community of individuals, of people who know and support each other, and value the time spent together. Lastly, that the world is big, busy, and full of struggle, and that it's important to find peace within ourselves to help us stay strong, happy, and healthy.
Mindfulness and a Growth Mindset
As part of my approach, students will consistently hear me refer to the practice of mindfulness - taking things one step at a time, being present in our day to day lives, and reflecting as we move forward through ups and downs, always believing in ourselves and each other.
Standards-Based Grading
A 4-point grading system will be used for most assignments, along with the overall grade for the course. This system addresses the mathematical disconnect between a traditional 100 point/percent scale under which 59% is weighted an F while each letter grade is only 10%. A 4-point system also supports standards-based grading, whereas each point directly correlates to a level of understanding the standard. See the chart below to help you navigate this newer model.
Percent you see in Q
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Letter
Grade |
Traditional
Percentages |
4 Point Scale
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A 4 indicates a student is exceeding standards and producing distinguished work.
A 3 indicates the student is meeting standards. A 2 indicates a student is close to meeting the standard/slightly below grade level. A 1 indicates a student is far from grade level and producing poor quality or incomplete work. |
Math and Science
Math is a subject anyone can do. Yep, I said it! ANYONE can do math. For many years math has been that subject that some (okay, many) people insist they just "can't do," but that has been because we were going about it all wrong. Math isn't about memorizing the quadratic formula or working out a long division problem that takes up half a paper. Math is about problem-solving, thinking critically, and using a whole other language we have at our fingertips - that with numbers, symbols, and graphs - all within a real-world context! Even more importantly, math is knowing which tools to use, and how to use them, to solve these problems. The math classroom is a place for students to learn what those tools are and how to use them best. A "tool" can be anything from a calculator to understanding how to find the mean of a set of data.
Science is the study of the world in which we live - what it's been and that which it can be. It is also the future foundation of many careers, and helps develop skills that are essential for one to thrive in today's world. Math is the language we use to understand and communicate about this world, and then create and develop solutions to the problems that arise around us.
Science is the study of the world in which we live - what it's been and that which it can be. It is also the future foundation of many careers, and helps develop skills that are essential for one to thrive in today's world. Math is the language we use to understand and communicate about this world, and then create and develop solutions to the problems that arise around us.
Click on the image to access the California Department of Ed website and more information regarding today's math standards and teaching practices.
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Click on this image to access the California Next Generation Science Standards and learn more information regarding today's science teaching and practices.
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In this classroom, students will often be faced with questions that they must think through, coming up with a possible solution using whatever they can and then critiquing that solution. Students will engage in inquiry and collaboration on a daily basis.
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