Week 10 at University High!

This week has been great! I began teaching five class periods which is full time for me. My general Pre-Calculus classes are learning about inequalities, and my Honors classes are learning how to model with functions. I have been excited about modeling with functions, because we were able to complete a small group activity with a manipulative. The students actually had to take a paper, cut it, and model functions associated with it. It has helped them get a better since of how it relates to real world objects and ideas. In addition, I have been looking forward to the next chapter in the book which deals with polynomial functions. I plan on implementing a project where the students have to create a polynomial function related to their own roller coaster ride that they design. The project will be worked with partners. It will probably be a week long project, because we will have to cover all the concepts associated with polynomials through a worksheet activity. Then, they will create a poster with their roller coaster and present it to the class. I have been able to be organized and prepared to look at the span of the entire semester. So, I have a rough draft of what I will teach until I am done mid-December for both of the classes I teach. I still can't believe that we are already ten weeks into the semester. As I am looking forward to completing the semester and finishing up my studies, I will be very sad to leave the classes that I have taken over. I have been building strong relationships with my mentor teachers and my students. I am so thankful for how much encouragement and help they have all given to me!

Week nine at University High!

This has been an eventful week. On Monday, the students had an ISE day. The teachers came in, and we had many PLC meetings and a faculty senate meeting. We discussed many things pertaining to the school such as the Benedum Program for Student Teachers, recycling at the school, beatification of our property, professional development, and so on. On Tuesday, the students came back, and we began our regular routine. In my Honors Pre-Calculus class, we reviewed Friday's lesson on stretching and compressing graphs. The following day, we finished up the section for transformations of function by doing reflections and identifying even and odd functions. In my general Pre-Calculus classes, we reviewed our word problems from sections 1.5 and 1.6. Then, the students had a quiz based on what they have learned. Today, I have begun my full time teaching with periods 1, 4, 6, 7, and 8. This is a lot to take in, but I feel that I am well prepared. I have been fortunate with my mentor teachers, because they have slowly eased me into teaching more and more. If it would have been thrown at me full force, I would have been much more nervous. Even though I have taught these sections with my Honors Pre-Calculus students, I still learn new things about the content. This is what I like about teaching. It is full of learning. You learn about yourself, and you learn new things about math from the students in your classes. I am excited to take on the new challenges that full time teaching will bring on. I hope to maintain positivity and confidence to teach to my best ability, so the students are learning in a motivating and simplistic environment!

Week Eight at UHS! (:

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
-Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie

This has been another great week at University High! It was Homecoming Week, so it has been spirited and thrilling. Yesterday, we had our Homecoming parade downtown for the community which included the bands, sports teams, Homecoming court, and many students. It was great to see the students out of the element of school. Everyone seemed so happy and excited for the Homecoming game that will be tomorrow. Wednesday we had twin day, Thursday was "Back in the Day" day, and Friday will be school spirit day. The students and the faculty have participated in these themes for each day. It is motivating to see everyone so involved.
Even though it has been a high-spirited week, we have still had to teach and learn. Monday I had my Honor Pre-Calculus students complete a group work activity related to average rate of change. On Tuesday, we reviewed for their quiz. Wednesday, they completed their quizzes. Today, we began learning about transformations of functions. We just discussed vertical and horizontal shifting for today. Tomorrow, we will talk about vertical and horizontal stretching and compressing. We have been quite busy with moving along in our Pre-Calculus studies. For my seventh and eighth period Pre-Calculus classes, we have been working on more application problems with word problems dealing with mixture, sharing a job, and distance, rate, and time. This has been a challenging section for the Pre-Calculus students. It is a lot more problem solving than they are used to. We will be finishing up this section on Wednesday or Thursday of next week. It has been a learning experience this week for all of the students and me. Altogether, I have felt that this week has been a success, and I am well-prepared to begin teaching all five classes next week. Wish me luck! (:

Week 7 at University High!

This week has been a bigger transition; I have fully taken over four of the classes. In addition, I have begun to plan for all five of my classes beginning next Wednesday. This will be a lot to take on, but it will only better prepare me for my full time career as a math educator. I have been building stronger relationships with my students, mentor teachers, and colleagues. It has been great to get help and advice from all the great support at University High School. I have been so encouraged by everyone.
One of the biggest things that I have recently been making sure to keep in mind is the purpose of everything I am doing in my classroom. It is important to maintain focus on why you are doing the things you are doing. There should be significance for every activity that takes place in your class. Most days, I have the students complete a five minute check to prepare them for the lesson or to get them thinking from what they had learned the previous day. Even the five minute check needs to be purposeful. I may also use it to go through problems that I know they may be having a harder time with. I am always trying to make sure to keep focus on the ideas of what will help my students succeed in my class, other classes, everyday life, and a future career path that they may choose. Altogether, I am maintaining my focus on purpose in the classroom. Also, I am learning more about myself and how I can become a better teacher to benefit my students.

Who dares to teach must never cease to learn.

~John Cotton Dana