Week Fourteen at University High!

This has been another great week at University High School. I have been teaching, teaching, and more teaching. (: In my honors classes, we have finished up three sections of polynomial functions. We learned about the rational zeros theorem, upper and lower bounds theorem, synthetic and long division, and how to graph various polynomial functions. Yester, we played a review game of jeopardy on what we have learned about polynomial function. I divided the class in two and had them work in teams to solve problems. The classes had a lot of fun with it, yet they got a little noisy. But, it was a great review. Today, the students will be completing their quiz. In my general Pre-Calculus class, the students have begun learning concepts about the various functions. We worked through eight different parent functions and now are learning how to transform them. Today, I am having the students complete specific problems from the book that I think will help them most on their quiz when they return from break. When break is over, I will answer questions to correct any of their misunderstandings. Then Tuesday, they will take their quiz on the first four sections about functions. I am excited that this week is ending on a good note. Only two more weeks until I finish up my internship. Can't believe it!

“In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn.”
― Phil Collins

Thirteenth Week at University High!

Even though this was a shorter week for us because of Veteran's Day, many things took place. Tuesday I began teaching functions to my Pre-Calculus classes. My Honors Pre-Calculus students are learning about Polynomial Functions. We hav learned to factor and graph polynomial functions. Also, we have went over long division and synthetic divsion of polynomials. With that, we have discussed the remainder theorem and the factor theorem. Next Monday, we will continue with rational zeros theorem, Descartes' Theorem, and Upper and Lower Bounds Theorem. This is a very hefty chapter filled with many significant things. After we finish the next three sections, I will then be able to implement my class project. I have planned that the students with work with a partner for this project based on polynomials and present on the Friday of that week. I believe that this project will enhance the students' learning about polynomials and apply their knowledge to real world applications. I am looking forward to the week that we work on these! Only three more weeks, and I will be finishing up my intern semester. I feel so happy that I have been able to work with great people, and that I will continue to work with them next semester for my contract hours. Almost time to graduate! (:

Doing math is like going to the gym - it's a workout for your brain and it makes you smarter.
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Twelfth week at University! (:

This has been a big week for me at UHS. I have given one Chapter test to my Honors Pre-Calculus class, and I am giving a Chapter test tomorrow in my general Pre-Calculus class. I have had many students coming in for extra help during my planning periods. So, it feels as if time is just flying by. I haven't had much time to get lessons and planning done here at the school. Still, I am glad that both of my mentor teachers have been great support and have reassured me that I am doing a great job. Tomorrow, I am having my meeting with the teacher coordinators about my contract hours for next semester. I am excited to see how I will plan out my last semester in school. It seems so crazy that I am almost a "real" teacher. (: Altogether, I am excited to wrap up this intern semester and move on to substitute teacher and pursue new things. I am trying to take it all in, because it's going to be over before I know it.

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.
-Helen Keller
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Week Eleven at "Home of the Hawks"

This has been a great week at UHS as usual! In my general Pre-Calculus classes, I have been teaching about coordinate geometry, lines, and inequalitites. In my honors courses, we have been learning about inverse functions and one to one functions. They also just had a quiz on four sections dealing with properties of functions. Next week, they will complete a chapter test based off of everythings they have learned bout functions. The students have been great in all of my classes. I am fortunate to work with such well-behave intelligent young women and men. I can not believe that I only have five more weeks left to finish up my internship. I am thrilled to still move forward into my spring semester and do different units with the same students. Throughout my weeks at UHS, I have been tested as a teacher in so many ways. I am learning what type of teacher I am and what works for me. It is very motivating as I learn new things about myself each day. Again, it is so fulfilling to teach the students, create lessons and assessents, and see how the students perform based off of my teaching and their studying. It is great encouragement when the students perform well on their quizzes and tests. Altogether, I can't believe how time is flying. Yet, I am learning so much!