Welcome to Algebra I

1. Welcome to Algebra I Mrs. Leah Wood **Please take one handout per student

2. Things to make note of… • Infinite Campus • All students have a login username and password; you can get this information from the office. • Remind 101 • A way to receive updates/information from me through text messages; information on how to sign up are just outside my door. • Class Dojo • A website designed to keep track of student behavior and progress in the classroom; all students and parents will receive a username and password for their account • Teacher Website • My website has important links for students and parents, updates and announcements, and is also where students will access many of their assignments for class; a QR code is located just outside my door to quickly access my site. • Supply list • Copies of the supply list are located in a pocket outside the classroom: binder, paper, calculator, highlighters, 3x5 note cards, etc.

3. Calculators We prefer graphing calculators; however, a scientific TI-30 calculator will get a student through their freshman year.

4. Please do not get either of the following:

5. New This Year… • “Flipped” classroom • BYOT • FAQ’s • Standards based grading

6. “Flipped” Classroom • The Basics • Students watch videos of the lessons within the unit and take notes using proper note-taking skills and will write valid in-depth questions they have over the content to discuss with the teacher • Students who are slow learners are able to move at their own pace, get the attention they need, have one-on-one conversations with the teacher, and master the material rather than being left behind • Students who are faster learners are able to move at a quicker pace, get the attention when they need it, and work on more enhancing activities to solidify their knowledge of the content they have mastered • All students will have required work to complete and assessments to take over the material within each unit to determine mastery • Those who do not meet mastery will have further work to do over that given concept and will continue to work to improve their understanding

7. BYOT • With this new designed classroom, students will need the appropriate technology to watch videos and work on problems throughout the year; therefore, for my classroom, I have implemented the “Bring Your Own Technology” rule. • Students are allowed to bring and use things like iPhones, iPods, iPads, laptops, other smart phones, and/or anything with wifi capability where they can read and play videos using headphones.

8. FAQ’s on the “flipped” classroom • Sounds like my child will be teaching themselves rather than receiving instruction from the teacher; how will this help? What is your role as the teacher now? • The students will be taking notes just as they would if I were the one delivering the material; however, they are able to pause, replay, and fast-forward to best suit their learning needs and speed. Therefore, students are able to take notes and understand them at a pace suitable to them. • In a traditional classroom, faster students were held back and slower students were left behind during note-taking and discussion. • As the teacher, I will be present to work problems, assist them with misconceptions, give them support, and work with them one-on-one or in small groups to better understand each concept. • In a traditional classroom, a teacher spends more time talking at the students rather than with the students. With this new model, I will be spending more time working with the students and giving them more direct attention. I will now be making my way around the room and helping students through their problems and developing a deeper understanding of the concepts.

9. My child does not have technology to bring to class for this or I will not allow my child to bring their technology to school, how will you accommodate for my child? • Within my classroom I will have other means for a student to view videos and work on assigned problems. I will do everything to accommodate a student who does not have access to the needed technology. • Does this work on all operating systems? • Everything I have researched does work on all operating systems with video viewing capabilities. Most videos we watch will not require “Flash” and therefore do work on Apple products. • Will my child be able to get on the wifi or will it use their data minutes? • Many students already know the wifi password and are connected; however, for those who do not have it, I can set up their device to the high school’s wifi.

10. Standards Based Grading (SBG) • This is generally what you see in elementary classrooms where students get check marks for mastering a concept (i.e. counting to 10, etc.); however, in high school, we must still have grades and percentages in order to calculator GPA’s and accommodate for colleges. • When students take an assessment, it is graded; however, it does not receive a percentage grade that is typically entered into the computer. These grades tell the student at what level they understand the content or learning target. • If a student does not master the learning target on the first go-around, they will be able to redo that learning target and prove mastery at a later time; after reviewing and reworking problems on that concept. • SBG is designed to allow teachers, students, and parents to see exactly what a student knows and how well they know it. • In a traditional grading system, students get a grade but have no real concept of what they can and cannot do. This grade goes into the computer and everyone moves on. • SBG tracks a student’s progress and allows them time to redo, relearn, reassess and master a skill; rather than just getting a grade.

11. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to stay and discuss them with me, email me, or call the school once we resume for the 2013-2014 school year. Thank you for your time and attention and I look forward to a wonderful, challenging, and rewarding year!!