Ms. Cordle

Progress Reports

Parents,

Like you I am very distressed over the many low grades I sent home yesterday.  This is due to 1) students not writing their names on their assignments.  I have 100+ students and numbers just don't identify who wrote the paper.  When I handout assignment and again when I take them up, I remind students to write their names on their papers.  They are almost 7th graders and they have to do this.  Would you receive a paycheck without a name?  2) Students not doing the assignments.  I can assign the work but can not do it for them.  I have no way of making your student do the work.  3) When a student is absent, it is their job to make up the work.  They should ask for the assignments they missed as soon as they return.

Now how can they bring up their grades?  This is easy.  Accelerated Math is something they can do before school and in class.  This is not included in their progress report because we have not had time to work on it during CRCT testing.  Next, they need to be sure to put their name on their work and turn in all assignments between now and the end of school. Lastly, they need to stay focused and not be social.

We will have a test next week.  On Monday, a study guide will come home for Units 8 and 9. Please help your child to review.

Working together your student will see a great improvement.

mrs. C

Attendance

Attendance is very important from now until Spring Break.  There will be new learning almost every day and parent should expect your child to have homework every night.

Unit 5 & 6 test is tomorrow, 3/13.  We went over the study guide today in class.  Students should review Gallon man and King Henry!

Needed for Class-Surface Area

We will begin using formulas next week.  I would like to have a toilet paper roll, empty of course, for each student.  So as the week goes by, send those in with your child's name on it.  I am also looking for 30 empty cereal boxes.  Please collapse them and send them in so we can use them to find the area.

My class set of dry erase markers are just about depleted.  If anyone can donate some, I would appreciate it.  I am always in need of cap erasers.

Thank you for your help.

Fractions Cookbook Performance Task

On Wednesday, January 9, students were given directions and materials to construct a fractions cookbook.  In the materials they received there should be the rubric which will be used to grade the project.  Please look over the directions and project and ask questions before the due date of January 15th.

Study Guide and Unit 3 Test

Study Guide was given out in Monday's class and is due on Thursday but should be completed by Wednesday.  I will let students keep them until Thursday so they have them to study for the test on Thursday.

Students have a notebook check on Wednesday as well.

Gift Suggestion

Recently a friend of my recommended a book to me by Danica McKellar, former TV star of the Wonder Years.  The book, Math Doesn't Really Suck, is an interesting read and is geared toward making math more fun especially for girls.  Ms. McKellar has a unique approach to math and explains many of the concepts we are studying this year.  If you are needing a present for a middle school child; especially a girl, think about this book.  Great resource!  One can use it to refer back to when help is needed.

Fractions Test

Tuesday, December 4, will be the day of our next test in math.  There will be a study guide coming home on Friday to be completed and I will answer any questions over it on Monday during class.  I am available for help Monday before school and will be starting the afternoon tutoring next week as well.  Several opportunities for extra help.

Help Sessions

I presently have help sessions every morning.  For the first two weeks in December, I am going to offer Monday thru Thursday help sessions after school until 5 o'clock.  Students must have a way home at 5 so that I can go home and be a mom.  I hope these times will give some other students a way to come in to get the extra help they might need.

My Skills Tutor

We started using My Skills Tutor in class this week.  Students seemed to enjoy using the computer to practice what we have been doing in class.  Some even were previewing what we will be doing after the Thanksgiving Holidays.  I encourage students to use this site at home: www.myskillstutor.com . Their user name is first and last name all lower case and no spaces and the password is suppose to be their lunch/library number.  The site ID is mccleskey01.  Have your child show you what we have been studying in class.  They might want to try Math B since we didn't do that in class.

I wish each of my students and their family a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Please have a safe holiday.

Mrs. C

Benchmark Test 1

Students took their first math Benchmark test covering Units 1 and 2 on Friday, October 5.  Scores were not too good with only 20 of my 100 students passing.  Wednesday, October 10, we worked in groups and as a class to review and prepare to retake the test.  Friday, October 12, students retook the test and will receive the higher of their two grades.  So look for these on I-Parent after the weekend.