Just Thinkin'

What's it all mean?

2007-10-22T09:34:00.000-07:00

The main function of school is to teach you to be responsible and to make good choices. How do the assignments in geometry class do this? How does your grade reflect your learning? What can you do next term to improve over this term?

Tip 20: Do Your Best, Every Day

2007-01-29T16:59:00.000-08:00

I ask my 5 year old, everyday, if she did her best that day. I ask my softball players to do their best every practice and every game. I ask my students to do their best every day. What does this mean to you? How does it apply to math class? Does it go beyond math? Beyond School?

Great Expectations (trig)

2006-09-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Now that we are a couple of weeks into the new school year, you have had a chance to get your bearings and to make some plans regarding how you will succeed this year. Think about your expectations from the beginning of the year and how they may have changed over the last few weeks. What are your expectations for this class (both from me and from yourself)? What are your learning goals and what grade do you think those goals will earn you? How do you intend to reach those goals? What (if anything) has changed from your expectations on August 27 (before school started) to now?

The End

2006-06-08T21:17:00.000-07:00

As we come to the end of another year, we look back and see things we could have (and maybe should have) done differently or better. If you have time, take a few minutes to look at your reflections from this year. Comment on what significant growth you hae experienced. Tell me two areas you improved in and one you would like to see more improvement. Do you have a plan to grow in that area?

Also, tell me two things you liked best about my class and one you would like to see changed. Be serious, I am not going to change the way I grade or the percent of the class that depends on the final. However, I am always trying to be a better teacher and I am interested in what my students think.

Have a great summer and stop b and say "hi." I'll be here teaching Algebra over the summer and in the same room next year.

So far, so...

2006-05-01T12:21:00.000-07:00

We have completed all the basics and now we are applying them to different situations.

How did the project affect your grade? How did it affect your perception of geometry and math, in general? Are you looking forward to or dreading the group project?

Also consider where you are right now in relation to your goals for this class. What changes should you make (if any) to be able to reach your goals? Do you need to adjust your goals? How and why?

What's in a grade?

2006-03-07T13:05:00.000-08:00

Use the following rubric and consider your study habits, time spent on homework and review and your attentiveness in class.

1. Lectures
I take good notes that I use for review and homework. (4points)
I write down most of what the teacher says or writes. (3points)
I write down the main points and examples. (2 points)
I somtimes write down some notes. (1 point)

2. Homework
I review my notes before, during and after homework. (4)
I look at my notes while I do homework. (3)
I do most of my homework, but I don't use notes. (2)
I sometimes do my homework. (1)

3. Study
I do extra problems or make practice quizzes or tests. (4)
I spend a few minutes reviewing after I finish my homework or if I don't have any. (3)
I look at my notes or reading guides before a test or quiz. (2)
I do review homework if it is assigned. (1)

4. Tests
Tests are a chance for me to show how much I have learned. (4)
Tests make me a little nervous, but I can handle it if I am prepared. (3)
I wish we could have less tests and quizzes. (2)
I will do anything I can to avoid taking a test. (1)

5. General attitude
This is my favorite class. (4)
Geometry, yeah, whatever. (3)
Do I have to go to math today. (2)
I would cut if I thought I could get a way with it. (1)

Total your scores and multiply by 5. Include your score in your reflection and tell me how you think it relates to your grade in the class. I promise not to get mad or hold it against you in any way... no, really.

Tips on Tips

2006-02-24T07:39:00.000-08:00

For this post I want you to tell me what you think about our "Tips For Survival" (the 21 rules). In particular, how have they effected you and your attitude towards others? What have you done concerning the two random acts of kindness? Are you finding yourself asking more people how they are doing? Do they ask you back? How do you feel or what do you think when they don't? What suggestions do you have for changing or modifying the "rules"? Keep in mind that I may or may not use your suggestions, but I am interested in them to know what you think.

Progress Monitoring

2006-02-10T07:42:00.000-08:00

Think about what you have learned so far this year. Answer each question with our class in mind.
1. What did you learn so far? (list at least 2 examples)
2. How do you know you learned it?
3. What do you think your teacher noticed about your learning?
4. What do you need help with?
5. Rate your progress from 1-10 (10 being awesome, 1 being none).

The next step…
1. What will you do next to succeed?
2. What is the next concept we are studying?
3. How will you know that you have progressed?

Finally, think about the following question and give a serious answer...

Do I know what it means to succeed in this class?

before and after

2005-10-10T09:11:00.000-07:00

This week we took our first "proof" test. Look at your grade before the test, your grade after the test and your grade on the test. What do you make of all that? what does it all mean to you?

Progress Monitoring Assessment

2005-09-21T11:34:00.000-07:00

Think about what you have learned so far this year. Answer each question with our geometry class in mind.
1. What did you learn so far? (list at least 2 examples)
2. How do you know you learned it?
3. What do you think your teacher noticed about your learning?
4. What do you need help with?
5. Rate your progress from 1-10 (10 being awesome, 1 being none).

The next step…
1. What will you do next to succeed?
2. What is tonight’s homework?
3. How do you know that you have progressed?

Finally, think about the following question and give a serious answer...

Do I know what it means to succeed here?

Farewell...

2005-06-07T12:49:00.000-07:00

Some of you may get bored enough to read this over the summer:-)

I have enjoyed my classes this year very much. You have learned to think and you have grown tremendously. Here are some parting morsels of wisdom as you go.

Never settle for anything but your best at whatever you attempt.

If you never fail, then you are not challenging yourself enough. Failing is simply an opportunity to learn.

You never completely fail until you give up... never give up.

I hope you have taken with you some things that will help you in years to come.

Good luck,
Kirk McMorris, MA. Edu.

passed half-way

2005-04-17T19:30:00.000-07:00

Half way through the course! Look back at what you have done. Were you "successful"? What worked? What didn't? Where do you need to improve? What changes should you make in your study habits? Should you re-evaluate and modify your goals? Specifically explain how you have grown in math and/or school and where you think you need more growth.

Grade yourself!

2005-03-04T16:55:00.000-08:00

If grades were based only on improvement and growth, what grade would you give yourself? Why?

You can be totally honest because they're not, but I am interested in how you see your improvement. Discuss what areas you need to work on and what you see as your strengths.

Use the following rubric and consider your study habits, time spent on homework and review and your attentiveness in class.

1. Lectures
I take good notes that I use for review and homework. (4points)
I write down most of what the teacher says or writes. (3points)
I write down the main points and examples. (2 points)
I somtimes write down some notes. (1 point)

2. Homework
I review my notes before, during and after homework. (4)
I look at my notes while I do homework. (3)
I do most of my homework, but I don't use notes. (2)
I sometimes do my homework. (1)

3. Study
I do extra problems or make practice quizzes or tests. (4)
I spend a few minutes reviewing after I finish my homework or if I don't have any. (3)
I look at my notes or reading guides before a test or quiz. (2)
I do review homework if it is assigned. (1)

4. Tests
Tests are a chance for me to show how much I have learned. (4)
Tests make me a little nervous, but I can handle it if I am prepared. (3)
I wish we could have less tests and quizzes. (2)
I will do anything I can to avoid taking a test. (1)

5. General attitude
This is my favorite class. (4)
Geometry, yeah, whatever. (3)
Do I have to go to math today. (2)
I would cut if I thought I could get a way with it. (1)

Total your scores and multiply by 5. Include your score in your reflection and tell me how you think it relates to your grade in the class. I promise not to get mad or hold it against you in any way... no, really.

Progress Monitoring

2005-02-14T17:43:00.000-08:00

New session: fresh start

2005-02-01T09:17:00.000-08:00

As we start a new term, think about what you may want to do differently this term. What do you expect from me this tterm? What do you expect from yourself?

Last reflection

2005-01-15T13:54:00.000-08:00

Since this is the last reflection of our class, there are two parts.

First--

Think about the project. Besides covering several geometry standards, the purpose was to make a real connection between math and a real career choice. How well do you think it did that?
The groups were large in order to distribute the work load. Discuss the pros and cons of a group project. What specific changes would you suggest?

Second--

The purpose of these reflections was to help you think about how you learn. What changes do you see in your own study habits and learning process because of doing these reflections?
Will you reflect on your learning, even if it is not part of the assignment?

What matters most?

2004-12-08T14:31:00.000-08:00

Thinking only about circle angele and segment relationships that we learned from chapter 10....

1. What is the most important (significant) thing you learned?

2. Why do you think so?

3. How do you know you learned it?

4. How did your teacher know you learned it?

5. Do you think you can use it in your architecture project? How?

sip of water from a firehose

2004-11-10T09:53:00.000-08:00

We have learned a lot of new information this past two weeks. I would like you to think about the usual questions, but in a different way. READ CAREFULLY!

1a. What main idea did you learn about transformations (ch 7)?

1b. What main idea did you learn about similar triangles (ch8)?

2. How do you know you learned?

3. How does your teacher know you learned?

4. How did learning on your own (ch7) compare to learning with the class (ch8)?

5. Is project learning better for you or not? Why?

6. Do you think a group project would be harder or easier? Why?

7. Did you ask enough questions? Are you sure? How do you know?

8. Do you expect transformations and similar triangles to apply to trig functions? How or why?

9. What are you doing differently this term?

10. Do you think it is helping?

Remember to answer in you own BLOG and post a note in the comment section of this one, not your response.

What do you see?

2004-10-22T21:05:00.000-07:00

If grades were based only on improvement and growth, what grade would you give yourself? Why? You can be totally honest because they're not, but I am interested in how you see your improvement. Discuss what areas you need to work on and what you see as your strengths.

Use the following rubric and consider your study habits, time spent on homework and review and your attentiveness in class.

1. Lectures
I take good notes that I use for review and homework. (4points)
I write down most of what the teacher says or writes. (3points)
I write down the main points and examples. (2 points)
I somtimes write down some notes. (1 point)

2. Homework
I review my notes before, during and after homework. (4)
I look at my notes while I do homework. (3)
I do most of my homework, but I don't use notes. (2)
I sometimes do my homework. (1)

3. Study
I do extra problems or make practice quizzes or tests. (4)
I spend a few minutes reviewing after I finish my homework or if I don't have any. (3)
I look at my notes or reading guides before a test or quiz. (2)
I do review homework if it is assigned. (1)

4. Tests
Tests are a chance for me to show how much I have learned. (4)
Tests make me a little nervous, but I can handle it if I am prepared. (3)
I wish we could have less tests and quizzes. (2)
I will do anything I can to avoid taking a test. (1)

5. General attitude
This is my favorite class. (4)
Geometry, yeah, whatever. (3)
Do I have to go to math today. (2)
I would cut if I thought I could get a way with it. (1)

Total your scores and divide by 5. Include your score in your reflection and tell me how you think it relates to your grade in the class. I promise not to get mad or hold it against you in any way... no, really.

PMA 2

2004-10-11T20:56:00.000-07:00

For this reflection, I would like you to answer some of the same questions as last time. Think about the most recent chapter and think about what has changed in how you answer the questions. Read carefully, some are different.

Think about what you have learned from this last section. Answer each question with our geometry class in mind.
1. What did you learn so far? (list at least 2 examples)
2. How do you know you learned it?
3. What do you think your teacher noticed about your learning?
4. What do you need help with?
5. Rate your progress from 1-10 (10 being awesome, 1 being none).

The next step…
1. What will you do next to succeed?
2. How do you know that you have progressed?
3. Has your definition of success changed at all? How and why?

Bonus question:
Why is indirect proof a valuable tool outside of math? Give an example and support your use of the tool?

Progress Monitoring Assessment

2004-09-17T08:15:00.000-07:00

Think about what you have learned so far this year. Answer each question with our geometry class in mind.
1. What did you learn so far? (list at least 2 examples)
2. How do you know you learned it?
3. What do you think your teacher noticed about your learning?
4. What do you need help with?
5. Rate your progress from 1-10 (10 being awesome, 1 being none).

The next step…
1. What will you do next to succeed?
2. What is tonight’s homework?
3. How do you know that you have progressed?

Fianally, think about the following question and give a serious answer...

Do I know what it means to succeed here?

Welcome back...

2004-08-28T21:16:00.000-07:00

This first post is mostly to make sure you can all get blogger accounts and know how to respond. Think about school as your job. What do you have to do to do your job well? Open a blogger account and respond there. Then paste your blog address as a comment of this post.

I am really impressed.

2004-05-31T21:03:00.000-07:00

Many of my students latched onto the whole reflection idea. They took the opportunity to look at themselves and how they learn and to grow from that. Consistantly, students who think about how they learn, learn more. The technology (blogs) enticed some of them to start reflecting because it made it more interesting for them. My sincere hope is that these students will continue to reflect on their learning process throughout their education.

hindsight is always 20/20

2004-05-21T10:06:00.000-07:00

Looking back, we usually see what we coulda , shoulda, woulda done... What should you have done differently this year? How would you approach this class if you had to take it over again (remember your answer if you do have to repeat it)? You might start this reflection with "I wish I had..."

2004-04-14T16:34:00.000-07:00

Think about it... all the time.

If you want to be successful at something, you have to visualize that success. This is true in sports, business, the arts, and school. We have six weeks of school left before finals. What will you do to keep yourself motivated until the end? Why do you think that will work for you?

2004-03-18T08:26:00.000-08:00

Midterms are over and nothing to do but wait.

Reflect on your overall performance this session, particularly in regards to how this reflection activity has helped you. Keep in mind that only 5 out of 46 A, B, and C students (geometry classes) did not do reflections. On the other hand, 10 out of 24 D and F students did not do reflections. Hmmm!

2004-03-04T23:24:00.000-08:00

How you like me so far?

We are almost half way through the course. What adjustments will you make in your study habits and/or your goals at this point?. Do you think it is too late to change your grade this session? Are you satisfied with your performance? Why or why not?

2004-02-13T23:19:00.000-08:00

What is a "Math Attitude Index?"

Well, I am not the foremost expert on surveys. However, I think I put together 20 statements that may help reflect your attitude towards math and school. The number you came up with at the end of the survey is your Math Attitude Index (MAI). In your reflection, tell me what you think I should conclude from your number.

2004-01-26T23:19:00.000-08:00

So begins another term...

Students come from so many different places that are all the same. Most people have a certain amount of anxiety when facing a new challenge and a new math class is no different. We label students with "math anxiety", "poor test taker", or "not a math person", but all of these labels need to be discarded and the task at hand attacked with fervent vigor. Think about where you are. Think about where you want (or need) to be. Think about what you can do to get there. Think about what help you might be needing.