PAP Algebra 1

This section of my teacher website has several parts regarding my Algebra course.  Those parts include:

• Yearly Overview
• Course Syllabus
• Canvas Calendar/Syllabus Page (Public Link)
• Parent/Guardian Access to Student Canvas Account
• Daily Routine (Algebra)
• Advice from Former Students
• F.A.Q. (Algebra)

I will update each section as needed once the school year begins in August.

Yearly Overview

This yearly overview is designed to give you a general idea of the flow of topics for the entire school year.  We may move things around or extend certain topics if we feel it meets the needs of our students.  Please encourage your student to check their Canvas calendar daily, as we will continue to update that space regularly.

A1Yearly_Overview_24_25.pdf Download A1Yearly_Overview_24_25.pdf

Syllabus

This is where I will place the course syllabus for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year.  Once teachers return to school and we are able to set our tutorial times, I will complete the syllabus and upload it here.

2024-2025 Syllabus - PAP Algebra 1 (1).pptx Download 2024-2025 Syllabus - PAP Algebra 1 (1).pptx

Canvas Calendar / Canvas Syllabus Page

The link below will take you directly to the syllabus section of my Canvas site.  If you scroll towards the bottom, you will see all the upcoming dates that I've listed in the calendar.  If you're not able to see the details of a particular date, please have your student log into Canvas so that they may show you.  Parent/Guardians may also set up a parent account to view more details.

Parent/Guardian Access to Student Canvas Account

Parents/Guardians are now able to view their student's Canvas account using their (the parent/guardian) log in.  Please click on the following link for details on how to set that up.

Parent/Guardian Link Links to an external site.

Daily Routine

This year, I plan to flip my classroom.  In a flipped classroom, the students will watch a video at home for homework and complete a set of notes (the video may have embedded quiz questions to check for understanding).  During class the next day, students will work on the independent assignment.  

Here's an example of our daily routine:

Monday night (homework) - watch video over Order of Operations and fill in provided notes

Tuesday during class - The students will always begin with a warm up (usually stems from building blocks of current topic).  After we're done going over the warm up, they'll ask any clarifying questions.  If they need for me to work additional problems, I can work those out under my document camera.  Lots of times I will work questions that I know involve common mistakes.  Students are never required to know the material 100% from the video.  It only serves to front load information.  Once there are no more questions, students will work on their independent assignment over Order of Operations.  I'll still be available to assist students as needed.  Their independent assignment will be due by 11:59pm that night as an upload into Canvas.  If a student completes their work before class ends, they may start their homework for that night (video for the next day's independent work).  Please bring a set of earbuds to class daily just in case. 

If we're working on a particular topic that takes more than one day to cover, that 2nd day of independent work may be a Kahoot during class.  If there's an upcoming test, I will post the review early so students can pace themselves and not just study the night before.  

The meeting links, assignments, and anything related to class will be easily identified in Canvas.  Always begin at the current calendar date to see what will happen for that day.

This is just a sample of how I plan to organize things this year.  If anything changes, I will do my best to communicate that in a timely matter.

Advice From Former Students

I started this in May of this year (2023), and I plan to ask all my students from now on to pass on some advice to the incoming 8th grade Algebra students.  The following statements below are the actual responses I received from students.  The only edits or deletions I made were if the responses involved student names. 

study

study

Dont get behind and actually watch the notes

Advice I would give for students entering PAP Algebra 1 next year is to stay ahead because it's easy to fall behind.

Try

dont join algbra

pay attention

Study for tests and be prepared

Do your work!

Do the Delta Math when assigned, and actually watch the math videos or you wont understand. AT ALL

do the lesson videos

Submit your lesson videos on time

Don't procrastinate

Be prepared to work hard

Do the videos

Stay on top of grades

Turn in your assignments

idk

To watch your lesson videos.

Do your work in class so you don't have that much homework.

Do the lesson videos

Watch all your videos, ask for help if you're struggling, and make sure to PAY attention.

Don't procrasonate

SAVE YOUR LESSON VIDEO NOTES

don't get behind!

Don't save all your work for at home just try your best to get it done in class.

Due dates are less forgiving and sooner the farther you get in life

Do your work

Watch the math videos

dont get far behind in all of your work

watch the math videos

DO NOT PROCRASTINATE IT WILL BE YOUR END

Do your work

Get your Homework done early

Remember to study and focus in class

do your homework

Yell FOIL as loud as you can

Do your lesson videos.

Do your lesson videos before you go home

Do your video notes!!!!!

DO THE VIDEOS

Do your work

Dont

Do better.

Pay attention

do the work on time!!

Do your lesson videos

Do Your HOMEWORK!!!

Do your homework

DO YOUR LESSON VIDEOS

Watch the videos

Study and do lots of practice problems to review.

Just do good.

do your lesson videos

Stay on top of your work, being behind will only hurt

Watch the videos

Watch lesson videos!! :D

Do your work

Study the Notes better

Watch the videos

REMEMBER EVERYTHING. WRITE IT ALL DOWN AND STUDY IT. REMEMBER.

make sure to listen to the math videos

Don't procrastinate

Do your videos.

Run and hide!!!!!

Don't be late

Get HUNDEREDS on major grades.

WATCH YOUR VIDEOS

Actually turn your work in on time

Do all of your homework videos or you will be behind.

Do the work

Use your recourses and actually watch the lesson videos.

Do your review extra credit, saves you a lot of times

watch the lesson videos

Do your extra credit, it will count.

move to math

Listen when she reviews the lessons in class

keep up with te module, and stay calm when taking tests because it will mess you up.

Do algebra videos.

Just watch the videos. It's such an easy 100 and your grade will drop so much if you don't.

do your work its not that hard if you just do it its an easy class to pass

Do your work

Arrange study group sessions with your friends

Do not wait until the last minute to finish work.

Do your work on time and actually watch the lesson videos.

F.A.Q.

 

(This section will be constantly updated as I encounter more questions about the way our Algebra classes are structured.)

 

Flipped Classroom Model

⭐Why do you flip the classroom instead of using the traditional model?

• Ultimately, this makes students take responsibility for their own learning.  We don't ever expect the students to 100% master the material after watching the video (although they often do).  We do expect them to come to class with a basic understanding, so we are able to expand on it or do a quick review before students begin their independent work.  If we see students are still having difficulty, the flipped model allows us to spend 1 on 1 time with the students who need it, and it allows other students to move on.  If a student understands the material and manages their time wisely, they are often able to complete the independent work in class and complete the lesson video for that night (and not bring any homework home).  The only time this model is unsuccessful is when the student doesn't participate (watch videos, manage given time wisely, asks for help when needed, does not misuse math apps at home, etc).

⭐Do you offer any extra practice?

• For every day/topic in the module there is a page titled Extra Practice (or something similar), where we link various websites or post worksheets (including the answer keys).  The students can work through these items as they need to, or we may work with these students using these resources during tutorials.

⭐Do you ever update your videos?

• Sometimes.  If we find a better resource to use, we will re-record the videos and update them in the module. 

⭐How long are your videos?

• It depends on the content.  Equations typically don't take long to cover since the student has had exposure to them for a couple of years.  Those videos are about 15min. long.  Once we get into the spring semester and cover things like quadratics (factoring, solving), those videos tend to be longer (20-25min.).  We try our best to be purposeful when making these videos.  Students are encouraged to bring any questions they have (after watching the videos) to class the next day so they can be addressed.

⭐Do you grade these videos?

• Absolutely.  There are embedded quiz questions in every video.  The questions go along with what the student is watching, so as long as they are paying attention to the example and listening along, they will be fine.  We also have the videos set to multiple attempts (with the highest attempt recorded), so a student may re-watch the video as many times as needed.

⭐If my student has technical issues with the Wifi at home, how is he/she supposed to do the work?

• The videos can be watched using the Canvas app on their cell phones.  They can also come to the computer lab in the morning or any teacher's tutorial session to use a computer to complete the work (if their device isn't working).  If neither of these options work, your student is encouraged to immediately communicate their needs to us and we're happy to work out a solution.

 

Canvas

⭐My student is trying to access his video for tonight and it's blocked.  Why can't he/she access the current material?

• We have our Canvas module set to where the students have to complete requirements in sequential order.  If your student has something blocked, it's because they are behind in the module.  The only times a student gets behind is if they are off-task and not using their given time as instructed.  

⭐How do I know if my student is logging into Canvas when he/she should be working?

• Absolutely everything a student does in Canvas is time-stamped, and any teacher can go in and check the Canvas access of a student for their particular course. It'll tell the teacher the day/time a student accessed the page, how many times they've clicked on the page total, and if they've interacted with the page (submitted work to the page).  I'm happy to send these reports to any parent that asks.

 

Delta Math

⭐My student is getting questions correct but the grade at the top of the screen isn't increasing.  Why is that?

• Once the students get used to the format of Delta Math, we set penalties on the assignments.  For example, if there is a penalty of 1, a student can get 1 wrong but as long as they have 10 total correct (or whatever it is set to), they will get credit.  If they get more incorrect, they have to get more correct (essentially to "cancel" out the incorrect questions) before their score increases.  This prevents students from skipping through the assignment to get "easy" questions to complete.  We go over this process in class as well as post a video in the module to remind students.

⭐My student showed me a grade in Delta Math, but there is a different grade in Skyward.  Why is that?

• There are two scores in Delta Math. One score is a percent complete, and the other is a percent accuracy. Often times an assignment will be 100% complete but the accuracy grade reflects knowledge of the concept.
• Other score discrepancies may involve late work, absent work or corrections.

Uploading Shown Work

⭐How can my student upload shown work?

• We give the student several options in class, but the easiest one is taking a picture using the notes app on their iphone (converts to a PDF document).  This can immediately be submitted via the Canvas app to the correct assignment.  If the assignment doesn't show up while they're on the app, it's because they are BEHIND in the module.

⭐How is my student supposed to upload shown work if he/she doesn't have a cell phone?

• This is one of the options we talk about in class.  If their laptop is the only device they have, they can take a picture with the camera and convert to a PDF to submit.
• These instructions are in the Beginning of the Year Module. 

 

Homework

⭐How often do you assign homework?

• Students can expect to have homework every night, even on the weekends.  The weekend homework is NOT longer, it's typically just the video for the independent work they will do the following Monday.  The only times students will not have homework is after a long break or at the beginning of the semester.  The structure of all this will be communicated to the students throughout the year.  

 

Absent Work

⭐My student was absent and not able to complete work when he/she was at home.  How is she supposed to participate in class the day she returns if she's behind in the module?

• We have the students create a "placeholder" so they can access the video for the evening, allowing them to participate in class the next day.  Students are expected (and reminded) to always make sure to go back and complete their absent work.

 

Math Apps

⭐Are there any apps that you recommend to assist with assignments?

• As best you can, please LIMIT the use of ANY app to assist with their math homework.  When used for their intended purpose, they can absolutely be useful.  The problem is that sometimes students will use them for all their problems and copy down the work the app provides, thus not practicing the material (and not being prepared for tests).  With that said, PhotoMath is great.  But again, please encourage your students to use this app appropriately.

 

Tutorials

⭐Do you have tutorials in the morning/afternoon?

• Yes, I provide tutorials in both the morning and afternoon.  This will be updated in August once the staff comes back to work.

⭐Where are your tutorials posted?

• Tutorials will be posted on both my teacher website as well as the home page of our Canvas course.  I will also provide a document that shows the tutorial times of all the math teachers.  This will be posted on my website and the home page of our Canvas course as well.

 

Communication

⭐What is the best way to communicate with you?

• Students - They need to communicate with me via Canvas inbox.  This allows me to keep all my student communication in one place.  I can easily search for their names and quickly pull up any conversations in case the parent guardian asks.
• Parents/Guardians - Email is the best way to reach me.  I will do my best to respond within 24 hours of receipt.  Email is also a great way for me to include documents in my communication that are relevant to a parent/guardian concern.

⭐How often do you check your messages?

• Students - I see those messages pretty quickly (since I keep Canvas open), and I will flag them as a reminder to myself to respond later.  I will respond in the order in which I receive messages, unless there is an extenuating circumstance that warrants immediate feedback.
• Parents - I will check my email during my conference period each day.

 

Updating Grades

⭐Why is it that my student's grade in Canvas doesn't match his/her Skyward grade?

• I often add points to tests (signed reviews) or may take the average of a few assignments and input that as one grade.  Canvas is our district LMS (Learning Management System) and is only intended to "house" assignments and act as a tool to facilitate our learning.  You may see grades there from time to time (mostly on assessments), but it is not considered our gradebook (which is Skyward).

⭐My student completed their late/absent work.  It's been over a week, so why hasn't his/her grade changed?

• The most common reason for this is that the student hasn't notified me of the work completion.  Students are required to notify me that they have completed corrections/late/absent work.  This can be a Canvas message (if the assignment is digital) or by turning the assignment into the class drawer (if it's a correction).  It's important that they communicate this to me since I don't get notified otherwise.

⭐How often do you update Skyward?

• I do my best to update at least twice a week, but with two busy children of my own it might not always happen that way.  If something changes, I always communicate that via a Canvas message to the students.