End of Tri 2 - Start of Tri 3

~ HAPPY SNOW DAY ~

As I look forward to our Trimester 3 activities I realize that time is quickly passing by and we have very little time left to get ready for 7th grade!  We are planning on finishing our Algebra unit by next Friday and moving on to Probability.  Since we don't have a probability unit in our new curriculum, we are planning on using probability as a focus for MATH NIGHT.  We are also planning something a little more "active" so if you are able to join us, we would love to see you on Tuesday, March 12th from 5:15 - 6:45.  We will start in the cafeteria with a light dinner and move on to some math activities.

Moodle - This has also been put on the back burner for a little while and will be updated more frequently with assignments for students to do and access HW assignments from a home computer.  The students should know how to login to the computer.  It is the same information they use to login to a computer at the school.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions/concerns. 

kari.reiter@fridley.k12.mn.us
763.502.5532

Thank you,
Ms. Reiter

March Madness

I can't believe it's March already.  I'm so sorry about not keeping up with the blog and staying current with what's happening in math class.  Here is a little update:

Friday, March 1 - REWARD DAY!
          We are planning on going outside from 1:30 - 3pm.  It will be a fun event with sledding (bring your own sled please) and playing in the snow.  It looks like it will be around 35 degrees this day so dress accordingly.

Unit 5 - Expressions & Equations
          We are working on order of operations and solving equations.  This is an intense unit with a lot of algebra.  It will be a lot of work but it is going to be fun with these high levels of thinking/learning.

After School Help
          I am still available after school for any help, however starting March 11th I will be unavailable due to coaching.  I will still be available some mornings and during most lunches for additional help with homework.  I really encourage students to get help when it is needed so they are staying on top of their work until the end of the year.

MCA Test - 5 WEEKS AWAY!  Please stay tuned for upcoming announcements about MCA testing.  It will be in the middle of April.

March 12 - MATH NIGHT
          We are doing something NEW and EXCITING for the upcoming math night.  We will be playing games and taking a closer look at probability.  If you can make it, please do so since this is a topic that is very important but not covered in our new curriculum.  We look forward to seeing you there!

December is Really Here!

CONGRATULATIONS!

December is actually here and we are officially done with 1/3 of the school year.  All students will start on Monday, December 3rd with an A in Math class.  This trimester I will be available to stay after school with students who are seeking help.  This will be the only trimester that I will be able to do this and I expect to have students at least 3 days a week. 

Unit 3

We are beginning Unit 3 at the start of the New Trimester.  This is a longer unit on Operations with Whole Numbers, Fractions and Decimals.  This is the heart of the information students really need to understand during their 6th grade year.  It is by far the most challenging, however, I expect that all students will be successful. 

My Apologies

I have to take a moment to apologize for being gone towards the end of the Trimester.  I know it is difficult to have a substitute at anytime, however, I still expect all students to be learning even with my absense.  I have decided not to count the Unit Test (which was given the Wednesday before Thanksgiving) in their Trimester 1 grade because I didn't want it to have a negative effect on their grade without giving the opportunity to make it up before the Trimester was over.  The homework that was given does count toward their Trimester 1 grade since there was opportunity to ask questions and work with partners on their work to help with understanding. 


As always, if you have any questions for me please feel free to contact me at anytime!
Thanks,
Mrs. Reiter

kari.reiter@fridley.k12.mn.us
763.502.5532

Welcome to Unit 2!

Happy November!

We are officially done with Unit 1 and starting Unit 2 which is all about perimeter and area of shapes.  This is a very fun and short unit.  Students will (potentially) be taking the Unit Test on Wednesday, November 21st.  I say potentially because I will be out of town (in Spain) the week of Thanksgiving and the Monday after.  This unit is mostly review with some new "twists" to finding area of figures.  I feel very confident that it will be successful as long as everyone is on-task and learning even while I am away. 

We are having our first Reward Day on Friday, November 16th.  Students will be able to go on reward day if they meet the following requirements for Math Class:
 - No missing tests/quizzes.
 - Less than 3 missing assignments.
 - Passing class with a C or above. 
 - No referrals since Mid-Terms.

Each class will have different requirements.  The teacher will talk to the students about these during class. 

FREE PIZZA from CHRIS & ROB'S!!!
 *Students have an awesome opportunity to earn a free pizza from Chris & Rob's.  We have over 1,000 tickets to give to individuals who are caught doing a "good deed" or showing an IB Characteristic.  The pass gives them a free individual pizza (cheese or pepperoni) with no obligation to purchase anything else. 

Gingerbread Houses!
Hopefully the information about Gingerbread Houses has made it home in last weeks Friday folder.  We are going to start collecting "seed money" to get us started.  We are also asking for volunteers to help with cooking/decorating days.  If you have any questions, please contact me!

End of October Already!

I can hardly believe that October is coming to an end already.  We are finishing our first unit and taking the Unit Test on Tuesday, October 30th!  They will be done by Friday, have material for practice over the weekend and Monday we will review ALL concepts learned so far during class so the students are fully prepared for the test on Tuesday.  The homework given on Monday will look VERY similar to the test.  It is expected that they fully complete their homework given on Monday and come ready for any final questions before they take their Unit Test.  All students know about it and we have been talking about the end of the unit since before the MEA break.

I also wanted to send another THANK YOU to all who showed up for conferences.  If you were unable to make it, please contact me and we can set up a time to meet with you.

Conferences & MEA

Here are just a few updates about what's happening at FMS and in Math class.  We are coming to an end of the unit and will be taking our first Unit Test after MEA break.  Things that will help students be successful on this test are:
- Asking questions in class
- Completing homework assignments on time
- Making corrections if needed on quizzes and homework assignments
- Completing the "Over MEA" packet that they will be given on Tuesday

Conferences are Tuesday, October 16th from 4pm - 8pm and Wednesday, October 17th from 7:15am - 11:45am.  If you are not signed up yet, please call me so we can set up an appointment for you.

So far this year, things are going very well.  Students are in a routine, they know exactly what they are expected to do in each class and are doing a great job at working as a team.  The rest of the year will be a breeze if it continues this way.  Keep up the great work kids!

10/1/2012 - 10/5/2012

Happy October! 
Here are a few things to be looking forward to in the upcoming weeks!

• October 1: Learning Academy begins. 
• Monday & Wednesday from 3:15 - 4:15. 
• Students will receive a free snack and time with math teachers to improve math performance.
• Friday, October 5: Field Trip to Youth Performance Theater to see "Mean".  Permission slips must be in to be able to go.  $11.
• October 10: Midtrimester Reports are ready to be sent home/seen at conferences.
• October 11 (4pm - 8pm), 16 (4pm - 8pm), and 17 (7:15 - 11:45am): CONFERENCES.  If you haven't signed up, please call me to set up a time.
• October 17 - 22: MN Education Association - No school for students.

Moodle is updated with assignments posted.