Semester Summary

Genius Hour sessions have been scheduled for second semester. Event calendars have been posted in the right sidebar of each course page. A rolling one-month calendar will be maintained in the right sidebar of this Genius Hour page. A printable "Sessions-at-a-Glance" reminder sheet can be printed by clicking on the image below.

Printable Reminders

Note: Second semester sessions will run as scheduled. If a snow day occurs, session notes will be posted on the blog. Teams or individuals may request a Friday Skype session to discuss the content.

The "Bye Week" assignment has been emailed. Check your inbox on 12.09.13 for the embedded form. Please complete the Genius Hour Semester Evaluation and submit your response on or before December 20, 2013.

So.
Do tell.
If you could spend the next 7 Genius Hour sessions researching/creating/sharing one big math idea, what would it be and why?

Share your research idea in the comments below...

Calendar Correction

Please note the correction to our calendar in the right sidebar.

Update your calendar...

The first week of December was accidentally assigned to the accelerated teams but has now been updated to show Skype dates with the regular teams. Also, please note the two weeks prior to Winter Break will be free of Skype dates; however, you will have one Bye Week assignment to complete during that time. You should block a 1-hour slot on your calendar for this solo activity.


MATH-7 Genius Hour Agenda (11.18)

• Concept vs. Process: Percent Error
• Analysis: The Development of Vocabulary
• Vocabulary Strategies (Part 1)
• Fast Forward...

MATH-8 Genius Hour Agenda (11.20)

• Share: Classroom Sample
• Reflection?
• Analysis?
• Fast Forward...

MATH-8 Classroom Practices

We reviewed several instructional practices aligned to Modeling Functions content during our November 6th Genius Hour. Thanks so much for pushing through the variety. Now it's time to select one of the three methods listed below to use in your classroom before our November 20th Genius Hour. Come prepared to reflect and analyze!

We started with a pattern activity called "Build This!" that prompted students to create their own linear pattern. You may try this activity or something similar with an element that requires students to use a concept to create a model.

Next we reviewed the "Function Model Takeoff... Touchdown..." activity that engaged students with the concept of linear function models. You may try this activity or something similar with an element that requires students to differentiate between a concept and its common misconceptions.

And finally we ended with the sample open response question that helped students make connections by integrating previous concepts into the current unit. You may try these approaches or something similar with an element of prior knowledge integration.


And on a side note, we also looked at two strategies for approaching open response prompts...the "Stoplight" self-assessment and the "Game Plan Organization" routine. Keep in mind, these strategies are only effective when your students use them so often they become habit instead of strategies.

Genius Hour Agenda (11.20)

• Share: Classroom Sample
• Reflection?
• Analysis?

Keep us posted...have you used any of the three methods described above in your functions unit? Which one do you plan to implement in the next two weeks?

Habits of Mind Analysis Tool

Aristotle reasoned, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit."

Art Costa outlined 16 ways to think and behave in the midst of challenges. And eight of these habits of mind align with the Common Core State Standards for Mathematical Practice. After all, isn't our goal to develop mathematical thinkers? Or students who think and behave intelligently when encountering mathematical problems in learning and life?

Even the most cohesive set of standards supported by a well-designed progression can be delivered poorly and therefore certain to fail. The mathematical habits of mind are only developed through intentional instructional practices. Reflect on the strategies and methods used in your classroom to support teaching and learning (see this post to jump start your brainstorming process). Create a list of instructional practices and use the table below to analyze the strengths of each method.

Habits of Mind Analysis Tool

Which mathematical habits of mind are being developed in your classroom? Which mathematical habits of mind need to be strengthened further? Are there any habits missing from your selected practices?

Intentional Instructional Practices

I drive a champagne-colored GMC Yukon for two reasons...seating capacity and height. When the girls were little, I needed extra seats to carpool friends. And since my battle with a sand truck, I had always wanted a taller vehicle. Oh...and I loved the color because champagne is the color of dirt! Ha!

But if my husband surprised me with a new car, I would check the basics like color, cup holders, horn, mirror adjustment, etc. It would be cool to have extras like warm seats at the push of a button. Or a rear-view camera. Or voice-activated Bluetooth. I would adjust to the extras with practice. But if my sweet man purchased a manual car instead of an automatic...oh my...that would involve major changes. I've never successfully driven a manual car. It would change the way I drive because I would have to be intentional. I would have to think about the path to my destination and the shifts necessary along the way so as to arrive without whiplash or rear-end damage from stalling the car in LA traffic.

Implementing the Common Core State Standards is similar to adjusting to the new car. Some standards remain; others are new and cool but you'll figure them out with practice. People say "CCSS change the way we teach." Well...maybe...with new content standards there is an automatic change. But they are not referring to the content. The practice standards involve major changes. And the only way to reach the rigor and depth integrated throughout the CCSS is to make connections and develop the standards for mathematical practice. And those mathematical habits of mind are developed through intentional instructional practice.

Genius Hour Agenda (10.23)

• Strategic Planning: Prioritize This!
• So what?
• Now what?

Bye Week Assignment

Please submit 3-5 strategies or methods used in the classroom to support teaching and learning. This could include methods you have used in the past, methods you are currently using, and/or methods you would like to implement or have received training for implementation.

Here is a sample list to help jump start your reflection...

Please submit your list via email or the Questions?!? contact form in the right sidebar by the end of the business Friday, October 4.

Genius Hour Agenda (10.07 and 10.09)

• Strategic Planning: Prioritize This!
• So what?
• Now what?

Feedback...NOT the Audio Type

Thank you for your patience during our first sessions. The sound issue has been resolved. Kudos to Chris! I can toggle between video and the document camera. Thanks to Rhonda for the inspiration and trial run! Any other technical glitches that made you crazy?!?

Now that we have completed the first round of Genius Hour sessions, please share your initial thoughts. Did you find value in the discussion? What could have improved the investment? Be brutally honest! You can publicly comment below or privately respond via the Contact Form in the right sidebar. 

The questions for our Accelerated sessions have been submitted and here's the plan:

Genius Hour Agenda (9.23 and 9.25)

• The PreAP Focus
• Content: Process vs. Concept
• Q&A
• Next time...

Do the Next Thing

The questions have been submitted and here's the plan:

Genius Hour Agenda (9.16 and 9.18)

• The Heartbeat of Genius
• Content: Process vs. Concept
• The Path to Progress
• Next time...

And a few housekeeping items to complete before the first session:

Step 1
Join Skype


Skype is the district-approved method for video conferences. You will need a free account to get started.

Skype

Click on the green "Join" circle.


Submit the required information to create an account.


Once you've finished creating your account, please send your Skype name via email or the contact form in the right sidebar.

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Step 2
Print Heart Map and "P" Squares

We will use the following pages in our first session. Please print each page and bring them with you to our first session.

Heart Map

P Squares

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Step 3
Download Skype

You will need to download Skype on your laptop by selecting Downloads from the Skype homepage and then clicking on the green "Get Skype for Windows desktop" button. Do not be concerned if a glitch occurs, a tech guru will be available for assistance at the beginning of the Genius Hour session. 

My theme forever and always is...

DO THE NEXT THING!

Gold stars for the MATH-7 teachers who will help me tackle the glitches on Monday...you are much appreciated.

Questions?!?

Let's get this party started! A calendar of events has been added to the right sidebar for your convenience. It will be updated monthly as we progress.

To jump start our September session, please compose two questions from the following topics:

• the start of your year and how to make it better
• where do we go from here
• team building ideas
• content area questions

Email or use the contact form located in the right sidebar

located below the Calendar of Events

to send your questions by the end of business on Thursday, September 12. Please be sure to include the course title MATH-7, MATH-8, Accelerated MATH-7, or Algebra 1 in the subject/name line.

Stay tuned for our first Genius Hour discussion prompts...

The Genius in YOU!

Every Fulbright math teacher has genius in them. It's true. And it takes time to discover, develop, and unleash that genius.

Given the shift of instructional practices in the Common Core math classroom, FJHS math teachers have been gifted with time to investigate the genius that will build better math students. Stay tuned for task prompts to jump start this adventure...