G & T, Hidden Figures, The Game of Set, and the 2017 Challenge

I just finished reading what was my only post last February, which is important to do every once in a while I think because it helps to remind me where I was, where I want to be, and how far I've come.  Just have time for a quick update today, so here's what's been going on in my teacher life this week...

Chancellor's Conference on Designing Instruction to Challenge Students
Yesterday I shared and learned at the Chancellor's Conference on Designing Instruction to Challenge Students.  I presented with our 2nd grade teacher, on using project-based learning in the classroom.  She shared her 2nd grade architecture study, and I shared about some of the PBLs I have done, including the Coke Project, Fraction Cookbook (6th grade), Stock Market Game, Road Trip Project, (7th grade) and Lunar Rover Proposal (8th grade/ Algebra 1).  It felt good to share with others, but I would have also liked to be able to visit some of the other tables of schools that were sharing to learn from them as well.  Plus the keynote speaker was Sally Reis, who was truly inspiring, and we sat two rows behind Joe Renzulli, which was the G & T teacher in me, was super excited about.  She mostly talked about the SEM, which brought me back to my Hunter days, last summer.  Overall, I am really glad I went, because even though sadly, the math breakout session in the afternoon wasn't very informative, the morning session really inspired me and reminded me why I enjoy what I do.

Hidden Figures
Thanks to a wonderful DOE promotion, I will be taking my 7th & 8th graders to see Hidden Figures this Friday for free!  I saw it on my own a few weeks ago, and left feeling just so proud to be a math teacher and a woman.  I've been wanting to do more about mathematicians this year, and this was a great opportunity to begin.  Tomorrow, all three classes will be researching Katherine Johnson and Christine Darden in preparation for Friday's trip.  The science teacher and literature teacher will be coming with us, and I found some other possible ways we could incorporate the movie into our classes: A Hidden Figures Lesson Plan, Let's Start a Movement for Hidden Figures, and Hidden Figures and the Journey to Celebrate NASA's Black Female Pioneers.  I can't wait to share this movie with them!

The Game of Set
After reading Math = Love's post on the game of Set (which I have never played) I was inspired to learn how to play myself and loved the challenge so much,  I introduced it to Math Club this week.  They enjoyed it too, and I would love to do more with it, so I will be looking into that.

2017 Challenge
Lastly, also inspired by Math = Love (she really is inspiring), I introduced all my classes to the 2017 Challenge, even though I was a few weeks late, and boy did they take it and run!  I should have known better than to make it a competition between my five classes.  In fact I got so many responses the first day that I had to revise the challenge to be that the numbers 2, 0, 1, and 7 must be used in that order (although they could be combined to form larger numbers, like 2 and 0 could be 20, but they must come before the 1 and 7).  I will say more about that later (and maybe even post some photos of my bulletin board), but my kids loved it! Thanks for the great idea, Sarah!

Field Trips, Formal Observations, STEM...

After Fridays, Wednesdays are probably my favorite day of the work week.  More than half the work week is over, and Mondays - Wednesdays are usually my most productive days, so Wednesdays are good.  Even though it's been hard to get out of bed the past few days (it's just so warm and cozy) work has been good.  Like last week, I am still amazed that we are almost half way done with the school year!  It is going by so fast!  And almost not a day goes by where I don't regret making the (scary) choice to try something new.  So here's what's been going on in the math (& art) middle school life the past week:

Field Trips

I scheduled my first whole-grade field trips of the year!  (My art trip in November was just one class).  My 6th graders and 7th graders are going to the Math Museum on two different days in March, which will hopefully break up the miserable school month of March a little bit.  I also scheduled our trip to the Festival of Cultures in May for the whole middle school.  Fun trips coming up!

Formal Observation/ Mathalicious

Tomorrow morning I will have my formal observation with my 7th graders.  We will be doing an inquiry investigation on linear equations using Domino's Pizza.  It hits some important 8th grade standards on equations and functions (yes, I am doing it with 7th graders!).  I am so happy with my Mathalicious subscription, I highly recommend it for any middle/high school math teacher!       

Math Club/ STEM: Building Straw Bridges

Tomorrow my Math Club will begin formally working on their Gold-level project for the National Math Club and they will also explore building straw bridges.  One of my 6th graders (who isn't even in Math Club) shared with me this game as a resource.  I am excited to see what they come up with!    

Ten Marks March Math Madness

A few years ago, my students used Ten Marks as an online resource.  It was especially engaging in March when they have a contest, March Math Madness.  I got an email from them about it this week, so I decided to check out an account.  I even had a student test it out, and I think I may use it again (at least for Math Madness) as a way to change things up.  Currently my kids use Khan Academy online, which is great, but it might be a nice change (and good motivation) to switch over for a bit.    

Interim Assessment #2

One of my classes took their second interim assessment this week.  The other two classes will take theirs in two weeks.  These are assessments that I make, using released state-test questions.  The next round will be in March and the final will be in May.  I am proud of myself for following though with this goal.  The data has been useful and I don't feel like I am over-testing them, especially since I create the tests, so I know they won't be a waste of time (like prior benchmarks given to us from the city have been).     

Parent Engagement

I finally sent out my first parent newsletter of the year this week!  I have been wanting to do it all year, but it just hasn't happened.  I like how it came out and I hope to send one out every Tuesday during our parent engagement time.  When my 6th graders start their geometry unit, Covering & Surrounding, we will also be inviting families in for the Coke Project (probably sometime next month), which should be fun.

Andy Warhol

In art this week, my students will be studying Andy Warhol work on this project.  

Working with Individual Students

I am so lucky to work at a school that is so flexible with their schedule.  Today I was able to skip lunch duty, still have my prep period, and use what would have been my prep to work with two individual students during their study hall period.  Nothing is better than being supported in working with kids one-on-one.  This is something I tried to bring to my old school, but wasn't able to make happen.  Right now this is on a week-by-week basis, but it is fantastic and I hope it continues!     

Advisory Service Project
My advisory is still working on their service project around homelessness.  I am so proud of them for taking on such a great cause.  They are really starting to own this service learning project.

G & T Extension Certification

I started looking into Gifted & Talented Extension Certification programs.  I am currently only have my secondary math certification.  The Summer Institute for Gifted Certification program at Hunter College looks promising.  My only fear is that it will be very elementary school focused (since G & T testing happens to little kids).  I know St. John's has a program too, which I believe is online (which would be nice) but I hear it's pricy.  Decisions, decisions.