What's Going On? January 27th-31st

A Fresh Start with Similarity

This week is the first week of second semester and we will be starting our seventh unit on "Similarity".  Since we are starting a new semester, all students will be starting with a "clean slate".  We've already started to reflect on first semester.  We'll take some time to think about our goals for the course and see if we're on track.  The start of second semester allows us to set fresh goals, if necessary.  Also, the start of a new unit allows us to reset our test retake privileges.  As you know, if you complete all of our homework by the day of our summative you are eligible for a test retake.

In our similarity unit we will start off by talking about ratios, proportions and similarity.  In class we will watch a short video about popping bubble wrap.  We will then be able to mathematically predict how long it will take to pop a larger sheet of bubble wrap.

Once we solve our "bubble wrap" problem, we'll talk about other applications of ratios and proportions.  After we've gotten the hang of solving proportions, we'll apply this knowledge to similar figures.  How do we know if two figures are truly similar?  Similar figures are figures that are the same shape but a different size.  We know that we have two similar figures if all of their corresponding angles are congruent and all of their corresponding sides are proportional.  We'll finish out the week by finding some shortcuts for proving that we have two similar triangles. 

What's Going On? January 20th through January 23rd

This is it!

This is the last week of the semester!  We have created and participated in some great learning activities to help us get ready for our first semester exam.  For many of us, this will be our first major math exam.  Let's make sure that we're ready!

When is the exam?
Our first semester exam will take place on Tuesday, January 21st.

What's on the exam?
All of the content that we have learned about during first semester is "fair game" for the exam.  We have been focusing on some of the most important topics during our review periods.  These topics include:

• Geometric Vocabulary and Symbols
• Line and Angle Relationships
• Constructions and Points of Concurrency
• Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
• Properties and Proofs with Parallel Lines
• Properties and Proofs with Triangles
• Properties and Proofs with Quadrilaterals

What happens if I'm absent or I do not finish my exam?

The exam is designed to happen in one class period.  If you need extra time, please make arrangements with Mrs. Kamenar to finish your exam before school, after school, or during lunch.  If you are absent, make arrangements to make up your exam ASAP!

Can I use a calculator on the exam?

Yes, you may use a calculator during the exam.  I highly suggest that you use a traditional calculator.  When you take "high stakes" standardized tests such as the WKCE or the ACT you will only be permitted to use a traditional calculator; iPads and cellphones are not permitted in the testing environment.  It is best to practice with this device now so you are comfortable with it when it really counts.  

If you're looking to purchase a scientific calculator, I would suggest a Texas Instruments TI-30X.  You can find these for around $15.  If you're looking to purchase a graphing calculator, I would suggest a Texas Instruments TI-84.

Exam "Cheat Sheet"

For the exam you may use a "cheat sheet".  You may include formulas, properties of shapes, sample problems, and anything else you would like.  You may use the front and back of a standard piece of computer paper for your notes.  All "cheat sheets" must be handwritten and will be turned in at the end of the exam period.

Nervous?

It's normal to be nervous about exams.  Just make sure that you are properly prepared before Tuesday.  You can take care of this by participating in our review activities, completing the practice summative tests, and asking questions!  Mrs. Kamenar is available most days before and after school if you need some extra help.

Last but not least, make sure that you get plenty of rest before the exam and you eat well at breakfast and lunch!  Good luck!

What's Going On? January 13th-17th

Project Activity Presentations

Remember those great projects you were working on last week?  Well, now it's time to try out all of those great activities that you have been designing.  I have seen some awesome activities!  It looks like we'll be playing some Jeopardy, BINGO, spoons, board games, and more!  I am really looking forward to seeing your plans put into action.

Monday will be a shortened schedule because of Academic Excellence.  We will use this time to put final touches on our projects and complete some project reflections.  We may even have time to do an activity.

The next two classes will be focused on all of the marvelous activities you have created.  You will have an additional opportunity to practice your skills by completing the practice summative assessments for each topic.

At the end of the week we will focus on any topics that were not presented.  I will also share some insight about our semester exam.

The semester is quickly coming to a close.  Please make sure that you have completed all summative assessments.  I CANNOT ISSUE A GRADE UNLESS YOU HAVE ATTEMPTED ALL SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENTS!!!!  This includes summative unit tests as well as our projects (Construction Mania and our current project).  If you have any questions, please see me ASAP!

What's Going On? January 6th through 10th

Welcome Back!
I hope everyone enjoyed their extended weekend!  This will be a shortened week, but there's a lot going on!

First Semester Project
This week student groups will continue to work on their first semester projects.  Students will be creating their content, review activity, and practice summative assessment.  The goal is to finish up the projects by the end of the week, so that we can start the group review activities during the week of January 13th.  I know that the cold days have taken up some of our work days.  We'll see where we are at the end of the week.

MAP Testing
Additionally, this week freshmen will be participating in the math MAP test during class.  We will review our scores from the fall testing session before we take our assessment.  I encourage all students to do their very best on this test.  This score will give us an indication of student strengths as well as pinpointing areas of improvement.  Any students that will not be participating in the MAP test will use the time to continue work on the group project.

Unit 6 Summative Test Retake
I also wanted to add a reminder that all unit 6 summative test retakes on polygons and quadrilaterals is due by Friday.  This means that the corrections to your original assessment, the extra practice and the test retake must all take place by Friday.  Corrections can be made before school, after school, or during lunch.

What's Going On? January 2nd and 3rd

Welcome Back!

I hope everyone enjoyed their winter break!  Hopefully you all had some time to relax and spend time with friends and family.

As we come back to school and get back into the swing of things, we will be focusing on our semester project in Honors Geometry.  Students will work in groups to become the "class experts" for one of the topics we have learned about during first semester.  The group will be responsible for summarizing the important content for the topic, preparing a review activity for the class, and a short practice summative assessment for the topic.

Student groups will be preparing information and sharing it through Google Drive.  Students can choose from a variety of methods to present their information, including:

• create videos through "Explain Everything"
• create a quick reference guide using a Google Document 
• create a summative assessment to provide immediate feedback through a Google Form

The groups will also be presenting a review activity to help us review for our first semester exam. Students can design their own activity or choose one of the following:

• design a board game
• have a class "snowball fight"
• create review stations

Once students have prepared their content, it will be shared with the entire class.  This will serve as part of the review materials for our upcoming first semester exam.