What's Going On? January 29th through February 2nd

Unit 7: Similarity

Last week we were able to start talking about the properties of similar figures and determine whether or not two figures were similar.  We also talked about some shortcuts that exist that would allow us to say whether or not two triangles are similar, including SSS similarity, SAS similarity, and AA similarity.

On Monday and Tuesday of this week, we will focus in on similarity that exists within right triangles.  We will have a short paper and pencil formative (8 questions) at the beginning of class on Tuesday to make sure that we are on the right track with understanding similar figures. 

We will finish off the week by talking about proportionality in triangles and similarity transformations.  Students should expect to see a few check-in formatives throughout the week to make sure we have a strong start to the second semester. 

Welcome to Second Semester!

Welcome Back!

I hope everyone enjoyed their extended weekend after we wrapped up the first semester.  Now that you have had a little break, it's time to get back to work!  Since we are starting a new semester, everyone will be starting with a blank slate for our new grading period.  Since we have a short week, each day this week will be run as a "Monday-style" schedule.

Unit 7: Similarity

We will start out this unit talking about ratio and proportion.  We will revisit how to set up and solve a proportion.  This will lay an important foundation for our unit when we talk to talk about similar figures.  In order to say that two figures are similar, we must be able to say that all of their corresponding angles are congruent and that all of their corresponding sides are proportional.  Students will be able to use this knowledge to state whether or not two figures are similar.  We will also talk about some shortcuts to show that two triangles are similar and then will expand on this knowledge to talk about the similarity that exists in right triangles.

To make sure that we are starting the semester on the right foot, students should expect to see a couple of formatives before the end of the week.

What's Going On? January 15th through January 19th (EXAM WEEK)

Exam Week

It's exam week.  Please remember that we will follow a "Monday-style" schedule on Monday and Tuesday.  Our exam schedule will run Wednesday through Friday.  Please be sure to be ON TIME for all of your exams.  Students must attend exam periods for all class, including student aide classes.  Students are not required to attend the "Reviewing/Conferencing" times, but that would be a great time to get some extra help!  Additionally, students are not required to attend during the "Make-Up" exam time on Friday afternoon.



Plan for the Week

On Monday, our final three groups will present their review activities for the class.  Students will see "Semester Project" in Infinite Campus and will only receive one summative grade for the one target corresponding to their project.  The other targets might show up as "missing" in Infinite Campus, but don't worry about this.

On Tuesday, we will go over any last-minute questions regarding the exam.  Our exam will take place at 9:30 on Wednesday morning.  DO NOT BE LATE!!!!  I will be at school starting at 7am if students would like to come in to get some extra help before the exam.

Semester Exam
Students will complete somewhat of a "choose your own adventure" exam.  Students will be required to complete an exam of the following three learning targets:

• 1d: Proofs with lines and angles
• 1e: Proving triangles congruent.
• 2a: Writing equations of lines.

Additionally, students will choose at least two more targets for the exam.  The choices are:

• 1a: I can precisely define Geometric terms
• 1b: I can use the basic language of logic
• 1c: Constructions
• 2c: I can prove theorems about quadrilaterals
• 3a: I can use the segment and angle addition postulate
• 3c: Solving for missing measurements

Students may choose to take additional sections of the exam, but must finish within our given exam time.  

Materials Needed for the Exam

Students should bring a pencil, calculator, compass and a straight edge (if completing the constructions portion of the exam).  Additionally, students can create a "cheat sheet" to use during the exam.  This can be a computer-size sheet of paper (8 1/2" by 11"), front and back.  Students can choose to include definitions, formulas, sample problems, anything at all!  At the end of the exam period, students will turn in their cheat sheet.

What's Going On? January 8th through January 12th

MAP Testing

On Monday, freshmen students will be participating in the math MAP test.  Students should report immediately to their assigned testing location at the start of the day (7:35).  Students will remain in their testing location until the entire assessment is complete.  After that, students will return to their regularly scheduled classes.  Sophomores will need to report to the West Lecture Hall during our class period.


Semester Exam Projects
Once MAP testing concluded, students will be presenting their semester exam projects.  Last week, students broke up into small groups to create a review activity for their specified learning target.  This week, we will begin the activities in preparation for the exam.

During Thursday's class period, I will be taking a group of students on a field trip to WCTC.  During this class period, students will be taking a vocabulary assessment so we can see how much our knowledge of geometric vocabulary has grown since the beginning of the year.


Semester Exam
Our Honors Geometry semester exam will take place on Wednesday, January 17th from 9:30am-11:00am.  Students will complete somewhat of a "choose your own adventure" exam.  Students will be required to complete an exam of the following three learning targets:

• 1d: Proofs with lines and angles
• 1e: Proving triangles congruent.
• 2a: Writing equations of lines.

Additionally, students will choose at least two more targets for the exam.  The choices are:

• 1a: I can precisely define Geometric terms
• 1b: I can use the basic language of logic
• 1c: Constructions
• 2c: I can prove theorems about quadrilaterals
• 3a: I can use the segment and angle addition postulate
• 3c: Solving for missing measurements

Students may choose to take additional sections of the exam, but must finish within our given exam time.  

Materials Needed for the Exam

Students should bring a pencil, calculator, compass and a straight edge (if completing the constructions portion of the exam).  Additionally, students can create a "cheat sheet" to use during the exam.  This can be a computer-size sheet of paper (8 1/2" by 11"), front and back.  Students can choose to include definitions, formulas, sample problems, anything at all!  At the end of the exam period, students will turn in their cheat sheet.

What's Going On? January 2nd through January 5th

Welcome Back and Happy New Year!
I hope everyone had a restful winter break and had some time to relax before we head into our last push for the semester!  We have 9 class days before our semester exams, so let's make the most of it!

Math MAP Testing

All freshmen will participate in math MAP testing on Monday, January 8th.  Students should report to their designated locations first thing in the morning on this day.  Click here to see location assignments.


New FREE Graphing Calculator App for All Students!
ALL 6-12 Student now have access to the "GraphNCalc 83" App.  Please go to Self Service, search "GraphNCalc 83" App, and download the calculator.

1st Semester Project

Before winter break, students analyzed their current grades for each of our learning targets and identified where they would like to improve.  Students have been assigned to small groups to brush up on their identified area.  This small group will be responsible for helping the rest of the class prepare for that section of the semester exam.  The group will need to summarize all of the importation information for their topic, will need to write and solve 8 homework-style questions, as well as put together a review activity for the rest of the class to do.  In the past, students have created board games, stations, Castle Attack, Kahoots, and other games to help us review.  Once the groups have prepared their review, the rest of the class will participate in the review activity and complete the group-created homework questions.

Final Exam Week Schedule