I Wished My Junior High Parents Realized....

Junior high is a big transition not only for students but also for their parents. Students are going through physical, emotional, and social changes during this crucial time in their life. Parents are learning how to handle teenagers. Kids go from telling their parents everything that happens in a day to not saying a word.

As a junior high teacher, I try to help ignite those conversations through personalized emails, class dojo, instagram, and remind. My goal is to make my classroom transparent for parents. I want parents to be able to have conversations with your child about what they did in class that day. I am one of the lucky teachers, who has very supportive parents and never  rarely get emails questioning my intentions. Below, I have listed my true intentions for every single student in my classroom that I hope parents of my students realize.

I truly care about your child.
Every child is unique and challenges me in different ways. I worry about your child when I see them having a bad day or when they are not at school. My worry does not stop when I walk out of my school building. When I go to bed at night, I struggle to sleep because I am worrying about what can I do to help your child. I do not just care about your child's education but also the person they are becoming. I want your child to be a positive leader in our school.

I want your child to succeed.
My goal is not to create students that are great test takers. My goal is for students to develop problem solving skills and math skills that will ensure them success in their future. When your child fails, it hurts me as much as it hurts you. I spend a lot of time thinking about how I can provide more support for your child. I go to bed wondering "How can I explain it so ________ understands it?" and "What can I do differently in class to help them focus?" I am here to support your child. When I email you that your child is struggling, it is a call for help. It means I need your support to help your child be successful. I need us to team up to determine how to best help your child.

If I email you about your child's behavior, it does not mean I do not like them.
Read #1 again. There is not a single child I do not like. I may not like their behavior that day but in all honesty I love every single one of my students. To help your child succeed, we must help them learn what behaviors are appropriate and inappropriate. The email is to inform you and not to punish the child or hurt you. Junior challenges students to make the right choice. Students become more concerned about what their friends think of them. This causes for students to feel the need to act a certain way. This is my 5th year teacher in junior high, I know this is a phase. They will grow out of this.

I wish you communicated more.
I wish parents would communicate more with me. Ask me how you can help your child. Let me know what is going on outside of school that may cause your child to struggle in school. Let me know how I can better support your child. I feel in junior high parents feel the need to let go and let their child be more independent. I agree, they do need to be more independent but you do need to check in with your child. I appreciate your opinions. I am not perfect and am always growing as an educator.

I wish you realized how crucial it is to have discussions about your child's future.
As a junior high teacher, I realize their are three types of students; students who know their plans for their future, students who dream to become famous (athletics, acting, etc..) and students who have no plans. 8th grade is an important year for students to begin planning for their future. Talk to your child about college plans, vocational schools, career choices, and finances. Your child may or may not have a good understanding of finances for life. I know some who think they will live at home forever (they think mom and dad will always financially support them). I remind my 8th graders weekly, that next year all your grades count for college acceptance. Some students do not understand that colleges look at their GPA. I am not saying push your child to go to college but I am saying let them know your expectations and help them set goals for their life.

I do not just teach math.
I teach my students life skills. I want my students to be the best students in the school. I tell my students "You are the best students in the school and I expect you to act like it." I want another teacher to stop and say "___________ was so nice to help me today." I explain to my students that they are a reflection of me in this school. We talk about good and bad social choices. We discuss how we must accept the consequences of our choices. This week, we discussed how we should lift others up instead of knocking them down. I teach teamwork. Quote of the week, "Life is not about winning the race, life is about finishing the race and how many people we can help finish the race." by Marc Mero. Below is the video the quote is from.

Remember: I like your child, I worry about your child, and I want your child to succeed.

Have a Wonderful Weekend,
Mrs. Gilliam

A New Year means a New Start

Happy Holidays Everyone,

It is getting close to the end of 2014 and the beginning of 2015. 2015 will be a big year for my 8th graders. This is the year you will enter high school but before you do we need to prepare you.

If you remember, last week you had a bell ringer asking you to write down your goals for 2015. Several of you wrote that you would like to do better in school. One of my goals for this next semester is to help prepare you for high school and if you are in 7th grade help you become more successful in your own learning.

I have big plans for next semester. Be prepared for a big change in the way I am "teaching."

My personal goal as a teacher for 2015 is to reach EVERY student. By reaching every student, I mean I hope to make sure every student learns the concepts and is not left behind. I want to help you learn how you learn best. This goes along with my change in the way I will be teaching. I understand students learn in different styles and at different paces. I am working on plans to allow each student to work on meeting goals at their own pace but in a certain time frame.

 I was so impressed with my 8th graders' project, I have decided each unit we will have an overall project will take the place of homework. Along with the projects, I will be having ticket out the doors to help me determine the level of understand each student is at.

Since all of you are my focus for 2015, I have a quick survey to help me learn what worked and what did not work for you in first semester. Click here for survey.



I am excited about this new year! I hope this break allows you to come back refreshed and ready to learn.


Have a Fantastic Break,
Mrs. Gilliam

8th Grade Math: Writing Linear Equations Tutorials

Happy Saturday Everyone,

Reminders:

• Pattern Projects Due Monday/Tuesday
• Quiz over Linear Equations on Wednesday/Thursday

We have been working on putting together all the parts of writing linear equations over the last month. We have looked at equations through patterns, real world examples, tables, and graphs.

Key Things to Remember:

• y = mx+b (is the base equation for all linear equations)
• m represents the rate of change/slope
• b represents the starting point and y-intercept.
• Slope is the steepness of a line. The rate of change of the line.
• Y-intercept is where the line crosses the y-axis.
• Slope and rate of change are found by finding the change in y divided by the change in x.

Tutorial Videos:

Writing Linear Equations from Tables

Writing Linear Equations from Graphs

Writing a Linear Equation from a Word Problem

Hope you find these videos helpful! We only have one more week before break. Keep giving 100% this week. If you need any help with your project, send me an email or message me on celly.

If you are missing a test, please complete this before break!

Have a Super Saturday,

Mrs. Gilliam

     

8th Grade: Introducing Relations and Functions

Did you miss Wednesday or Thursday this week? If you did, you missed a big day in our new unit. Please come see me in seminar or in the morning to get caught up.

On Wednesday and Thursday, we learned about relations and functions.

I started by asking everyone what comes to their mind when thinking of  the word,  "Relation."

The main idea that came to everyone's mind is relationships. When you think of the word relation, relationships should come to your mind.

A relation is a relationship between two variables. We will be primarily looking at the variables, x and y.

Then we discussed, the word "function." We decided the word function means something that works.

A function is a relation where each input has exactly one output. 

X-values are also known as domains, inputs, and independent variables.

Y-values are also known as ranges, outputs, and dependent variables.

Below are examples of relations, functions, and non-functions.

Graphs:

This graph is a relation and function.

This graph is a relation but not a function. The x-value, 0 has two y-values.

Tables:

This table is a relation and a function. Each x-value has only one y-value.

The first table is an example of a relation that is not a function. The x-value 4 has two y-values. The second table is a function. Each x-value has only one y-value, even though all y-values are the same. Remember we focus on the x-values.

Ordered Pairs:

All of the ordered pairs below are relations that function. 

Mapping Ordered Pairs: 

The mapping below shows a relation that is not a function.

Big Idea: Every function is a relation but not every relation is a function.

Have a Happy Snow Day,

Mrs. Gilliam

Class Dojo Point for Letting Me know the Correct Answer:

Is the following graph a function?

7th Graders and 8th Graders: Finding a Rate or Rate of Change Part 1

In 7th grade, we have been talking about different types of rates. We have discussed the meaning of unit rate and rate of change. 

Unit Rate: When rates are expressed as a quantity of 1, such as 2 feet per second or 5 miles per hour, they are called unit rates.

Rate of Change: A ratio between a change in one variable relative to a corresponding change in another. Most often discussed with time and speed.

The reason I said both 7th and 8th graders for this post is because 8th graders will need to remember this idea for the upcoming unit. (You are not allowed to forget what you learned in 7th grade! It is a building block each year!)

We can find rate of change and unit rate in various ways. We can see it in a story, graph, table, pattern, or an equation. 

Above is a table showing temperature rising. Students may be asked the question what is the rate of change in this table and what does it mean.

First, I would start by defining the independent and dependent variables. 

Time = Independent = X 

Temperature = Dependent = Y

Next, I would look how is the table changing.... I have scratched out what I would with this problem below.

I could next say, I have a rate of change of 9 degrees every 3 hours. Some students may want to change this rate into a unit rate by saying the temperature increases 3 degrees every hour.

What are some other rates that are equivalent to the 9 degrees every 3 hours? (Classdojo point)

Next post will be finding it from a pattern, equation, and graph. 

Have a Great Sunday!

Mrs. Gilliam

7th and 8th Grade Parents: Why Retest?

A lot of parents and students ask the question "Why do we retest?"

I will start by saying, I have been on the fence with this issue but to me it all comes down to helping the students learn. In this post, I listed the reasons I believe in retesting students.

Reasons for Re-Testing

1. Some students need more time to process information. A retest allows students more time to process. It also allows students to gain further instruction on concepts they may be struggling with.

2. It allows students to learn from their mistakes. As students determine their misconceptions on test "A", synapses are firing causing information to be stored into memory.

     

Great Video on Growth Mindset (I am working on creating a growth mindset classroom.)

3. It allows students a second chance to prove to themselves that they can grow in their ability. It allows for teachers a chance to celebrate the student's successes, no matter how small.

                           

My main goal is to inspire students to get back up again when they have fallen down. 

Have a Wonderful Week,

Mrs. Gilliam

8th Graders: How to Study for Unit 2 Test

Happy Sunday Everyone,

Do not forget we are taking Unit 2 Test this week!

The best way to study for a test is to study a little each night before the test. Below I have listed some helpful tips, that can prepare you for the upcoming test.

1. Read over your notes in your notebook. Cover up the answers to the problems and rework them out.

2. Watch any of the following helpful videos. Work through each problem as the instructor works through the problem.

















3. Complete extra practice problems where you know the answer. Below I have listed some worksheets and sites you can use to practice.

Solving Equations Worksheet with Answers

Khan Academy Practice Problems: Variables on Both Sides

Khan Academy Distributive Property Practice

Word Problems Using Equations Practice Problems

Remember it is spirit week! Wear your pink tomorrow!

Have a Great Day,
Mrs. Gilliam

PS
One point on class dojo for any one that comments with the correct answer: 5(3x + 2) = 70