Thankfully, Financial Math has a SIMS-like program that was purchased by my District for our use. I have several released to students and when I am absent, I usually have one or more of them available for students to work on. I grade them once every 9 weeks so student have time to get them completed. Sometimes, I have a sub planned when they are working on their unit project.
This is for those true emergencies...you know those that creep in at 3 AM?
In the back of my attendance binder I have three plans ready to use. I have a note stating where the copies are found and that an answer key is provided. I found a book that had several thinking skills tasks, like which stick should be moved to create/make_____. The tasks are organized on a calendar-like format and students show their answer to my Substitute for credit (check on the seating chart). Most checks gets a surprise/treat at the end of class. I have sugar free suckers, stickers, and fun pencils. Seniors really like the suckers and pencils - so it is time to find new stickers.
My second lesson is a group riddle. They have to use their math skills to solve various problems. Each groups starts at a different place. I believe it is from an All Things Algebra activity. I am writing this at home and my lesson is at work! It is a round-robin event but I have made enough copies that student groups do not move around the room. They need to show their answers in a line for my Substitute to check. Those that finish, get a prize/treat.
My third lesson is a movie. I know a movie in a math class? Financial math? I have a list of questions for student to think about as they watch the movie, UP! They are to wonder how much money they young scout earned selling his product. They need to predict the cost of the development around the house and the possible price offered for purchasing the house. They also need to research how many balloons would be needed to lift a house of comparable size. This are skills they have to research using the internet. This lesson is obviously for more that one day absent. It is reserved for an emergency that potentially could keep me away for a week. I will be adding the "what do you notice? what do you wonder? type questions so this lesson is more varied. I envision it being more of a group work activity.
Monday, September 4, 2017
Organized?
Organization? Orderly Chaos is more apt.
I like to know that everything has a place in my room, however, with the number of extras that work their way in, I fight a loosing battle. To keep student work and materials organized is my primary focus. I have a student center which has staplers, 3-hole punch, tape, scissors, rulers, graphing calculators, and more. I periodically look it over and rest it. Student have elastic closing folders for submitted work - one for each class - and a set of stacking trays for returned work. Students are taught if their work is placed on my desk, then I will not grade it. If you could see my desk, you would understand! I have been using this system for 10 years and I have yet to loose student work.
Now I try to keep my desk clear, but I have several projects in the works. Things like field trips, PD, PLC, and lesson plans. I have found if I put them into folders and into a drawer, I forget to get them done. Why not try a list? My lists have lists! Though my desk may look a mess, I know where things are. I have them prioritized, too. Sticky notes are my best friend - what to give to students going on a filed trip, what to have signed by admin, what is due soon. By the end of the year, I have stacks of binders with important papers in them. It works, but it may not be overly efficient. The good side is I rarely sit at my desk during class time! Too much stuff there to help students.
My best addition this year is my cell phone parking lot. Once placed it is there for the remainder of class. My seniors are using it more and they are more focused. I don't trip over cords!
Picture two, you can just see my student center in the back corner.
I like to know that everything has a place in my room, however, with the number of extras that work their way in, I fight a loosing battle. To keep student work and materials organized is my primary focus. I have a student center which has staplers, 3-hole punch, tape, scissors, rulers, graphing calculators, and more. I periodically look it over and rest it. Student have elastic closing folders for submitted work - one for each class - and a set of stacking trays for returned work. Students are taught if their work is placed on my desk, then I will not grade it. If you could see my desk, you would understand! I have been using this system for 10 years and I have yet to loose student work.
Now I try to keep my desk clear, but I have several projects in the works. Things like field trips, PD, PLC, and lesson plans. I have found if I put them into folders and into a drawer, I forget to get them done. Why not try a list? My lists have lists! Though my desk may look a mess, I know where things are. I have them prioritized, too. Sticky notes are my best friend - what to give to students going on a filed trip, what to have signed by admin, what is due soon. By the end of the year, I have stacks of binders with important papers in them. It works, but it may not be overly efficient. The good side is I rarely sit at my desk during class time! Too much stuff there to help students.
My best addition this year is my cell phone parking lot. Once placed it is there for the remainder of class. My seniors are using it more and they are more focused. I don't trip over cords!
Picture two, you can just see my student center in the back corner.
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