Blog 18: 2-Hour House Meeting Answer #3

1. My essential question is: What is the best way to teach mathematics so that it is retained?

2. My third answer is connecting mathematics with the real world.

3. It is important to understand because students want to learn what is relevant to them, because then they can see how to use it in real life. Some examples would be solving mixture problems (chemical solutions) with systems of equations, or using parabolas to find the highest or lowest point of a graph that represents gains or loses in finances.


4. "Key Points In Mathematics." Common Core State Standards Initiative. Common Core State Standards Initiative, 2012. Web. 04 Oct. 2012. <http://www.corestandards.org/about-the-standards/key-points-in-mathematics>.

This source shows suggestions on how to teach connections between mathematics and the real world based on Common Core. It also shows the importance of teaching these connections.

5. I plan to study more on the Common Core Initiative. I have talked to some teachers and they have said that knowing what is coming up in the years 2013-2014 is more important than current state standards.

Blog 17: Fourth Interview Questions

1. What is the best way to teach mathematics so that it is retained?
2. How do you connect the mathematics with real life?
3. Do you try to tie emotion into the concepts?
4. What are your steps for teaching the standards?
5. Can you tell me any specific points of the new algebra standards stated in Common Core?
6. What is most important to teaching the Common Core algebra standards?
7. What is your most important goal for the students by the end of the year?
8. How do you ensure that these goals are met?
9. How do you place the standards into your lectures/teachings?
10. Do you have any trouble teaching the these standards?
11. If so, which ones in particular?
12. What are your thoughts on our current algebra standards?
13. Can you explain to me the new strategies that Common Core suggests?
14. Do you believe that Common Core is an improvement to previous teaching methods?
15. What is the biggest challenge of transitioning from the California algebra standards to the Common Core algebra standards?
16. How do you connect with your students?
17. How do you earn their respect?
18. Do you consider algebra more important than any other math class?
19. Why or why not?
20. What do you believe is most important to maintaining a healthy learning environment?

Blog 16: 2-Hour Meeting Answer #2

1. My essential question is "What is most important to teaching the California algebra standards?"
2. My second answer is "You must know how to connect to your students."
3. One detail is that making connections with students will make them more comfortable. Another detail is that understanding how to connect their lives with the classroom will allow for a better foundation to build on. The final detail is that successfully connecting with students will earn their respect.
4. 3 sources helped me justify this as my second answer, but I believe the most important source is "Teachers Connecting With Students Key to Success". Lane, Jim. "Teachers Connecting with Students Key to Success." Ventura County Star. Scripps Interactive Newspaper Group, 13 July 2008. Web. 18 Jan. 2013.
5. I plan to continue my study of answer 2 by researching more on ways to connect with the students. I also plan to put these skills to use when tutoring.

Blog 15 Independent Component 2 Approval

1. For my Independent Component 2, I was planning on tutoring students at I-Poly once again. It will be exactly like what I did for my first Independent Component.

2. I believe my plan will meet the 30 hours because this time I will count every hour I work, instead of every hour for each student. Since I will usually tutor from 12:30 to 3:00 PM twice every week, I would assume that I would meet my 30 hours in 6 weeks.

3. My independent study component relates to my essential question because I will personally experience teaching students algebra related problems, even though we will be tutoring on Statistics and Physics.