Brian Cohen
  • Making the Grade Blog
  • About Me
  • Tutoring
  • Press
  • Resources to Share

I'm back into writing again

6/23/2015

0 Comments

 
I haven't written here in a number of weeks. I thought I would have the time and then as the end-of-year grind comes in I found myself feverishly grading papers and following up with students who needed to turn assignments in by deadlines. As the year comes to a close shortly I am finally able to write about some of these experiences.

Probably the most important two experiences of my end-of-year were the Algebra 1 Data Analysis Round Tables and my Applied Math 3D Modeling Competition. Let's take them one at a time:

ALGEBRA 1

Over the past 2.5 months we have been working in class on analyzing data and making inferences based on graphs, tables, and lines. Each student had to determine two variables for which to collect data and then compare them to see if there was any strong correlation. We discussed strong, moderate, and weak associates as well as positive vs. negative linear relationships. The students (mostly) came out with a strong understanding of this work. It is truly amazing to listen to a student present in a small team about his or her work and feel confident in answering questions.

At the end of the unit we had the students gather in teams of 3-4 along with a teacher facilitator from the rest of our staff. We guided them through a process to understand who was to present and when as well as what questions they should be able to answer. Their final product - a poster - was used during the presentation to showcase their research. The feedback we received from staff was incredible. Not only did they share the fact that students truly understood their work, but they were also impressed at how organized we were. I really appreciate that feedback. 
Picture
APPLIED MATH

My Applied Math students have been working on crafting business plans and presentations based on a 3D model of an object they want to sell at the school. There were so many different designs - keychains, cup holders, iPhone stands - I was not sure which one would win in the end. They spent 2.5 months learning how to use the software options and then developing their final designs, writing the plans, critiquing each other, and practicing their presentations. I was more hands-off because they were in 11th and 12th grades and it was still successful.

The students presented in front of a group of five judges: our principal, a representative from Makerbot (the company that makes our 3D printer), a staffer from DonorsChoose (the non-profit that helped us get the 3D printer), a marketing employee, and my wife. They were all very impressed by the detail of most of the plans as well as the responses the students gave to their questions. 

In the end, the iPhone stand won, and we realized it could be used for a variety of different purposes (tablets, books, etc). I am happy to report we are going to start printing shortly.
Picture
hese two end-of-year products were long and time-consuming but showed the depth of thought and writing these students can aspire to when pushed. I hope to continue this kind of work in the future and am supported very well by the administration and leaders at my school.
0 Comments

The end-of-year battle with seniors

6/6/2015

0 Comments

 
It has certainly been some time since I last posted on this blog; getting married will cause you to reprioritize some things in life for a time. My wife and I had a great wedding weekend and are now transitioning to our new lives together. While doing so, I have more time to make blog posts again and I look forward to doing so.

-----

As the school year comes to an end there is always an uphill battle with a number of students to make sure they are passing their classes. As a teacher who has instructed mostly 9th graders over the last few years, it has been easier for me because the stakes have been a bit lower. If a student fails Algebra 1, they still have three more years to make up those credits and graduate.

But this year I have a course that involves seniors, adding its own issues for the past 10 months and currently offering plenty of challenges. As I finish preparing them for their final presentations and projects, what qualifies as a passing grade? For students who have 17 unexcused absences for the second semester, should I even bother giving them a chance? Does it depend on recent trends (were those absences in February and since March they have been here every day)? What if they were spread out and the student completely understands the outcome of his/her actions?

These are major questions we all deal with as teachers and sometimes butt heads with parents and administrators about the outcomes. If a student who has been a behavioral deficit to the class and recognizes that s/he was not putting forth the best possible version of themselves for the entire semester, maybe the deserving thing is the fail and learn a lesson about effort? Or, will that cause the student to spiral downwards and never life themselves back up to graduate high school?

On the other side of this are the students who are upcoming seniors - if they hear the story of these students who were not in class and eventually passed anyway, what does that tell them? Does it encourage a culture of lax focus in the school for years to come? 

I am pained by these questions right now because I have to deal with them and make decisions in the next two weeks. I hope others can empathize and that these questions are some you are thinking of for your students as well. It is not easy to make them, but whatever we decide will be right because we have dug deep and are attempting to make sense of a crazy situation.
0 Comments

    Author

    I am a math teacher in the New York Department of Education. I infuse technology and real-world problems into my curriculum in order to prepare my students for the future. I would love for people across the country to recognize we teachers can't do it alone. If you don't believe me, come visit my classroom!

    Picture

    Contact Me

    Picture

    Email Updates

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    Archives

    March 2022
    September 2021
    August 2021
    September 2020
    August 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.