Make-Up Work Pocket Chart

Since I have started using the interactive notebook again, I remember why I stopped earlier this year!  It is so hard getting notes done and glued into the notebook during our 50-minute period, not to mention getting/keeping all the absent students up-to-date.

So today, I rearranged how I organize make-up work.  At the beginning of the year (and in past years), I put handouts in a color-coded folder in a metal rack on the side of my shelves (see below).  This year, students don't ask what they missed when absent and totally disregard the make-up work container.  (I feel this is due to a lack of motivation that our entire school has fallen victim to.)  I decided to put in right in front of them, so there is no excuse.

Instead of putting handouts in the folder that's not in clear view or keeping them on my table (flaring up my OCD), I would put them right by the door, in a pocket chart I bought at the beginning of the year and haven't used yet.

The blue/green/yellow chart below has 9 handout-sized pockets and a 3" tall clear pocket in front of each of those.  The handouts go in the large pockets and the date number of the assignment goes in the clear pocket.  I will keep adding handouts till the pockets are full.  On the 8th, I will replace the 28 with an 8 and discard extra handouts, etc.

I will be moving my apple pocket chart (make-up tests), but I'm not sure what I will be using it for...yet.  When I give a test, I will write names of all absent students on an index card and place it in the clear pocket with the date number.

Flip Chart Observation File Folder

A great way to record students’ behavior, absences, tardies, bathroom passes, preparedness, etc. is to create a flip chart using a file folder and index cards (enough for one per student plus a few extras).

I use colored folders to coordinate with my class color (yellow- Math for College Readiness, purple- Geometry and green- Precalc) and 3”x5” index cards.

Place the open file folder on a flat surface and start at the bottom on the left, leaving about a half inch.  Turn the index card upside down so that the pink line is at the bottom and place a small piece of tape at the top.  Line your next card up on the pink line of the first and tape it down (don’t use glue).  Continue until you have half the number you need or you reach the top.  Then, do the same on the right side of the file folder.

Write students’ names at the bottom of each index card.

I keep my folders in a file folder pocket chart clipped to the side of my podium for easy access.  Some years I will change the cards each nine weeks and others I will change them at the end of each semester.  I simply take an X-Acto knife and cut the tape to remove them.  Then, I file them away until the end of the year.

Flip Chart Observation File Folder

Parabola Activity

I can't wait to use this (review) activity with my Precalc class.  As the students come in the room, I'll hand them a parabola graph card.  They will go to three different areas and pick up the equation card, the axis of symmetry card and the vertex card.  

There are only 12 of each, so I made two sets.  One set is shown and the other one is printed in blue, green, teal and purple.  I will post the answers on the smart board for them to self-check.  

This isn't my original idea.  Credit to follow...

Parabola Match-Up Activity

Patterns Activity

Today, my Math for College Readiness classes started the section on Patterns and Iterations.  Ahead of time, I made 8 sets of 5 colored cards.  On each colored card, I wrote 4 or 5 terms of a sequence.  Students' desks are already in groups of 3.  Each group got one set of cards and a half-sheet worksheet.  On the worksheet, students brainstormed to come up with the pattern for each sequence and the next 5 terms.

It was definitely a success!  They enjoyed the challenge and worked well together.  One of my sequences was O, T, T, F, F,...  Most of them were able to figure it out without a hint.

Patterns Activity

Geometry Basic Figure Review

Earlier this month I came across an idea from @misscalcul8 that was apparently taken from @msrubinmath!  So I carried on the tradition and modified it slightly myself,  making it totally on the computer, no bad handwriting days!

I printed out 7 copies on a color laser printer and laminated them, then cut out all the pieces of 6 of them.  The seventh one is my master.  I also printed out 6 blank copies and laminated them.  Each set of 30 cards was put in a baseball card protector, hole-punched then put on a ring.

Today, was the day I got to use it with my 3 Geometry/Geometry Honors classes.  Their desks (individual tables) are already in groups of 3, so each group got a laminated blank worksheet, a set of 30 laminated cards and a blank worksheet for each student to fill out and save as notes.  The students were shown how to get started using the document camera, then they set to work.  As each group finished, they asked me to check their answers before they filled out their own worksheet.

Two classes went by before I thought that I should take pics for the blog!  And of course, all I had was my cell phone!  They didn't turn out too bad.

 Credit: @msrubinmath














Credit: @misscalcul8














My blank version...














My master copy...

Geometry Basic Figure Review