Studying for math is different from studying for almost any other subject. Below are some basic study tips and suggestions that I have used or seen that create success in math class: ****Note****Not all suggestions will work for you!! Part of being a good student is playing around with your learning style and finding tools that do work!! 1) Review and/or rewrite your notes: We all know how to go back and reread our notes, but taking your notes and rewriting them (more neatly, color coded, etc...) allows you to both read and rewrite the concepts. 2) Do sample problems for each concept: This is the biggest piece of "math study skills" that you will need to learn for success. Being a "skill" more than a set of memorized facts (like a quiz on the countries of the world or State Capitals), math should be viewed like any other skill based activity. For example, if you had tryouts for soccer, would you sit at home reading a book on how to play soccer, make flash cards of someone kicking a ball, or memorize the rules of the game? NO!! You would get out and play!! Use your skills that you are going to be assessed on. So go back through your work, redo problems from the book, make example problems that you can then solve for every concept, etc....
3) Ask questions on concepts you are unsure of: This goes without saying, but if you don't ask clarifying questions about the tricky concepts you will never fully comprehend them. Email your teacher, ask questions during class, ask questions before class, ask questions after class, ask to come in for extra help.....
4) Lastly, commit yourself to studying by getting rid of distractions...sort of: Turn off the phone, radio, TV, or anything else that can distract your attention. One trick that got me through my college courses was studying for a solid hour, then 'rewarding' myself with a 30 minute TV break, video game, etc.... This might not work for all students, but chunking my time made studying much more manageable. I was also able to "digest" the information while taking my break. After the break I would go back and review the notes I had studied from previously and see what concepts were still 'fuzzy' and required more attention. Staggering the study time made each study session more tolerable and enjoyable too. You reward yourself for studying!! Most importantly, don't cram all of your studying into one day. Spread out over a few days, or even morning vs. night is helpful.
Helpful Links:
The links below are helpful for providing additional support on a topic. Please note that not every concept is explained in a way that I might in class. That is why I created my personal website as your 'first line of support'. In the event you need additional support, the sites below may prove helpful too:
Math is fun - This is a good site with very good visual explanations of concepts. Some content is higher level.
Purple Math - This site is also very good. However, be aware that a lot of the explanations are much more "Algebraic".
Khan Academy- This is a good site with a lot of video examples. Please be aware that concepts might be explained differently from in class. Also, some concepts, although taught in 7th grade, may be presented from a 'higher level'.
Online Big Ideas "How to" video
The video below goes through how to use the basic functions of your Big Ideas online text book. If you are ever locked out of the book or unable to log in, please email me!
Placement for next year
After 7th grade, students will be placed into either 8th Grade Math or Algebra. Please note that placement into Algebra does not supersede placement into 8th Grade Math, the two courses are taught sequentially. As such, the Algebra class is much more demanding and rigorous, both in content level and pace of instruction, than a typical Algebra class.
While some schools may use a formal placement test or teacher recommendation to determine placement, our placement process is more holistic and takes into account the readiness of the whole student. Please note that meeting the minimum threshold for any one (or more) criteria does not guarantee a placement into Algebra, nor does an unsuccessful meeting
Students are rated based on the following:
1) Effort Scales: Students who exhibit higher levels of effort and motivation to succeed are more likely to put in the extra in and out-of-class work necessary to succeed in a faster placed and more demanding class. Effort is rated on a scale of 1 - 4 (4 being exemplary) and is defined as homework completion rates, assessment correction rates, note taking rates, self-advocacy, relevant in-class participation, organization and preparedness, and lesson attentiveness. Students who place into Algebra typically score greater than a 3 on this scale.
2) 7th Grade Math GPA: Your Grade Point Average is used to determine comprehension and retention of the 7th grade level curriculum. Students who place into Algebra typically earn a 92% or higher in 7th grade Math. Please note that it is very difficult to use GPA as a predictor of success. That is because the GPA score reflects the comprehension of 7th grade curriculum, and should not necessarily be extrapolated to imply performance in a more rigorous course which is two full grade levels above 7th grade.
3) Standardized Assessment Criteria: Your Standardized Assessments include the Algebra Benchmark series of Exams and your 6th Grade SBAC score (because your 7th grade score will not be available until after placements are made). The Algebra Benchmark Exams include your Benchmark rating on Numerical and Algebraic Operations and Equations (including number sense, Order of operations. number properties, identifying parts of an equation, and combining like terms) and your Benchmark rating on Solving Algebraic Equations (one step, two step, distributive property, fractions and decimals, like terms, no solution or all real numbers, and literal equations). Students who place into Algebra typically earn a mean score of 3.5/4 or higher on the Benchmark Exams, and a Level 3 or higher on the 6th Grade SBAC assessment.
4) Algebraic Reasoning and Readiness Test: The ARRT (named the Readiness Test for short) is used to determine your level of Algebraic and abstract logic and reasoning. Studies have shown that students who have higher levels of abstract reasoning are more likely to find success in a high school Algebra course. Those same studies show that 96% of 7th grade students are in the concrete operational phase (opposed to a more abstract reasoning phase needed for Algebra), but by tenth grade only 50% of student remain in the concrete stage. In many cases, the typical student doesn't begin the fully utilize their abstract reasoning skills until age 15 or 16. That is to say that every student is different, and every student matures at a different rate. Moreover, some students are able to handle more Abstract Algebraic concepts at an earlier than others. That being said, this test seeks to determine how "ready" each student is for taking Algebra in 8th Grade. Students who place into Algebra typically score a 34 or higher on the ARRT.
Please note again that a high rating on any one of the items above does not guarantee placement into Algebra, nor does a lower rating preclude any student from taking Algebra. Student scores are typically compared to their grade-level peers, as well as a comparative analysis to students of previous years (going back to 2011). These scores are viewed through a holistic lens to ensure the most appropriate placement is made for each and every student.
If a parent would like an explanation of their child's performance I am happy to discuss these ratings further.