Back to School Night

February 26, 2008

Classrooms for the Future

Pennsylvania Department of Education

Edward G. RendellGovernor

Gerald L. ZahorchakSecretary

Technology has transformed our society into… A global marketplace with immediate and

unlimited access to Information 24/7 Newer and better services and goods

A culture that demands that we possess the skills and knowledge to use technology resourcefully as both a consumer and a worker

Pennsylvania Students will compete in a global market It no longer matters where workers reside. Companies are looking for the highest

skilled workers

Classrooms for the Future

A bold step toward large-scale high school reform for the 21st Century Grantees commit to -

Improve teaching and learning in English, math, science, and social studies

Assist us to prepare our students for tomorrow’s postsecondary and workforce opportunities

Support models for future classrooms Promote leadership & advocacy for systemic

change in organizational and instructional practices

“Smart” ClassroomsEach public high school and AVTS/CTC core

subject (English, Math, Science, Social Studies)

classroom the following: one laptop per student desk A teacher laptop A printer/scanner imaging software productivity software A web cam An electronic whiteboard A projector up to three digital still cameras (per eligible school) up to five digital video cameras (per eligible school) Infrastructure (wireless network, servers) technical support

The Future

Culture and pedagogical high school reform

Early indicators of systemic impact will be changes inperformance and perceptions, including: Increases in –

Attendance Student engagement Time spent on task Assignment completion Course rigor

Decreases in – Classroom disruptions Drop-Outs Overall disciplinary actions

Overall Teacher and student attitude improvements. 

The teacher’s role…

• Facilitator• Guide• Co-investigator

Our Students Are…

• awesome!• Producers• Apprentices• Co-explorers

Producing Excellent Work

Blogging

Pre-Algebra

Advanced Algebra/Trigonometry

Achievement Algebra I

• We moved all students out of Pre-Algebra and into Algebra I.

• We are building the foundations of High School Mathematics

Textbook: Algebra I, Concepts and Skills

Calculator: TI-80 or higher

Second Semester Course Outline

1) Statistics and Probability2) Solving Linear Equations3) Graphing Linear Equations and Functions4) Writing Linear Equations5) Solving and Graphing Linear Inequalities6) Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities

Grading Policy

• Every homework is collected. A daily assignment is worth 5-10 points, and a long term assignment is worth more.

• Students who do not due their homework are repeatedly reminded until they finally do it. If necessary, a student will be required to stay after school or come in early to complete assignments.

• Tests and quizzes are given in different formats – alone, groups, on paper, and, in the near future, on computers.

• Alternative Assessments with the computers may take the place of a traditional test.

• Computer projects are usually worth about 40 points.

New This Semester

• Blogging• Google Notebook• Online copy of textbook• Computer-based tests

Advanced Algebra/Trigonometry

Textbook: Precalculus With Limits: A Graphing Approach

Calculator: TI-83 or higher

Course Outline

1) Graphs and Lines in the Plane2) Functions and Their Graphs3) Polynomial and Rational Functions4) Exponential and Logarithmic Functions5) Trigonometric Functions6) Additional Topics in Trigonometry

Grading Policy

• Students have two major types of homework assignments, Student Notes and Section Problems

• Tests and quizzes are given in different formats – alone, groups, on paper, and on computers.

• Alternative Assessments with the computers may take the place of a traditional test.

• Computer projects are usually worth about 40 points.

Some Computer-Based Activities

• Blogging• Google Notebook• Online copy of textbook• Computer-based tests• Self-Guided Lessons

Some Pictures From Our Class