The Adventure Continues ...

Our adventures in blogging continue....

Watch for 3 new blogs going live September 6, 2006 ...

• Pre-Cal 30S (Fall '06) (Grade 11)
• Pre-Cal 40S (Fall '06) (Grade 12)
• AP Calculus AB 2006-07 (Grade 12)

So Long ...

We had our graduation exercises today. A gentle push into the world for all of you. I hope you're leaving with the keys to your future in your hand.

I'm so glad we've had this time together,

Just to have a laugh or learn some math,

Seems we've just got started and before you know it,

Comes the time we have to say, "So Long!"

So long everybody! Watch this space in the fall for pointers to new blogs for each of my classes.

Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Adieu, and all those good bye things. ;-)

Student Survey Results

We did a little survey in class the day we recorded our podcapsule. The results are below; 18 students participated. So, without any further ado, here are the results of our class' survey. Please share your thoughts by commenting (anonymously if you wish) below .....

Classroom Environment
The questions in this section were ranked using this 5 point scale:

Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Neutral	Agree	Strongly Agree
1	2	3	4	5

The bold numbers after each item are the average ratings given by the entire class.

1. The teacher was enthusiastic about teaching the course. 4.89

2. The teacher made students feel welcome in seeking help in/outside of class. 4.65

3. My interest in math has increased because of this course. 3.76
(This question answered by 17 students.)

4. Students were encouraged to ask questions and were given meaningful answers. 4.56

5. The teacher enhanced the class through the use of humour. 4.50

6. Course materials were well understood and explained clearly by the teacher. 4.22

7. Graded materials fairly represented student understanding and effort. 4.17

8. The teacher showed a genuine interest in individual students. 4.22

9. I have learned something that I consider valuable. 4.33

10. The teacher normally came to class well prepared. 4.83

Overall Impression of the Course
The questions in this section were ranked using this 5 point scale:

Very Poor	Poor	Average	Good	Very Good
1	2	3	4	5

1. Compared with other high school courses I have taken, I would say this course was: 4.33

2. Compared with other high school teachers I have had, I would say this teacher is: 4.78

3. As an overall rating, I would say this teacher is: 4.78

Course Characteristics
The questions in this section were ranked using this 5 point scale:

Very Easy	Easy	Average	Difficult	Very Difficult
1	2	3	4	5

1. Course difficulty, compared to other high school courses: 3.72

2. Course workload, compared to other high school courses: 3.67

3. Hours per week required outside of class:

0 to 2	2 to 3	3 to 5	5 to 7	over 7
17%	17%	22%	28%	17%

4. Expected grade in the course:

F	D	C	B	A
0%	29%	47%	18%	6%

Specific Feedback
What was your best learning experience in this course?

Learning to learn Learning real life applications (2) "Learning is a conversation." Circular Functions Combinatorics Logs and Exponents Transformations Learning new formulas Conic Sections

People helping each other Math dictionary (4) Scribes Blogs (2) Learning was fun and exciting Probability Group work (7) Learning cool things

Stories Wiki Assignment None (2) Everything Fun classes Learning grading methods Pre-tests Bubble tea Help provided by teacher

What was your worst learning experience in this course?

Probability (2) Conic Sections Sequences Identities Learning that I didn't study for tests Transformations

Logs and Exponents (2) Quizzes Online quizzes (5) Finding links for del.icio.us box Not understanding lesson (2) BOB (Blogging On Blogging)

Long lectures None (2) Combinatorics (2) Falling asleep in class Bubble tea Wiki Assignment

What changes would you suggest to improve the way this course is taught?

None (4) More pre-test review Be more approachable Make a wiki notebook, edited yearly Collect homework Course was well taught (2) More group work (3) More bonus questions on tests

Give "Aim for I Rule! not I can get by" speech "Person to person learning" "Steady level of work" Have 2 blogs; one for scribes, one for BOBs Correct tests quicker Go through every test More assignments

Blog OK, but wiki and del.icio.us too much Keep doing what you're doing No online quizzes Put del.icio.us button on blog Homework only every second day

It's interesting to compare the items that were considered both the worst and best learning experiences. Also, take a look at the list of worst learning experiences compared to suggestions for next year. Help me do a better job next year by commenting on what you see here ....

Message in a Podcast: Our Podcapsule

The students in our class wrote their final exam on Thursday June 15; they ended their high school mathematics careers. We made a podcast to celebrate! We left ourselves a "podcapsule" instead of a "time capsule." We left our future selves a message; hopefully it will help us improve our learning.

Here is our Podcapsule (8 minutes, 52 seconds). Please leave any questions, concerns, complaints, compliments, confusions, uncertainties, anxieties or other inquiries in the comments to this post.

You can also leave us an audio message if you wish. ;-) (You'll need a microphone.)

This isn't our last post yet -- I've got at least two more I want to get out before the end.

Create a Scribers Guide to Scribing

Two days ago I received this email from a teacher friend of mine, Mr. Harbeck.

I would like to congratulate you[r classes]. Every scribe post I read is like taking part in your class. The students take tremendous pride in creating their posts and are all scribing at Hall of Fame levels. It would be interesting for them to reflect on their scribing and come up with a criteria for making the Hall of Fame. They know how much effort they put into their posts and what is worthy or not. As an outsider teaching 13 year olds who have no choice but to be in my class I do not see the devotion these scribes put forth every day. Everyone takes a turn and does a great job.

I would be curious if you did a "bob" on reflecting about scribe posts. The first to the last. What made a difference from the beginning of the course to the end. My topic was a dry etc one...this is how I spiced it up.

Could they create a scribers guide to scribing?

This is a talented bunch of students. Use them while you still have them. The Next bunch could be even better.

So here it is folks. You've more or less created this art form, now you can write the book on it. In the comments to this post answer these questions:

• How do you go about writing a scribe post? Do you do anything differently in class when it is your turn to scribe? If so, can you describe what you do differently in class when you are scribe?


• What makes a scribe post worthy of entry into The Scribe Post Hall Of Fame? Specifically, what should be included in the post for it to achieve this recognition?


• Compare the first scribe post you wrote to the most recent one. What, if anything, did you do differently?

Your replies, and those of my other classes, will be collated and posted on a special page in The Scribe Post Hall Of Fame. Do yourselves proud. The world is watching; teach them how it's done. ;-)

Logs and Exponents Online Quiz

The quiz goes online at 3:30 this afternoon. The deadline is 9:00 am Thursday morning. The unit test will be on Friday.

You can write the quiz here. You have 45 minutes to complete it. If you haven't yet registered at QuizStar then when you get to the site follow these instructions:

1. Click on the big yellow "Sign Up" arrow.


2. Use only your first name and last initial as indicated.


3. Pick a username that will allow me to easily identify you, i.e. first name and last initial.


4. Make up any password you like.


5. Click on [Register] then [Search] by teacher's name (kuropatwa) and you'll find me.


6. Click on the box next to Pre-Cal 40S and then [Register].


7. Follow the instructions on the screen.

Actually, if you read each page carefully, you'll see that the sign up process is very straight forward and self explanatory. If you hit any snags email me and we'll sort it out together.

Remember, the quiz is timed. You'll only have 45 minutes to complete it once you've begun. It consists of 11 multiple choice questions (1 mark each). DON'T PANIC. Take your time. I know you'll all do well. ;-)

Do Your Best!

3D Tic-Tac-Sunday

Better late than never. ;-)

I missed the Sunday Funday post last week and I really don't want to make that a habit so this week I'm posting two versions of this week's game ... 3D Tic-Tac-Toe. Here are the instructions for the game pictured on the left (may take a little while to load) ...

The object of 3D Tic Tac Toe is to get four in a row horizontally, vertically or diagonally on one plane or across all four planes.

You are Red, the Computer is Blue. In the first game, you go first. In subsequent games, the loser goes first. If the game ends in a tie, whoever went first will do so again.

The moves of the game are notated on the right. Moves that threaten a win are noted with an *. The Computer plays a strong, but not unbeatable game. Good luck!!!

These are the instructions for the game on the right ...

This game is basically a 3D tic-tac-toe, except that the rules have been changed to keep the first player from winning all the time. Here you have to form two rows that meet at a right angle (in the shape of an "L").

Have Fun!!