Lates and Being Late August 28, 2008

Hi class,

I wanted to announce and make sure you understand two things before they go in effect tomorrow.

I call anything that you turn in after the moment I said to collect them LATE work. So that could be because you are absent, because you were not paying attention, or because you just did not do the assignment. If you are absent, you have one day to turn in missing work and it should be put into the late work bucket. If you did not do it the first opportunity or missed the turn in time, it will be a zero and there are no exceptions. One bad homework grade is never too detrimental, but getting several of these is not a good idea. Also note, on SPAN, missing grades are zero and it is your responsibility to address me about them if you disagree. If you miss a quiz or test, I will not chase you down, it is your job to reschedule it with me!

Being Late, if you come in more than 30 seconds after the bell rings, you are late. You get two warnings and the third offense leads to a detention. Its that simple.

Have a great day and thank you for looking at the class site!

mrs. hawn

Currently Available Classroom Job Descriptions August 26, 2008

Environment Executive:
-manage that desks and chairs are returned to proper position
-keep floor and desk interior free of debris
-place recycle bin in hall when needed
-requires a sense of cleanliness and attention to detail
Compensation: 1pt/day they assist

Presentation Preserver:
-maintain cleanliness of overhead projector
-maintain cleanliness of white board
-requires a sense of cleanliness and attention to detail
Compensation: 1pt/day they assist

Task Transcriber:
-record daily homework assignment on board if needed
-record teacher given task on board if needed
-requires organization and attention to surroundings
-neat hand writing preferred
Compensation: 1pt/day they assist

Document Distributor:
-distributes papers when needed
-collects assignments when needed
-efficiency must be demonstrated
Compensation: 1pt/day they assist

Attendance Accountant:
-daily record students attendance in log
-fill in for absentee administrator in their absence
-must be reliable
Compensation: o.5pt/day they record attendance
Absentee Administrator:
-works in close conjunction with attendance accountant
-assume duties of attendance accountant in their absence
-informs previously absent students of missed work and information
-record make-up date for testing under student chosen date
-must be organized and have good people skills
Compensation: 1pt/student they assist

Technology Technician:
-prepare calculators and check that they are returned and stored properly
-change calculator batteries when needed
-set up projectors and presentation equipment when needed
-previous technological experience preferred
Compensation: 1pt/day that they assist

Salary Supervisor:
-maintains and checks correctness of jobs time sheet
-must prove their ability to be trustworthy and honest
-must be able to handle conflict appropriately
Compensation: 2pt/week they assist
Please complete job application and return  to Ms. Hawn’s In Bucket. Any questions can be addressed to jhawn@wcpss.net or before and after class/school.  You will be contacted once a final decision is made via your folder.  First round of applications are due by August 29, 2008. These positions will run through December.

Calculator Steal of a Deal! August 25, 2008

The math teachers at MCHS want you to know that this year we will be using TI graphing calculators in our math classes.

          We will have a limited supply of calculators for use in the classroom, so we’re recommending each student purchase their own calculator for home use and for use on critical tests.

Having their own calculator encourages self-paced individual exploration, and allows for consistency between work done at school and home.  Current models of Texas Instruments graphing calculators are all upgradeable, so your student can use it from high school through college.  Also, having their own graphing calculators will allow students to become more proficient with the graphing calculators, which are permitted or even required on:

• ACT* and SAT** College Entrance Exams
• AP** Calculus, AP Chemistry, AP Physics and AP Statistics exams
• North Carolina’s End of Course Tests for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II

Here is some information to help you in deciding which graphing calculator is right for your student:

TI-Nspire (this product has all the newest graphing calculator technology)
•  Interchangle TI-84+  keypad (see below)
•  Summarize statistical data using different graphical methods
•  Experience list and spreadsheet features similar to computer software features.
•  Manipulate and explore data – watch how dynamic changes in data changes can affect the statistical
    analysis
•  Create “quick graphs” of one-variable and two-variable data sets
•  Perform a variety of descriptive and inferential statistical calculations on real data sets, while
    simultaneously analyzing graphical representations

TI-84 Plus Silver Edition
•  Comes with USB cable for calculator-to-computer connectivity
•  Preloaded with 500 SAT prep questions
•  Preloaded with software for Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Biology, Chemistry and  Physics
•  Preloaded with organizer, spreadsheet, and note-taking software
•  Recommended for Algebra 1 and 2, Trigonometry, Geometry, Precalculus, Statistics, Business, Finance,
    Biology, Physics and Chemistry
•  Optimal speed and memory

TI-84 Plus
•  Comes with USB cable for calculator-to-computer connectivity
•  Preloaded with software for Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Biology and Physics
•  Increased speed and memory over the TI-83 Plus
•  Recommended for Algebra 1 and 2, Trigonometry, Statistics, Business, Finance,
    Biology, Physics

TI-83 Plus
•  Does not come with USB cable
•  Recommended for Algebra 1 and 2, Trigonometry, Statistics, Business, Finance,
    Biology, Physics

  Office Depot has great deals on Texas Instruments TI Graphing Calculators!
Both $25.00 rebates can be redeemed for online purchases, one specifies for online purchase, but the other does not.  This offer is valid through 9/13!

TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculator
1. Rebate1 Price : -$25.00
http://forms.young-america.com/84124_OD6602028%2007-17-08.pdf ( Exp : 09/13/08 )
2. Rebate2 Price : -$25.00
http://forms.young-america.com/83652_OD6602027-06242008.pdf ( Exp : 09/13/08 )

TI-84 Plus Graphing Calculator
1. Rebate1 Price : -$25.00
http://forms.young-america.com/84124_OD6602028%2007-17-08.pdf ( Exp : 09/13/08 )
2. Rebate2 Price : -$25.00
http://forms.young-america.com/83652_OD6602027-06242008.pdf > ( Exp : 09/13/08 )

TI-84 Plus Colored Graphing Calculator
1. Rebate1 Price : -$25.00
http://forms.young-america.com/84124_OD6602028%2007-17-08.pdf ( Exp : 09/13/08 )
2. Rebate2 Price : -$25.00
http://forms.young-america.com/83652_OD6602027-06242008.pdf ( Exp : 09/13/08 )

Ti-nspire Graphing Calculator
1. Rebate1 Price : -$25.00
http://forms.young-america.com/84124_OD6602028%2007-17-08.pdf ( Exp : 09/13/08 )
2. Rebate2 Price : -$25.00
http://forms.young-america.com/83652_OD6602027-06242008.pdf > ( Exp : 09/13/08 )
If you have any questions about the curriculum or our use of technology, please feel free to contact Mrs. Hawn at jmendenhall@wcpss.net.

Best regards,

MCHS Math Department 
*ACT is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc., **SAT and AP are registered trademarks of the College Board, neither of which were involved in the production of and do not endorse these products.

Welcome to Our Algebra 2 Class! August 20, 2008

Welcome to Algebra 2.  This year, we hope to incorporate this blog to asssist us in keeping track with our assignments and classwork.  Eventually, we will reach a point were we can check this site daily for that day’s concepts and work. 

Occasionally we will have assignments and homework through this blog.  Parents, I hope that you will feel free to regularly check this site to see your student’s algebra 2 work!