Coach Darak's Math Class

February 10, 2012

Grades have been posted for the 3^rd marking period, and many more classes have all three categories of homework, notebook and tests and quizzes.

We have one more week until the February break.  If you have not made up and tests, quizzes or notebook grades, this week is the time to make that happen.

The deadline to change levels of classes has come and gone…you are now stuck with me for the rest of the year.  As a reminder, in order to be successful:  Do you homework!!  Check your homework on hotmath.com!!  Review your notes before trying to complete your homework!!  Study a little every night….

Thanks.

Coach Darak

February 4, 2012: Two more weeks of school before the winter break.  The first sets of grades for the 3^rd marking period are posted today; although not every class has had a test or quiz (Many of my classes will have their first exams this upcoming week!). 

I normally give only 5 days to turn in late homework to get even some partial grade, but I will extend it until February 8^th since this is the first set of posted grades and the first time students can see “officially” that they missed some work.

When we get back from the break, freshman and sophomores will soon begin their CAPT testing.  For freshmen, it is a “practice” test, for sophomores, it is the real thing.

We have been spending some time in the last several months preparing for CAPT, by doing practice problems at the beginning of many classes.  There is a page on the website, called Taking Standard Exams that you may want to review.  It has several tips on how to go about strategically to take a standard exam like a midterm, final, CAPT or SAT exam.

Thanks.

Coach Darak

January 28, 2012:

Well…we have good news and great news.  The good news is that the midterms are over.  The great news is that we still have 5 more months of math to learn! 

Midterm Exam grades are posted on the website. For those of you that studied, studied hard and studied correctly (how many of you studied in front of the TV, computer or with your iPods on? Go to the BACK of the line), you will find that you did pretty well.  For those that didn’t, you will find the opposite results. 

If you received a D, D- or F for each of your marking period grades and your midterm exam grade, you may want to strongly consider changing levels.  You have until February 9th to do so before the window is CLOSED for the year.

Midterm exams are meant to prepare students for college finals.  In college, students will find that there may only be two or three tests for the entire semester and that the final exam may be worth up to 40% of their entire grade. Students need to review the material, prepare well and work hard to be successful.  Any student who wants to discuss how to improve their strategy for our high school finals in June can see me after school during help time.

Within a week, students will be filling out class schedules for next year.  For most students, I will be recommending the same level of classes as the student is currently in.  If any student feels that they should be moved up to the next highest level, that will need approval by our department head, Mrs. Basbagill.  Parents will have to sign the schedule form and have it returned to each house office.

Coach Darak

January 21, 2012:

The grades that have been posted are FINAL for the 2^nd marking period.   This is the grade that will be on your report card.  By the end of the day on Tuesday of this week, I will send your parents another email and post your MIDTERM grade ONLY….so, it would be advisable to write down the posted grades from today.

We are half-way through midterms….two more days to go.  No excuses for not studying this weekend…we are all pretty much homebound. 

Coach D

January 13, 2012: The marking period officially ends on Wednesday January 18. 

1) Midterms are January 19-24.  We have been spending a good deal of time reviewing for the midterm.  A package of problems has been handed to each student.  Doing all of the problems is extremely important if you want to be successful on your midterm.  NOTE:  YOU WILL HAVE TO STUDY FOR THE MIDTERM.  It is all of the information that we have learned since the beginning of school.  The midterm is worth 10% of your FINAL grade at the END of the YEAR….not 10% of this marking period’s grade, so it is important that you do well….

 2) Any outstanding assignments…homework due, tests and quizzes….need to be completed and turned in by 1/18.  If they are not complete, you will not get any credit for that assignment.

Enjoy the three day weekend….

Coach Darak

January 6, 2012: Happy New Year!! Hope your holidays were fun.

We are coming down to crunch time.  There are less than 2 weeks until the end of the marking period.  There are several important things to remember:

1) Midterms are January 19-24.  We will start to review for midterms in the next several days.  Each student should review their old quizzes and tests from all of the chapters we have completed, in preparation for this review.  A study guide of sample problems has been passed out in class and students will be responsible for completing all of these problems.  NOTE:  YOU WILL HAVE TO STUDY FOR THE MIDTERM.  The midterm includes all of the information that we have learned since the beginning of September.

2) Any outstanding assignments…homework due, tests and quizzes….need to be completed before your midterm.  If they are not complete, you will get a zero for that assignment.

3) ALL CLASSES WILL HAVE ONE MORE EXAM THIS WEEK!!  They will each have a 100 point notebook assessment as well.  These grades count toward the second marking period!!

It is time to get back to work after a relaxing vacation.  Those who do not prepare and study now, will be sorry later.  The midterm is worth 10% of your FINAL grade at the END of the YEAR….not 10% of this marking period’s grade, so it is important that you do well….

Coach Darak

December 23, 2011:  Posted are the recent grades up to and including the last day of class in 2011.  All quizzes and tests have been graded and are included in the current grade.  I will not be posting anything new until the end of the first week of January.

If you were out during those last days, and you did not take the test, quiz or notebook quiz, your grade will look lower than normal.  Please make up the work as quickly as you can after the first of the year.

When we get back, you will get the Midterm Review packet.  Midterms are just around the corner, the week of January 16^th…so you should really start to review as early as you can…since the midterm exam is worth 10% of your TOTAL grade in the academic year.

See you in 2012!  Have a safe and happy holiday season.

December 3, 2011: It was great meeting with the parents who scheduled appointments for Parent/Teacher Conferences.  I hope that you are now updated on your child’s progress.  I also hope that you continue to be regular visitors to this website.

Updated grades have been posted.  We will have at least one major assessment and notebook grade between now and the Holiday Break.

Midterms are just around the corner, scheduled for January 19-24…and they are worth 10% of your final grade in June.  We have started a midterm review project, one that can bring their Notebook grade up (or down) depending on how much time they put into the weekly packets I hand out.  Students should also make sure to go back over past tests and quizzes to find out what was done wrong. 

Coach Darak