Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
- What is the number one indicator that can predict success in your math class?
- I missed several classes last week and my (homework, etc) grades dropped? Why?
- Can you give me an example of Question 2?
- My child has come home telling me about a daily dice roll. What's going on?
- Can Homework be made up and counted for the homework grade?
- When should my child come for extra help?
- How can I help my child improve their math grade?
- Why doesn't my child do well on math tests?
- I am having trouble viewing pages from my online textbook. What should I do?
What is the number one indicator that can predict success in your math class?
Homework, Homework, Homework. Really, on time homework. About 30% of each student's entire
grade is made up of homework, 20% directly and 10% indirectly from the grading of the notebook.
Students who do homework on time not only get better grades for their homework, but they are
better prepared for the assessments. Also, homework is one of the top predictors for success in
college (Click on College Success? on the the left for more details)
I missed several classes last week and my (homework, etc) grades dropped? Why?
As soon as an assignment is graded for the entire class (test, quiz, homework, etc), it is
immediately counted in the overall calculation. That means that the point amount for the
assessment is added directly into the denominator of everyone's grade, including students who
were missing.
This will show a temporary artificially lower grade for that student UNTIL THE WORK IS MADE UP.
If the person had an excused absense, there is no penalty. But if a person was unexcused or their
work is late, they will not get full credit for the made up work.
Can you give me an example of Question 2?
Let's assume we have given out 3 notebook quizzes worth 25 points each. Mary got a perfect
score on all of them...therefore she has gotten 75 out of a possible 75 points, for a 100%. But
Mary was sick on Friday when we gave another notebook quiz worth 25 points. I graded the rest
of the class on Friday and submitted the new grades to the website on Sunday. Mary's percentage
for notebooks would be artificially and temporarily lowered to 75%, since the 25 points was added
to the denominator, and she has not gotten any credit in the numerator UNTIL SHE MAKES UP THE
QUIZ.
After she makes it up and it is graded, her points will be added to the numerator. Let's say she
got another perfect score. Her grade will be 100% when the grades are next updated to the
website.
My child has come home telling me about a daily dice roll. What's going on?
Probability is one of the mathematical topics we see in the real world every day. What is the
likelihood it is going to rain? Do I buy a LOTTO ticket at the store today? If I ask Amy out on a
date, what is the probability that she will say yes?
I incorporate probability into my classroom every day. Because of that, even I don't know exactly
what we will be doing every day. In the beginning of each class, a student rolls two dice on our
overhead machine. Based on the outcome, that is what we will do to start off the class.
It may be grade the homework for a single grade (5 points), a double grade (10 points) or a triple
grade (15 points). It may be to take a homework or notebook quiz. All of these 'outcomes' are to
encourage the students to keep up with their work.
There are other positive outcomes, including 'Extra Credit Coupon' Day, where students, based on
their positive contribution to the class that day, can earn an extra credit point that they can put
towards any future test or quiz.
Can Homework be made up and counted for the homework grade?
If you were absent on the day homework was assigned or the day it was graded, you will have a
grace period for up to 5 school days where you can earn 100% of the grade. If you were not prepared
on the day homework was graded, you can hand it in within 5 school days to earn up to 50% of the
grade, except for Homework All or Nuttin. It would be wise to make up that work for the Notebook
Grade at the end of each unit.
When should my child come for extra help?
I'll start off by answering the reverse question. Your child should NOT come for extra help right
before the day of the exam. First off, if they do, they will be with probably 15 other students
(usually more than one class will have a test on the same day) who waited until the last minute
hoping for same miracle. Second, it is very tough to teach two weeks worth of material in less
than one hour.
So, when should your child come for extra help? If they reviewed the notes for the topic, tried
the homework, asked questions on the homework the next class and STILL do not understand the
material, they should come at the next earliest day that there is extra help.
How can I help my child improve their math grade?
By checking this website regularly. First, check their current grade and write down what their
percentage is for homework, notebook and tests & quizzes. Update those numbers each week to
see what is improving and what is not. Second, check the assigned homework for the unit. Ask
to SEE the completed work (they will tell you that they did it in school. If they are not doing well
with their homework component of their grade....they are lying to you) Third, look at the
Objectives for the unit (also is the homework tab) and see when the quiz (if there is one in the
chapter) and the test are scheduled for...and remind your child to start preparing for the exam as
soon as the unit is started.
Why doesn't my child do well on math tests?
There can be several reasons, but before we go into those, we heavily suggest that you go into
the Parent Portal and look for the item titled: "How should my child study for a math test?"
Here are the key reasons students do not do well on math tests: 1) Homework: A combination
of....they don't do it, spend enough time on it or review it before the test. 2) Quality Study Time:
Teenagers are studying in front of the TV or listening to their Ipod or are texting their friends
during the time that they say they are studying. 3) Reading: Many students rush through the test
so quickly that they do not read the question completely and thoroughly. Sometimes they even
answer a question that was not asked. Many times they only read the question one time and
don't understand what is being asked. If they read it a second or third time, they would have a
better chance at getting the problem correct. 4) Test anxiety: Internal pressure, pressure from
parents, pressure from teachers can all add up to a bad case of test anxiety.
I am having trouble viewing pages from my online textbook. What should I do?
If you are having problems viewing pages from the internet, here are a few things you can try:
1) Try hitting your REFRESH key.
2) X out of any pop up box and try clicking on it again.
3) Go to the bottom of the previous page and hit EXERCISE button to see problems.