Ms. Z : 2013

This post doesn't really fit into any of the MTBoS explorations this go round, maybe what makes my classroom uniquely mine round 2. First off, I made the best smoothie of my green smoothie life, cures whatever ails you and

MtBoS:What Makes My Classroom Uniquely Amy-ish

CCSS, Geometry, Good Ideas, MathTwitterBlogoSphere

5 Comments

Ha! I am one of those veteran teachers that Sam Shah was referring to when he said, If you feel like you aren’t awesome at teaching, welcome to the club. If you feel constantly like everything else you see out

The CCSS Mindset

CCSS, Geometry, Math Practices

4 Comments

I just inherited two sections of Geometry. I mean, called in Tuesday, start teaching Wednesday. Yeah, so trying to figure what the kids know and don't know starting on day 10 of their 95 minute block schedules. There is so

Noticing and Wonder in High School (Algebra 2)

Algebra 2, Math Practices, Systems of Linear Equations

3 Comments

Ack! I didn' save one image! However, don't stop reading, okay, you can if you want... Systems of Linear Equations is a review for Algebra 2 students, and I hope, now that the students ARE Algebra 2 students, they will

Constructing Viable Arguments and NOT Critiquing The Reasoning of Others, Yet

Algebra 2, CCSS, INB, Math Practices

5 Comments

I am still so catching the teachable moments. I am happy and annoyed that the CCSS chatter won't shut up in my head every minute of my teaching day. I know I can do better. I need to get the

First Day Conversation Stall...

Algebra 2, CCSS, MathTwitterBlogoSphere

My first day bell ringer for Algebra 2 came from Fawn Nyugen's lovely site, http://www.visualpatterns.org/: (Her's looks WAY more professional): I gave the students quiet time. Then opened the conversation to the entire class: I was a bit flummoxed when no

A Beautiful 2013-2014

CCSS, Philosophy

We are out here rocking the Blogosphere! Just because I am teaching Advanced Algebra this year, doesn't mean I am going ignore my MS peeps. Love you Guys/Gals! Linking up with Julie Reulbach for Sunday Funday Goals and Changes for

First Day HS Activities Linky Party

Good Ideas, MathTwitterBlogoSphere

I am linking up with Carol at Real and irrational who is inviting High School Teachers to add to her First Day Activities for High School Math Teachers. ( This is really kicking my butt to remember all the years! I have

Blog Update to Help YOU Find What You Need

Algebra, Community, Food, Games, Middle School

My amazing and talented friend, Carolyn, sat with me yesterday and showed me a thing or two around Blogger. The results are twofold: For you, the dear reader, Labels! Woot! (This is the least I can do to match the

Global Math Deprtment and the MathTwitterBlogosphere

Connecting, MathTwitterBlogoSphere, Philosophy

4 Comments

I have been on vacation. Phew. Much needed. I was delighted to see two new posts in my feeder, One from Kate at f(t) and one from Approximately Normal. I missed the Global Math Department meeting because I wasn't aware of

Please Check Out Andrew's (Divisible by 3) Video

CCSS, Professional Development

and leave him some comments. If you haven't really been privy to the differences between CST and Common Core, Andrew has put together the most illuminating video over at Divisible by 3. It is short and sweet and oh so

Inductive Reasoning With a TWIST and a Job Interview

Geometry, Logic

I just had a job interview at a lovely independent school in Northern California. I have watched this school grow up for 14 or 15 years and have been such a die-hard public school wonk, it took me a long

Summer Fun--Linky Party

Games, Geometry, Logic, Middle School

3 Comments

Okay, so I don't know how to do a linky party, but I got this idea from Sarah at Math = Love: She is showing off all her thrifted toys that will make something come alive in the math classroom.

Why Math is Important

Aha Moments, Humor

This post is inspired by my blogging buddy Christopher at Overthinking my teaching: 18 year old daughter going off to University in Washington D.C. this fall: SB: MOM! Is this a 9 x 13 pan? (check pan on top of

Under Construction: Sherman Alexie Is My Hero

Living, Philosophy

Inspired by Sherman Alexie's Indian Education A Teacher's Education 1st Year Bright-eyed and Bam-Bam-esque, I broke up a girl fight in the hallway on the second day of school. Hair flying, brown skin under long fingernails...over a

Another Boring, and Honestly I Don't Know How Important: Extra Credit

Classroom Management, Philosophy, Professional Development

2 Comments

Ach: Extra Credit... Every other kid is coming in at the end of the year asking for "extra credit." I have sometimes, sparingly, throughout the year offered extra credit: --Extra Credit using Desmos. Create a face using a parabola, a

A Small Win

Aha Moments, Algebra 1, CCSS

7th Block...yeah you read that correctly...block...put 28 mostly 9th grade Algebra 1 students in a basement room after three 95 minute block classes, lunch, and no air conditioning and you get...my favorite class of the day! We started with the

Boring, and I Honestly Don't Know How Important...Student Planners

Classroom Management, Philosophy

5 Comments

Student Hand-out Exhibit A This post isn't about the value of the planning, as much as it is about how much do the students need in advance...please continue... One of my earliest colleagues, had two jobs. One at the high

Happy Mother's Day to EVERY Teacher

Humor

2 Comments

Every teacher, man and woman, play a nurturing role in the lives of their students. I am thinking of everyone of you today, with deep gratitude. Thanks for fighting the good fight. Amy

Never Underestimate the Power of a Good Story

Aha Moments, Algebra 1, CCSS, Philosophy

3 Comments

My Student, A, is a nice kid. This doesn't say all there is to say about A, but it says a lot: He mostly pays attention...he is a bit of a clueless wonder in Algebra, although his arithmetic skills are

All The Little Victories

Aha Moments

1. Ross, a student with an IEP, Grade 10, repeating Algebra, making a little more progress than last year. Very quiet. Students are in Part 1 of a Diagnostic Teaching Lesson ALA Phil Daro. The problem is "What is the

White Woman Needs Education!

Community, Philosophy, Professional Development

2 Comments

I sent this letter this morning to Dr. Ivory Toldson, Howard University. (Paper grading be damned!) Dear Doctor Toldson, I was glued to listening to your interview with Michel Martin regarding black male representation in prestigious universities. It made me

Jumping in With a Tweak

Algebra 1, CCSS

I am noticing all the very cool, thoughtful questions being thrown down on our blogs, so I thought I would add in and see what the next steps would be: Okay, not sexy, but a little stretch for the test.

Kids Say the Darnedest Things

Classroom Management, Humor