Just the Facts. A T M S M a t h N e w s l e t t e r I s B o r n! TMS Needs Math VOLUNTEERS!

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Abigail Warner
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1 Volume 1, Issue Just the Facts S P E C I A L P O I N T S O F I N T E R E S T : Meet the TMS Math Team Math quotes Math Events Math Websites Regrouping for success Math SMI Volunteers Needed! I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : Meet the 6th grade team 2 Meet the 7th grade team 2 Meet the 8th grade team 2 What is the SMI? 3 D E C E M B E R A T M S M a t h N e w s l e t t e r I s B o r n! The current word is that the math SOLs are the most difficult to pass. Is that true? Depending on who you ask, you will receive many answers to that question. Math SOLs certainly have gained more rigor over the last few years. The TMS Math Staff is introducing Just the Facts a monthly math newsletter to keep parents in the Math Loop. Just the Facts will be sent to parents via and mailed to parents who do not currently have computer access. Just the Facts will bring parents information on the latest math news, a monthly look at instruction, and information on our efforts to improve math instruction and math literacy. In this edition you will meet the Thornburg Middle School math team and learn about math instruction at TMS. Math..an essential skill! Just the Facts will also be available on the TMS website. TMS Needs Math VOLUNTEERS! Call EXT:6611 Or scoleman@spotsylvania. k12.va.us T e a m t e a c h e r s r e g r o u p f o r s u c c e s s! Chromebooks and IPADS Teachers on all three grade levels are regrouping students to focus on student weaknesses and strengths. Teachers look at the results of CFAs or Common Formative Assessments to determine if a student needs additional support to master a skill or a challenge. Common Formative Assessments are tests based on the VA Department of Education curriculum frameworks per grade level. Teachers create these assessments by grade level with their building or county colleagues.

3 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4 A T M S M a t h N e w s l e t t e r I s B o r n! The current word is that the math SOLs are the most difficult to pass. Is that true?

2 P a g e 2 J u s t t h e F a c t s Ms. Bobbi Shields has been a lead math teacher at TMS for 15 years. She specializes in working with students who have learning disabilities and difficulty in math. Ms. Shields graduated from Mary Washington College. She is currently teaching Math 6, Inclusion Math 6, and Math 180. The human mind has never invented a laborsaving machine equal to algebra. ~Author Unknown T h e T M S M a t h t e a m 6 t h G r a d e m a k e s m a t h f u n! Ms. Mollie Pautz. joins the TMS staff from Buffalo, NY. Ms Pautz also specializes in working with students who have learning disabilities and difficulty in math. Ms. Pautz teaches Inclusion Math 6 and Math 6. Mrs. Ann Toner has been a lead teacher in math for over 30 years I graduated from Longwood University and I have taught math for over 30 years in Spotsylvania County. I teach math because I want to inspire, motivate and Mrs. Sharon Holcombe joins the sixth grade math team this year after serving as the TMS Algebra Readiness teacher. Mrs. Holcombe is skilled at making math relevant to her students. Mrs. Holcombe teaches Math I and math 6. 7 t h G r a d e M a t h t e a m Y e a r s o f e x p e r i e n c e create successful problem-solving skills in my students. I want students to leave my class realizing the important role mathematics will play in their lives. Ms. Megan Sheeler, TMS Math Department Head, is currently teaching Math 7, Math 180, The sixth grade math team is looking forward to a successful year. MSII, and Algebra 1. Ms. Sheeler graduated from and is completing her Math Specialist Degree at the University of Virginia. The 7th grade Math Team is looking forward to a spectacular school year. The 8th grade Math team is composed of Ms. Kathy Douglas and Ms. Kelsey Randall. Ms. Douglas has been a major factor in educating students at TMS for the last 17 years. She graduated from Mary Washington College. 8 t h G r a d e m a t h t e a m This school year Ms. Douglas will be working with Math 8 and Geometry students. Ms. Randall is new to the 8th grade team. She will be teaching Math 8 and Algebra 1. I love teaching because I love working with children. Math is a subject that most students struggle with and I enjoy working through problems with students until they can finally reach that "ah-ha" moment and are able to complete problems without my help. The 8th grade math team is looking forward to a productive school year.

~Author Unknown T h e T M S M a t h t e a m 6 t h G r a d e m a k e s m a t h f u n! Ms. Mollie Pautz. joins the TMS staff from Buffalo, NY.

3 V o l u m e 1, I s s u e 1 P a g e 3 Math Acronyms SMI Scholastic Math Inventory CFA Common Formative Assessment Math Conversations Ask you student. What is your math quantile? What are you learning in math? I p a d s a n d c h r o m e b o o k s How do students learn in 2014? The TMS math staff has been utilizing IPADs and Chromebooks as teaching tools in the classroom. Students respond to the technology and are engaged in learning. Both devices are used to take Common Formative Assessments (CFAs). Students and teachers receive immediate results. Teachers can then offer math APPS to remediate, reinforce skills, and to expand knowledge. Here are other ways that classroom devices are used: Algebra tiles APPstudents model equations with tiles to show their understanding Video links students can go to math links to view lessons on previously taught concepts/skills Games-students can compete and challenge themselves with math quests Station teaching devices are pre-set on specific math concepts/skills as part of a rotation through various classroom activities IPADS and Chromebooks are a vital part of student preparation to be career and college ready. Upcoming Math Events PI Day March 14th Celebrated the week of 3/9/15 Parent/Teacher Conferences 2/5, & 4/23 Math Nights-TBD W h a t i s t h e s m i? W h a t d o e s i t t e l l y o u? y o u The Scholastic Math Inventory or SMI is given to all middle school students three times yearly. The SMI uses adaptive technology to determine students readiness for math instruction and tracks growth toward algebra and college and career readiness. The SMI uses a Quantile Framework to identify student strengths and weaknesses. Online tools plan targeted instruction and intervention areas for students. SMI test results assist teachers with instruction.

Students respond to the technology and are engaged in learning. Both devices are used to take Common Formative Assessments (CFAs). Students and teachers receive immediate results.

4 TMS Math Department Free Math Websites H O W T O C O N T A C T T H E M A T H T E A M Thornburg Middle School 6929 N Roxbury Mill Road Spotsylvania, VA Each teacher can be contacted daily through or by phone. Khan Academy A+Math AAA Math Drag-able Math V o l u n t e e r s n e e d e d Are you a math lover? Do you have a few hours that you can devote to tutoring a math student or working in a classroom. Then please contact Sue Coleman, Instructional Coordinator at EXT: What are grade levels working on in December and January? Math 6 topics Fractions, decimals, and percents Single and multi step problems using decimals Math 7 topics 1 and 2 step equations Word problems Powers of 10 Scientific notation Math 8 topics Proportions Tax Tips Mark-ups Interest problems Check books

Do you have a few hours that you can devote to tutoring a math student or working in a classroom. Then please contact Sue Coleman, Instructional Coordinator at 540-582-7600 EXT: 6611.

Student Perceptions On Computer Coding Ashfield Public School Term 3, 2015. The Initiative. The survey

Student Perceptions On Computer Coding Ashfield Public School Term 3, 2015 The Initiative 21 st Century education is about innovation. It is about a being open to new ideas and new educational trends that