Ruiz, Amberly (Math: Math Specialist, Pre-Algebra)

Description:

Basic Information

In this course tab, you will find important information pertaining to Pre-Algebra, such as: note-taking guides, lesson PowerPoints, activities, homework, the class calendar, online math resources, and help in accessing the online textbook. If a student is absent, or an absence is scheduled, please refer to the calendar so the student can catch up on the missed material.

The purpose of Pre-Algebra is to prepare a student for success in Algebra 1 and then transition to upper-level Math. Without a good foundation in Pre-Algebra, a student may suffer academically for the remaining years that they take upper-level math courses. Pre-Algebra is everything about numbers that fall between the basic four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division), Algebra, basic life Math skills, probability and strategy, and some Geometry. It includes the study of the number system, decimals, fractions, and integers among others. Skills developed in Pre-Algebra help students develop their own sense of critical thinking, good analytical skills, basic math skills useful in life, as well as algebraic skills. Having a good sense of these skills will be helpful as students move forward in their future math courses, educational careers, and enter the working field. Pre-Algebra concepts come in handy even in real life – it helps in calculating bills, shopping, and other such routine tasks.

H.E.L.P.

H.E.L.P. is an after-school work session where students are expected to complete work that may not be available during their ILS period, or as a result of consecutive missing assignments. Students will be reminded of missing assignments. If a student has not made up a missing assignment or has consecutive missing assignments, they will be assigned to H.E.L.P.  The schedule of the H.E.L.P. sessions will be posted below once the information is available.

Student Supply List

For Student Personal Use:

-Pencils (if mechanical, lead refills)

-Erasers

-Pens (any color other than black)

-Lined Paper

-3 ring Binder

-Binder Organization Tabs

-Notebook

-Pocket Hand Sanitizer (if student wishes to have a personal supply rather than sharing from class supply)

-Pocket Tissue Pack (if student wishes to have a personal supply rather than sharing from class supply)

-Calculator (a simple calculator or a scientific calculator will be just fine; however, please note students will be encouraged to do calculations without a calculator as it will help strengthen their mental math abilities)

For the classroom:

-EXPO Markers (if you are able)

-Tissues (if you are able)

-Hand Sanitizer (if you can find some)

-Sanitizing Wipes (if you can find some)

Google Calendar:

Description:

As the on-campus math tutor, I am available to work with students during their ILS period. I remain in constant communication with fellow math teachers to ensure we can provide additional support services outside of the scheduled math class. With possible arisen concerns regarding a student’s math performance, a math teacher will speak with me. Upon reaching out to the individual student in concern, I will dismiss the student from their study hall period and hold a math session – this time is usually done to go over the material being taught in class, homework, or work on areas where the student needs the most help in. Although I am provided the names of students directly from teachers, a student may reach out to me on their own if they feel like they could benefit from additional math help that their teacher may not have observed.

As a way to provide individualized remediation for students, I prefer to provide one-on-one support. However, there are some occasions where it is best to hold a math session of more than one student (such as a review for an upcoming test). Generally, students are scheduled for math sessions weekly and will be notified about their upcoming tutoring session a day or two prior during their ILS period. Students are welcomed to reach out to me during their study hall if they wish to receive help during that specific time; however, as students are pre-scheduled, I might not be able to work with them during their desired time. For the majority of tutoring periods, we will meet in Room 108 which is located on the first floor in Old Main. When we plan to meet, please do not plan to work on other assignments during that study hall period as we will solely be working on math. To make the most of our math session, please come with questions, homework, and/or assignments needing to be completed. If students wish to schedule a time, they may email me or locate me around campus and ask for a tutoring session.

Please note that in addition to being the Math Specialist, I am also one of the Pre-Algebra teachers and a 6th grade ILS teacher. With that said, I am only available to tutor during ILS periods 2, 3, 5, and 6. Although the listed periods are designated specifically for tutoring, I will be available to tutor, by appointment only, during my Period 4 6th grade ILS period.

Description:

ILS stands for Integrated Learning Strategies. This period is designed to give students time to complete academic work assigned in other classes. I, as the teacher, will provide students with additional academic assistance, academic monitoring, and organizational support. An ILS is the first intervention towards supporting student success and providing the necessary assistance in order to ensure students are not only achieving but exceeding student learning expectations. This period is designed to help keep students on track with their academic success and workload.

Classroom Expectations

• Maintain a quiet, library-like environment


• Use this time wisely


• Actively use and refer to agendas


• Complete assignments from other courses


• Students are expected to keep track of their own daily assignments. Students who have any missing assignments will be expected to work on the listed missing assignment(s) during the class period – missing assignments, unless otherwise noted by the assigning teacher, have higher priority than those recently assigned.

After-School Sessions

After school, the 6th-grade teachers offer in-classroom help – whether that be an extra study hall, time to make up missing assignments, or review for an upcoming test. The schedule of these sessions will be posted below for your reference.