Looking Ahead

Well, the end of the year has finally come. There is something beautiful about the end of the year. It can be a sweet sigh of relief. It can also be a sad time. It can be a time of reflection and a time for looking ahead. Personally I am looking ahead!

I am looking ahead because of my students. As they finish strong, not letting a moment go by without asking a question or making sure they understand something, I think about why they are finishing strong and it causes me to look ahead.

For some of them finishing strong means being done with math in their high school career. I am so proud of them and yet will miss them next year.

For others finishing strong means preparing to move on to another math class next year and that thrills me. I am secretly already planning how much more they will grow next year.

The best moment of looking ahead came today as I handed out my summer homework for my AP Calculus class. Their reactions surprised me. They look tired from studying all weekend and yet they accepted it with grace and anticipation. There was no groaning. They all looked like they were prepared for the challenge and ready to go. I confessed to one student that I was looking forward to next year. He answered me with a big grin on his face, “me too.” J

Dear God,

As I spend this time looking ahead, I pray that you would go ahead of me, my students, and my coworkers. Prepare the way for us next year. Prepare our hearts for the growth that is to come. Give us Your peace this summer as we rest. Thank You for a wonderful year of joy and hard work.

I pray for my students as they spend their summers not only relaxing but preparing for college applications and AP classes. I pray that they get to enjoy and have quality time with friends, family, and most importantly You. Draw them close to You Lord.

I pray for my coworkers as they go off in different directions. I pray that you would fill them up. Refresh them with Your gracious spirit. Fill them with dreams and an excitement for another year.

Thank You for all that You have done. Thank You for all that You will do.

All praise, honor, and glory be to You forever and ever. Amen

End of the Year Portfolio

Well as my first year at UCA is wrapping up I am getting really excited for next year, for a few reasons and I’d love to share those reasons with you!

1)      Today my pre-calculus and algebra 2 students are turning in their “End of the Year Portfolios”. I’ve gotten to see a few sneak peeks throughout the week and let me tell you, they look awesome!! Each student was required to put together a portfolio that showcased what we learned this year. This included vocabulary (ex sinusoidal, asymptotes, bounded) key equations (ex alog(x-h)+k) example problems that they created, graphing, and word problems. The reason this gets me so excited for next year is because next year as we begin to learn new stuff I can have them refer back to their portfolios to recall how to do a certain skill. I want this portfolio to be something that they can show off and be a physical representation of their year of math.

2)      I am excited for the iPads next year. Some of my students are already using them in my class either to take notes, do homework, as a white board, or even for their portfolio. What I am most excited about is all the learning opportunities. With an iPad each student holds the world in their hands (thank you internet). I have spent this year teaching my students how to use a graphing calculator reminding them all the time that I want them to use the calculator not the calculator using them. I feel the same way about the iPad. Our world is being run by technology and by giving the future access to technology we are giving them a “leg up” when they do leave academia and enter the real world. They will be the forerunners in this world of technology.

3)      The third reason I am excited for next year is my plan to help them be the forerunners. I am going to introduce computer programming. I have already started with my AP Calculus students and it really well. The biggest success story though is with one of my Pre-Calculus students. I knew he was interested in creating video games but had not spent any time with computer programming. So last Friday I gave him a sticky note with a beginner coding website on it. (code.org) On Monday he walked into class and asked me if he could use computer programming to create is portfolio. Umm YES!!!!!!! Wow. I thought he might like it but it turned out he LOVED it. In order to get to the place where he was able to create a computer program meant he must have spent all weekend learning about it. How amazing. He is now using his computer rather than the computer using him. He is in the driver seat now. That is my dream for each of my students.

4)      Last but not least the reason I am looking forward to next year is the students. I have been in the classroom environment since I graduated from college three and half years ago but never have I been in a position to have the same students again. To watch them grow, to encourage them in their math adventures, to learn more about how amazing they are, what a blessing. I am also sad that there are students I won’t have again next year because they are graduating, or moving on, or have completed their math requirements. But to be in a place where my students know where to find me. It makes the end of the year much easier, the goodbyes are just “see ya later!” I am so blessed to be at UCA.