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.