Tomas Morrissey - Sat Dec 6 11:18:01 2008

So my first semester of teaching is coming to a close, and as I look back I realize that hindsight truly is 20/20.  Overall, I am mildly pleased with how the semester went, although come January I need to make some tweaks and will take advantage of the break to facilitate said changes.  Mostly, I need to alter my Transitions to Algebra class.  So, a short list of changes that be made:

    1.    The class is rather boring.  I like teaching Algebra II because it is stimulating material,
        but I get bored with transitions because it is so basic.  Perhaps I will incorporate more
        games and such into the class.

    2.    I need to do more vocabulary work.  So far I have focused on just the numbers and let
        the terms slide by the wayside, but I have a fear that my kids be underprepared in terms
        of math vocabulary if I do not make some changes.

    3.    I need a more organized grading system.  Luckily, I think I already know how to solve
        this and it involves lots of folders.

Overall though, I have really enjoyed teaching Algebra II over the course of the first term.  Although I often become frustrated with some incompetence in Transitions to Algebra, I think the first term has been satisfactory, I just need the second half of the year to be better, and I will be happy with the class as a whole.