Courtyard Transformation

Check out the most recent pics of the courtyard!

Staying Sharp this Summer

Stay sharp this summer in your math skills.
Go to the Summer Resources tab on our 8th Grade Online Textbook.

Play the games.
Review the skills.
Lots of good stuff!!!

Recipe for Success

Jaime Escalante, a famous math teacher from the Los Angeles area, has inspired many students through his years of teaching AP Calculus.  The movie, Stand and Deliver, was based on his story.

In 1995, I had the opportunity to hear him speak at McPherson College.
I still have my notes.
And what he had to say still applies today.

To be successful...

1.  One must follow this simple formula.

          Determination
          + Discipline
          + Hard work
         The Way to Success

Do you have the determination, the discipline, and the hard work to help you be successful in math next year?

2.  One must have the ganas...the desire, the willingness to sacrifice.

Are you willing to sacrifice something you like to do...say video games, talking on the phone...to do your homework so you can succeed in Algebra next year?  


3.  Don't be afraid to make mistakes...instead learn from them!

Will you pay attention to the mistakes you make so you can learn from them and move forward?

4.  Education is the ticket to success.

What are your plans for your education?  Do you see yourself going to a vo-tech school?  Juco?  A four year college or university?  Is a masters out there somewhere for you?

5.  You must give 100%.

Get in the habit of giving 100% in everything you do...whether it's your math homework, cleaning the bathroom at home, practicing your band instrument, helping out a friend, etc.   People will notice.  And when people notice that you will 100% in whatever you do, opportunities will come your way.

Do you give 100% or just enough to get by?

6.  Practice is the key to success.

Everyone must start somewhere.  You only get better at something when you practice.  Math problems always look easy when the teacher does it.  Why?  They have had LOTS of practice!  Homework is there to help you practice and to ultimately be successful!

When will you practice?  Right after school?  After sports?  First thing in the morning?

7.  The more you ask, the more you learn.

If you've had a little sibling, you know what I'm talking about.  They ask questions all the time!  How does this work?  What will happen if...?  Where is this?  Why?  Why?  Why?  Why??????  For some reason when we grow up, some of us stop asking questions.  Keep the curiosity going.  You will be amazed at what you can learn?

Do you ask questions in class?  

8.  You can't be afraid of numbers.

What numbers give you the heebie-jeebies?  Why?

You will be using numbers every day for the rest of your life.  And life doesn't dole out nice, neat, whole numbers.  Fractions are a part of everyday living.

9.  Know your options.  You have two choices in every situation.  You can move forward or you can give up.  Mr. Escalante's advice is to never, ever choose the second option.  Never give up.  

Have you ever said, "I can't do this?"  If so, you've chosen option 2.  Take up the challenge next year to not say the word, "can't" to keep the road open so you can keep moving!

10.  Remember that school is preparing you for life.  

Learn from your teachers.  Not only the subject matter they are teaching, but those life lessons that are woven into every lesson.

Responsibility 

Working with others  

Communication 

Respecting Others

Positive Attitudes

Interjecting Fun 

Helping Others

Slope Video

Teacher Appreciation

This week is teacher appreciation week.

I was asked just the other night,

"If you had it to do all over again, would you be a math teacher?"

Without hesitation, I answered with a strong, "Yep!  Math is my passion!"

Even after 17 years in this awesome profession,

I still haven't forgotten the teachers that got me to this point.

Mrs. Loewen and Mrs. Goossen (Kindergarten & 1st grade):  Learning can be fun, especially if there are projects involved.  I still remember the jello box puppets for each letter and the owl notepad gift we made out of a carpet remnant for our mothers.

Mrs. Linscheid (2nd grade):  Perseverance...school might be hard, but you must keep going.  

Miss Popp (Reading Specialist):  To excel.  Find something you're good at, and keep going with it.  At the age of 7, it was reading.

Mr. Schrag (3rd grade):  He was the first to show me that I had strengths in math.  I never did get to tell him that his belief in me, and all those hours after school studying for math contest, ended up with me in a math classroom.  I'm sure he had no idea of the direction I was headed at the time, but that's what teachers do...they push all students in all directions keeping a world of options at their fingertips.  

Mrs. Duerksen (5th grade):  Handwriting is essential.  I won a contest for retaining the essential components of cursive writing from when we learned it in 2nd grade(?).

Mr. Schmidt (6th grade):  If you're going to do something, do it right the first time.  He was a stickler for lining up your writing with the margins of your page.  :)

Mrs. Hiebert (8th grade):  You can learn outside the classroom walls.  The History Day project was a highlight...we looked at the construction of the Marion Reservoir, even interviewing a gentleman who had to move his farm.

Mrs. Schroeder (High School English):  Write, write, write.  Read, Read, Read.  Two very important lifelong skills. 

Mr. Toews (High School Band):  Follow your dream.  Achieve what you don't think is possible.  Mr. Toews had a way of getting more out of each student they ever imagined.

My Students:  We all learn differently...and different is good!  Each and every day I learn from you as well!  I learn how you see the math in your head.    You teach me new technology skills.  You share your dreams with me...allowing me to help you on your journey.  You bring energy and life to the classroom.  Thank you for being my students!