Spring 2011 Class Overview

Spring Session 2011 Class Overview

The skill levels of students in the GED level math class vary. For this reason I will vary my instructional methods to fit the needs of various individuals. If several people need instruction on a certain subject, I will be presenting the material on the board and answering questions as they arise.

If you have questions that have not been answered to your satisfaction about the work I present on the board, I will try to help you individually or pair you up with someone in the class who has a good grasp of the subject and is willing to help you. If you know a subject well, explaining it to another student will not only help them, but it will also sharpen your own skills simply because you are having to organize your thoughts on the subject well enough to explain it to someone else.
I also encourage students to ‘brainstorm’ ideas on a subject in small groups. Usually there are few questions in the group that cannot be explained by at least one member of the group. It is also more fun to work in groups because it stimulates you to want to think and participate in the learning process.

There are several other sources available for students, including a Resource Center where you can read and check out instructional materials. The computer lab has several good math programs and access to the internet where there is a wealth of instructional material available. Ask me or/and Mr. Britt for the internet addresses to some of these sites.

I also have a math blog with explanations on nearly all of the math subjects you encounter on the GED. This blog also includes worksheets on many math subjects, as well as a solution page for the worksheets that explain how the problems are solved. You can ask questions or make comments after any page in the blog, and I will answer any questions as soon as possible. You will not immediately see your comment or question on my blog because I unfortunately have to moderate this process to keep less than reputable services from advertising on my site. As soon as I read a comment or question and see that it is a student and not an escort service, I will allow it to be posted on my blog. I also have an e-mail address for students to ask questions, make comments, or advise me that you will be absent from several classes due to unforeseen circumstances. If you know that you are going to miss 3 classes in a row or more than 5 classes during a 10 week session, please advise me or the office of the reason for your absence so you will not be dropped from our classes.
I encourage you to make it to as many classes as possible. I realize that as adult learners, you may have obligations that are necessary or more important than attending class on a particular day. During a 10 week session, we have at most about 30 hours of instructional time for math and 30 hours for Reading and Language Arts. (The Science and Social Studies sections of the GED are mainly reading skills and will be covered in that class.) The class you miss may be the class I taught and answered questions for 90 minutes on the subject that you are having the most problems understanding.

I am looking forward to our Spring Session. Please do not hesitate to ask questions or give me feedback on whether I am helping you hindering your learning process. I am open to any suggestions as to how I can modify or completely change my instructional style to best fit your learning style. Also, I will occasionally make a careless error like copying a problem down wrong. When I do, please correct me…I will be duly impressed that you are paying attention, and the only person I will be upset with is myself.

Do you know how to do calculations on the Casio fx260 solar calculator? Yes….No If you do not own this particular calculator, (The only calculator allowed on the Problem Solving section of the GED) I would strongly urge you to get one and get familiar with its use before testing…You are only given a brief explanation of how to use the calculator before taking the test…You have a better chance of scoring higher on the test if you are already familiar with this calculator’s functions. I will be describing the keyboard functions and demonstrating how to use this calculator during our class…Having your own calculator and practicing how to use it before the day of taking the GED will increase your confidence and decrease your anxiety. It can be purchased at almost any discount dept. store, office supply stores, and here at the GED center for about $10, and you never have to worry about buying batteries….all you need is light to power the solar batteries.