2009 off to a busy start!

Wow!  I can hardly believe it is the middle of January 2009!  Time is going by so quickly!  The students are learning and progressing in amazing ways.  I just love my job!

All of the tracks have now had instruction on integers and have either started or will be starting to work with fractions soon.  Some students will "get it" sooner than others.  Please encourage your child during this time.  

For students who are quick to understand these concepts, there may be more down time than they are used to.  For students who will struggle, it is easy to become frustrated.  PLEASE don't let your child think that they are dumb if integers or fractions are difficult for them.  We are starting to leave the concrete world of elementary mathematics to move into the more abstract world of pre-algebra and it requires a HUGE AND SIGNIFICANT change in ones' thinking.

Just like we all finally learned to tie our shoes, we'll all get through this!  The biggest key is to stay positive so that our brains are opening to learning.  :)

I have posted a link (on the right hand side of the blog) for a number line activity that uses positive and negative numbers.  I will also be teaching a game in class that students can play at home.  Maybe they'll even teach YOU something.  ;)