PowerSchoool Gradebook updated daily!

Couple items of note, with 1 week left before winter break.

1)  Currently, I am using an iPad as a classroom tool for the teacher.  The reason why I want to use it is for the powerteacher application which will allow me to update the gradebook while walking around the room.  Currently, I walk around the room with a sheet of paper and tally grades on that.  After about a week, I will mass update the gradebook, usually when there is an assessment given.  This has always been a cumbersome process, especially when someone is gone, and turns in late work.

I see the iOS application benefiting many people.  With timely updates (as in the minute I see the student's HW), the gradebook will reflect their scores (effort and completeness).  I will also be able to show if an assignment is missing, or when turned in was late.  This will allow anyone, parents, kids, or even case managers to see instantaneous updates which I feel can benefit all involved.  Without the application and the light wieght tech gadget, this process takes much more time.  Is it worth the price of the iPad, only time will tell.

2) 1 week to go before break.  All assignments are updated on the gradebook.  If you see any assignment missing or skipped, that means I don't have it and it will turn into a 0 by the end of the week.  Please turn them in.


Have a great week! 

Survey Monday

Geometry:  I know you do not have any assignment for Monday, but I am asking you to reflect on this past week and Monday, I will ask you to share your thoughts via a survey.  I am looking for feedback based on our week of online lessons.  Positives?  Negative?  How can I improve?  Do you feel that you learned the material better?  Did you perform better on your HW?  How was your overall performance this week compared to other weeks?  Did you like it?  Hate it?  Do you want more?  Less?

You have an opportunity to shape the direction of learning for the end of the 1st semester.  Look forward to hearing all of you.

Here is the link for your survey:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFotOEpRUm9mNndsQzF5Wl9HZGZGVHc6MQ

Wednesday & Thursday I will be attending SLATE

This week, we get to try something really cool.  I am attending a conference in the Wisconsin Dells about Technology in Education and we are going to get to try our lessons online, in class, while I am gone.

Algebra, you will have a quiz on Wednesday, and do an online lesson on Thursday.

Geometry, you will will be doing online learning both Wednesday and Thursday.  Make sure you check your answers from the previous HW, ask questions, and then get going on the next lesson.

When I get back on Friday, I would like to receive constructive feedback from all of you on what you have just done.  ENJOY!

Getting back into shape after break

Welcome back from our 5 day break.  Hopefully you feel a little rejuvenated, and are ready to give it your all for the next 3.5 weeks before our longer Winter Break.  I welcome the snow, because there is nothing worse (in my opinion) than a cold and rainy November/December.  Let's get skiing!!!

Algebra, your next assessment will be next week Wednesday.  Geometry, your next assessment will be Friday of this week.  It is longer than a quiz, and shorter than a test.

quiz < x < test


So let us call it a Quest.

Happy T-Day

I would like to wish you all a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving (hey no HW!). It is nice at this time of year to reflect on all of the things that you are thankful for.  I am thankful for a wonderful wife and mother of my 2 children- Sarah, for my 2 healthy kids Lyla and Aksel, and the community and school that I work for.

Happy T-Day!

Algebra 1 and Geometry notes due Thursday/Friday

We are finishing up chapter 4 in both Algebra 1 and Geometry this week and so your notes for chapter 4 are due the day of the test.  Please have them ready to grade.  Remember, if you were not here in class, you still need to get the notes from someone (or online).

As we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday, please check your powerschool grades for any incomplete lessons or assessments.

November is Career Month

As you are traveling the high school highway, it is always nice to keep your future in mind.  Recently, I saw a video on the nightly news about job outsourcing and I thought it would be great for all of you to see as you are preparing for a future in the workforce.

Algebra 1 notes & homework for section 4.2 (11-2-10)

Algebra Class:  Your notes & HW for section 4.2 are worksheets and are available online as PDFs.  If you were not in class, you can get these documents here:
http://mrhanson.pbworks.com/Algebra-Ch-4

Notebooks due this week!

Your notes that you take in class are due.  Please turn them in to me asap.  Remember, you receive 2 points per day for taking notes and doing the examples with the class.  If you are gone, you may get the notes and examples online through online video lessons.  You are still responsible for everything that we do in class even though you may not be there.  Boy, isn't the internet great!

End of Quarter

The end of the 1st Quarter is Wednesday.  Everything from chapters 1-3 will be included on Quarter 1's grade.  Please look at powerschool to see if you are missing anything.  You have until Friday before I will no longer accept assignments/quizzes/tests for credit.

I'm Back (:

After a 2 weeks off, where I was sick most of the time ):, I am back.  You online lessons will continue and I will be getting your grade book up to date by Thursday of this week.  If you have an immediate concern with your grade, you may stop by and I can work with you on that.  Lets keep putting in the time to be successful!

Last Week Off

There is one more week where I will be off for paternity leave.  I have already posted all of the lessons and videos for this week online.

Algebra:  You are starting Chapter 3.  Your videos can be found here:
http://mrhanson.pbworks.com/Algebra-Ch-3

Geometry:  You will be starting Chapter 3 after your test on Wednesday on Chapter 2.  Your new videos can be found here:
http://mrhanson.pbworks.com/Geometry-Ch-3

Remember to find the help that you need.  If you don't understand a concept, it makes no sense to keep that to yourself (and it certainly won't help your grade).  Please use the resources that are there for you.

Parent Teacher Conferences

I would like to thank all of the parents (and students) that came to parent teacher conferences!  Even though I wasn't feeling the best, I wanted to meet all of you because you are the most important person in your child's success in school.  Please continue to be positive role models for your kids and continue to have high expectations for them because their future success depends on it.

If you were not at parent conferences, and I have not had a chance to call and introduce myself, please know that I will be calling home again starting the week I return (Oct 18th).  As I stress everyday in class, as well as at conferences, my focus is at least 10 years from now for your kids.  What I mean by that is, I am here to help with your child's success and so I will do my best to help develop a great work ethic in your kids as well as a sense of what education is all about, so that when they meet ANY challenge, they have the tools and resources to meet it.

Parents, please contact me at any time via email or phone if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions so that we may make your child's education as successful as possible.

Paternity Leave

This is just a reminder that I am on Paternity leave from Oct 4th through Oct 15th.

You will have the same substitute for the 2 week time period.  During this time, if you need help with any of the concepts covered in class, it is your responsibility to ask someone, be it another math teacher, friend, or adult.  Please take the time before, after, or during school to get the help that you need.

I will continue to post online video lessons even though I am not there to teach you in person.  Please use these videos to supplement your learning during this 2 week period.

http://mrhanson.pbworks.com/Geometry-Ch-2
http://mrhanson.pbworks.com/Algebra-Ch-2

I will see you all in 2 weeks!

First Video Lessons

1st Video Lessons Available for the year

I have posted video lessons for Chapter 2 in Algebra 1 and Geometry. If you want to review what we did in class, or see some of the examples that we may have cut out because of time, please view your respective class sites and watch away!

Algebra1: http://mrhanson.pbworks.com/Algebra-Ch-2

Geometry: http://mrhanson.pbworks.com/Geometry-Ch-2

My Goal is to provide a video lesson online for each major lesson that we cover in class.

Mr H

Welcome to the 2010-2011 School Year

Hello everyone, and welcome to the new school year. My classes will be using this blog to keep up with weekly ideas and anything that is important on a daily basis. I hope that this can be useful for the students, parents, and community members as they get a glimpse as to what we are doing throughout the year.