Wow, I can’t believe how fast this semester is going.  Just 15 more school days until Christmas.  I want to encourage all Algebra 2 students to stay focused.  Remember Education is not received but achieved.  Keep doing your work and it will pay off.

A short week.  Monday we will finish up chapter 4 and take our test.  Tuesday we will begin quadratic functions in Chapter 5.

I pray everyone has a great Thanksgiving.  Enjoy time with you families!!!!!!!

In Algebra 2 we are studying matrices.  Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and finding determinants of matrices.  I am sooooo proud of my students. They all did extremely well on their quiz today!!! Good job students.  Just remember practice makes perfect and if you will do your homework, you will reap the benefits on tests. Expand your craniums!!!

The holiday season is upon us.  I am so thankful for so many things.   Today I am thankful to see progress my students are making.  Keep up the good work.

I can’t believe October is over.  Wow, this month flew by.  This week is a busy one for Quanah High School students.  Six weeks test will be given and several students have other responsibilities and will be gone a few days.  In Algebra 2 we will complete chapter 3 on Monday, review for our six weeks test on Tuesday, take a chapter 3 vocabulary test on Wednesday, take our 6 weeks test on Thursday, and start a new chapter on Friday. So if you are a student who will be gone be sure to make up ALL work before Friday.

Good luck Quanah Indians…. stay focused!

October 3-7

I am looking forward to open house on TUESDAY evening.

We will begin solving systems of equations by graphing, solving systems of equations algebraically, and solving systems of inequalities by graphing.

I need to remind all students to bring textbook, calculator, and PENCIL to class each day. These are essential items to be used EVERYDAY.

We are beginning row points contest again.

We will change seats for the second six weeks.  Row captains be ready.

On Tuesday I will give coke/dr. pepper, and candy for Row Point winners.  REMEMBER to get your folder signed EACH THURSDAY to get points.  These will count as a grade at the end of the six weeks.

Wow, six weeks has flown by!  In Algebra we are finishing relations and functions, linear equations, slope, writing linear equations, and scatter plots.  We WILL have a six weeks test near the end of the week. So be ready.

Binders are due on Thursday with ALL of their classwork for this six weeks.  This is a test grade.

Just a reminder that every Thursday students are to take home their binder to show parents their grades for the week. Parents sign the  sheet and then it gets returned on Friday.

Congratulations to the Quanah Indians for the win Friday night. Good luck this week against Munday.

Hello all,

I want to congratulate the Quanah Indians for winning the game Friday night against Hollis…. Yes, I said it….. Both teams played well and the cheerleaders and dance team were awesome!   I am proud to be a Quanah Indian!!!

I do have a heavy heart today.  My prayers go out to the O’Neal family and friends.  Quanah has amazed me by the outpouring of support from the community.

I am attaching the homework for the week. We will be working unit 2 lessons 1 and 2.    We are beginning linear equations, relations and functions this week.

Don’t forget HOMECOMING this week!!!!!

This week in Algebra 2 we will have two tests.  One test will be on vocabulary words: absolute value, algebraic expression, coefficient, counterexample, empty set, equation, formula, intersection, irrational numbers, like terms, monomial, polynomial, rational numbers, real numbers, solution, trinomial, and union.  The other test will be on equations and inequalities.

Thursday we will begin a new  unit: Linear relations and functions.

I am available to help with homework before school. I get to school around 7:30 a.m. If any student wants to improve their grade, all you need to do is work the extra lessons in the back of the book.  I will take the higher grade.

Also, remember on Thursdays you need to get your binder signed.

EDUCATION IS NOT RECEIVED IT IS ACHIEVED……  so work hard Quanah Indians!!!!

I have been an educator for thirty one years.  Prior to my job at Quanah, I taught in Hollis, Oklahoma for thirty plus years.  I received my degree from Oklahoma State University and my masters  at Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

I am an effective teacher because I consistently communicate with my students and their parents what our learning goals are.  Additionally, I give timely feedback to my students and their parents regarding their individual progress toward those learning goals.  My methods are consistent and yet yielding to student learning patterns.  My recurring motto each year in Algebra is “Yes, there is only one answer to this problem, but there are many ways to get the answer.” These simple routines have afforded my students three guarantees in my classroom: 1) A student will always know what is expected of him/her; 2) A student will be consistently monitored, redirected or celebrated within the learning process; and 3) A student is safe to fail and consequently, safe to learn within the walls of my classroom.

My experience has taught me and my students have taught me that adolescents thrive on consistency.   They fight structure and yet seek it continuously.  Their nature is to test the boundaries; my job is to provide them boundaries.  These boundaries exist in a math classroom in routines.  In my classroom there are routines of leadership, row captains, who have classroom management responsibilities that protect and ensure smooth transitions between exercises.  These routines also provide ownership and confidence to students who would otherwise feel out of place in a math classroom.  Other routines include weekly grade sheets that students are responsible for completing with his/her assignment grades and then sharing with the appropriate parent/guardian.  Communicating on a weekly basis with parents tells my students that I care about them and their educational success.  Moreover, when it is necessary I make daily phone calls or emails with parents whose student is failing to understand or complete the work.   Students need and want to know that the adults in their lives are not going to let a student fail.

My door is open before school and after school.  I want to assist my students when they experience frustration or difficulty.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if you or your student should need my assistance.