Tuesday, December 13, 2011

We took our final exam today. Check the portal for your results. Note in the comments next to your score which problems you missed, you'll need to know those for the first assignment for next semester (below).

Your homework (yes, really) is:

1. Second semester Algebra keeps building on what we’ve done first semester, so it’s important that you go back and review any problems you missed on the final exam to try to master the concepts. Check the portal for a list of the problems you missed on the final exam. Download the Final Exam Correction Mapping (pdf), find those problems in the first column, then work the associated problem(s) from your textbook listed in the second column. These are not due until Friday, January 6, 2012 (this will be your first graded assignment of the second semester), but I recommend that you complete them sometime over break. This will not take you very long, but it's critical that you take charge of your own learning and continue working on the areas you are still struggling with.
   
   
2. If you need to, organize your notebook. Again, you can't simply forget and move on from first semester, we keep building, so it's important to be able to refer back to your notes and assessments from first semester. If your notebook is getting full, then make sure you have a new 3-ring binder ready to start second semester (but keep first semester's handy for reference). If your notebook is, well, not much of a notebook, then start fresh second semester and do a better job.
   
   
3. This is optional, but I would really appreciate it if you would fill out this evaluation of me. It won't take long, and it will give me some valuable feedback. Please try to complete it by the end of this week.
   
   
4. You can still bring donations for Kiva to me the rest of the week - just drop by my office.
   
   
5. Finally, make sure you relax, enjoy your time with family and friends, and be thankful for all that you have.

Thanks for a great first semester. I appreciate all your hard work and am looking forward to second semester.

Monday, December 12, 2011

We reviewed for the final exam (lesson, pdf).

Remember that our final is first thing tomorrow morning, from 7:21 am until 8:46 am. While I anticipate you finishing in that amount of time, you can stay into the second final (which you have off) to finish if necessary. I will start distributing finals at 7:15 to anyone who is there (in case you want a few extra minutes), so please come in to class quietly when you do come in.

Don't forget to bring a calculator, at least two pencils, some scratch paper, and a note card if you want. Please also bring something to study/work on in case you finish early.

Your homework for tonight is:

1. Review for the final (both the multiple choice from Friday and the free response from today). Make sure you have all of the above to bring with you to class tomorrow. Get a good night's sleep, eat a good breakfast, and try to get to class by 7:15 tomorrow.
   
2. While not a requirement, I would really, really, really, really (did I mention really?) like you to take 5-10 minutes and thoughtfully fill out this evaluation of me. You don't have to do it tonight, but sometime this week would be great. Thanks.
   
   
   
3. I will still be accepting donations for Kiva all week. Either bring them to the final tomorrow, or stop by my office any time all week. Thanks. (Total so far: $17.54; Last year: $71.41 from class, $300 total.)