Mrs. O'Connell (Mrs. O)
Grade 8/Math
HAPPY SUMMER!
Summer is a great time to recharge! It is also a great time to make sure you know your basic math facts, which are so important every single day. I have included some pages you can use!
https://www.roomrecess.com/mobile/FastFacts/play.html
https://www.factmonster.com/math/flashcards
There are many free sites online with practice for all kinds of math skills including
Khan Academy
Enjoy your summer, come back EXCITED to learn new things!
Hugs! Mrs. O
Do you know who needs Math?
EVERYONE!!!
Welcome to my OLV page. My teaching career spans 45 years for the Diocese of Buffalo. I love teaching at Our Lady of Victory School. We have wonderful students and families here, who have a love of learning. As the Middle School Math Teacher, Grades 5 through Algebra 1, I have had the great joy of working with so many students, all who learn a little bit differently than each other, and that is the best part of all. We all learn from each other, from mistakes we make and things we do correctly.
MATH SPOTLIGHT
In Grade 5, we are learning coordinate graphing. To make it fun, we graphed coordinates to make a fun Shamrock! Pictured are four of our students with their completed work.
Another Math Spotlight!!
The sun is out and Seventh Grade Math is thinking Wiffle ball!! We are studying the differences between Theoretical and Experimental Probability. Each student has a Wiffle ball team and we compete by spin of the dice against each other to see if our theoretical probability proves true! Who has the recruited the best team? Time will tell.....
A few years ago, I was offered an opportunity to take a class in Jo Boaler's (professor at Stanford University) class on Mathematical Mindset. Finally, some things I had always believed were confirmed:
1. All Students Can Achieve at High Levels
We can ALL learn. We do not all process information the same, and students need to be able work through things in order to discover how they think about Math.
2. Students’ Ideas About Their Ability Determine Their Learning Pathways and Math Achievement
Students need to believe that they can achieve the goals they have for themselves.
3. Mistakes and Struggle are Extremely Important for Learning
I love when people make mistakes! It gives us all a chance to talk about the work, to study it more in depth. It helps everyone to deepen their learning. Mistakes help your brain grow new pathways. Mistakes are WELCOMED in our math classes.
4. Mathematics Should Be Dissociated from Speed
Accuracy is the most important aspect of our work. Speed is not. After all, do you want a speedy doctor, or pharmacist, or engineer, or one who takes the time to analyze data, to really process what the numbers mean?
5. Teachers’ Messages are Hugely Powerful
PS and so are Parents!!
Teachers are the keepers of DREAMS. I believe in all my students. I want them to achieve their dreams, and help them in any way I can.
Why do students get frustrated in Math classes? At my grade level, it is mostly because others around them are quick with math facts, and often just knowing times tables helps! You can do harder tasks when you come to class with these tools. There are many places online that students can use to practice at home.
https://www.timestables.com
https://www.mathsisfun.com/timestable.html
Khan Academy is free and filled with lessons and extra practice.
What can you do to help your child with Math?
Let your child help with everyday math tasks! Painting a room? Let them help you figure out how much paint is needed. Discount at the store? Let them figure out how much money is saved? Cooking only half or double a recipe? Perfect Math practice! Moving furniture? Let them draw a grid of the new arrangement.
Teach them to measure and use a ruler. Let them solve every day math problems, like how much change will they get from money at the grocery store. Let them save money and learn to count it.
Always try to show a positive attitude toward Math and show them that skills they learn today will help them in so many things in their every day lives!
