3rd Quarter Grades, 2007-2008 (Math Concepts 2, Pre-Algebra, and Algebra 1)

3rd Quarter Grades, 2007-2008 (General Math & Math Concepts 1)

Pre-Algebra Lessonplans

Algebra 1 Lessonplans

Math Concepts 2 Lessonplans

Engrade Student ID's

To view your assignments for Math Concepts 2, Pre-Algebra, and Algebra 1, you'll need to set up a username and password at Engrade. Once you've done this, you'll have to enter a student ID for each of your classes. For my classes, your student ID is engrade-oukego-xxxx. xxxx is the same 4-digit number used in all your other classes. If you have any problems, see the tutorial I posted earlier or contact me.

A New Year

Welcome, parents and students, to the 2007-2008 school year. I'm raising the bar in regards to communication so please check this blog frequently for important updates, grades, assignments, and lectures. Needless to say, I'm excited about what should be the best year of Restoration Academy ever. I expect an unprecedented level of academics, spirituality, and trust. Please help me serve you better by contacting me frequently about anything that comes up. You are in my prayers; please keep me in yours. Grace and peace.

Course Syllabus and Classroom Rules

The documents below outline my policies and expectations for this school year. Much is the same while some things have changed. Please read carefully so that we can have a smooth, productive, and crunk year of school.

Math Concepts 1
Math Concepts 2
General Math
Pre-Algebra
Algebra 1

Sign Up to View Grades Online

Click the following links to learn how to access our online grades, attendance, and calendar:

How to Sign up for Engrade: flash | pdf

Grades (Summer 2007)

Volunteer: Anne Wilson

Anne Wilson, a senior at Oak Mountain Classical School, joined us yesterday as a volunteer tutor for summer school. One student exclaimed today, "Finally! Someone who can help me!" It's not that competent help isn't usually available, it's just that there's not enough to go around. Thank you, Anne, for giving us more hands on deck.

Finish the Race

At 12:55pm on Friday, July 13, Summer Session will end. All Math work must be completed by that time to receive credit. Final grades will be handed out at 1:00pm. No extensions, exceptions, or excuses.

Thou Shalt Not Hate Math

OK. It's not one of the Ten Commandments but I think it still follows logically if we consider what it means to hate Math. First, let's call upon some important scriptural/historical truths* of the Christian faith:

God is truth.
Everything that comes from God is perfect, true, and good.
Everything that is perfect, true, and good comes from God.
We must love what is good and hate what is evil.

Second, let's consider a philosophical truth*:

Math is true.

If Math is true and all truth comes from God, then Math comes from God. If Math comes from God and everything that comes from God is good, Math is good. If a person hates Math and Math is good, that person hates what is good.

Why am I making a big deal of this? Well I had a conversation with a student who claimed to hate Math. While it's fine to think Math is difficult or less enjoyable than life's other pursuits, there is no defensible reason to hate Math. We must, in fact, love Math for its perfection and goodness since it comes from God, who is also perfect and good.

*We could debate these truth claims and even truth itself. If you'd like to talk about these finer points, contact me privately.

Student Wiki

With the rise of Wikipedia and other wikis that allow users to contribute and change content, I thought the students of our school needed a place to create some original content of their own. So I started a wiki at Wetpaint (http://oukego.wetpaint.com or click the link on the right) called Restoration Academy High School. You can contribute anything (poetry, lyrics, stories, news, pictures, etc.) that you think is interesting or change what's already there. This is still very experimental so I have no idea what this will look like. I guess it's up to you and your creativity. Just be accountable for your words. To get started, sign up for an account.

Measuring Height using Trigonometry

Contact Information

Shift Happens

It's not that I'm not happy for the people of India or China. But I am concerned for the rude awakening this country will experience if education does not improve drastically.

School Calendar

Click on the Agenda tab to see a list of events.

View this calendar in its own window.

Tetris

Sudoku

Bejeweled

Add 'em Up

Group Chat

Chat with Mr. Abe

If I'm offline and you want to leave me a message, make sure you leave your name and, if you want, a way I can get back to you.

Volunteer: Travis Cope

Travis Cope, a recent graduate of Briarwood Christian School, started volunteering with us today at Restoration Academy as a Math tutor. I'm thrilled for our students to have his services this summer. Thank you, Travis, on behalf of everyone at RA.

Cheating

For practical purposes, cheating is the appearance of receiving or giving unfair help. If a student is thought to be cheating, all objectives will be reset and must be remastered. I know this is harsh but it's the only way I can award grades that are truly earned and maintain the integrity of the Math Department and its standards.

Summer Session Pacing

I'm glad to see that most students are pacing themselves to pass. My advice is finish as much as you can as fast as possible. Math, by nature, gets more complicated as you move forward because it builds on itself. So plan to run into some objectives that are harder and slower to master than some of the earlier ones. If you've paced yourself well, your grades won't suffer when the hard stuff comes.

Also let your parents check your grades through this site. Generally, we do our best work when we know we're being watched.

Class of 2007 Slideshow

Calculators

Calculators are officially banned from use in any of my classes unless special permission is given. This is especially the case in Accelerated Math where the penalty for using one is the dropping of ALL objectives mastered. It's not worth it, so don't try it.

Moving to a Blog

I switched from the old website to this blog. I think it will make it much easier for me to update grades (not sure about notes). We'll see.

You will also have the ability to comment on posts which will make things more interactive. I'll check comments before they're posted to make sure they're appropriate. Make sure to sign your comments--no anonymous or pseudonymous (look it up) comments allowed.

For now, grades for students in summer school and their parents are available.