Algebra 1 Information
What is Flipping?
Basically the “flipped” classroom takes the traditional model of lecture at school and practice problems at home and flips it around. Instructional information (in the form of notes), will be watched in a video at home and then more in depth, deeper discussion and/or problem solving activities will be conducted in the classroom in a supportive atmosphere. This allows for students to come to a higher-level understanding of the concepts, challenges them to take charge of their own learning, and teaches them to manage their time and resources more efficiently.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What does homework look like now?
There is still homework to some degree, but it is now in the form of students being required to watch a video of important concepts and to take notes.
Typically the videos are around 10 minutes in length. Counting note taking and watching time, it will probably take them a total of twice the video length to complete this for a total of around 20 minutes of homework when a video is assigned.
There may be other types of work to be done at home, but this is likely related to finishing projects, labs, research, or occasionally test review and studying. The vast bulk of “traditional” homework like practice problems will be done in class with support and discussion.
How does my student access the videos?
Videos will be uploaded to my Google Classroom Site and to my YouTube channel. To watch these lessons, students will need a computer and access to the Internet. If you do not have access to Internet, please let me know and other arrangements can be made.
What does class time look like now?
Class will generally begin with a review of the reflection question from the previous night, sometimes done as a whole class, sometimes as a small group, and occasionally individually. This gives each student some time to refresh the lesson in their mind and try to clear up some simple misconceptions. Short mini-quizzes may also be given to assess students understanding of the topics.
The bulk of class time is then spent in a variety of ways. On a typical day there will be an activity of some kind, discussion of problems or practice of skills.
What can parents do to help in the flipped classroom?
Understandably, a lot of parents are uncomfortable helping their students with their work in math classes, but the flipped classroom gives a lot of opportunities to be involved in your student’s education.
What should students do to excel in a flipped classroom?
A big thing for students is to make sure they actually watch the videos. The tendency is often to ignore them and to just try to figure it out in class through the activities. Students need to come to class prepared to develop and improve the skills they just acquired.
The other key is to realize that the videos are only a small part of the learning process. Students need to participate in in-class discussions, activities and practice work in order to fully gain understanding of the material.
What if students watch the videos but don’t understand the material?
The videos are not meant to be the only mode of instruction. The real point of flipping the class is not to pre-record lessons and just point to them. Rather, the goal is to have support each and every day in class, with as much individual and small group instruction as possible. My goal is to give students a deep understanding of the class, to inspire a greater love for math, and to prepare them for future problems by encouraging them to take charge of their learning, making it real and personal for them.
I encourage both students and parents to contact me with concerns or questions at any time. I am particularly easy to reach and will respond quickly in most cases to email at [email protected].
Basically the “flipped” classroom takes the traditional model of lecture at school and practice problems at home and flips it around. Instructional information (in the form of notes), will be watched in a video at home and then more in depth, deeper discussion and/or problem solving activities will be conducted in the classroom in a supportive atmosphere. This allows for students to come to a higher-level understanding of the concepts, challenges them to take charge of their own learning, and teaches them to manage their time and resources more efficiently.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What does homework look like now?
There is still homework to some degree, but it is now in the form of students being required to watch a video of important concepts and to take notes.
Typically the videos are around 10 minutes in length. Counting note taking and watching time, it will probably take them a total of twice the video length to complete this for a total of around 20 minutes of homework when a video is assigned.
There may be other types of work to be done at home, but this is likely related to finishing projects, labs, research, or occasionally test review and studying. The vast bulk of “traditional” homework like practice problems will be done in class with support and discussion.
How does my student access the videos?
Videos will be uploaded to my Google Classroom Site and to my YouTube channel. To watch these lessons, students will need a computer and access to the Internet. If you do not have access to Internet, please let me know and other arrangements can be made.
What does class time look like now?
Class will generally begin with a review of the reflection question from the previous night, sometimes done as a whole class, sometimes as a small group, and occasionally individually. This gives each student some time to refresh the lesson in their mind and try to clear up some simple misconceptions. Short mini-quizzes may also be given to assess students understanding of the topics.
The bulk of class time is then spent in a variety of ways. On a typical day there will be an activity of some kind, discussion of problems or practice of skills.
What can parents do to help in the flipped classroom?
Understandably, a lot of parents are uncomfortable helping their students with their work in math classes, but the flipped classroom gives a lot of opportunities to be involved in your student’s education.
- The first thing is to make sure they are actually watching the videos, preferably with headphones and without other distractions.
- Look over their notes of the material and make sure that it makes sense and shows that they understand the material.
- Encourage them to use the videos to their fullest, rewatching as needed and rewinding to get their information.
What should students do to excel in a flipped classroom?
A big thing for students is to make sure they actually watch the videos. The tendency is often to ignore them and to just try to figure it out in class through the activities. Students need to come to class prepared to develop and improve the skills they just acquired.
The other key is to realize that the videos are only a small part of the learning process. Students need to participate in in-class discussions, activities and practice work in order to fully gain understanding of the material.
What if students watch the videos but don’t understand the material?
The videos are not meant to be the only mode of instruction. The real point of flipping the class is not to pre-record lessons and just point to them. Rather, the goal is to have support each and every day in class, with as much individual and small group instruction as possible. My goal is to give students a deep understanding of the class, to inspire a greater love for math, and to prepare them for future problems by encouraging them to take charge of their learning, making it real and personal for them.
I encourage both students and parents to contact me with concerns or questions at any time. I am particularly easy to reach and will respond quickly in most cases to email at [email protected].