Pi R Scared

  This summer as we are preparing for the Final Exam and doing SOL prep, we went over a new way to find regressions using Desmos. If your state uses Desmos and you still have student typing in the regression equations, I recommend giving this a try. 

  This past summer, 2025, I took the steps towards becoming licensed in administration and supervision for PreK-12. There were different routes and degrees to consider along with which college or university to attend.  When are classes offered?  How long is the program? What is the cost?  What does the program look like?  Are you doing the degree or the license add - on to a Master's?   After considering the different options and what was the best fit, I started a program and I'm going to share my experience here. If you have questions or this is something you are considering doing, I'm happy to answer questions. I'm also going to share some books that I have read that have been very helpful and they would be a good read for any teacher. 

  As summer approaches for students, teachers, and families, the question of summer school naturally comes up. This year, I’ve decided to teach summer school, though I haven’t taught it every year. If you're thinking about whether to take on a summer school position, here are a few important things to consider: 1) Do you have the energy for it? Summer school is often fast-paced and can feel more intense than the regular school year. I've taught in programs where students were in the same class all day, and others where each class lasted only 1.5 hours. Either way, the condensed schedule can be demanding and may leave little room for downtime during the day. 2) Do you need—or want—a break? Summer school often begins the Monday or Tuesday after the school year ends and wraps up just a week or two before the new year begins. This tight timeline can leave little opportunity for teachers to rest, travel, or recharge. If you're feeling burnt out by the end of the school year,...

  As summer approaches and students look forward to the break, how do you encourage them to practice a little each day? We talk about the summer slide each year as the summer approaches. For families asking, I'm providing 2 - 3 topics for the student to practice throughout the summer to help when they enter the next grade. The next challenge is how do they practice the math if they aren't sure. This is where websites like Khan Academy can be helpful, as they're a free resource with videos and practice.  Many times, local libraries have summer reading programs to encourage the kids to read throughout the summer as well. You could encourage families to check into their local library programs.  As a secondary math teacher, I also suggest families practice mental math for multiplication 0 - 12. This may seem small, but it helps when we do the grade-level work.  Let me know what you suggest for families.

  As we approach mid-April, the state testing begins for many students and teachers. While this can be a stressful time, many teachers find fun ways to review.  What games or activities do you use in your classroom to prepare and keep review engaging?

    Students return from Spring Break full of energy and excitement, knowing the end of the school year is near. Teachers often spend this time reviewing classroom expectations and reestablishing routines, especially since state testing usually begins within a few weeks. While there’s a push to return to normal, the atmosphere is different, and students often need a way to release that extra energy. A creative teacher I worked with a few years ago had a great idea for this transition period. She used plastic eggs to make the return more engaging. She cut up a worksheet and placed one question inside each egg, then hid them outside. Students went outside with a clipboard and some paper, searching for the eggs. When they found one, they opened it, wrote down the problem number and question, solved it, and then returned the egg to its hiding spot. This continued until each student had solved 10 questions. It was a great way to get students moving while still compl...