By Nathaniel Kenne and Laura Sheedy

Pacelli Catholic Schools math teachers

Pacelli high school students are required to take three credits of mathematics, including algebra, geometry, statistics and probability sufficient to satisfy the state standards. Students in the graduating class of 2015 and beyond must complete an Algebra II credit or its equivalent as part of the three-credit requirement.

In addition to the high school credits, students in the graduating class of 2015 and beyond must also complete an algebra credit by the end of eighth grade. The high school math department offers a variety of math classes during a student’s time at Pacelli to satisfy these requirements. In addition to the required math courses, students may also choose courses in pre-calculus, calculus and finance. While most of the math classes offered require a prerequisite, finance is open to all high school students.

Our finance course helps students develop an understanding of how to spend and manage money. Each week, the students update their own fictional budget in a Google Sheets document that is created in class. Students roll two dice and are issued a “random event” based on the number rolled. Sometimes nothing happens; sometimes a very expensive incident occurs. The students then update their monthly budget based on the outcome of the event and submit the updated budget for grading.  This allows students the opportunity to experience the random chance of monetary events in real life without costing them any of their hard-earned pay check.

Students are not the only ones using technology to help with their schooling. Pacelli high school teachers are using Google Classroom to support and deliver their lessons. This year, all notes covered in class are uploaded to Google Classroom where all students in the class can access them. If a student is absent from class, the student can access the same notes that everyone else used while they were gone. This allows students to see the material before they return to school and ask specific questions about the material if needed.  This new strategy has been well received by students and staff.

In middle school, Pacelli students take classes in geometry, algebra, pre-algebra, and Course 1 based on their academic need. Each middle school student has an iPad which he or she can use to access Google Classroom.

Multiple assignments are given via Google Classroom so that all students can view them at any time. If students forget how to do something, they can simply log in and review any past assignments. Google Classroom is a beneficial and efficient platform for teacher organization and communication with students. The teacher invites all students in each class to “join” the class and then posts assignments, a quick quiz, or even comments such as “bring your coordinate graphs to class.” Only the students in the teacher’s respective classes can see the designated posts. Google Classroom allows teachers to post assignments as an attached document. Teachers can also direct students to video demonstrations of a lesson, for example, how to identify the slope of a line, or a video that will allow them to practice a skill.

When students have completed an assignment they “submit” it and the assignment and the time is posted. No more “The dog ate my homework!” Now, one might hear: “I forgot to submit it.” Google Classroom replaces the traditional textbook, with lessons and homework sent out to the students so they always have access. No more lugging around that gigantic math book when it is all in Google Classroom on their iPad.

If you are interested in learning more about Pacelli Catholic Schools visit our website at www.pacellischools.org, email admin@pacellischools.org or call 507-437-3278.