My name is Ruth Kuhnau.  I was part of the MTC class of 2005.  I lived and taught in Clarksdale for 3 years.  Now I am teaching at the American School of Guatemala.   I teach 8th grade Pre-Algebra.  Though we don't have state standards, our curriculum is very similar to Mississippi's (most pre-algebra curriculums are).  I do know that the level of difficult of my lessons is well up to grade 8 MCT standards. 

A note about the lesson plans.  All lesson plans are for 70 minute class periods.  I see my students only 3 times a week, year round, and they have homework every day.  Students do not have textbooks at home but we use them in class for practice.  Our textbook is the 2003 Glencoe Mathematics Pre-Algebra book (the one with the rollercoaster on the front).  Occasionally I have students do work out of an Algebra textbook.  That is always specially designated in the lesson plan. 

A note about the numbering system.  This is a new thing that I tried this year and I will never do anything differently.  I love this system and so do the kids.  They have told me time and time again how much they like this system and how it keeps them organized (a big feat for teenagers).  Every day is numbered.  Our sponge (bellwork), notes, classwork and homework all have the same number.  On any given day we might do lesson 7 and classwork 7, then the kids also know that they must complete homework 7.  The numbering system is great because it is often easier to remember than topics or assignment page numbers.  When a student is absent and they ask for their work I just have to ask them what class number they missed.  Even though they might not know what was taught that day, the do know what class number they missed.  The number system is also helpful with organizing binders, checking if a student has missing work and referring to past lessons.  Each unit I start over the numbering system but you could just as easily continue it all year. 

One more thought.  These lessons and supplements are by no means perfect.  I type to fast, spell things wrong, change directions, numbers tests incorrectly and even occasionally fill in the wrong answers.  I have tried in many places to correct these mistakes but I'm sure there are many I missed.  Please check any work before you use it.  (And I would also love to hear about if you find any embarrassingly bad/obvious mistakes so that I can change them.) 

Another thing I've recently incorporated into my class is a website.  It is hosted through edublogs.  Every new lesson is posted on the website.  Yes, this is more work for me up front but I think it will be worth the effort.  When students are absent, instead of running around trying to find work for them, I simply tell them to go to the website.  Students can leave comments, ask questions, download papers, etc.  I try to make each lesson post include notes, links to other explainations, extra practice problems and a copy of the homework.  The kids love it.  And it's free!

Unit 1 - Number Sense

Unit 2 - Equations and Expressions

Unit 3 - Geometry: Polygons and Circles

Unit 4 - Geometry:  Angles and Lines

Blank Lesson Plan Template

Blank Homework Template