Thursday 21 August 2003

Students at Holmen are required to have two credits in math in order to graduate. Nearly all take Algebra I, then either Geometry or Consumer Math. Those who are college-bound also take Algebra II, for which Geometry is a prerequisite. Algebra II is then the first math class students take that is not mandatory... it's for those who want to think... and a pre-requisite for the brighter math students going on to Pre-Calculus and AP Calc, or Statistics for those going to college but know they don't have strong math skills.

Classes first term went as to be expected, I suppose. I had a first period study hall for 45 minutes then 45 minutes of prep, second period Algebra I, lunch, third period Algebra II, and fourth period Algebra I. Needless to say, my Algebra II class was my pride and joy. Students there have the ability and desire to think and to work. It's also taken at an age when they are starting to become interesting people, when they begin solving problems of teen-age life.

Algebra I would be a decent class to teach, if it weren't for the goddamned freshmen taking the course. All right, perhaps I exaggerate slightly, but only slightly. I had three reputations in school... my class was fun, my class was tough, and Mr. Jones hates freshmen. Well, it always seems to start that way, anyway. As some learn to think (during the course of the semester) I love them as much as any older student... unfortunately, it's been my experience that if as much as half of a class does, that's extraordinary.

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