1. Welcome I am really excited to have the opportunity to teach your child mathematics!!! I can’t wait to see his/her mathematical growth from today ‘till the end of the year. E-mail thall@brockisd.net E-mail is the best way to reach me. Please put “Brock HS Math student ” in the subject line, that way it will stand out amongst all the junk e-mail in the SPAM.thall@brockisd.net Please contact me if you have questions, comments, or concerns.

2. My Web Page  Brockisd.net  High School  School Staff  Teresa Hall File Manager: Formula sheets, class calendars, Differences in SAT/ACT, Graph paper, Grading Policy, Registration steps for Dual Credit course Links: SAT/ACT/TCCNS.org, Compass help, Community service, Scholarships, Graduation sites, Summer Camps 447390 –Brock High School code

3. TAKS Test Scores and Goals 2100 passing, 2300 Compass exempt, and 2400 Commended The state claims that at least a 2200 means that you are ready for college, and I have found this to be true also. The ones who score below a 2200 tend to struggle in their future mathematics classes. Compass Exemption scores ACT 23 Composite, min. 19 on English and Math - valid for 5 years SAT 1070, min. of 500 on Verbal and Math – valid for 5 years TAKS 2200 on Eng/LA with a 3 on the written essay and at least 2300 on Math

4. Announcements: I send out the daily announcements by e-mail and I also add information about SAT/ACT, scholarships, play-off games, NASA programs, senior baby pictures due dates, rose money due dates, cap & gown due dates,... If you would like to receive the e-mails then please sign up on the parent sign in sheet and print your e-mail address.

5. Dual Credit Math College Math Courses we offer: HS Pre Calc for the fall then College Algebra Spring College Algebra fall then College Statistics in the spring College Trigonometry fall then College Calculus 1 in the spring Mathematically Advanced students: Calculus 2 over the entire school year after completing Calculus 1

6. UIL Academic Competitions SAC Conference – Saturday September 14 th @ UT Arlington Brock Invitational – Saturday Jan 18 th (probably) District – One-Act play - TBA District – TBA Regional – Saturday May 3 rd @ Tarleton University State – May 19 th – 21 st @ UT Austin

7. I update grades once a week in the parent portal system. My goal will be to update every Wednesday. Grades in Parent Portal Tutorials Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri before school 7:20-7:55 (I am usually here at 7:00, depends on my kids early morning workouts) Tues, Wed, Thurs, and Fri lunch from 1:05-1:25 Students who need one-on-one attention, I advise them to find a peer tutor to bring with them when they attend tutorials. I am NEVER available for one-on-one help with 6 preps and approximately 130 students. I also have a list of professionals who are available for private paid tutoring. If interested, I have flyers with their names and numbers on the front table.

8. College Classes Free Help Free tutoring at Success Connection at the Weatherford College see my web page under links to find out the location and times http://streib.wc.edu/success-connection

9. Words of Advice on How to Study Mathematics Work on it a little EVERY NIGHT. Studying lots of hours the night before the exam is not good and will probably not work at this point in mathematics. Study groups are highly recommended. Study groups are awesome if everyone in the group is participating. Flashcards are highly advisable for Calculus. There is a lot of memorization and they need a way to memorize all the required formulas and flashcards work if you use them.

10. Scholarships Requirements You need SAT/ACT scores to qualify for many scholarships and it takes hard work to raise the SAT/ACT scores to where you may like to have them. You need many hours of community services. Keep a record/file of all hours. You need to keep your GPA at the top of your class and this also takes hard work. Some colleges and universities have early admission dates. Check the school’s website for important early admission dates. College Applications Dates

11. SAT/ACT test – Which test should your child take? That will depend on your child’s strengths, reading and writing versus science. The SAT consists of three parts: reading, writing, and math. While the ACT consists of four parts: reading, writing, math, and science. The SAT is a much longer test than the ACT. The math on the ACT looks exactly like the math that is taught in my Pre-AP Algebra II class. The math on the SAT also has logic on it, which the ACT does not. If your child is planning to attend a junior college before a University, then he/she may not be required to take the SAT/ACT test. Beware, many scholarship applications require SAT/ACT test scores.

12. SAT/ACT test – When should your child take the SAT/ACT? If the student is a senior, then he/she should have already taken the exam(s). If they wish for higher score then he/she will be taking the fall exams. If attending a junior college first, then these exams are not required. The students who are enrolled in Honors Algebra II are ready for the SAT exam during the spring semester. Once a student has completed Honors Algebra II, then he/she is ready to take the ACT exam. The ACT exam is very similar to taking a final exam in Pre-AP Algebra II. I highly advise taking the June test immediately after completing Pre-AP Algebra II.