Show:
Coming to Class
Habits of Mind
Independent Work
Assessments & Academic Honesty
Potpourri
100
True or false. You must have a blue grid notebook each class.
True (except for Year 12). You will keep your notes and independent work in the notebook. When you need a new notebook, just ask! However, if you are in Year 12, you have the choice of which you'd prefer...
100
Are there stupid questions in this class?
No.
100
True or False. There will be independent work assigned almost every class.
True for Years 10 and 12. False for Years 8 and 9- you have homework nights.
100
True or false. You may work with a classmate on your independent work.
True. Just make sure that you write their name in the margin of your work.
100
True or false: It is ok to write in your textbook if you use pencil and erase afterwards.
Before Year 12, this is false. Please feel free to use post-its, though, as long as you remove them all at the end of the year. From Year 12 onwards, the textbook is your- enjoy!
200
True or false. You will need your laptop for every lesson.
True. Mr. O'Brien posts your assignments online, and you will need your laptop to get the assignment...
200
True or false: Mr. O’Brien assigns many repetitive homework problems.
False. If you are thinking and playing with each problem, less is more. However, if you whiz through questions without giving them much thought, you will probably need more repetitive practice, so you will need to choose more problems to work through (your textbook has plenty; there are even more online!). By the end of the year, I hope you come around to my way of thinking- less done thoughtfully is more...! That said, you can never do too many practice problems. Plus, I give independent work, not homework.
200
True or false: If you don’t know how to do an IW problem, leave it blank.
False. If you don’t know how to do a problem, review your notes, your textbook, contact a friend, post your question to our question page. If you are truly clueless, then at least copy down the problem and any diagrams. You can then go back and do the problem after you have received more help in class.
200
True or false: Everything that you learn from another source (tutor, website, friend, etc.) must always be referenced and acknowledged by writing so in the margin or at the end of the work that is submitted.
True.
200
True or false: In this class, getting the right answer is more important than how you got your answer.
False. If you think this is true, please re-read the IB Learner Profile.
300
True or false. You will only use pencils in math class.
False. You will correct work in pen.
300
Are you allowed to email Mr. O'Brien outside of school hours?
Yes! I will get back to you within one business day...
300
True or false: You may do your IW with others from class, and you must indicate with whom you worked in the margin of your IW.
True. Remember, though, that you need to be able to do each problem on your own, as your friends won’t be there to help during an assessment. Even if you feel that you don’t need any help, I encourage you to assist your classmates– explaining a concept to another person is one of the best ways to reinforce your own understanding.
300
Jane's friend asks Jane if she can look at her assignment during lunch. Jane gives it to her. The friend copies some of Jane's work but Jane doesn't know. As he always does, Mr. O'Brien finds out. True or false: Jane is reported for Academic dishonesty.
True. Ouch. Academic honesty here and in university is taken very seriously. Even if you are not the one cheating, if you allow your work to be cheated from, you are also in violation of the academic honesty policy.
300
True or false: If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get the IW from the class website and class notes from a classmate.
True.
400
True or false. If you miss an assessment, you must see me at the start of the next class to set a time to make up the assessment.
False. If you miss an assessment, you must contact me *before* the next class to set a time to make up the assessment. Email!!!
400
Do you need to read your text book or just read your notes?
Read your text book as well as read your notes! The interwebs often beats both of these if you're really stuck...
400
True or false: Independent work will be collected daily and checked for correctness.
False. Independent work will be collected and checked for correctness every week or two. It will be checked for completeness the class after it is assigned.
400
True or False. If another student who has not yet taken a test asks you whether it was easy or hard, it is ok to answer.
False. Keep a poker face and say that you'll chat with them about it once they've taken it.
400
True or false. There will not always be time in class to discuss IW problems.
False. There will always be time in class to discuss IW problems- post them up online!!!
500
Why is the following statement false? It is ok to check an email from an English teacher in class if it is related to school work.
When in Room SS224 during class time, technology may only be used for class related activities.
500
According to Mr. O’Brien, what are the two basic keys to success in mathematics?
Questioning and practice.
500
Change one word to make the following statement true: Your IW will be checked for correctness each class.
Your IW will be checked for *completion* each class.
500
Explain why the following statement is false: You may use calculators on all assessments.
Many assessment tasks will have a non-technology component.
500
If he sees your phone in class and it is not being used for something math related, Mr. O'Brien will: a) Take it. Give it back at the end of class. b) Take it. Give it back at the end of the day. c) Take it. Give it to Reception at the end of the day. d) Take it. Use it to phone his friends in Australia. e) Take it. When you get it back depends on whether it is your first offense, second offense, or third offense.
The correct answer is e.