Distance Math Instruction Tool - Mic Check, One Two...

USB Microphone by Fifine Metal Condenser (K669B from Amazon) with a PEMOTech Pop Filter (also from Amazon).  More experience teachers who have deeper understandings of computer audio are suggesting an external microphone for distance teaching.  I made the purchase and hope that it will provide students with a better learning experience from home.  (From 8/18/2020)

*Mic and filter purchased on Amazon. ~$70 teacher's own expense.

Bonita USD Welcome Back Video 2020

 

Let's have the best year we can!  (From 8/25/2020)

Showing Bonita Crew Gratitude

Our Bonita custodial crew is the best.  They serve the campus throughout the summer heat and keep us safe by cleaning the campus with care.  On Thursday morning, I bought them breakfast, I simply don't have enough thank yous for these amazing people.  (From 8/20/2020)

New Remote Teaching Station 2020-2021

It took some time and effort to create a more productive teaching environment.  I found myself very unproductive sitting at my desk throughout the summer.  I think the podium will be a better fit for my style.  The rolling station should provide better visual and sound for students during this difficult transition.  I decorated one of the white boards with student photos to add more life in the classroom.  (From 8/21/2020)

Teacher's own expense:
*Mic and filter purchased on Amazon. ~$70 
*Tablet purchased on Amazon. ~$45
*Laptop additional adaptor + anti-glare screen. ~$25
*Ethernet/USB hub + cable. ~$30
*New Stool from Harbor Freight Tools. ~$60
*Personal laptop from Costco ~$650
*External hard drive 2TB ~$70

School provided:
Document camera
External webcam w/ mic
Monitor from classroom desktop
Large adjustable podium 
Small side podium

Bonita 2020-2021 Gear

New year, new gear.  Thank you Ms. Pocino for the tee and stickers.

(From 8/13/2020)

Bonita Masks 2020

 

Stay safe Bearcats.  I hope we can all be on campus safely very soon.  

(From 8/18/2020)

Mr. Yip Version 16.0

On the official first professional development day, I arrived on campus extra early to continue set up my work station.  There were not many staff members on site.  It made for a quite and calm morning.  It was a long day of Zoom meetings and Canvas set ups.  (From 8/19/2020)

Kelly Plays Für Elise by Beethoven

Thank you Kelly for sharing this beautiful piece with me.  Kelly is a member of the Bonita Dive Team.  Her and I emailed each other often during the lockdown since March 2020 and we talked about our favorite books.  She was in my Integrated Math III class and I'm happy to have her again in Honors Pre-Calculus this year. (From 7/31/2020)

Advancing Math Education

Keep learning.  I participated in this online event.  Full recording: https://youtu.be/AAyYEGdHGu0

Event description:  Please join us on Saturday, August 15th, 2020 at 2pm EDT for an event that explores issues and innovation in mathematics education. Learn what experts in the field believe to be the most pressing issues in math education and the strategies that can be implemented to address these to promote the construction of stronger mathematical foundations. Our panelists include Professor Jo Boaler, Professor Pamela Harris, Ms. Lorie Huff, Mr. Philipp Legner, and Professor Po-Shen Loh.

From the event host:

If you are seeking additional information about topics discussed in the panel, feel free to explore the links below:

Professor Harris — https://www.pamelaeharris.com; http://lathisms.org

Ms. Huff — https://twitter.com/loriehuff1; https://www.nctm.org/About/President,-Board-and-Committees/2018-Candidates/Lorie-Huff,-Candidate-for-Director,-Elementary-School-Level/

Mr. Legner — https://twitter.com/philipplegner; https://mathigon.org/

Professor Loh — https://twitter.com/poshenloh?lang=en; https://www.novid.org/; https://www.expii.com/

Additional Links:

Principles to Action (https://www.nctm.org/Store/Products/Principles-to-Actions--Ensuring-Mathematical-Success-for-All/)

Taking Action Series (https://www.nctm.org/Store/Products/Taking-Action--Implementing-Effective-Mathematics-Teaching-Practices-in-K-Grade-5/)

Catalyzing Change Series (https://www.nctm.org/change/)

Strength-Based Teaching (https://www.nctm.org/Store/Products/Strengths-Based-Teaching-and-Learning-in-Mathematics--5-Teaching-Turnarounds-for-Grades-K-6/)

100 Days of Professional Learning (https://www.nctm.org/online-learning)

ESSA Toolkit (https://www.nctm.org/essatoolkit/)

Social Justice and Equity Resources (https://www.nctm.org/socialjustice/)

A "Gap-Gazing" Fetish in Mathematics Education? Problematizing Research on the Achievement Gap, Rochelle Gutierrez (https://www.phys.ksu.edu/ksuper/seminar/Gutierrez08.pdf)

https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/pdf/coe_cnc.pdf

We hope you all enjoyed the discussion!

Be sure to sign up for our next panel on "Advancing Mathematics Communication" featuring Grant Sanderson, Professor Arthur Benjamin, Mithuna Yoganathan, and Professor Emille Lawrence on August 22nd at 12pm EDT! (Register at: zmurl.com/mathcommpanel)

Best Regards,

Maya

AP Statistics Best Practices w/ Sapling by Erica

I met my friend Erica at our Kansas City AP Stats reading a few years ago.  She is an amazing educator who also created our annual Fun Run and Funstravaganza during the reading.  Thank you for this workshop!  (From 8/5/2020)

Best Practices for teaching AP® Stats online with The Updated Practice of Statistics 6e SaplingPlus! | Erica Chauvet and Tina McCosky

Full video here:  https://go.bfwpub.com/200805-Best-Practices-for-teaching-AP-Stats-online.html?utm_source=Webinar&utm_medium=BFDEMST20080518Email05A&utm_id=110673&utm_campaign=HS-SaplingPlus2007

Kettlebelling Practice

Keep learning.  During the COVID lockdown period, gyms were closed or had limited availability.  I tried to learn new methods of training that involved kettlebells.  Like learning math, kettlebelling takes practice, patience, and grit.

I've spent too much money on toys this summer.  Hopefully these will be the last of the kettlebells that I buy for a long time.  I'll take a picture of the my set soon.

Yoga Practice

Keep learning.  I've been practicing yoga occasionally during the COVID lockdown.  The relaxation and stretches kept me healthy and helps with my running recovery.  I'm a member at the YogaBody Studio in Chino Hills where I have met many outstanding instructors.  I enjoy their Yin Yoga or Gentle Yoga classes the most.  Note that their logo has the Vitruvian Man as the background.

Trek Road Bike - Madone 3.1

Purchased in 2014 @ Helen's Cycle in Arcadia, this is my first road bike (54.3 cm H2).  The Trek Madone 3.1 is an intro level carbon bike with some solid components.  Once I learned the basics of the bike, it has been very smooth and reliable.  This summer, I found a route from home that allowed me to ride comfortably for 20 or more miles without a lot of traffic, in a bike lane, and with some climbs if I choose.  I recently added a front and rear lights for road safety.  Unlike mountain biking, I find road biking more calm and meditative.  I look forward to riding the Santa Ana River Trail or riding to the beach again in the future.

Trek Mountain Bike - Series 6

Purchased in 2008 @ Covina Valley Cyclery, the Trek Series 6 (17.5" or 44.5cm) has been my faithful companion for many hard and fun mountain miles.  I have climbed the Claremont Loop's 5-miler more than any other trail with this bike.  Over the COVID lockdown, I rode it throughout Chino Hills as I rehabed from my hip injury.  I recently added front and tail lights and a bike computer.  I again had it tuned up, but the front brakes and rotor will require replacement this summer.  Last week, I rode from Monclair to Fontana via the Pacific Electric Trail.

Mizuno Wave Rider 23

I have been running for many years and it is my first time trying Mizuno running shoes.  I love my first pair.  The Wave Rider 23's were on sale at a very affordable price (Under $70).  I find the cushioning very natural, at the same time the shoes provide a nice bounce.  I like the simple conservative design.  My first pair is blue, and I have already purchased another pair in simple black and white.  Summer is always a great time for teachers to get more miles in before school resumes in August.  During the school year, running also helps me clear my mind after some busy days in the classroom.

Below is one of my recent favorite routes.  I went to UC Irvine for my undergraduate degree and also worked there for my first full time position.  I am now a full time teacher at Bonita High School.  It was a serendipitous discovery that a street named Bonita is in the UCI area.