Hello!  Welcome to a new feature of the ATMIM website, our blog! We are really excited about using social media in a new way in this upcoming year.  Our goal is to update the blog weekly, and to have different members of ATMIM share on the blog.  You might find new and interesting mathematics problems, exciting lessons, classroom experiences, or even an interesting article or link in the blog.  We will also update you on any upcoming events. 

As the least experienced teacher on the board of ATMIM, I am constantly looking to the members and to the board members for advice.  In my third year of teaching, I have a lot to learn.  Last week, while at our board meeting, I asked the board about an assignment I handed out to my seniors in a Probability and Statistics course.  I assigned them a Math Autobiography as their first assignment, and though I had read multiple blog posts about this type of assignment, I wanted the opinions of more experienced teachers. 

Much to my surprise, both Nancy Johnson (President of ATMIM) and Steven Rattendi (Past-President of ATMIM) had used similar assignments.  Nancy actually had her write up of the assignment with her and shared it with me (I love when teachers share assignments!).  I asked them what their experiences had been, and both expressed that they really got to know their students better.

Well this past week, as I was reading the papers, I got to know my students in a different light.  They told me about their learning styles, the type of student they are, what they wanted to do after high school, and what they do outside of class.  Although they were not perfect, I found myself seeing them in the classroom and recognizing how they like to learn.  Positive things I learned: most like group work, understand that they procrastinate, want to do well, are extremely diverse, high school students are busy, and are willing to share what works best for them if you ask. 

Next year, I might integrate it into all of the classes I teach, with maybe some tweaks of the assignment.  I found some useful information on this assignment here: http://wac.colostate.edu/aw/teaching/reisch2000/autobiography.htm.  I used it as a graded assignment, mostly based on effort, and handed it back to them this week with notes to each one. 

For me, personally, I found it to be eye opening and really helpful.  I plan to use it again and again during the first week of school. 

Hope you all are having a great first couple of weeks back!  I hope to see you all at our upcoming events.  Stay tuned!

Katie Aspell

Secretary