School has started and we're all figuring out our groove. You're moving along, understanding your homework, asking questions, and enjoying the journey. Something new is mentioned in class : Triads. Wait?! What is a triad? What does it mean? How does it fit into all of your other mathematics homework? Let's explore the triad assignment:
Most of the classes in Math Masters have these triad assignments listed in each unit on the online course. Triad assignments create accountability and give Lori some feedback on how your student understands the material. The triad assignment is optional ( not all families require them, please let Lori know if your student won't be completing triads). It is short - only three questions. It requires thinking and writing. Quite a few triads contain a question like, "tell what you know about x + 4 = 10." In this case, your student should not simply state that x = 6, for although that is true, it's only one thing. Rather, your student should have a list of facts about this statement, for example:
- x = 6
- x is even, 4 is even, and 10 is even
- x , 10, and 4 all have factors of 2
- this is an equation, which means we assume it's true
- to solve for x we can subtract 4 from each side
While it is unrealistic to expect students to give a huge list of information, they are being trained to see patterns and understand more than a simple procedure. The goal of the triad is for the student to show how he thinks and what he knows.
Now that we've seen the importance of the triad, let's talk logistics:
- Triads are due at the end of each chapter - once we finish a chapter, the previous chapters triad is due. That is to say, the triad for chapter 1 is due the week that we finish chapter 2 in class. This gives the student adequate time to work on the triad while providing review material.
- Triads are available on the unit sites, but they're also attached to the weekly recap email.
- Triads are to be completed on a separate piece of paper and submitted digitally. You can scan the work to a pdf, take a photo, or use the apple notes app to take a picture and share as a pdf.
- Triads are emailed to Lori@ScioAcademy.com directly.
- Triad feedback may ask your student to try something else on the triad, at which point, he should resubmit the changes, or it may simply congratulate him on a job well done.
- Triads are perfect for a working portfolio to show completion of a subject. So save them to show off!
- Triads are not officially graded by Lori, but parents are welcome to email Lori to ask for advice on assigning grades.
Now that we're in the heart of September, your class most likely has a triad due in the next week or two. Check your email to find out and have fun showing what you've learned!