Revised Module List

Below are links to the revised list of modules I want you to focus on. If you run out of Mastery Challenges, then you need to start practicing more modules. Use this list to keep track of what you have practiced.

Remember, you need to complete 50 minutes per week to keep current with your Khan Academy requirements.

Grade 7 and 8 Math Modules

Algebra Modules

Students are moving along in KA, but I have a few issues

I've got my students working in KA twice per week and I've assigned them modules. I haven't recommended modules, they just have a list of modules they need to work on. One problem I'm having is that I don't think a student can work on a module until s/he masters it. Once they move up from "needs practice" to "practiced," then I can't seem to see how they can go to the next level on that particular module.

As far as I can tell, they can only "level up" by taking the Mastery Challenges. This makes it hard to give them points for mastering an assigned module which is what I did last year. If you know how to master a module without using the Mastery Challenges, leave a comment. I'd love to know.

So until I figure out how I can do this, I'm giving them points for time spent in KA. They get 1 point for each minute spent up to 50 minutes per week. I'm hoping this will inspire some to work outside of class. They get close to 50 minutes per week in class, so it's almost a freebie.

I'll be giving a presentation on how to use KA at the SLO Connects conference this coming Saturday, October 5, 2013. If you're interested, come on by. It's only $10 for the whole day, including lunch! Such a deal!

KA Exercise Modules

I've started going through my textbooks and correlating the subjects in the chapters with KA. Here's the  beginning list for Grade 7-8 math and Algebra 1 (these are Google Docs):

Grade 7/8 Math

Algebra 1

New school year, new ideas for KA

It's been a while since I've posted here because I took a hiatus from using KA last year. However, with the transition to the Common Core and Khan's GREAT improvements in the Dashboard and the exercises, I'm excited about getting my students back into KA.

If you haven't checked it out, spend some time looking at the Coach Resources. There's great ideas and examples from teachers that are using KA in the classrooms. Right now I'm developing a list of exercises I want my Grade 7 and Algebra 1 students to focus on. Once I'm done, I'll post it here.

In the mean time, I've gone through what I consider the "essential standards" for my courses and I've correlated them with the KA. Some of the modules have changed since I made this list so you might have to tweek this list should you want to use it.

Out Here Graphin!

Nothin mo' to say

I'm baaaaack! Sorry for the long break, but as I've mentioned before I'm struggling with my administration on how KA should be used. The more I read, the more I investigate, the more I network, the more I'm convinced that KA should play a significant role in my math instruction. It's certainly not the be all, end all, but as long as my students and I, and my school, are evaluated on how well our test scores are, then KA is a good fit.I want to incorporate more problem-solving, project-based skills into my curriculum and I'm hoping KA will give me class time to do this. Why? Well here's a short vid on what some people think our students need to succeed in the future.

Posters are up and the stamps are flying!

As I did last year, I have put up posters with student names and Khan exercises. As the students master an exercise, they get to stamp their success next to their name for that exercise. I wasn't sure I was going to do it this year, but I'm glad I did. The student's motivation has definitely increased.


I've also modified my Khan Journal requirement. Now, students can try up to 25 problems before they have to show their work. This way if they know something well enough to get a streak within 25 tries, then I really don't need to see the work. But if they haven't got their streak by then, then they need to slow down, watch a video and start writing down the steps they are doing.


The whole idea behind the journal was to keep students from trying 50, 60, 100 problems until they either see all the questions or just guess right. I think this method will work to prevent that.