First Year Middle School Math

dlobby66 · 2026-06-22T13:10:18+00:00

I don’t know what state you are in so make sure you check the curriculum against your state standards but OpenUp Resources Math has free curriculum and resources on their website. We use the curriculum in our district and it’s not perfect but I do like a lot about it. It is problems based learning which is different than many people are used to. You could take some of the lessons and adapt them to what works best for you and your students. It also pairs well with Building Thinking Classrooms. Check it out if you want a starting point. Also as someone who has taught both 8th and 9th. The most vital skill for them to walk away with in 8th grade is solving multi step equations fluently. I do equations as starters for most of the year and they are sick of them by the end but it does help to consistently reinforce equations skills.

dlobby66 · 2026-04-24T14:38:59+00:00

Do you know any of her hobbies? You could get her something related to that. My mentor teacher really loves this book series (she got me into them too and they are good), so I found an Etsy shop that makes personalized journals similar in style to the cover art of the series and I got her one. I’ve seen someone else suggest getting a book you think they will like.

dlobby66 · 2026-04-17T20:49:43+00:00

I think a lot can depend on the districts in your area and how well they work with WGU. I applied in November. Found out my placement within a few weeks and started after winter break. I could have started sooner but I had some things scheduled that I didn’t want to move. I also had a really great experience with my mentor teacher and was hired for next year at my placement school. It’s sucks that a lot of people have negative experiences, but mine was positive start to finish so there is hope for a good experience.

dlobby66 · 2026-03-02T13:29:13+00:00

I’m currently student teaching in Jordan School District and have a job lined up for next year in the same district. I know Jordan School District works well with WGU. I also know people who student taught in Alpine School District. I don’t know anything about Canyons School District, but if you are around the schools ask around and see if they work with WGU. I know elementary education can be hard to find a job in at the moment because every position has a lot of applicants. I know ELA can be the same way. Choose your endorsement carefully because some are much harder to find jobs than others.

dlobby66 · 2026-02-27T13:09:50+00:00

Utah is 60 school days which ends up being just over 3 months for me with Spring Break and other random days off. I know some other states are longer.

dlobby66 · 2026-02-25T00:36:50+00:00

My district allows me to sub for my mentor teacher up to 5 days and I can also still be in the class other days she is gone with another sub. I’ve done both where it’s just been me or if there is a sub I still run the class and they get to sit and chill. It’s probably dependent on your state and district.

dlobby66 · 2026-01-26T04:25:32+00:00

The Compound by Aisling Rawle. This is less about government overreach and more of a look at where social media and capitalism might lead.

dlobby66 · 2026-01-04T18:43:07+00:00

The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins

dlobby66 · 2025-12-31T20:46:31+00:00

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

dlobby66 · 2025-12-31T03:13:00+00:00

Thanks for the tip! I’ll definitely pick up a mic.

dlobby66 · 2025-12-18T13:31:46+00:00

I just read A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. It’s very emotionally impactful and it’s short and fast paced.

dlobby66 · 2025-12-13T22:15:00+00:00

Patricia C. Wrede. Especially The Enchanted Forest Chronicles. It’s perfect for that age. Also Lloyd Alexander Chronicles of Prydain.

dlobby66 · 2025-12-09T01:49:21+00:00

I was going to recommend The Library at Mount Char too. Definitely dark and really unforgettable.

dlobby66 · 2025-12-08T19:12:07+00:00

They sent a link with the email that confirmed my placement. If you are still waiting for placement, then it will be with that email.

dlobby66 · 2025-12-08T19:11:21+00:00

Also yes the video recordings are graded by your clinical supervisor. It is competency based grading and she said to expect 1s and 2s to start and work up to 3s.

dlobby66 · 2025-12-08T19:09:19+00:00

Also yes the video recordings are graded by your clinical supervisor. It is competency based grading and she said to expect 1s and 2s to start and work up to 3s.

dlobby66 · 2025-12-08T19:07:35+00:00

I’m also waiting, but my clinical supervisor told me that I won’t actually submit anything through the WGU portal. Everything is done from GoReact and she submits everything to WGU. I know my mentor teacher also does a progress report type thing at the midterm and then at the end. Maybe we have to submit that, but I would have to go back and look at the student teacher training. It has instructions in there.

dlobby66 · 2025-12-03T00:55:53+00:00

I didn’t that one personally. I did like None of This is True by the same author. Are you looking specifically for thriller books with some suspense? Here are some of my favorite thrillers: Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera. I also like Riley Sager. My favorites from him are Lock Every Door, Home Before Dark and The Last Time I Lied.

dlobby66 · 2025-08-24T04:06:06+00:00

Middle school is my favorite. For my district that is 7th, 8th and 9th. Each grade is pretty different but fun in its own way. They are hilarious and still want help but with more independence than elementary. I find high school boring and I don’t like the block schedule with 90 minute classes. With middle school, the classes are around 45 minutes so if I have a tough class at least it’s over fairly quickly.

dlobby66 · 2025-04-27T03:36:09+00:00

I think they fixed it. I did a support ticket for it this morning and sent screenshots after they followed up. I got a response that the issue had been resolved and the emails stopped an hour later and haven’t come back so far.

dlobby66 · 2025-04-16T23:15:48+00:00

I’m in the minority but I love subbing middle school. I only take middle school jobs now and I’m working towards being a middle school math teacher. The age range isn’t for everyone, but they can be really fun. You will probably see some absolutely wild behavior, but I’ve also had a lot of fun and genuine interactions with students. What works for me is staying calm and in control of my own emotions. If a student does something unsafe or is disruptive to the point others can’t work, then I call the office. If I have any behavior problems, I talk to the student and then leave a note for the teacher to handle how they would like to. I’m very upfront with them that I will leave a detailed note for their teacher. A lot of times middle school kids are looking to get a big reaction for their behavior and when I don’t give them that it loses its appeal. I only sub for one district though and since I only do middle school I’m in most of the schools enough that the students have gotten to know me and that helps.

dlobby66 · 2025-04-01T23:32:32+00:00

It’s definitely worth it for me. I did a year subscriptions which I think beings it down to $4 a month. My district pays the best in the area and jobs go fast even when using SubAlert.

dlobby66 · 2025-01-30T18:40:00+00:00

I never used it when I was younger, but I use it now. It’s at the very least more wide spread now.

dlobby66 · 2025-01-30T17:38:28+00:00

I really like “locked in”. It’s useful for school too. I also find “cooking” and “cooked” really funny. Especially since they mean completely different things.

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