Project URL:  attendance.htm

Purpose of the project:
This project will serve two main instructional purposes. First, it will create a sense of community and will help students understand their school and the community around them. Second, it is a great way to introduce major concepts such as histograms, pie graphs, and many other statistical concepts that sometimes seem totally abstract.

How it works:
This project will be done in three days, possibly four. The first day students will be introduced to the project and to their school attendance data. In the next few days, students will work on the computer and away from the computer in order to create their presentation. Some of the students will decide not to use any software and they will only use the graphing calculator to print their graphs.

Standards addressed:
Math: 
Organize data
Interpret representation of data, compare distribution of data and critique conclusions

Technology:
Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models, prepare publications, and produce other creative work.
Students use technology tools to process data and report results

English Language Arts:
Read and comprehend authentic documents
Write reports using correct conventions and grammar

Computer Applications:
The different software that may be used in this project are: Power Point 5.0, Excel, Word

Other technology:  LCD Projector,  Overhead Projector, TI-83 graphic calculator

The Students:
100 ninth-grade students participated in the project. The students were all enrolled in Math A. Students met for about three days to complete the project. They worked both in the classroom and in the computer lab.   

Overall Value:
Students in urban schools encounter a variety of obstacles to academic achievement. Students feel more and more that “The School” is obsolete, and they do not see the correlation between concepts learned in their classes and real world application.  Students working on this project will understand the relevance of schooling and will also build their self esteem because they will take an active part in their learning process and in their school’s administrative work. Bubble sheet attendance ratings are “stuff” that only the assistant principal and the principal look at.  With this project, students will take responsibility for their school’s reputation and success, not only as students, but also as active learners who use their knowledge to make the school a better place. 

Tips:
The project can be adapted to any age group.  The best part of this project is that it makes students aware of their attendance and the community around them.  

Evaluation rubric:  attrubric.htm

About The Teacher

Francesco Ianni teaches mathematics at University Neighborhood High School. Francesco is always in search of new, different ways to reach “at-risk” students. His teaching integrates technology and hands-on activities, where students can really discover on their own that math is all around us. 

Together with his mentors, Francesco led a workshop at the NYU ACTIII Conference in May entitled “Electronic Communications and the 3R’s:  Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic”.  He demonstrated technology lessons and resources they developed this year to target Math and ELA performance standards. 

Estimated Class Periods To Complete: 3-4 class periods, including 2 days in the computer lab

Subject:
Algebra, Statistics, Technology

Beginning Grade Level: 9

Ending Grade Level: 12