Mark SanGiorgio, calculus student and senior, sees a trend among his teachers in that they tend to rush units in order to enter spring break at the end of a chapter. However, SanGiorgio does not see that trend apply with his calculus class.

“I have seen (teachers rush before a break)” SanGiorgio said. “I have not seen it in math as much, but I have seen it happen. I’ve had math classes that left off in the middle of a chapter as opposed to rushing things, but I have had it happen.”

However, math department chairperson Jacinda Sohalski sees a slightly different mindset of teachers heading in to the weeks before break.

Sohalski said via email, “I would say that most math teachers try to get an evaluation in before spring break (whenever possible) so that students aren’t coming back and having to take a test.”

Another challenge facing the department faces is trying to keep students actively involved as spring break nears.

Sohalski said, “The math teachers have been trying new class activities to keep the kids engaged. Several teachers have been trying new review games, one class used catapults to model quadratics and another teacher created problems related to statistics from the girls swim team. We’re always on the lookout for new activities that our students might enjoy.”

Photo caption…. STEADY LEARNING: Mark SanGiorgio, calculus student and senior, works on his homework. His math class is not rushing to end a chapter as spring break nears, unlike many of his other classes. MATT BARNTHOUSE / PHOTO