Red Beetle RB

I currently teach Pre-Algebra, Algebra, and Geometry to 7th and 8th graders near Chicago. I have been teaching since 2004, and I have noticed that many of the units I'm looking for aren't already bundled in a nice package...so I made them myself! To help YOU, my fellow teachers, find the "bundles" I've been looking for! I have put much time into creating my supplemental materials and units. Through sharing and observation of my self-created lessons, colleagues have suggested that I find a way to share the materials I have created. I hope you find my materials helpful! PLEASE email me at: redbeetlerb@gmail.com if you have questions! If you have suggestions for my materials, please let me know. If I agree, I'll fix it and send you back an updated version.

I follow them middle-school philosophy and team teach on a block schedule that loops (I teach the same 8th graders that I taught in 7th grade). That means that most of my lessons are geared towards a 70/90 minute block of time, while my classes meet 3 or 4 times a week. The lessons can be adjusted to fit whatever schedule you have, though. As teachers, I think we learn time management and adjusting to the speed of our classes right away! I aim to present content in a way that I think the students will "experience" more of the math, making connections and discoveries on their own, and therefore remember it.

I have been part of a school that has won major awards in my time there. We have won the AIMS Demonstration School of Distinction (Local Affiliation of NMSA), National Blue Ribbon Award, and the Horizon School to Watch Award in the past 6 years. Personally I have been awarded three grants and the team I work on won a Teams that Excel award from the Illinois State Board of Education. I have presented at two conferences and my school was asked to host an AIMS conference due to receiving the School of Distinction status. I have also obtained my National Board Certification in 2011.

I completed high school in the Northern suburbs of Chicago. I then headed out to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and completed an undergraduate degree in Cinematography. This degree has helped me in the are of technology, which I include in my lessons as often as I can. However, it is more of a hobby now. Then I completed my Master of Arts in Teaching degree at National-Louis University. I now teach pre-algebra, algebra, and geometry curricula. I also teach graduate Middle Level Education courses at National-Louis University that focus on adolescent development and curriculum development.

I always rely on the discipline methods of Love and Logic in my classroom. I have attended workshops and read the books, and my advice to anyone (new teacher or old) who hasn't read up on this philosophy yet, do so! Of course, mold it to your own management style, but its definitely worth your time! Oh, and feel free to contact me with any questions you have about any of my products before buying them. You can write to me at redbeetlerb@gmail.com. Or visit my blog, which links you directly to my contact information!