7th grade, Mon, Nov 30

Back into adding and subtracting fractions -- this time with unlike denominators.
We sang the adding song which reminds us (to the tune of Freres Jacques)
What about fractions? What's their action?
Can we add? Is it bad?
Check denominators. Now instead of "later"
That's the rule -- keep your cool.
With an odd batch, when they don't match
Then convert -- just convert
One into the other, both into another
Keep it true -- good for you!

We practiced the left hand column on the handout (Reteach 4-3) in class -- THE ASSIGNMENT
is to conplete the middle column on this same page -- that's items 2,5,8,11,14,17,20 and 23.

I've written to Santa asking for Kleenex and dry erase markers. Hope I've been good.

Prealgebra, Mon, Nov 30

Back into fractions today -- multiplying and dividing them.

One group still needs to get me their thanksgiving dinner project by tomorrow. Eleven students still haven't turned in those mystery pictures.

I showed a model (rectangle) to use -- it's helpful to some but not to all.
Multiplying fractions is easy, though, just multiply the numerators (top times the top) and denominators (bottom times the bottom) then simplify.
Dividing is the opposite of multiplying so we just turn division problems into multiplication ones by taking the reciprocal (flip it) of the second number. So 1/2 divided by 3/4 is the same as 1/2 times 4/3.

Students did well in class -- the assignment is to finish itmes 13 - 30 on the handout (Reteach 5-3)

I have written to Santa asking for kleenex and dry erase markers. Hope I've been good.

Algebra, Mon, Nov 30

We continued working on the inequality problem-solving workshop packet today. I shared examples from the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th sections. Tomorrow I'll share examples from the 5th and final section -- these will be due to me on Wednesday.
Some students make good use of this time in-class -- they work in small groups and ask questions to make sure they are working correctly.
However, there are many students who take this working time as an excuse to socialize and basically goof off. I will not provide them with additional time to get work completed.

Tomorrow at tutoring I'll review all the answers to the recent test and show students what they can do to re-test/raise that test grade.

I have written to Santa asking for kleenex and dry erase markers. Hope I've been good enough.

7th grade, Wed 11/25

More fabulous Thanksgiving dinner menus from our problem-solving workshop:

the most number of menu items (31): serves 15 at $15.95 each:
appetizers: Amish friendship bread, applelsauce bread, cheese ball & crackers, roasted red pepper spread
main dishes: ham, turkey, steak, mac and cheese, spaghetti, chili
desserts: S'more cones, apple smiles, chocolate cookies, oatmeal cookies, apple chocolate cake, bulldog brittle, sinful brownies, banana pudding, chocolate pretzels, apple cake
drinks: orange juice, coca cola, pepsi, mountain dew, apple juice, cranberry juice, franzia wine (for the adults only), cream soda, water, lemon juice (?)

Most expensive dinner per person is $17.93 each and serves 6
Entrees: deep fried turkey, ham, roast beef
Side Dishes: green bean casserole, cheesy potatoes, Hawaiian rolls, tortilla roll ups
Dessert: pumpkin pie, pecan pie, fudge squares, peanut brittle
Drinks: wine (they couldn't resist the sale prices in the ads), water, sweet tea, coke

Least expensive dinner per person is $4.85 each and serves 25
chocolate pie, turkey, mashed potatoes, mac'n'cheese, peanut butter cookies, ham, ice cream, pudding, brownies, mountain dew, hot chocolate, pumpkin pie

Almost every student said YES they would like to eat the dinner they planned.

Prealgebra, Nov 25

Only one more mystery picture was ready to be turned in -- I have made extra copies for students who have lost theirs and I will accept them on Monday with only a slight deduction in points for being late. It would be a shame to not complete this assignment. Anyone who needs help with it should just ask or come for tutoring.

Our Thanksgiving Dinner problem-solving workshop -- focusing on computation -- was a success.
Only one team didn't complete their work and they were missing their materials with the 2 students who were absent -- they will have an extra day to complete it.

Some examples of the menus submitted are --

Menu 1 serves 15 people for $8.10 each
Appetizers: Curried chutney cheeseball,pepperoni bread, pizza dip and chocolate pumpkin bread
Entrees: Swiss chicken and ham casserole, fried rice with meat, Grandma Sue's chicken casserole and turkey
Side dishes: Stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, corn, macaroni and cheese
Desserts: Fluffy two-step cheesecake, chocolate truffle, cherry crumb dessert squares, homemade apple crisp and oatmeal cookies

Menu 2 serves 15 people at $6.12 each
Sweet marshmallow yams, delicious brownies, pumpkin pie, smoked turkey and ham, cheesey cheese ball, sweet cooked carrots, stuffing, healthy veggie tray, sweet Hawaiian rolls, creamy butter mashed potatoes, hashbrown casserole, pasta salad, spicy pumpkin muffins, scrumptous deviled eggs w/ paprika and green beans

Menu 3 serves 6 for $10.66 each
Orange Julius, creole chitterlings, sweet potato casserole, pumpkin pie, turkey, ham, coleslaw, pickles, ice cream and popsicles

Algebra, Wed Nov 25

Test results -- mini-test on functions and relations:

A's 2 students (congrats to Ian & Chris)
B's 7 students
C's 4 students
D's 5 students
F's 5 students

PowerSchool is up to date.

The 10 students with D's or F's (grades lower than 20) on this test will need to attend tutoring next week to review this material and prepare for a re-test. Others who wish to do so may join them.

We will continue work on our inequalities & properties problem-solving workshop next week.

7th grade, Nov 23, 24 & 25

We are very involved in a Problem-Solving Workshop all this week.
The topic is Thanksgiving dinner and the tasks include developing a menu, using recipes to create a shopping list, and using grocery ads to determine prices. Students work in small groups and the project involves many computations, including with fractions and decimals. They have to think whether their results make sense. They are partial to desserts -- no surprise there.

Two groups have already completed their work -- here are their Menus:

One group is serving Chicken Anna, green beans, two-step cheesecake, pumpkin pie and double-delight peanut butter cookies. Their cost per person served is $7.54.

A second group is serving turkey and baby-back ribs, chitterlings, apple cider, pumpkin pie, ice cream, cake and cookies. Their cost per person is $8.11.

Prealgebra, Nov 23, 24 & 25

We are working on a Problem-Solving Workshop this week. The topic is Thanksgiving Dinner and students are working in small groups to develop a menu, ingredient list, shopping list, and prices. They are using real recipes and real grocery ads -- it's called an authentic assignment. The math topic is computation and the students are very engaged so far. As they get done, I'll publish some of their menus and prices (per person).

Oh my!!! Only six students have turned in those mystery pictures (graphing) that were due Monday. They are now late -- to avoid a zero in the gradebook (and this is going in as a test grade because of the size and complexity of the task) -- they need to get these done & to me. With only 3 weeks to go in this grading period, it would be a shame to lose this class' status as the middle school math class with the highest average grade :)

Algebra, Nov 23, 24 & 25

Yesterday we reviewed the topic of functions and relations -- today we had a mini-test on this smallest algebra standard. Two students need to complete this test tomorrow. There will be an opportunity to review & retest on this topic.

Following the test, students started on a Problem-Solving Workshop on the topic of inequalities using properties. The PSW will easily take all day Wed and also the Monday after Thanksgiving. We'll spend time in class working on it -- it is not homework.

After completing the work on inequalities, we will return to our work on linear equations and their graphs. We will have a test on linear equations and their graphs before winter break.

With the end of the grading period just 3 weeks away -- I am doing my best to keep PowerSchool updated every single day.

Reminder -- students are welcome to come for tutoring which is available 9 days out of 10 (every other Wednesday the math coaches and I have a committee meeting).

7th grade, Friday Nov 20

More on proportions today -- working on word problems this time.
We started with an interesting puzzle involving some pigs.
If not done in class, students need to finish over the weekend.
All next week we will be working on a Thanksgiving Dinner Problem-Solving Workshop.
There will be no homework unless there is missing work.

Prealgebra, Fri Nov 20

More success today working on the difficult topic of adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators. We also had time to work on those mystery pictures. If not done, they are due at the beginning of class Monday.

All next week we'll be working on a Thanksgiving Dinner problem solving workshop.
There will be no homework unless there is missing work.

Algebra, friday 11-20

today we reviewed the assignment from yesterday (on Practice 5-2) and learned two ways to determine if a relation is a function -- using mapping of the domain & range and by using the Vertical Line Test on a graph.
We also did a quiz -- which most completed in class but can finish at home if not done.
Monday we'll review the topic of relations & functions and Tuesday we'll have a mini-test on this smallest of Algebra standards.
Wednesday we'll have a problem solving workshop on inequalities.

7th grade, thursday 11/19

We did an interesting logic problem involving ice cream flavors, then reviewed proportions and practiced solving proportion problems. Almost everyone completed this in class -- so they have NO ASSIGNMENT.

We also got to sing the RATIO SONG (to the tune of Jingle Bells).

Students who hadn't completed (or done well) on the adding and subtracting fractions work from yesterday were given a chance to finish and/or correct their work.


Tomorrow, we'll try proportion story problems.

Prealgebra, Thus, 11/19

Today we tackled the hardest math skill there is -- adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators. I know this is something many students have not been able to master in the past so we took it very slow and made a lot of progress. Virtually everyone understood what the steps needed to be and could complete examples on their own. Yea!! We'll check tomorrow and see if everyone remembers what we did today.

There is NO ASSIGNMENT, but students should bring their mystery pictures to class and plan to finish them.

Algebra Thursday 11/19

We reviewed the assignment from Tuesday on function notation.

We finished covering new information on functions today by learning how to tell whether a relation is a function. We got to sing a song about it (Oh, domain and range . . .)

Tonights' ASSIGNMENT is on Practice 5-2, items 1,3,9,11,13,15,17,19, and 21

We have now covered everything in the function standard (it's the shortest one) and will have a mini-test next Monday or Tuesday.

7th grade, Wed, 11/18

We worked on fractions in several ways:
students took turns on line at www.shodor.org trying fraction-based activities
students completed two simple worksheets on adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators
there were other hands-on fraction activities that used different shaped tiles, tangrams, or fraction model pieces
NO ASSIGNMENT

7th grade, tues, Nov 17

we spent time in class finishing the ratios & proportions assignment before checking the answers. when done, we spent some time reviewing some fun critical thinking puzzles (thanks to Elmo). then we finished by completing a short quiz on ratios & proportions.
There was an XC ASSIGNMENT available on proportions & equivalent fractions, Puzzles 6 & 29.

Prealgebra, Tues Nov 17

Still doing a great job with fractions -- today we covered subtracting fractions and mixed numbers with the same denominators. Students had time to work on their mystery pictures -- which are due Friday. There is no assignment -- it was completed in class.
Tomorrow we will miss class because of our field trip.

Alg Tues, Nov 17

More on functions -- we reviewed the assignment and worked, in teams if desired, on analyzing 8 graphs. We also discussed function notation, domain and range. There is a small ASSIGNMENT, on the ReTeach 5-2 page, just items 6,8,10,13, and 15.

tomorrow we will only meet for 1/2 hour before our field trip. We'll field any questions and get that assignment completed/reviewed before we go. There will be no new assignment tomorrow.

7th grade, Mon, Nov 16

we started with a maze based on multiples of three.
Then into fractions by way of ratios and proportions.
We reviewed in class and the ASSIGNMENT is the even items on the handout (both sides) labeled 6.2 & 6.3.
A few students got a turn exploring interesting fraction activities on one of two websites (all students will get a turn over the next several days): www.shodor.org and www.nctm.org

Prealgebra, Mon Nov 16

WOW! this class has the highest class average ( B) and no student has a failing grade. I made a deal with them - if we have all C's and above at the end of the quarter -- it's a popcorn party in class.

We are making excellent progress on our fraction unit -- today we worked on adding fractions and mixed numbers with the same denominators. Everyone said this was very easy. We also reviewed how to calculate multiples of three in a warm-up activity and THE ASSIGNMENT is to complete Puzzle 29, applications of proportions (just this one side, please).

Reminder, those mystery pictures, plotted on graph paper, are due by Friday.

Algebra monday 11/16

We are taking a couple of day's break from linear equations to cover the topic of relations and functions. This is found in Chapter 5, sections 1 & 2 of the textbook. Today we discussed interpreting a graph, creating a sketch of an event (or a story) and analyzing graphs. There was excellent participation in class. The ASSIGNMENT is to complete the items on the handout: Practice 5 - 1.

7th grade, Friday Nov 13

We explored fractions some more -- taking turns creating drawings of equivalent fractions -- then solving some proportions and reducing to simplest form.
We ended by touring some very interesting fraction activities on line
my two favorite websites for these are www.shodor.org and www.nctm.org but there are many more. Students will be able to take turns spending time on them during classes next week.
NO ASSIGNMENT this weekend.

Prealgebra, Fri, Nov 13

We looked at actual examples of unit rates which we calculated from advertisements.
Keep bringing in those Thanksgiving recipes!!
We also had a Friday the thirteenth good luck fraction quiz -- and 13 of the 20 students here today earned an A on it.
NO ASSIGNMENT over the weekend -- but students did select their mystery picture to work on -- it is due next Friday.

Algebra, Friday 11/13

We reviewed standard form, turned in the assignment from 2 days ago and then had a quiz on slope-intercept form. there is NO ASSIGNMENT
students who didn't do well on the quiz are scheduled for tutoring next Tuesday, 3:20 - 4:00

7th grade, Wed 11/11

Finally, we did finish our last decimal assignment (the palm tree picture worksheet) -- almost everyone got it done in class. If not, it's due Thursday.
We started talking about our next unit -- on fractions.
I asked students to write the answers to two questions as an ASSIGNMENT:
1) if you have not succeeded with fractions in the past, why do you think you have been unsuccessful? and
2) what are you willling to do to succeed with them this time?
I told students that I am planning to use new and different teaching methods with them to help them "get it".
Still looking for their recipe of their favorite Thanksgiving dish -- I've only gotten a handful.
Many students will be on the band field trip Thursday so we'll not have an assignment but will focus on hands-on fraction activities.

Prealgebra, Wed 11/11

we spend a day in the computer lab working with fractions on one of two websites: www.shodor.org or www.nctm.org. Each student had a list of the specific activities to try.
Because of the band field trip Thursday, we will practice converting from improper fractions to mixed numbers and back again -- There is a page on this in the skills workbook section in the back of the textbook. This should get done in class so that there is no homework.
This class is justifiably proud of their grades -- they have the highest class average of all 7th and 8th grade math classes -- no one is failing. Keep up the good work!!

Algebra Wed 11/11

Reviewing those properties was needed -- some got it, most needed help with it.
Then, back to linear equations in standard form and transforming equations.
We did some examples in-class and
The ASSIGNMENT is to try items 21 - 24 and 29 - 32 on Practice 6-3

Thursday, many students will be on the band field trip -- we will not cover new material but will practice calculating the x- and y- intercepts from standard form equations and then practice plotting the line. There will be no homework.

7th grade, Tuesday, Nov 10

We started with an interesting problem -- solved two parts and the other two are bonus points if solved this week. These are:
1) how many different ways are there to make 53 cents in change (e.g. one way is 53 pennies)?
2) if you purchased an item that costs $2.99 plus 6% tax and paid with a $20.00 bill, what would be the minimum number of coins the cashier could give you as change?

Today we did finish our dividing with decimals task -- those who did a good job on it yesterday earned 10 points and started the final decimal assignment (which reviews all decimal operations). Those who did a good job on today's in-class assignment earned 9 points and have no homework assignment. Those few who didn't complete it well enough yesterday or today were given additional practice items to complete as homework. Their top grade will be 8 points, if all are completed correctly when turned in tomorrow.

Prealgebra, Tues, Nov 10

We started by reviewing three decimal division problems.
Next we checked our assignment on ratios and unit rates -- students did so well we had a quick 4 item quiz and only a few students will need to do further review on this topic.
We shared some real-life examples of unit rates from grocery store ads so that students know why this is useful information.
Finally, we did an algebra activity that involves plotting points and connecting them to create a picture. This is a very important basic algebra skill -- and making it into a picture made it interesting. There will be a similar assignment with a more challenging set of instructions later this week.
Tomorrow we head to the computer lab to practice working with fractions. There is no homework today or tomorrow!!

Algebra, Tues, Nov 10

We started by reviewing 3 division problems with decimals -- and some of us had forgotten how to do these.
Next we checked yesterday's assignment -- students did very well on this topic (slope-intercept form of a linear equation and its graph) they should be ready for a quiz sometime soon

We introduced the standard form of a linear equation and practiced finding the x- intercept and y-intercept and graphing it from the equation.

The ASSIGNMENT is both sides of a handout that reviews the three most important properties: distributive, associative and commutative. The earned a collective groan from the class so I'm sure it's needed!!

7th grade, Mon Nov 9

wanted to finish dividing with decimals today -- didn't get that accomplished. There were five problems to complete and almost no one did. Really? Since it seems our skills are so weak on this skill -- guess I'll have to continue with it, including with some tougher problems -- cause when I checked with my standards (and their previous teachers), they should be able to do this without all the complaints and "it's too hard"s.
Those five problems (which must be completed before class tomorrow) are:
1) 80.19 divided by 9.9
2) 167.4 divided by .93
3) 8.36 divided by 1.9
4) 225 divided by .45
5) .3086 divided by .66

Prealgebra, Mon, Nov 9

four students had their favorite Thanksgiving dish recipe today
We worked from the book, Ch 6, on ratios & proportions -- today was ratios & unit rates
the ASSIGNMENT: ch 6, sec 1 (either page 290 or 294) items 1-16.

Algebra, Monday Nov 9

for a warm-up activity we practiced addition & subtraction with integers
then we got back to graphing from slope-intercept form equations and writing the equation from the graph.
the ASSIGNMENT: on the handout -- Practice 6-2: 9,12,15,18,21,24,31-36 & 39-42

all classes, Friday Nov 6

No homework this weekend
except that prealgebra & 7th graders need to find a recipe for their favorite Thanksgiving dish and bring it to class. We'll be using this for a project on fractions.

7th grade, thus nov 5

we sorted our sketch examples into three categories: too hard, too easy, or just right.
Today was the one day I requested students to try multiplying using the lattice method -- they needed to complete 5 items (including decimal point placement). there is no homework.

prealgebra, thursday nov 5

this was my favorite day in this class for the entire year!!!
We started by drawing a fraction. We shared our drawings -- (one student, KH, had an outstanding linkage of examples to share).
We discussed: who used fractions, what kind of fractions are there, what are the parts of a fraction
finally THE ASSIGNMENT is to complete the even items in the skills handbook section of the text -- which is either p. 771, or 793, or 809 depending on the edition you have.
By student request -- there were also 5 challenging compound fraction problems on the board -- these will be extra credit.

Algebra, thus, Nov 5

Great day in algebra class today -- everyone had done the assignment and done well on it.
We reviewed it and then we found creative ways to act out slope.
finally, we reviewed slope-intercept form (the back side of yesterday's assignment) --
Practice 6-2 the NEW ASSIGNMENT is to find the slope and intercept of items 5 - 24.
Actual graphing of these will happen in class tomorrow.

7th grade, nov 3

we discussed the assignment that reviewed key number sense topics (credit for effort in powerschool)
There was a quiz on multiplying and dividing decimals by powers of ten (notes and previous assingments could be used to help)
We will continue to work with decimals & multiplying and dividing them -- I will insist that we spend one day doing multiplication by the lattice method (tomorrow). After that, students may use any method they like.
some students in the core 3 class (Ms. Jacob's homeroom) had seen the blog and knew the secret to getting a bonus point on the quiz. no one in my homeroom did.

prealgebra, wed nov 4

We had some time to continue to work on our final decimal assignment (hidden picture) today. I will still accept it tomorrow and not count it late (but that's the last day).
We also updated our folders with all our work on decimals this quarter.
We have a new seating chart which we will use while we work on fractions -- our new topic.
I spent considerable time reminding students:
they have done a good job this quarter paying attention and trying -- the grades show it
they can also do this with fractions
research (and my own experience) shows that learning fractions is the best thing you can do to prepare for success with algebra in high school
we will continue to do most of our work together in class which will help them succeed
we will also use some other learning methods (on-line and building models) to help them fill in any learning-gaps with fractions
all of these students can improve their skills with fractions
THE ASSIGNMENT tonight -- think about these two questions and write down your answers:
1) what has kept me from being successful with fractions in the past
2) what am I willing to do this time in order to be successful with fractions
I'm going to be very interested to read these!!

Algebra, Wed, Nov 4

We are getting pretty good working with those equation "transformers" -- a tricky skill. We reviewed the even items on ASG p 56 and we turned in our revisited take home quiz (from last Thursday).
I provided a "preview of coming attractions" on the standard form of linear equations -- we then looked at a list and identified which ones were and weren't in this form.
Finally, students received a worksheet that reviews our work on slope (on one side) and slope-intercept form (on the other). We worked one of each of four types on the first side and
THE ASSIGNMENT is to finish this side -- Practice 6-1.
Slope is rise over run, slope is how the y's change over how the x's change, it's the rate of change -- the more ways we know to think about it and calculate it, the better.

7th grade, Nov 3

today we finished dividing decimals by powers of ten.

There is an assignment tonight -- a handout I prepared that reviews some key number sense topics.

Students don't know it, but we'll have a quiz tomorrow covering multiplying and dividing by powers of ten. Those who have read this blog should write the code phrase "I'm one" under their name on the quiz and get a bonus point.

prealgebra, tues Nov 3

today we wrapped up our unit on decimals. Students are finishing an assignment that includes 15 items. they must do them on separate paper and show their work. then they write the answers on the handout and use the clues at the top of the paper to see what needs to be colored in.
Effort in class has been quite good this quarter and the grades are strong. Many students have the highest grade they've ever had in a math class -- I hope we can hold onto that motivation as we take up our

Next topic -- fractions!!

Algebra on tuesday Nov 3

We started with three items on domain & range. Domain is the "x" and range is the "y".
Next we tackled those tough transformer equations. I think we made a great deal of progress on this in class today. We reviewed the assignment (full credit was taken for effort).

Tonight, students need to look at the rest of the transformer equations -- ASG, p. 56, the even ones we haven't already done.

They also need to do or look over the take home quiz items that were assigned last thursday but only 7 students had attempted. Those are in the algebra book, p 288, 54 - 62. Only those who tried them on time will get the maximum credit, but all others can certainly get better than a zero.

7th grade, monday nov 2

we continue to work with decimals -- today's focus was on dividing decimals by powers of ten.
Students did very well. We may get done with decimals this week!
There is no homework unless a student has missing work.

Prealgebra Monday Nov 2

today we continued our review of long division with decimals. Students needed to complete five problems correctly in 40 minutes. There were 12 who did this. Yay!! The other 7, who did not, need to complete the middle column (6 items) on the handout -- clearly they need some extra practice. (They are also most welcome to come for tutoring after school, too.) I think some who have never really been able to do long division may have made some key progress.
We started class with a review of some key number sense items, divisibility rules, factoring, and identifying rational numbers.
Finally, we continue to talk about good habits of mind -- those that help us succeed.

Algebra on Monday Nov 2

Today in class we started with a review sheet on number sense -- divisibility and factoring and rational numbers.
Then we learned how to transform equations -- the assignment for tonight is to complete the odd items (3 - 19) on p. 56 of the Algebra Survival Guide. This must be done on a separate sheet of paper so you can show the work. It is only 9 items, just like those we did in class today.
Due today was a Take Home Quiz, from the book, page 588, items 54-62. Only 7 students had anything to turn in (it was assigned on Thursday). This is not acceptable. Those who didn't even try it need to "get 'er done".