Thursday, December 18, 2008

The Last Post of 2008!

Today, as I suspected, it was incredibly hard to stay focused. The
last day of math class for 2008!!

The focus of our day was, of course, our t-shirts! What a great
idea! (It was the kids', mind you...)Take a look at the picture of us
in our shirts below! :) Those kiddos who forgot... don't forget to
connect with your partner tomorrow.

We tried in vain to work on some word problems... but the excitement
of the t-shirts kept us from being too serious. ;)

As a heads up, we'll come back from break, pick up where we left off
with word problems and soon thereafter it will be test time. If the
spirit so moves you, you can totally practice some word problem work
over the break! Check out the earlier post of our word problem packet.

See you in 2009!

Our t-shirts!!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Dodging the tomatoes

I dodged a few tomatoes today as we continued our conversations about word problems. (Well, not actual tomatoes... ;))  We're steadily moving along, at our own pace.  We were able to complete #s 2-3 during class and I would like them to complete number 4 for homework.  (I'm going to post the problems that I scanned in a bit...)

Onward!

(don't forget the t-shirts!)

Warm up

WP #1 (from HW)

WP #2

WP #3

Monday, December 15, 2008

WPP

Today the kids got their WPP... the Word Problem Packet.  We processed another example, and they got one problem (#1 in the packet) for homework.  The most important part of these problems is for me to see that they can follow the steps... identify and define the variable, write an expression, plug it in, write an equation, solve it.  Its supposed to be a little hard right now! 

Friday, December 12, 2008

The Age Problem

There's just something about second period... time always goes by so quickly!  After our warm up, there was only time for one word problem today: The Age Problem.  I name it so because the format is the same for many different kinds of word problems.  Look for a post below for the actual problem. :)

Catch ya Monday!

Warm up worked out

Notes from today!

http://cfsmatthew.wikispaces.com/file/view/82+The+Age+Problem.pdf

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Defining One-Step Equations... and word problems dun dun dun!!!!!

After our warm up, we discussed how we've really been working on one-step equations all this time and then ventured on to start our work with one-step word problems. :)  Just worked through one today to get our feet wet... nothing for homework (or to worry about!) as of yet.

Check out our notes from today!

http://cfsmatthew.wikispaces.com/file/view/wp_onestep.pdf

Warm up

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Equations!

After a quick warm up, and noting each other's t-shirt sizes, we launched into some much needed practice on equations.  We're focusing on following the steps and clearly SHOWING OUR WORK.  The kids were working on #s 21-32 in class and should finish for homework--answers are posted online, below. :)

Answers to Homework

Homework is #s 21-32 from #78 in their notebooks...

21) x = 476
22) x = 522
23) x = 1000
24) x = 10,000
25) x = -1
26) x = -2
27) x = 456
28) x = 426
29) x = 17
30) x = 710
31) x = 153
32) x = 171

T-Shirts (Adult Sizes)

Yael - Women's Small / Kids XL
MeiLa - Women's Small / Kids XL
Lily - Women's Small / Kids XL
Jennifer - Women's Medium
Jessica - Adult Medium
Owen - Youth Large
Lucas - Adult Small
Matthew G. - Adult Medium
Michelle - Adult XS (Small)
Logan - Women's Small, Kids XL
Isabella - Women's Small (maybe medium?)
Cara - Women's Small, Kids XL
Matthew R. - Adult Small (make sure it's pre-shrunk)

Warm up

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Santa's T-Shirt Factory??

Today we did a warm-up on integers and fractions, checked our homework, and made arrangements for Santa's T-Shirt Factory!

The warm up was well-received (see below).

Even our homework checking went well!  I've told kids about what I call the "No Having a Cow Zone" -- there's this way that some kids approach checking their work.  If they, let's just say, miss one problem, they **have a cow** and miss the next five answers because they're distracted.  So, we talked about creating a No Having A Cow Zone... and it worked!  Yay!  (And, it seems as if everyone is feeling pretty confident in their one-step equations.)

Santa's T-Shirt Factory.  Now, I don't want to accidently give or not give credit to someone, but one of the kids in Pre-Al thought that it would be a great idea for us to create t-shirts for each other... in the "Secret Santa" fashion.  So today we drew names for each other.  Here's what you need to know as the parent.  One.  We're not talking fancy, high-end dollar productions here.  I'm going to run to my closet, grab an old (gently used!) t-shirt, and some Sharpies, and have at it.  Two.  It must be Pre-Al related.  This class is one of those classes that has just clicked--there is an amazing culture and climate in the room from 9:35-10:20.  As such, we have a lot of jokes and funny quotes that have become part of our culture... and while it would be hilarious to just put those on our shirts, that ain't gonna cut it!!  The shirt must be Pre-Algebra Themed... including LOTS of references to math, shortcuts, rules, Matthew sayings, what not.  If you have any questions or your child needs clarification, please do not hesitate to let me know.  Size-wise?  I'm aiming for small-medium.  We're not going for designer, but it would be nice if these shirts actually were worn around school every once in awhile.  I just like the idea of homemade Pre-Algebra shirts. :)

Hope all is well!

Warm up

No having a cow!

Monday, December 8, 2008

Equation Homework!

How could I have forgotten that your kids have homework!  Twenty equations... all mixed together... and they MUST show their work.  Ask them about it! :)

Oh where, oh where has Matthew been?

You may (or may not!) have been wondering about my whereabouts considering my lack of posting on the blog. :)

Last week was an incredibly full week--just beside myself busy. You all know how that feels!

And to add to the mayhem, I was away at the North Carolina Educational Technology Conference in Greensboro on Wednesday and Thursday. I cannot express to you what an amazing conference this is... you'll have to check out their website and read some of the session descriptions. This trimester I am actually considered as part of the "admin" staff in the middle school--and my focus is technology. I am blessed with the gift of time in the afternoons to learn about and offer workshops for other middle school staff members on technology. This conference was a way for me to keep my thumb on the pulse of what's happening. The newest buzz in the educational technology world? GoogleDocs. :) You should check it out if you've got some time.

Anyways, last week your children worked heavily on equations... adding, subtracting, multiplying... and YES, even some of those fractiony ones. :)  We've been approaching each equation using our rules:
1. Do everything you can to get the variable by itself.
2. To do so, do the opposite operation that what is written.
3. Whatever you do to one side, you must do to the other.

In fact, those fractiony ones were first seen with Lisa Ray, parent of a CFS students, while I was at the conference. Lisa helped introduce the kids to the idea of a reciprocal.

This week will see a move to some good old fashioned practice.  :)  They may grumble a bit, but it will help them in the long run!

Whew! Enjoy and have a lovely evening!

HW

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Mondays warm up

The sides of an equation

The basic equations

The different kinds of equations

The Rules for Solving Equations

Seeing the Equation Rules in action

The Rules for Solving Equations

Today we wrapped up the introduction to equations lesson that we began yesterday by looking at all four types of one-step equations (based on the operations adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing) and capped it off with the RULES FOR SOLVING EQUATIONS.

That means on Monday it will be time to do some practice! :)

Have a great break!

Monday, November 24, 2008

Equations!

Wait no more!  No more holding your breath!  Today we started equations!  Just the basic kind, but equations none the less.  No homework--we're in the middle of our lesson!

Friday, November 21, 2008

The Star Ceremony

What a momentous day!

Today marked the end of Integer Boot Camp.  And we marked this occasion with the presenting of the mastery stars ceremony.  It was amazing!  There truly were some tears in our eyes!  Take a look at the pictures below... :)

That means that Monday we hit the ground running, hard, with equations.  Onward!

Jessica's Stars

Warm up

Jennifer's Stars!!

Yael's Stars!

Isabella's Stars!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

GEE Golly!

First I must apologize for not posting yesterday. (And not just not on-time... not at all!) So this post will cover yesterday and today.

Yesterday began one of the most famous Matthew-lessons I've got: Expressions vs. Equations.  We talked about the difference and similarities (as we're on our way to working solely with equations).  And we took some notes.

Today we focused on Trevor the Triangle... and had him help us think about a real-life example considering expressions and equations.  (That's where the GEE came from.... Geometry, Expressions, Equations :))

No homework on either night (yesterday or today)... we just keep running out of time!

Plus, your children came up with this nifty new classroom management tool that you'll see above the board.  Ask them about it...

Warm up

GEE golly!!

Our new system

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Staking down the tarp

Wow, look how many balls are in the air!!

Today we tried to lay down a few of the balls that we've been juggling in class... #59, #60, our notebooks, the transition to Trimester 2, IBC Mastery Quizzes... just to name a few!  And we literally spent all period doing this!

Plus, the kids got "checker" sheets to check #59 & #60 -- and they will want to check their answers (or do them if they forgot to pick up a sheet) and then check them. :)

Tomorrow?  Back to the grind... with hopefully a normal amount of balls in the air... :)

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Another late post for your children over the weekend....

#3 So Logan pointed out that you've also got homework problems due on Monday! AGH! I totally forgot--and the same applies for them as for your notebooks... not due until Tuesday. Hope this gets to you soon!

Friday, November 14, 2008

A note to your kids...

I posted this to the new Pre-Algebra Conference on FirstClass a few minutes ago, but I'm thinking pasting it up here for you all will be quicker to get the message out!

Hey all--

Two quick things.

#1 -- I just made us a Pre-Algebra Conference! Whoohoo! Now I can leave YOU guys messages! (your kids, on FirstClass)

#2 -- A development. Wednesday afternoon Toni reminded me that I am actually going to be away Monday at a conference. No worries, I'll be back on Tuesday. But you will remember that I had a promised a notebook check on Monday and many of you will have spent part of your weekend piecing your notebooks back together. I'll shoot out a message on the blog in hopes that your parents will be checking over the weekend.

Your notebooks will obviously be not be checked/due until Tuesday when I get back and I apologize for the mix-up. I'll tell Terri (my sub on Monday) to let you have some time to work on those notebooks just in case you need some extra time.

Here's the kicker: I expect IMPECCABLE notebooks when I return. No broken holes, no missing pieces of paper. If you're missing something? Hand write another copy or ask an adult to make a copy in the staff room.

Much light & love! Have a great weekend! --matthew

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Wow, what a workday!

Today the kids got a say in what they did... unfortunately, there's a lot of stuff they had to do!  Take a look below at the list of four things that need to be accomplished before Monday.  So, they could have worked on them during class, or they will need to work on them over the weekend.  

We've had OVER HALF the kids reach mastery in the Integer Boot Camp!  Enjoy the weekend!

Warm up

The choices

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Moving right along...

Today we breezed through some notes and then the kids got to sink their teeth into some harder translating algebraic expressions.  I asked them to get to at least #10.  Link to that sheet at http://cfsmatthew.wikispaces.com/classdocs

Warm up

#58 on the board

Monday, November 10, 2008

Time just flys!

When you're having fun in Pre-Algebra!

Something about second period... the time just SLIPS through our fingers!

Today we only had a chance to reconnect and remind ourselves about plug it in, plug it in and translating algebraic expressions... tomorrow we will hit hard on the examples once again.

Tonight for homework, however, you are most likely going to see mastery quizzes coming home.  There are three floating around: Adding/Subtracting, Multiplying/Dividing, and the FINAL -- all on integers.  We're aiming for mastery here... which means 85-90% correct.  And on a 5 question quiz?  I want them ALL right!  No matter how many times we have to take it..........

We'll have a "pop" quiz on Wednesday on our new material--just a heads up.

Warm up

Overview of the week...

Because we need some notes...

Friday, November 7, 2008

Quiz Day!

After some storytelling (yes, a deer DID run into my car last night...) -- we moved into our quiz taking time!  Some kids were taking Adding/Subtracting Quizzes, others the Multiplying/Dividing, and still others the final, big honkin' quiz.  Most finished, but you may see some leftover stragglers come home.

That means that next week we are back on track with our expressions variables... and very soon... EQUATIONS. :))))

Warm up

Thursday, November 6, 2008

More converting

Today after our warm up, we had a quick conversation about where we're at with our mastery quizzes (which tomorrow will be a make up day as well as the final IBC quiz) before moving on to practice more converting "english" into math language.  See the example below...

four more than the product of two and y = 4 + 2y

They shouldn't (I think!) have homework tonight, most everyone finished in class.

Warm up

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

A very full day!

Today was a very full block day!

We... checked our homework, processed the elections, visited the Ellis Island Simulation with first years, and practiced some more plug it in problems (that they'll want to finish for homework if they need to).

Onward!

Monday, November 3, 2008

In the middle of two units!

We've found ourselves in quite an interesting place!  We've still got one foot in the door of the IBC room and we're already moving and shaking in the Expressions and Variables unit.  So today, we processed my absence last week and took some more notes in the new unit.  Things on the horizon?  Wrapping up IBC and our mastery quizzes... moving full speed ahead into our new unit!

Homework is to finish the "plug it in" work that they started (and some finished) on Friday.

Warm up

In your own words...

Exs 1-2

Ex 3