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!

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!

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!

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...

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GEE golly!!

Our new system

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Expressions and Equations

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... :)

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!

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

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

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

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#58 on the board

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.

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Overview of the week...

Because we need some notes...

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. :))))

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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.

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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!

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.

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In your own words...

Exs 1-2

Ex 3

Ex 4