Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Reminder about Class Docs!
Remember that you can now watch play-by-play with what happened during your child's math class when I use the tablet @ http://cfsmatthew.wikispaces.com/classdocs!
There's nothing to get?
We started off with some warm-ups that were one step equations... which led to a cool conversation/play time where we experimented with two- and multi-step equations. This was not at all what I had planned for today... but we rode the teachable moment! We're headed in that direction soon, so we'll consider today a bit of a preview.
But we're not out of the woods with Word Problems though! :) No homework!
And I must acknowledge the late post. The latter part of my day was spent in my role as fourth year advisor on a mini-retreat with the fourth years. AND, Pre-Algebra will not meet tomorrow due to Adolescent Issues Forum. Until Thursday!
But we're not out of the woods with Word Problems though! :) No homework!
And I must acknowledge the late post. The latter part of my day was spent in my role as fourth year advisor on a mini-retreat with the fourth years. AND, Pre-Algebra will not meet tomorrow due to Adolescent Issues Forum. Until Thursday!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Taking up the d=rt
Today, after our integer warm up, we shared and laughed about our d=rt problems that we had written. I've taken them up for now... they'll see them again soon. :)
No homework!
For a copy of what we did today, see http://cfsmatthew.wikispaces.com/classdocs.
No homework!
For a copy of what we did today, see http://cfsmatthew.wikispaces.com/classdocs.
Friday, January 23, 2009
A Guide to d=rt Answers
We first completed a "Mental Math" warm up - math that can ONLY be done in your head. :)
Then we went over the answers to the homework... on the tablet! :) Those answers can be found on the wikispace @ http://cfsmatthew.wikispaces.com/classdocs under Pre-Algebra.
We didn't even get to share the problems that they made up! We're going to tackle those first thing Monday morning... ;) Have a good weekend!
Then we went over the answers to the homework... on the tablet! :) Those answers can be found on the wikispace @ http://cfsmatthew.wikispaces.com/classdocs under Pre-Algebra.
We didn't even get to share the problems that they made up! We're going to tackle those first thing Monday morning... ;) Have a good weekend!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
More d=rt!
Today we played again with my new toy -- the tablet! In fact, most of our work was done via the tablet. ;)
We first began with a warm up d=rt word problem. (You can download this and all of the notes from today on the wiki at http://cfsmatthew.wikispaces.com/classdocs)
Then, we went over how to approach a d=rt word problem again, step by step.
Afterwards, the kids were given four d=rt problems to begin working on in class... and finish for HW. The way cool part? They are the subjects of the word problems!!! AND they get to create their own. :)
Ask your child about 'em.
We first began with a warm up d=rt word problem. (You can download this and all of the notes from today on the wiki at http://cfsmatthew.wikispaces.com/classdocs)
Then, we went over how to approach a d=rt word problem again, step by step.
Afterwards, the kids were given four d=rt problems to begin working on in class... and finish for HW. The way cool part? They are the subjects of the word problems!!! AND they get to create their own. :)
Ask your child about 'em.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
No Post!
No post today... as we didn't see each other because of the shortened Delay schedule. Until tomorrow!
Friday, January 16, 2009
The New Tablet!!
How exciting was today!
Pre-Algebra Second Period was the first class that I was able to use my newest toy... a Wacom Bamboo Tablet. It was awesome!
In essence, it just lets you write on your screen. But being absent a SMART board, this is the next best thing!
So, take a look at http://cfsmatthew.wikispaces.com/classdocs and look under Pre-Algebra for #93 and #94... and you'll be able to download what we did on the board today! Whoohoo!
We checked our homework (using the tablet) and moved through some example word problems on Dividing (fractions, really)... all on the tablet!
Have a great weekend!
Pre-Algebra Second Period was the first class that I was able to use my newest toy... a Wacom Bamboo Tablet. It was awesome!
In essence, it just lets you write on your screen. But being absent a SMART board, this is the next best thing!
So, take a look at http://cfsmatthew.wikispaces.com/classdocs and look under Pre-Algebra for #93 and #94... and you'll be able to download what we did on the board today! Whoohoo!
We checked our homework (using the tablet) and moved through some example word problems on Dividing (fractions, really)... all on the tablet!
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Multiplying Kind and More d=rt!
We went back over some multiplying examples today... specifically on wages and getting paid. You'll see those examples below and I hope to post the actual problems later.
Then we moved back into d=rt with some problems for homework. You should see this come home (its about 6 problems).
Your kids love the d=rt!
Then we moved back into d=rt with some problems for homework. You should see this come home (its about 6 problems).
Your kids love the d=rt!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Gettin' D=rty!
No, your eyes have not failed you! That's d=rt up there! (pronounced "dirt")
Today we used our extended block time in second period to introduce and play around with d=rt problems (that's distance = rate * time). d=rt is an incredibly powerful formula and can help us solve a great many word problems.
You can take a look at the types of examples below from the board. I love these problems because we get to play pretend a bit... in one we hopped a bus from CFS and headed for the beach, in another Ida and Leon were on a hunt for a hamburger. The sky's the limit!
Tonight the kids have two d=rt problems for homework which can be found at http://cfsmatthew.wikispaces.com/classdocs
We're moving right along!
Today we used our extended block time in second period to introduce and play around with d=rt problems (that's distance = rate * time). d=rt is an incredibly powerful formula and can help us solve a great many word problems.
You can take a look at the types of examples below from the board. I love these problems because we get to play pretend a bit... in one we hopped a bus from CFS and headed for the beach, in another Ida and Leon were on a hunt for a hamburger. The sky's the limit!
Tonight the kids have two d=rt problems for homework which can be found at http://cfsmatthew.wikispaces.com/classdocs
We're moving right along!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
No Class today, but yesterday...
There was no class today due to Block Week, but I still neglected to blog about yesterday's class!
After our decimal warm up, we returned to our work with expressions, equations and variables with geometry. Most of our work we did together on the board. Pictures of those are posted below.
Their homework, to get them back to where we were before the break, was to complete #7 on the back of the sheet we were working on yesterday (or #7 from the WPP... see the earlier WPP post...). I'll be on the lookout for that tomorrow (Wednesday).
On a side note, I began today by talking about attitude and how we see ourselves as students/learners of math. In my life outside of school, as well as inside, I've really started to realized that how I approach a day/conversation/topic/subject/person or what I think about a day/conversation/topic/etc. GREATLY influences just how well whatever it is will turn out. For example, "Gosh, I'm really worried about having a conversation with X and I'm pretty sure I'm just not going to be able to find the right words to express myself." Sure enough, lo and behold, there's the conversation... and it happened the way I thought it would, given the context that I have created.
This really hit home for me (again!) in my morning math classes when I found myself last week spending half of a period bucking the students up about themselves and their mathematical abilities. If, while we're learning something new or getting ready to take a test, you are saying to yourself, "I'm really bad at this... I don't get it... I'll never get it... This is horrible... I don't want to be here..." -- guess what you are creating for yourself??
I think of the Einstein quote:
Whether you think you can or you can't, either way you're right.
Hope you have a great evening!
After our decimal warm up, we returned to our work with expressions, equations and variables with geometry. Most of our work we did together on the board. Pictures of those are posted below.
Their homework, to get them back to where we were before the break, was to complete #7 on the back of the sheet we were working on yesterday (or #7 from the WPP... see the earlier WPP post...). I'll be on the lookout for that tomorrow (Wednesday).
On a side note, I began today by talking about attitude and how we see ourselves as students/learners of math. In my life outside of school, as well as inside, I've really started to realized that how I approach a day/conversation/topic/subject/person or what I think about a day/conversation/topic/etc. GREATLY influences just how well whatever it is will turn out. For example, "Gosh, I'm really worried about having a conversation with X and I'm pretty sure I'm just not going to be able to find the right words to express myself." Sure enough, lo and behold, there's the conversation... and it happened the way I thought it would, given the context that I have created.
This really hit home for me (again!) in my morning math classes when I found myself last week spending half of a period bucking the students up about themselves and their mathematical abilities. If, while we're learning something new or getting ready to take a test, you are saying to yourself, "I'm really bad at this... I don't get it... I'll never get it... This is horrible... I don't want to be here..." -- guess what you are creating for yourself??
I think of the Einstein quote:
Whether you think you can or you can't, either way you're right.
Hope you have a great evening!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Quiz Day!
Today the kids took their Equations quiz and we focused on using geometry to solve some word problems. I haven't had a chance to look at the quizzes yet, but will post over the weekend once I have. No homework!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
A little too late... Remember?!
Well this post is a little too late to be of any real use for this evening!
Today we took notes on the rules for solving equations... and yes, the kids reminded me that they had indeed written these more than once. I politely asked them how important these rules are... especially given that I've had them write them more than once! :)
And we looked at a few examples (you can see below) to jog their memories.
Tomorrow we are having a quick pop-quiz on equations, just to be sure they know what's going on... before hopping back into word problems. ;)
Late posts
Meetings took up most of my afternoon, so blog posts will come this
evening.
evening.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Matthew Ross
ross.matthew@mac.com
mross@cfsnc.org
919/414-1983
Sent from my iPhone
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Sharing!
Today we finalized our re-socializing process... sharing about our breaks and getting back into the scheme of things!
Tomorrow... it's back to equations. Expect a quick quiz on Friday!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Hello 2009!
Welcome back!
Today we solely greeted each other and shared about our time away during first period. Lots of laughs and stories were exchanged... it's good to be back. :)
On the horizon? Decimals Test! (not tomorrow, but soon!)
Today we solely greeted each other and shared about our time away during first period. Lots of laughs and stories were exchanged... it's good to be back. :)
On the horizon? Decimals Test! (not tomorrow, but soon!)
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