Post date: Oct 25, 2015 9:37:09 PM
Math 7H Period 1/2
SOLs Covered: 8.1 Comparing & Ordering Rational Numbers & Numbers Written in Scientific Notation; 8.15c Properties of Real Numbers
Math Unit: #07 Compare & Order Rational Numbers; #08 Properties
CCPS Student Digital Resource: Compare & Order Rational Numbers; Properties of Real Numbers
Upcoming Assessments: Compare/Order Rational Numbers & Properties Quiz (Mon. 10/26); Unit 4-8 Test (Wed. 10/28)
MSM2 Period 5/6 & 9/10
SOLs Covered: 7.1a,b Negative Exponents, Powers of 10, & Scientific Notation; 7.1c & 8.1b Compare & Order Rational Numbers
Math Unit: #06 Negative Exponents, Powers of 10, & Scientific Notation; #07 Compare & Order Rational Numbers
CCPS Student Digital Resource: Negative Exponents, Powers of 10, & Scientific Notation; Compare & Order Rational Numbers
Upcoming Assessments: Comparing & Ordering Rational Numbers Quiz (Mon. 10/26); Unit 4-8 Test (Wed. 10/28)
I hope everyone has enjoyed their weekend so far! I also hope everyone received my "End-of-Term Reminders (Term 1)" email and that students took advantage of this weekend to work on things that can pull their grades up before grades are closed out at the end of this week. There are quizzes tomorrow (Monday) on last week's work in all classes, a change that combined several topics into one so we would spend less time on assessments last week. This allowed for a bit more time to focus on a few areas students were struggling with, particularly the MSM2 classes since we were yet again working on a non-calculator topic. Aside from review of the first term topics, which will continue to pop up in warm ups and in the occasional review assignment in order to keep the topics fresh, after the current topics are wrapped up, the MSM2 students will be allowed to use calculators on the rest of the topics covered this year.
All classes worked on converting, comparing, and ordering numbers in different forms (scientific notation, fractions, decimals, and percents). This is mostly review for the Math 7H students while the MSM2 students are working with scientific notation for the first time (outside of possibly working with it in science class). Since we covered negative exponents and powers of 10 at the very beginning of the year, we were able to quickly review these topics before moving into the nitty gritty of scientific notation. The MSM2 students obviously needed a bit more time working on scientific notation, but most of the kids have a solid understanding of of the topic on its own now. All classes feel a bit more leery of the work when other numbers (specifically fractions) are thrown into the mix. We reviewed the basics of fractions (students can find additional notes on number theory, fractions, and decimals in the units folders) and talked about a few things that can make the work easier, whether they're allowed to use a calculator or not. The students have also been encouraged to work on memorizing the most common fractions with their decimal/percent conversions to help make it all easier.
In addition to wrapping up work on rational numbers, the honors class reviewed the properties of real numbers. This is again a topic they've covered in the past, but it's "kicked up a notch" by further exploring how the properties are used to solve algebraic equations. For this topic, the problems are often already worked out and students must identify which property was used. This will come in handy when we move onto algebra next term.
I'm going to wrap things up here, but I'd like to again encourage everyone to look at grades through Synergy/ParentVUE and for students to work on taking care of any last minute work. Anything from before this week (Friday, October 23rd and back) will not be accepted after Wednesday, October 28th. Things from this week will need to be taken care of by Friday, October 30th as that is the last day of term. Time will be given the last day to finalize any of this week's work as well as a last opportunity to take advantage of the extra credit opportunity students will learn more about in class tomorrow.
As always, please feel free to email/message me with any questions. Have a great week, folks!