Post date: Nov 19, 2016 9:33:23 PM
Math 7H Period 1
SOLs Covered: 8.15a & A.4d Equations
Math Unit: #10 Multi-Step Equations
Daily Agenda: November 14-18, 2016
CCPS Student Digital Resource: Equations
Upcoming Assessments: Multi-Step Equations Quiz (Mon. 11/21); Inequalities Quiz (Fri. 12/2)
MSM2 Period 3 & 4
SOLs Covered: 7.13 Verbal Expressions & Equations
Math Unit: #09 Translating Expressions & Equations
Daily Agenda: November 14-18, 2016
CCPS Student Digital Resource: Verbal Expressions
Upcoming Assessments: One-Step Equations Quiz (Thurs. 11/29); Two- & Multi-Step Equations Quiz (Tues. 12/6)
After School Help Session: Tues. 11/29, 3-4PM
Greetings, folks! It's been a busy week and we started the week off on a great note with both classes taking a quiz on their respective topics with excellent results: 7H on one- and two-step equations, MSM2 on the real number system.
The 7H class then carried on with their algebra work, now working on solving multi-step equations. This has been a little tougher for the kids as they are used to the topics being simple enough for them to do most of the work mentally, but most multi-step equations are generally too complex for this. We started out with a basic discussion of the steps and working a few problems together. I then had the students try a few on their own, but it was a struggle for some at first. We came back together as a big group to review the steps and I told the kids to then copy a problem into their notebook twice. They were to solve it once on their own on paper (not electronically, even if that's generally their preferred method of work) and then follow along with me step-by-step, writing exactly what I had. We then discussed the mistakes some had made and how solving it the way I showed would have helped prevent them from making those mistakes. We did this a couple more times and the kids have become more comfortable with the topic. We'll review on Monday and if I think the kids are prepared enough, we'll take the quiz then; otherwise I'll push it to Tuesday and we'll continue reviewing instead.
The MSM2 classes started their second algebra unit, translating verbal expressions and equations. Even though the kids have worked with this topic in previous years, this can be a tricky unit as there are so many ways to write any particular expression/equation/inequality and little variations can make it a completely different problem:
a number less 2 means x - 2
a number less than 2 means 2 - x
a number is less than 2 means x < 2
As with most math topics, the best way to study for translating verbal expressions and such is to do practice problems, so we worked on translating tons of them this week. When we got to the quiz at the end of class on Thursday, some kids were still struggling so I made it an open-notes quiz. The results were mixed (some great but some not so great), so I'm continuing to emphasize the topic as we work on the rest of our algebra unit. We started working on one-step equations, so I'm pointing out several ways each can be written. Please encourage the kids to continue practicing this topic; one way they can do so is through Khan Academy, which we've started using regularly in class.
Well, I've got another stack of specialty center recommendation forms for former students as well as some updates to make for the school's website, so I'm closing things out here. As always, if you've got any questions, feel free to contact me. Hope everyone has a great week!