Post date: Feb 11, 2017 1:38:19 AM
Math 7H Period 1
SOLs Covered: 8.6 Angle Relationships
Math Unit: #16 Angle Relationships
Daily Agenda: February 6-10, 2017
CCPS Student Digital Resource: Angle Relationships
Upcoming Assessments: Units 15-16 Test (Mon. 2/13-Tues. 2/14); Geometric Transformations Quiz (Wed. 2/22)
MSM2 Period 3 & 4
SOLs Covered: 8.6 Angle Relationships
Math Unit: #16 Angle Relationships
Daily Agenda: February 6-10, 2017
CCPS Student Digital Resource: Angle Relationships
Upcoming Assessments: Quadrilaterals Quiz (Fri. 2/17); Units 15-17 Test (Tues. 2/21-Wed. 2/22)
After School Help Session: Tues. 2/14, 3-4PM
Salutations! I wanted to get this update out early since many of the MSM2 students have work they need to finish up this weekend and I'd like to ask parents/guardians to encourage them to take care of it before returning on Monday. I'll get to those details towards the end of this update.
All the classes worked on angle relationships this week, which is another Math 8 topic, so the 7H class again went a little more indepth than the MSM2 classes. This is a big vocabulary unit and many of the struggles kids face with this topic involve mixing up complementary angles (two angles whose sum is 90°) and supplementary (two angles whose sum is 180°) angles. The kids were given a few mnemonics to help remember the terms as well as vertical angles (opposite angles made by two intersecting lines) and adjacent angles (two angles that have a common vertex and a common side). Other than the vocabulary and visually identifying the different types of angles, the kids have to determine if angles are complements or supplements and find missing and/or unknown angles. The kids have mostly done well with this, but the algebraic component of finding unknown angles (see the 16.03 worksheet for examples) has challenged students who struggled with equations during the second term. After a bit more work, most kids are doing better with both topics, but the word problems are still tripping up some, so the kids are encouraged to continue practicing with those.
This takes us to the work many of the MSM2 students need to finish. All the kids were given an assignment on Khan Academy for practice throughout the week, but there were quite a few who didn't finish all 6 parts by the end of school today (a few from the 7H class as well). These can and should still be completed as it was a graded assignment and the topics will be on the first test of the term for all classes. Additionally some of the MSM2 kids need to finish up their quiz for the unit. As I mentioned in last week's update, I've been pushing the kids to take their time on assessments and show their work for everything. Thankfully kids seem to be taking it to heart, but this lead to some not finishing before the end of the block. Normally I'd have students finish on Monday, but since it was an open notes quiz for the MSM2 classes and the new topic for next week being a tough one, there won't be enough time. Students who are not able to complete the work over the weekend can stay to complete the work after school on Tuesday during the regularly scheduled help session.
The kids were also given accounts on another site this week, IXL.com, thanks to Mr. Maynes. We've used it a little in the past, but without paid accounts there were many limitations to its use and I also couldn't access the analytics features. I'll have to learn about all the extra features that are now available to us, but I already know it will be a great site for the kids to practice and strengthen their Math skills (it also has some Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies practice). The kids will be given assignments on IXL, but I encourage them to use it on their own as well. Since I haven't given any assignments yet and the kids have only had their accounts for a day, I think it will be a hit as I've already gotten a report that they've already cumulatively completed over two hours of practice! There are even apps to make practice on the go easier as well (iOS, Android, and Kindle)!
As always, let me know if you have any questions. I've got a few family plans this weekend, but I'll try to check email a few times, so please reach out if you need anything. Hope everyone enjoys the weekend!