Post date: Nov 17, 2018 3:48:21 PM
MSM2 Periods 1 & 2
SOLs Covered: 7.12 & 8.17 Solving Equations (with Properties)
Math Unit: 11 Multi-Step Equations
Daily Agenda: Nov. 12-16, 2018
Upcoming Assessments: 2.02 Equations "Big" Quiz (Mon. 11/19-Tues. 11/20)
Math 7H Period 4
SOLs Covered: 7.12 & 8.17 Solving Equations (with Properties)
Math Unit: 11 Multi-Step Equations
Daily Agenda: Nov. 12-16, 2018
Upcoming Assessments: 2.02 Equations "Big" Quiz (Mon. 11/19-Tues. 11/20)
It's been a jam-packed week of equations in my class and I think the kids have been doing great! They started the week with a quiz and the results were pretty good overall. This helped as we carried on with our algebra work and upped the difficulty by starting to tackle multi-step equations. On Tuesday, we took an easy start into our work with the "Sweet Algebra!" activity, which the kids all seemed to really enjoy... especially once it was finished and they could finally "feast!" (as one of my students exclaimed by the end). For those who struggled with our initial algebra tile work and/or equations in general, taking this new approach helped make the concept a little easier to relate to for most of the kids. I've told the kids that even though they ate their "supplies," they can always draw their own if it helps them make sense of the work. Thank you so much to all the folks who helped make this activity possible by donating supplies! We had so many marshmallows donated, that I've told the kids I'm thinking some rice krispie treats might find their way into class as we get closer to winter break, but I'll still require a permission slip for it since there will be a few extra ingredients literally added to the mix. I'll get that permission slip out sometime after fall break but expect one this week for a different activity we'll do soon for inequalities.
We carried on the rest of the week with solving multi-step equations using a basic four-step approach, for which I've had the kids make a guide card with reminders for the steps and a few extra tips. They'll be allowed to use this card on the upcoming quiz (formerly planned as a test, but modified to ensure plenty of time during this short week, which includes picture day) along with their color-coding supplies to help them properly combine like terms. I'm hoping the kids are using the weekend to wrap up their work from the week and review and I'd really appreciate it if parents/guardians would push the kids to fully use all my recommendations when solving. I've found the kids struggling the most are skipping over some/all of the extra tips I've given. They'd have a much easier time if they did all of that, as their classmates who are doing all the extra bits can attest to.
I'd also like to ask (or beg might be a better word) parents/guardians to push the kids to stay on top of all of their assignments. I'm finding more kids are starting to procrastinate their work and waiting until after the due date to get their work finished. While they should always finish any missing/incomplete assignments, waiting until after the due date (which is generally the day we're taking the quiz/test on the topic) means they haven't properly prepared for the assessment, which is showing in some of their summative scores. I've tried to explain to the kids how it's essentially the same thing as not going to practice before the game but instead waiting until after they've already lost it. That usually gets a giggle out of them, but it doesn't seem to have fully set in with some of the kids. I'm 100% sure that if they made sure all (or at least most) of their assignments were finished ahead of time, they'd find their success skyrocketing in my class.
Well, I'm going to close things out here. Since the week is a short one and we're quizzing over the two days we're in school, I'm not 100% sure when or even if I'll send out an update next week. As always though, feel free to email with any questions. I hope everyone has an excellent week and that you're all able to enjoy some family time!