Post date: Nov 1, 2019 8:41:46 PM
MSM2 Periods 1 & 4
SOLs Covered: 8.14&17 Combining Like Terms, Distributive Property, & Multi-Step Equations
Math Unit: 11 Multi-Step Equations
Daily Agenda: Oct. 28-31, 2019 & Nov. 1, 2019
Upcoming Assessments: 2.01 Multi-Step Equations Quiz (Mon. 11/11)
Math 7H Period 3
SOLs Covered: 8.14&17 Combining Like Terms, Distributive Property, & Multi-Step Equations
Math Unit: 12 Multi-Step Equations
Daily Agenda: Oct. 21-25, 2019 & Nov. 1, 2019
Upcoming Assessments: 2.01 Multi-Step Equations Quiz (Mon. 11/11)
Greetings! Before I get into everything for the week, I just want to remind everyone that the first quarter ends on Monday (11/4). I'm still accepting anything from the formative assignment category as well as corrections for the summative category (reminder: the ALEKS work for the formative assessment category isn't something that can be made up). At the time of this posting, I've graded everything that has come across my desk (both "real" paperwork as well as all digital work). Aside from the final ALEKS grade for this week, the grades are pretty much set as is unless students turn in additional work this weekend or on Monday, their grades for the report card will essentially be what is currently posted on ParentVUE. Please encourage your child to take advantage of this final chance to improve upon their overall grade! All work must be submitted by the end of the school day on Monday to be counted.
Now onto this week's math happenings! After taking the quiz on Monday (and Tuesday for the honors class) for the previous units, we moved onto the first steps of solving multi-step equations. We started with an introduction to combining like terms. I found this video a few years ago to introduce the idea. Once we all finish giggling over the ridiculousness of it, we move on to discussing how the fast food order given during the clip could have been made much simplified; instead of asking for "three small Cokes, a small Coke, a small Coke, and a small Coke," the customer could have just asked for six small Cokes. We then move onto looking at various algebraic expressions and looking for the ones that have similarities, otherwise known as identifying like terms (terms with the same variable(s) to the same power(s)). We always whip out the colored pencils and highlighters to make matching a little easier and the kids have overall done very well with the topic. I do give a few examples that won't necessarily pop up in the equations we'll be solving in order to set them up for an easier time next year. For example, we cover different powered variables, which I compare to apples. When you go to the produce section of a store to look for apples, they might all be in the same area but the different varieties are separated. Just like you wouldn't mix your Granny Smiths with your Galas, you wouldn't mix/combine your x, x2, x3, etc. Additionally, you wouldn't mix/combine your x, y, and xy the same way you wouldn't mix your plums, apricots, and plumcots. We then moved onto the distributive property, which is mostly review but must now be include the added step of combining like terms once the property has been applied. We'll be continuing with this as we move onto the final steps of solving multi-step equations next week.
Several times this week, we had a little extra time to practice math using my new favorite site, Gimkit! For those folks familiar with Kahoot or Quizlet Live, it essentially runs the same way, but with a few added perks, the biggest (in the kids opinion at least) is the fact that they are "earning money" that can be spent mid-game on perks, which range from increasing the dollar amount earned per question to sabotaging opponents. The kids loved it and I loved the enthusiasm and learning that was taking place throughout! For my fellow teachers out there, I highly encourage you to give it a try (CCPS folks don't need to worry as it's already on the county's approved list, same login restrictions that Kahoot has). Now that I've had a chance to give it a try, we'll definitely be doing these more often!
On Monday we'll be doing the "Sweet Algebra" activity I mentioned in my last update and for which I sent letters earlier this week. I have to send soooo many thanks out to all the folks who have helped with this by sending supplies in this week!!! I thanked the kids with Lambie Points as they dropped things off and tried sending emails to parents, but I know I've missed some along the way so if you haven't heard from me, please know that I am so incredibly grateful for your help! I'm also incredibly grateful for the help in keeping the class snack bar stocked! I'm not sure who dropped off the pretzel sticks this afternoon in the office, but you're a lifesaver seeing as how they wiped out the last few things I had left today!!!
Well, it's obviously time I close this out (did you notice I got a little carried away there?) but as always, please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. To all my fellow teachers, rest up as I'm sure you've earned it! Halloween and post-Halloween in a school can be fun (check out the class Instagram or Twitter for how we spent the day), but it's also incredibly exhausting. I hope everyone has a great weekend!