Post date: Dec 4, 2020 8:46:08 PM
MSM2 Block 1
SOLs Covered: 7.13 & 8.18 Inequalities
Math Unit: 12 Inequalities
Daily Agenda: Nov. 30 & Dec. 1-4, 2020
Upcoming Assessments: 2.02 Inequalities Quiz (Tues. 12/8; finish during async Wed. 12/9)
Math 7H Blocks 2 & 3
SOLs Covered: 7.13 & 8.18 Inequalities
Math Unit: 12 Inequalities
Daily Agenda: Nov. 30 & Dec. 1-4, 2020
Upcoming Assessments: 2.02 Inequalities Quiz (Tues. 12/8; finish during async Wed. 12/9)
Greetings! I hope this email finds everyone well and that you've been able to start this last month of the most bizarre year off on a good note. Before getting into the math work for the week, I just wanted to point out that we're about at the halfway point for the second term, so parents/guardians will be getting individual calls and emails from SOAR teachers for any student who is at risk of failing for the term (currently at a D or F). As mentioned, the calls will be coming from the SOAR teachers, but I'll be following up with emails and can also call or meet with anyone who would like to discuss grades further. As I've said in previous emails, I'm still accepting missing or incomplete work from this term, which started off with Unit 8. I also highly encourage quiz corrections and I'll be posting an extra credit opportunity the week before winter break that will be available through the week we return from break. I ask that everyone look over grades on StudentVUE/ParentVUE and do what you can to catch up as quickly as possible.
At this moment, I do not currently have any meetings scheduled for next Wednesday (12/9), so I'll be able to offer some additional office hours, but I want to set those additional times up by appointment with individual students on a first come, first served basis. Students (or parents/guardians on student's behalf) can email me to set something up between 8AM-10AM. I'll still hold my "open office hours" from 10:10-11:10AM for anyone who wasn't able to set something up ahead of time to pop in with their questions. And before they ask, yes, I'll still hold the "math game time" and the "fun game time" around lunch for those students interested in joining.
In regards to this week's math work, we've continued with our algebra work but it's been extended into inequalities. The steps for solving inequalities are the same but of course there are some additional points that tend to trip a few kids up. With inequalities comes an expectation that the solutions be graphed, which can stump some kids as they get confused on which direction the arrow should point. For this I recommend that students "plug in" (substitute) a value from either side of the solution to check which one works (ex. x > 5, would 4 or 6 be a solution? 6 would, so the arrow goes in the direction of the 6, right). The other thing that tends to throw students is what we are now referring to the "impostors" of inequalities! Anytime you multiply or divide by a negative (i.e. when you have a negative coefficient), you have to flip the inequality symbol (that's a "sabotage" by the impostor!!!). When we go over this rule, kids tend to go a little overboard and want to flip the inequality anytime they see a negative. To help with this, I told them that they could look at negatives as being "sus" but they have to pay close attention to determine if it were really the "impostor" or just an innocent "crewmate." These are all "Among Us" references and if your kid is a fan, you can probably imagine how into it they've gotten and it seems to have really helped. I'm feeling a little greedy and I'm now hoping the game will stay popular for years to come (probably wishful thinking considering how long middle school trends stick around, but one can always hope!).
Well, that should cover everything, but as always, please feel free to email if you have any questions. I hope everyone has an amazing weekend!