Practice and fractionaphobia

Today we had a bunch of equation practice. Out of a list of twelve equations, you were asked to copy them down, and identify what kind of equation each is. Depending on the period, you have anywhere from 4-8 to do tonight.

It is important to note that you can have a fraction as answer. Don't fear the fraction, my friends. Don't turn it into a decimal or a mixed number or anything like that. Just leave it as a fraction, and I promise it won't hurt you.

All right. Tomorrow we have a little quiz- study 2 step equations and properties.

Have a great All Hallow's Eve Eve.

Ms V

Step Step Step Step

Today was all about the multistep equations, and turning them into two steps. There are four kind: Distributive Property: 2(x+3)=12, Combining Like Terms : 3x+8+2x=15, Variables on both sides: 2x+5=8x-9, and Negative Coefficients: 3-2x=7. The goal for each is to turn it into a two step equation, which is easy to solve.

Tonight we have five problems to solve:
1) 4(2n-1)-36
2) 12=2b-4
3) 6=5-2x
4) 3f+-2+4f=12
5) 5w-8=3w+6

Gppd luck!

Ms V

Y wants to be alone

Today we learned how to do 2 step equations. It's very simple- just do the +/- first and then do the x/ divide second.

Example

2x+4=16
-4 -4
2x=12
2 2
x=6 (Sorry- I haven't figured out how to do the dividing line in blogger. That is 12 divided by 2)

Don't forget to check your answer.

Period 1 is doing p. 425 (12-19) in the green book.
Period 2-6 are doing p. 172 (9-17) in the blue book.

Have a beautiful day!
Ms V

Lollipops and laundry

Today we learned about the distributive property: a(b+c)=ab+ac. Remember, it's like kids standing in line for a lollipop- everyone gets one. Don't leave anyone out, unless they're not in line. We followed that up with combining like terms. The analogy we used there is sorting the laundry. Don't forget to use your colors to highlight what goes together.

2a+4b+3c+5b+3c+a
Okay, first underline 2a and a with one color, 4b and 5b with another, and 3c and 3c with a third. Rearranging (using the commutative property) gives us:

2a+a+4b+5b+3c+3c

Now we can use the associative property to group the terms.

(2a+a)+(4b+5b)+(3c+3c)

Now we add-

3a+9b+6c. That's it.

Your homework tonight is the evens on worksheet 8-1, except period 6 who are doing the evens 1-12 and 16-24)

Thanks for a great day, guys. Now I'm headed home to catch up on some sleep:o)

Ms V

Running late

Sorry! No time today- must run to Disney on Ice with small children. Learned properties today. Homework is page 34....

See you all tomorrow.

Ms V

Writing equations and expressions

Today we learned how to write equations and expressions from words. We learned to color code: purple for the variable, green for the number, orange for the operation, and blue for the equals. After we underline, we write what the words mean above them, which paves the way for writing the equation or the expression. Remember, it's an equation only if there is an equals sign. Homework tonight is to do the back of the worksheet (1-7 Practice). Period 1-3 and 6 do only the evens. Period 5 has to do it all, due to a serious lack of listening in class today!

Hope tomorrow is a better listening day.

Have a great night!
Ms V

Yay! We did it!

Phew! The benchamrk is over, and we rocked. The percents as of now are Period 1: 69%, Period 2: 87%, Period 3: 88%, Period 5: 69% and Period 6: 59%. These may change as I scan the final answer sheets. I am so PROUD of you all. We did a fantastic job. We had only one Far Below Basic out of all five periods, and those who got Below Basic were mostly very close to being at Basic. We still have work to do- the aim is to get everyone into Proficient or Advanced, but we've got 5/6 of a year in which to do it.

So- the only homework for the weekend is to finish your stem and leaf plot if you didn't turn it in yet, and get those success sheets signed. And have a beautiful three day weekend- get some sun before it gets cold and rainy. We'll be ready to work hard on Monday!

Rock on!
Ms V

This is it!

Tomorrow is our first benchmark! Yeehaw! Don't be afraid- you all can do it. All I ask is that you do your best. Tonight you are to finish doing your review sheet and STUDY it. If you know everything on that sheet, you'll do well. Sleep well, and do your best tonorrow:o)

Ms. V

The benchmark is so close I can smell it!

Oh, maybe it's just the PE clothes someone left in my classroom!

Today we went over the benchmark review worksheet from Friday. For most classes that went really well. Unfortunately there are some students who didn't do it. It's pretty tough to know what you need help on if you don't do the work! So, please make sure you do tonight's worksheet, which is another practice sheet for the benchmark. The benchmark is Wednesday. Don't forget to plan to stay afterschool Wednesday if you think you'll need extra time. We are allowed to give you extra time for benchmarks, but it has to be on the same day.

Have a great afternoon, and study. And, Paul E. if you read this, make sure to do your new routine!

Ciao!
Ms V

More FDP

Hey there- sorry this is late! Today we went over last night's homework and cleared up some misunderstandings about the FDP conversions. We worked in groups to practice them. Tonight's homework is to do page 260, same section as last night, only this time do the evens. (I think it's 34-54).


Tomorrow we start preparing for the first Benchmark. Next Wednesday is the big day. Please don't wait until Tuesday night to start studying!

See you tomorrow
Ms V

Lots of pieces of cake

Today we talked about cake. A lot. As in...5% means we cut a cake into 100 pieces and ate 5. It's really important to visualize what fractions and percents and decimals are all saying, so that you know when they are equal. 1/3 means cut a cake into 3 pieces and eat 1, 1/3 % means cut a cake into 100 pieces, and then only eat a third of one piece.

We took some notes (Notes 15A) about special kinds of percents, like fractional percents and decimal percents. Tonight the homework is p. 260 (33-55 odd). Good luck!

MS V

FDP or is it DFP or FPD or...

Hi all! Today we graded binders and checked our homework. Once we did that, we took notes 14A on switching from fractions to decimals to percents and so on. The homework tonight is the FDP worksheet. Please use your notes to help you on the homework. Start to work on memorizing the triangle, because you'll need to know it for the benchmark, which is next week. Most of you are doing fabulously- you're definitely the best group of students I've had in my three years at John Muir. I have high hopes for you!

Hope you watched the debate, instead of cartoons or video games!

Ms V.

Catch up day

Hey everyone! Today was a bit of a catch up day. WE did warm-ups reviewing fraction operations. If you're still not getting those right, please come see me! We graded math journals, which I think is an easy A, but some of you need to work much harder on it. Then we finished tests, for those who hadn't finished on Friday.

The homework tonight is to do at least five problems from the fraction worksheet. (Worksheet p. 14). More can be done for extra credit. Don't forget- do it on binder paper, copy the problem, show your work, and write the answer in a complete sentence. If you get stuck, imagine the problem without fractions. Would you know what to do then? If so, do the same thing. And always always always check your answer to make sure it makes sense.

Tata!
Ms V

Following up

Hey guys- don't worry about where it says justify each step. Just solve, check and graph.

Thanks
Ms V

Testday eve

So tomorrow is the big day. Our first unit test. Today we reviewed inequalities, and spent time practicing for the test. We talked about how to study: choose topics you need help on, find problems in the book, do them and check in the back if they are right. If they are not, ask for help, look in the book, or look in your math journal. I'll be there in the morning if you come up with other questions. Study and then get plenty of sleep. you can do fine, you know! And tonight you're doing p.92 17-31 ODD.

Have a lovely evening!

Ms V

Hi Ho! Hi Ho! It's back to work we go.

Hey everyone! I missed you all yesterday- glad to be back today. Today we learned how to solve, check, and graph inequalities. Basically, it's almost identical to solving equations. The difference comes in the checking, where we have a choice of numbers for checking (anything that makes the solution true) and the graphing. Remember that anything with an equals gets a filled in dot, and anything without gets an empty dot. And that is basically it.

Announcements for today:
1) Test on Friday- covering everything that we have done so far.
2) Math binders/ math journals will be graded on Monday.
3) Don't freak out if something is confusing- come see Ms Vickery.
4) Go to the homework center for help- even if I am not there. There are always at least two math teachers there!

Have a beautiful day, my dears!
Ms V