News

6th Math – Mrs. VonFeldt/Mrs. Evans & Mr. Sherwood

This week in 6th grade math, we will be studying statistics in chapter 13. We will study the measures of central learn about finding the mean (average) of data sets. We will use the mean to solve problems and then we will learn how to find the median of data sets.

7th Grade Math – Mrs. VonFeldt/Evans & Mr. Sherwood

This week in 7th grade we will continue our study of probability as we extend it to compound events. We will find the sample space of compound events using tables and tree diagrams and use this to find the probability. We will investigate how things change if the events are independent versus dependent events. We can use the multiplication rule to find probability.

8th Grade Math – Mr. Sherwood

This week, in 8th grade math we will continue our investigation of geometry. This will consist of studying circles, prisms and complex shapes. We will practice solving for unknown values and substituting.

Algebra – Mrs. VonFeldt & Mrs. Evans

This week, our last group of students will present their review lesson. Then we will take our end of the year, cumulative test over two days of class. Review of the book can most easily be done by reviewing the chapter reviews.

6th Math – Mrs. VonFeldt/Mrs. Evans & Mr. Sherwood

This week in 6th grade math, we will learn to find the surface area of solid figures. We will be working primarily with prisms and pyramids and will organize our work using a net of the solid. Organization is very important because each figure involves many surfaces. Finding total surface area means we will need to bring all of the areas together in the end for a final answer. Watch the video below to find the surface area of a triangular prism.

7th Grade Math – Mrs. VonFeldt/Evans & Mr. Sherwood

This week in 7th grade we are finishing up our study of geometry. We will test on Chapter 7 this Thursday. For the test, students should be able to find the circumference and area of a circle, and find the surface area and volume of simple solid figures (prisms and pyramids). Surface area problems often involve bringing many pieces together so…. students are being encouraged to ORGANIZE, ORGANIZE, ORGANIZE.

8th Grade Math – Mr. Sherwood

This week, in 8th grade math ……………..

Algebra – Mrs. VonFeldt & Mrs. Evans

This week we will finish up and test on Chapter 9. Students should now be able to solve and graph any quadratic function. The final strategy we learned was using the Quadratic Formula. The Quadratic Formula is a formula that will solve any quadratic equation. It is very detail oriented so students are learning to show each step, keeping track of negative signs carefully and using the correct order of operations. Ask your child to sing the quadratic formula song to you!

6th Math – Mrs. VonFeldt/Mrs. Evans & Mr. Sherwood

This week in 6th grade math, we will learn to find the area of regular polygons by breaking them up into congruent triangles and using the formula for the area of triangles. Then we will review what we have done in Chapter 10 and have a test on Thursday. In this chapter we have learned that basic shapes have a formula for area. Using a formula is a skill that we want to have in our tool boxes as it applies to many different situations in math and science. Here are the formulas that we have practiced using in this chapter:

We have also learned to break down more complicated figures such as kites and regular polygons into simple ones in order to find the area. Here is an example of how to find the area of such shapes:

7th Grade Math – Mrs. VonFeldt/Evans & Mr. Sherwood

This week in 7th grade we are learning how to find the volume of prisms and then we will persevere in solving real-world problems involving the surface area and volume of the objects in our world. These are important skills for everyone as we often do need to know the answers in order to do such things as determining how much space we need or how much wood to buy when building something. Here is a great Math Antics video about volume:

8th Grade Math – Mr. Sherwood

This week, in 8th grade math we will finish our unit on angle relationships. We will continue to explore how to identify equations in figures and solve systems of equations. There will be a Test this Friday.

Algebra – Mrs. VonFeldt & Mrs. Evans

In algebra we will be solving quadratic functions in a number of ways. We will begin by solving them by graphing. We will investigate how we can use the squares to solve them and then we will solve them by completing the squares. When we finish with these methods, we will introduce the wonderful Quadratic Formula! Here is a video covering 5 ways to solve quadratics:

6th Math – Mrs. VonFeldt/Mrs. Evans & Mr. Sherwood

This week in 6th grade math, we will be learning all about triangles and their area! Students will be using a formula to find the area of a triangle (see the image below). We will learn how to determine which measurements are the base and the height of any given triangle. Ask your student if a triangle can have more than one base. More than one height? Below is a Math Antics video that introduces area. Watch to the end to learn the formula for the area of a triangle.

7th Grade Math – Mrs. VonFeldt/Evans & Mr. Sherwood

This week in 7th grade we are working with circles. Students will find the circumference and area of circles using formulas. Students will be challenged to think about how semi-circles and quadrants are related to a whole circle. We can then use this knowledge to solve problems involving different fractions of circles.

8th Grade Math – Mr. Sherwood

This week, in 8th grade math we will…

Algebra – Mrs. VonFeldt & Mrs. Evans

In algebra we will finish up Chapter 8, Polynomials and Factoring. There will be a test on Thursday. Students will be expected to solve quadratic equations using factoring. Below is a link to a video that is a great tutorial on how to factor a quadratic using the box method:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoPWmHJAyRo

Our material in algebra has become more challenging lately. We are learning concepts that are new to all students and require practice to master. Keeping up with daily homework is essential as is asking for help when problems are tough. There will be study sessions held this Tuesday and Wednesday at lunch for those that want more one-on-one instruction and preparation before the test.

6th Math – Mrs. VonFeldt/Mrs. Evans & Mr. Sherwood

This week, in 6th grade math, we will finish our chapter on the coordinate plane. The students will get more practice plotting points on a coordinate plane, finding the distance between points and using these tools to solve real-world problems.

Here is a picture of the coordinate system with the axes and quadrants defined. Notice that the quadrant numbers are Roman Numerals.

On Thursday we will have a chapter test. On Friday we will begin our new chapter on polygons.

7th Grade Math – Mrs. VonFeldt/Evans & Mr. Sherwood

In 7th grade, we will finish our chapter on triangles and scaling. We will work on a project that will practice our scaling skills on Monday and Tuesday. We will take our chapter test on Thursday and move on to the next chapter on Friday. Below is a video about using proportions, which is how we can scale things. There is a section dedicated to scaling on maps. This can help students prepare for their test.

Our next chapter is about circles, which ties in well with our pi day celebration we had this past week.

8th Grade Math – Mr. Sherwood

This week, in 8th grade math we will finish up our chapter on ratios and scaling. This week we will revisit our fraction practice by incorporating our factoring skills into fraction operations. We will take a test on Thursday on ratios and scaling and do a fraction skills check in drill on Friday.

Algebra – Mrs. VonFeldt & Mrs. Evans

This week, in algebra we will continue our study of polynomials. We have, so far, investigated and practiced many different ways to multiply polynomials, and looked at patterns that help us find short cuts. One of the effective methods is the FOIL method. FOIL stands for FIRST, OUTER, INNER, LAST and it helps us to remember to multiply all the terms properly.

This week we will learn about factoring polynomials. Factoring and distributing (multiplying) are inverse operations. Understanding what we learned last week, will help us this week. We will begin with some modeling with algebra tiles on Monday. We will have a quiz on Friday. Here is a good video from Khan Academy providing examples of factoring polynomials:

6th Math – Mrs. VonFeldt/Mrs. Evans & Mr. Sherwood

This week, in 6th grade math, we will finish our chapter on equations and inequalities by moving on to finding solutions of inequalities. Unlike the equations we have learned so far, which only have one solution, inequalities have ranges of solutions. We will learn similarities and differences between solving equations and inequalities.

7th Grade Math – Mrs. VonFeldt/Evans & Mr. Sherwood

In 7th grade, we are finishing up our chapter on angle relationships. We will test this week on identifying angle relationships and deriving equations from angle figures based on known angle relationships. Make sure to study the relationships we have learned so far and are able to recall them from memory.

8th Grade Math – Mr. Sherwood

This week, in 8th grade math we will continue to work on factoring fundamentals, and applying them to fractions and ratios. There will be a quiz this Thursday on factoring, prime numbers and the relationship between GCF and LCM.

Algebra – Mrs. VonFeldt & Mrs. Evans

In Algebra, we are beginning our study of quadratics. This week we will multiply binomials. First we will model with algebra tiles to look at what is happening. Then we will find three different strategies to do this algebraically. You may remember FOIL from back in the day. Well, it’s still around! Students will also learn to use a generic rectangle (box method), and distribution (horizontal method). Check out the video below for some great examples:

6th Math – Mrs. VonFeldt/Mrs. Evans & Mr. Sherwood

This week, in 6th grade math, we will continue to practice solving algebraic equations. We will master the properties of equality and use these tools to help us solve algebraic equations. We will take a quiz on Friday on solving Algebraic equations. Here is a helpful video on how to do this:

7th Grade Math – Mrs. VonFeldt/Evans & Mr. Sherwood

In 7th grade, we are continuing our geometry unit. Students are combining their skills of solving algebraic equations with their knowledge of angle relationships to solve for missing values. The image below demonstrates some of the angle vocabulary we are using. Later this week, we will include what we know about angles in a triangle to our problem solving toolkit.

8th Grade Math – Mr. Sherwood

This week, in 8th grade math we will begin our new chapter on ratios, proportions and similarity. We will sprinkle some chapter 1 review into this chapter so that we can continue to practice working with fractions and decimals, working to have foundational fluency.

Algebra – Mrs. VonFeldt & Mrs. Evans

This week, in Algebra we will complete our chapter on exponents and exponential growth. We took some time on Monday to explore how exponential growth or decay is useful in our everyday lives: investing money, population increases and decreases, depreciation of property, and so much more. Watch the video below for a summary of exponential growth and decay.

The Chapter 7 test will be on Thursday. Students will need to be able to:

• simplify exponents using the properties of exponents,
• write an exponential growth equation using an initial value and growth/decay rate.
• how to apply exponential models to real-world situations.

6th Math – Mrs. VonFeldt/Mrs. Evans & Mr. Sherwood

This week, in 6th grade math, we will review what we have learned about expressions in Chapter 7 and have a test on TUESDAY. Then we will begin to learn about equations and how to solve one step equations using an algebraic process. This process is to “UNDO” what has been done to the variable. Here is an example of how to solve these basic equations:

Although we can figure these problems out using our memory of math facts, we want to develop this new process so that we will be able to use it in solving more complicated equations.

7th Grade Math – Mrs. VonFeldt/Evans & Mr. Sherwood

In 7th grade, we are investigating different relationships between angles and using those relationships to find the measures of the angles. We are also using those relationships to set up equations which allow us to solve for unknown variables. Here are the relationships that we are learning about:

8th Grade Math – Mr. Sherwood

This week, in 8th grade math we will continue to review chapter 3 and take a test on the chapter on Friday.

Algebra – Mrs. VonFeldt & Mrs. Evans

This week, in algebra we will continue to practice using exponents and will add fractional exponents to our set of tools. Then we will investigate exponential functions.

Lent begins this week, with Ash Wednesday. We are grateful for this rich time of growth! Let us bring Christ into all that we do while rejoicing in the beauty of mathematics!

6th Math – Mrs. VonFeldt/Mrs. Evans & Mr. Sherwood

This week, in 6th grade math, we will continue to practice using the proper order of operations. Below is a neumonic that helps us remember what step should be taken first. It is VERY important that we know which step to do first or we will get the wrong answer.

This week, we will continue our study of algebraic expressions as we learn to expand an expression with the distribution property. The inverse allows us to factor out something that is common to all of the terms in an expression. We will continue to understand that you can write expressions in differing ways without changing them. Here is a MATH ANTICS video showing how to distribute and factor:

7th Grade Math – Mrs. VonFeldt/Evans & Mr. Sherwood

In 7th grade, we will begin working in our new books. We will learn about types of angles, triangles and how to find missing angles when some angles are known. Since we are working with physical properties, we will be able to use many visuals and some physical manipulatives to explore these new topics. Please see the following video for an intro:

8th Grade Math – Mr. Sherwood

This week, in 8th grade math we will finish our chapter on exponents and roots by doing some activities with the Pythagorean Theorem and graphing. We will have a quiz on Friday and prepare to take a test next week.

Algebra – Mrs. VonFeldt & Mrs. Evans

This week, in algebra we will begin our study of the laws of exponents. These are very useful and will be foundational as we move into the next topics in algebra class. Here is the list of the laws of exponents that we will be studying:

We will use these rules in solving real-world problems as well! It is always critical to apply what we learn to problems solving. Students will be encouraged to persevere in their problem solving efforts!

6th Math – Mrs. VonFeldt/Mrs. Evans & Mr. Sherwood

This week, in 6th grade math, we are learning about LIKE TERMS. Like terms are terms in a mathematical expression that have the same variable raised to the same power. After identifying these like terms, we can use addition and subtraction to simplify expressions. Follow along with Mr. J in the video below for instruction and practice. We will also review and practice using order of operations to evaluate expressions.

7th Grade Math – Mrs. VonFeldt/Evans & Mr. Sherwood

In 7th grade, we will conclude our chapter on direct proportion and percent change with a test. We will spend this week reviewing an test on Thursday. On Friday we will get our new books and begin working with angles.

8th Grade Math – Mr. Sherwood

This week, in 8th grade math we will continue working with exponent and roots. We will conclude this week with the Pythagorean Theorem and then circle back to our graphing skills where we will use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the distance between points on a graph.

Algebra – Mrs. VonFeldt & Mrs. Evans

This week we are finishing our chapter on systems of equations by learning to find the solution to a system of inequalities. The solution is the intersection of the individual inequalities (see the Mash Up Math graphic below).

There will be a Chapter 6 test on Friday. Students will need to be able to solve systems of equations using the four methods we learned in class AND solve systems of inequalities by graphing.