This week we begin Chapter 4. We will investigate and extend our understanding of ratios and rates. A ratio is a comparison between two quantities and a rate is a comparison between two quantities that have different units. We use rates and ratios in everyday life, like when we discuss the cost per pound of apples or the miles per gallon that our cars are capable of driving. This week, challenge your 6th grader to notice rates all around them! Here is a summary show the difference between ratios and rates:
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7th Grade Math – Mrs. VonFeldt & Mrs. Evans
The 7th graders are continuing their study of percentages as we learn to calculate markups and markdowns. These skills are useful in everyday experiences.
We will be applying these concepts to sales, taxes, tips, simple interest and commission.
For students who need a little extra help, here is a useful video:
8th Grade Math – Mrs. Evans
This week we will finish up our studies in Chapter 3 as we learn about the Pythagorean Theorem. We will have learned to use exponents and roots in new ways. Here is a great video showing some examples how we can use the Pythagorean Theorem:
Algebra – Mrs. VonFeldt
In Algebra, we continue to write linear functions in different forms. Slope intercept is the most common but not always the most convenient. Point slope and standard form are also useful in real life situations. We also learned how to identify parallel and perpendicular lines by looking at their slopes. We will finish up on Friday with a chapter test.
The sixth graders are finishing up Chapter 3 with a test on Thursday. We have learned about negative numbers and their uses. We have also learned to compare and graph rational numbers (including negatives). Lastly, we have graphed ordered pairs on a coordinate plane.
7th Grade Math – Mrs. VonFeldt & Mrs. Evans
The 7th graders will begin Module 5 in which we further our percentage skills. We will review on Monday and then proceed to learn how to find the percent increase or decrease when a quantity changes. We will then find a final value given the initial value and percent change. Here is the basic formula that students can use to find the percent change:
Percent change is a concept we use in our day to day lives, especially when we are shopping! As you go about your shopping this week, look around for examples that you and your student can discuss!
Below is a summary of how to convert between fractions, decimals and percentages for you and your student to review as needed.
8th Grade Math – Mrs. Evans
Before Thanksgiving our class learned how to apply the laws of exponents to simplify expressions involving exponents. In our previous post, the laws were given along with an example of how to use them. This week, we will review the laws and continue our study of exponents as we learn to write large and small numbers in scientific notation. Scientific notation is a useful way to write very large and very small numbers. We will learn how to apply the laws of exponents to numbers written in scientific notation. Here is a summary to help your student:
Algebra – Mrs. VonFeldt
In Algebra, we are beginning Chapter 4: Writing Linear Equations. Our focus will be writing equations in different forms: slope-intercept form, point-slope form, and standard form. Students will learn to find important parts of equations and identify how they are used in real-world applications. At the end of the week, we will look at parallel and perpendicular lines and discuss how to recognize them in equation form.
As we look forward to Thanksgiving next week, know that we, your MS Math teachers, COUNT you among our blessings! (We are very good at counting!)
IMPORTANT!
Remember if your student is struggling with confidence or skills in math have them practice a little extra each night in their IXL account. It can make a BIG difference in their experience of math. IXL | Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Spanish
6th Grade Math – Mrs. VonFeldt
The sixth graders are using their graphing skills this week. They will be plotting points on a coordinate graph. When they have this skill down, we will find ways to use graphing to solve problems, including finding the distance between two points. The video below is a good review of the vocabulary associated with coordinate planes and how to plot ordered pairs:
7th Grade Math – Mrs. VonFeldt & Mrs. Evans
The 7th graders began Module 2 last week, learning about rates, unit rates and constant rates. Unit rates are just rates that compare to one unit.
Unit rates are relevant to everyday math. We use them when we compare items at the grocery store. As you notice unit rates this week, as a family, point them out to your student!
After we looked closely at how to write rates as unit rates, we analyzed whether series of rates were constant, which is to say that they have a unit rate that does not change. When rates are constant we call them proportional and we can write proportional equations to represent them, as well as representing them in tables and graphs. This week we will be learning to show proportional relationships in graphs, tables and equations. Here is a video about proportional relationships from Khan Academy:
This week we will reinforce all these lessons and take a test on Module 4 on Thursday.
8th Grade Math – Mrs. Evans
Last week, we are finished our introduction to basic functions in 8th grade math. After we finished with functions we reviewed what we know about exponents and prepared to expand on them this week. We will learn to use negative exponents and simplify using the laws of exponents. Here is a list of the rules of exponents that is very helpful. We will have a quiz on exponents (lessons 1 and 2 in chapter 3 of our book) on Thursday.
Algebra – Mrs. VonFeldt
In Algebra, we are finishing up Chapter 3. There will be a test on Thursday. Students should be able to graph linear functions using a variety of strategies. They can create an x, y table and plot points; they can find x and y intercepts, using them to draw a line; and they can use slope-intercept form (y = mx + b) to graph a line using the y-intercept and the slope. We also learned how to write equations in function notation this week.
The sixth graders are practicing their skills on fraction operations. We are focusing on division of fractions and mixed numbers this week. Keep, Change, Flip has been our guide: to divide fractions: KEEP the first fraction, CHANGE the operation from division to multiplication, and FLIP the second fraction. See the video link below.
The 7th graders will finish Module 3 this week, establishing a great foundation of skills to use as we move through the year. We will be able to use positive and negative fractions, decimals, integers and mixed numbers. We will practice dividing rational numbers on Monday. We will then practice using the proper order of operations and solve real world problems using rational numbers. As we move through the year, we will want to practice all these skills and build confidence. A great place to practice these skills is in IXL.COM. Here are some areas in IXL that would be good to practice this week:
We are learning about functions this week in 8th grade math. We will be learning to build tables from functions and then to use the table to graph the function. These are very useful skills and will help us in our study of algebra. We will learn to identify which tables and graphs show functions and which functions are linear or non-linear. Here is a helpful video for students and families wanting more help:
Algebra – Mrs. VonFeldt
In Algebra, we are finishing up our chapter on solving linear equations. Students are now able to use strategies to solve multiple step equations, including those involving proportional relationships. These skills are foundational to our study of Algebra. There is a Chapter 2 Test on Thursday.
In the next chapter, we will expand our skills to graphing linear equations.
Remember that we will not have school on Friday, Oct. 13th!
6th Grade Math – Mrs. VonFeldt
The sixth graders are becoming proficient on all operations with fractions. We encounter fractions so often in life (cooking, statistics, time). It is important to be comfortable calculating. Please watch the following video for a review on all operations in just seven minutes!
7th Grade Math – Mrs. VonFeldt & Mrs. Evans
The 7th graders will be applying what they learned about adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing integers to rational numbers. Rational numbers include fractions, decimals and mixed numbers. We will spend a day reviewing decimal arithmetic and another day reviewing fraction arithmetic. Here is a great summaries of fraction and decimal arithmetic:
8th Grade Math – Mrs. Evans
We are finishing our Chapter 1 review of rational numbers and basic algebra and moving into Chapter 2. Our test on Chapter 1 will be on Wednesday, Oct. 12th. We will then learn about functions and how ordered pairs can be solutions to equations. The benefit of this is that we can graph ordered pairs. Here is a video that can help with this topic:
Algebra – Mrs. VonFeldt
In Algebra, we are solving single variable equations. The students are doing a great job setting up and finding different strategies to solve equations. The Chapter 2 team test will be on Friday, October 20. The following video summarizes how to solve multi-step linear equations:
This week in 6th grade, we continue our practice of arithmetic with decimals. So far we know how to add and subtract decimals (line up the decimal point); and multiply decimals (don’t line up the decimal point, count decimals places in the factors). Now, we will learn to divide with decimals. The video below from Math Antics is a great review for all decimal operations.
Decimals are extremely useful in real life, (managing money for a start). Ask your student to share some examples of where they might encounter decimals.
7th Math – Mrs. VonFeldt & Mrs. Evans
This week in 7th grade we will move into Module 2 of our Go Math book as we learn about how to multiply and divide with integers (positive and negative). To multiply and divide with negatives, we only need to follow these simple rules:
These skills will complete our ability to use negative and positive numbers in all four operations and then we will practice using the correct order of those operations to solve more complicated problems.
8th Math – Mrs. Evans
In 8th grade math this week, we will continue to work in Chapter 1 as we review the basics of algebra, with a vocabulary review on Monday and some of the other basics throughout the week. Below is a great review video to help students with the vocabulary:
As we review how to simplify and solve one step equations we will need to recall how to combine like terms. Here is a good picture summarizing this skill:
8th Algebra – Mrs. VonFeldt
The Chapter 1 test will be on Wednesday. In Chapter 2 we will be reviewing and expanding our skills on solving linear equations. We will start with one-step equations and use the same strategies to work up to multiple-step equations. The Math Antics video below is a good review of how to use inverse operations to solve equations.
This week we will be having MAP testing on Tuesday and Thursday.
6th Grade Math – Mrs. VonFeldt
In sixth grade, we are beginning our practice of decimal operations. This week we will review addition and subtraction of decimals and then move on to multiplication.
When adding and subtracting decimals, it is important to remember to LINE UP THE DECIMAL POINT. This will keep place values lined up and make sure the decimal is in the correct place in the answer.
To multiply decimals, the first step is to multiply without the decimals. You do not need to line up decimal points. Next, count total number of decimal places in the factors and give your product the same number of decimal places. See the videos below for some examples.
7th Grade Math – Mrs. VonFeldt & Mrs. Evans
This week we are practicing the skills that we learned last week, developing fluency while we add and subtract integers. While this skill looks simple, it takes focus and practice to become intuitive. Here is a summary of the strategies that we can use when we do these problems:
8th Grade Math – Mrs. Evans
This week we have been reviewing more of the important skills that make up the foundation of our math this year. We will practice all rational number operations and put them together using the proper order of operations. Here is a picture showing all the types of numbers that are rational numbers – essentially all of them! We have a great foundation to stand on this year!
Algebra – Mrs. VonFeldt
This week in Algebra we have been studying functions. A function is a relationship in which the input has only one unique output. Two types of functions that we’ll spend a lot of time on this year are linear and quadratic functions. The Math Antics video below is a fun introduction to functions. The chapter 1 test will be next Wednesday.
Welcome to a new year of learning! We are excited about all the great things that will be happening in math this year!
This is the first of many weekly posts to tell you about what your student will be doing in math. They will be posted at the start of the week, giving the plans for the week and various “helps” for parents and students.
Remember that you can always reach out to Mrs. VonFeldt and Mrs. Evans if you have any questions about math.
6th Grade Math – Mrs. VonFeldt
Last week in 6th grade math, we reviewed multiple digit division. Students were reminded to keep their work neat, line up place values, and bring down all digits until you reach the ones place. We discussed what a remainder is and how to write the remainder as an “r” or as a fraction. We had a quiz on Friday and all of your children and doing a great job. This will be very important as we move onto division with decimals in a few weeks.
This week, we are finding the Least Common Multiple (LCM) and Greatest Common Factor (GCF) of two or more numbers. We will be using these in word problems. If you want a quick review, watch the video listed below:
7th Grade Math – Mrs. VonFeldt and Mrs. Evans
Last week in 7th grade math, our students began to work with negative integers. We will continue to learn how to add and subtract integers that are both negative and positive. This is a very important skill in algebra so we will be developing a foundational skill! We will be learning to model these problems on number lines and with counters. We will also be using the absolute value to find answers.
Here is a great visual to help adding and subtracting integers:
You can also get help with these skills by watching this video:
8th Grade Math – Mrs. Evans
Last week in 8th grade math we began a review of rational numbers. Rational numbers include fractions, mixed numbers, and decimals. We reminded ourselves how to write these numbers in different ways. We can turn any one of them into another. Then we reviewed multiplication and division of rational numbers as well as adding and subtracting fractions with different denominators. It is great to have time to remind ourselves of these important skills so that we can work with them effectively. This week we will review how to add and subtract fractions, decimals and mixed numbers and then we will review solving basic, one-step equations. An excellent place to review skills we have learned is IXL.COM. Students have had time in class to make sure they can access the program. Practice builds confidence!
Algebra – Mrs. VonFeldt
Algebra class started off with a review of variables and variable expressions. We practiced writing expressions, equations, and inequalities from verbal phrases. Since algebra is all about solving equations and inequalities, this is a very important skill to have. This week students are working cooperatively on a project. Each team has been given a pattern. They are challenged to generalize the pattern by writing an expression and describing how to create Figure 100. They will be creating a poster and presenting to the class.
At the end of the week, we will discuss significant figures, why they are important, and how to calculate with them.
