Happy Halloween!

Today's schedule put our shortened class in the morning, and before lunch. We reviewed our bank problems and then handed back homework.

Tonight's Homework: None! Enjoy your weekend--it's an hour longer than most.

What's in the Vault?

As we continue to build a conceptual understanding for algebraic expressions and how to compute with them, we added the notion of a vault, and what would be in the vault. This encourages students to be able to use the distributive property in a meaningful context, and understand why each of the terms are being multiplied by a given constant.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the second "What's In the Bank?" worksheet, if you didn't finish it in class. Also, do Lesson 2.8 ( 24 - 28 and 32 - 40 ).

Celebrating Red Ribbon Week in Style!

Thanks to all of you who wore red to class today. My, does our class have spirit or what!!!!??????!!!!!!

We reviewed the Card Problem today. Many students did not follow the format I shared with them in class on Tuesday. Expect to be doing another problem like this soon.

We then started talking about banks and what might be found in them. After determining that stacks of bills are very different than bags of loose change, we began comparing the amount of money found in different banks. To do this, we represented the contents of the bank with variable expressions.

Tonight's Homework: Complete both sides of the "What's in the Bank?" worksheet.

More on Math

Students wrote critiques of the instructions they needed to follow to complete last night's graphing homework. These were turned in during class, and will be distributed in class tomorrow.

We reviewed our problems solving strategy steps, and began working on the Card problem.

Tonight's Homework: Finish the Card problem, and do Lesson 2.8 (11 - 22 all)

Also, remember to wear red to school on Wednesday to help celebrate Red Ribbon Week.

Coordinate Grid Seating Chart

Students received their weekly grade slips today, as well as new seating placements, according to the coordinate grid. Students learned whether they were sitting on an axis (x or y), or in one of the four quadrants. One lucky student was designated as the origin (Makayla!!).

We reviewed a little about variable expressions, and then passed in our homework. Students were somewhat surprised to find that those who turned in homework today actually had created the homework for one student to complete tonight.

Tonight's Homework: Create the picture described by the list of points handed to you by another student in class today. Good luck!

Creating a Picture on the Coordinate Plane

Students finished taking the chapter 2 test today, and then worked on creating a picture on the coordinate grid. The picture could be of anything, but students were encouraged to not make it too complicated. Once the picture was drawn, students listed coordinates of key points on the picture to create a list of coordinate instructions for another person to follow. Essentially, we are doing the reverse of what we did on the "Only in October" activity last night.

Tonight's Homework: Finish your picture (and color it neatly) and your list of coordinates.

Unit Test Given in Class Today

Students completed the unit 1 test (covering chapters 1 and 2) in class today. Most students had about 10 minutes at the end of the test to review for errors and just relax.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the "Only in October" graphing activity you received in class today. Remember to color it!

Graphing on the Coordinate Plane

After reviewing for the chapter test (which will be given in class on Wednesday), students learned how to locate points on the coordinate plane by using their x and y locations. Students are reminded that in every coordinate pair, the first value is the "x" value, while the second number is the "y" value. The "x" value moves a point left or right along the plane, while the "y" value moves the point up or down.

Tonight's Homework: Study for the chapter test. Complete the "You are a math . . ." graphing activity.

Chapter 2 Review

As we prepare for the chapter 2 test (which will be given in class later this week), we worked on shoring up vocabulary definitions for words we learned in the chapter. Important words include integer, coefficient, like terms, absolute value, and the three properties (associative, commutative and distributive). To be clear, students were reminded of expectations for evaluating expressions. Those who neglect to show the steps will not receive full credit on their test problems.

Tonight's Homework: Page 100 ( 1 - 25, all ).

Revisiting the Distributive Property

Several students complained that last night's homework was too difficult. We reviewed half a dozen problems, and determined that the distributive property was much easier to use than some students thought. We also concentrated on how to solve problems that look like the distributive property by using order of operation rules.

Tonight's Homework: None!

Making Sure We Really Understand!

Today, students worked to solidify their understanding of the commutative and associative properties of addition and subtraction. Students worked with a partner to complete a review worksheet over lesson 2.6. Those who finished early were offered extra credit.

Tonight's Homework: Complete all problems on the yellow worksheet (2.6 B).

Commutative and Associative Properties of Addition and Subtraction

Students learned about the commutative and associative properties of addition and multiplication today. The commutative properties deal with switching the order of the numbers in an expression or equation. The associative properties allow you to change the grouping of numbers without changing the order.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 2.6 ( 1 - 38 all, but not 30 or 31 ). It might be a good idea to read the lesson before doing the problems, especially if you missed the class today.

P.S. Get well, Karly and Kayleigh!

Integers and Order of Operations are Important to Master

The results from Thursday's test were shared with students. In general, students did very well. Even so, most students made goofy errors because they tried to do too much in their heads.

We took a clicker quiz on integer operations. Most students seemed to enjoy this, and we talked about the attractive distracting answers that will show up on multiple choice tests.

Tonight's Homework: Page 727 ( 4 - 16 all) and Page 728 (1 - 31 odd, and 34 - 36 all ).

Integer Test Taken in Class Today

Students spent the bulk of today's class period taking the test over integers. Homework was collected.

Tonight's Homework: Finish the addition and multiplication charts, if you haven't already done so. If you turned this in today, you have no additional homework. Enjoy the three-day weekend!

Looking for Patterns

Today, we reviewed for tomorrow's test over integers. We filled in a grid with addition and multiplication facts for integers. Once we had a good portion of the grid filled in, students shared patterns they found in each of the different grids.

Tonight's Homework: Finish the crossword worksheet. Do Lesson 2.1 ( 9 - 22, all ) and page 79 ( 1 - 19, odd ). Be sure to review for tomorrow's test!

Dealing with Integers

Students reviewed the basic operations of integers with playing cards. After receiving a playing card, students worked with a partner to determine the sum, difference, and product of the values of their cards. Red cards represented negative numbers, while black cards represented positive numbers. We repeated the process with groups of four.

Tonight's Homework: Complete both sides of the cream-colored worksheet. Don't forget--your test over integers and orders of operations will be on Thursday.

Dividing Integers

Today, we used our models of integers to explore what happens when groups of objects are split up, or divided into smaller parts. We figured out that the rules that apply to multiplication of integers also apply to division of integers. To summarize, when you divide two integers, the answer will be positive if the signs of the dividend and divisor are the same (both positive or both negative). The answer (quotient) will be negative if the signs of the dividend and divisor are different (one positive and one negative).

Tonight's Homework: Get your grade slip signed and bring it to school on Tuesday. Read over lesson 2.5. Do Lesson 2.5 ( 13 - 39, all). Remember, the test over integers will be on Thursday, October 8th. Start preparing for it now!

The Distributive Property

The distributive property is a powerful tool to being able to evaluate expressions with ease. Simply put, the distributive property states: For all a, b, and c, a( b+c ) = ab + ac. This property allows you to compute mentally, as well as check work using the order of operation rules.

Tonight's Homework: Read Lesson 2.7, and then do Lesson 2.7 ( 9 - 24 and 27 - 32 ).

Another Short Class Period

Today's class was only 27 minutes long, so students spent most of their time working on another riddle (worksheet). Most were able to get the worksheet done in class, but for those who did not, please finish it over the weekend.

Tonight's Homework: Finish the banana riddle worksheet--it's due on Monday.

Multiplying Integers

Students learned how to multiply integers today. A good review of today's lesson can be found on pages 70 and 71 of your text. We also completed a review worksheet over adding and subtracting integers (the sheep one).

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 2.4 ( 10 - 25 all, 32, 40 - 43, and 46 - 54 all).

Hi, Drisana! Hope all is well with you. Good luck with your work.