Clearing Fractions from Multi-Step Equations

Today we used the distributive property to help us change frightening or scary problems (those that contain fractions) into nicer looking fractions. We called this our special mathematical power, and students realized that by choosing the correct number, the time spent on the solving the problems can be reduced significantly.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 6.2 ( 7 - 27, all). Check steps are not required, but can be done for extra credit.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We reviewed multi-step equation solving today, and played at the board. Papers were collected, and no new homework was given. Have a relaxing and peaceful vacation. Most of all, be safe!

Tonight's Homework: None! Don't eat too much!

More on Solving Multi-Step Equations

Today we looked at ways we can use multi-step equations to solve real-life problems. Please read Lesson 6.1 for more specifics about this lesson, especially if you missed class.

Tonight's Homework: Finish problems 9 - 16 on the worksheet, "What's in the Case?". Be sure to include check steps. Also, please complete Lesson 6.1 ( 25, 26, 35, 36, 38, 39, 40, and 46 ).

Solving Multi-Step Equations

Today, we talked about equations that included more steps than we've seen before. We recognized that solving them wasn't so difficult, as long as you worked at them one step at a time. Today's problems involved using the distributive property, combining like terms, and then solving for the variable. Remember, the check step can help you determine if you got the correct answer.

Tonight's Homework: Finish the fist 8 problems on the back side of the worksheet you started last week. Then do Lesson 6.1 (15 - 23 ) and include a check step for each of the book problems.

Quiz over Two-Step Equation Solving

Students turned in homework from Wednesday, and then took a quiz over solving two-step equations. Check steps for each of the problems were required.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the first 10 problems on the white worksheet you received in class today. We will tackle the rest of this next week.

OMSI Assemblies Cancel Class Today

Fifth period class was canceled today, as OMSI presenters were here to share their "Creature Feature" assembly with our 7th graders and "Golly-Ology" assembly with the 6th and 8th graders. Class will resume as usual on Friday. Enjoy the day away from math!

Tonight's Homework: Keep studying for Friday's test.

Solving Multi-Step Equations

We reviewed the steps for solving multi-step equations, and emphasis was placed on being able to solve some problems in two different ways. We used the idea of people carrying brief cases (like in "Deal or No Deal") as a backdrop for figuring out what's inside the case.

Tonight's Homework: Complete all problems on WS 3.2 A

Catch Up Day

Because many students didn't finish the test on Friday and I was at a meeting during resource this morning, I decided to make today a work day. Those who needed to finish the test did so during class. Those who were done with the test began working on homework early, and probably were able to have a bit more free time this evening.

Tonight's Homework: Complete all problems on WS 3.1 A, and include a check step for each of the problems in the top and bottom sections of the worksheet.

Test over Solving Simple Equations

Students reviewed their homework, and then turned it in. The rest of the period was dedicated to completing the test over solving simple equations. Those who missed class due to student council should plan to take the test on Monday during lunch time.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the worksheet you got in class today.

Two Step Equation Solving

Today, we talked about solving equations that are a bit more complicated in nature. Students need to remember to get the variable term isolated on one side of the equation, and then multiply or divide to figure out what the variable represents.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 3.4 ( 1 - 4, 7, 8 . 15 - 18 ) and the ESP worksheet.

Veteran's Day Holiday

There was no school today, due to it being Veteran's Day. See you on Thursday!

Tonight's Homework: Continue to prepare for Friday's quiz over solving equations.

More Work With Solving Equations

Students examined another series of "magic" problems today and practiced translating each written step into mathematical expressions. Then, they worked the problem backwards to ensure their math was correct. The ultimate goal was to come up with a quick way to figure out the starting number if all you knew was the ending number. We then talked about the way to write a check step, and use it to prove you got the correct answer to a multi-step problem.

Tonight's Homework: Complete both sides of the ESP worksheet you started in class, and then do Lesson 3.3 ( 24 - 34, even with check steps; 44 - 54 )

Reversing PEMDAS to Solve Equations

If the ultimate goal in solving equations is to determine what the variable represents, students must work backwards from what they've been used to doing. After solving a variety of equations together in class, students realized that if a problem states to do one thing, the reverse operation must be done. We talked about this being similar to reversing the PEMDAS order--add and subtract before multiplying and dividing.

Tonight's Homework: Complete your Leaps, Hops and Jumps worksheet. Do Lesson 3.3 (10 - 21 ).

Jumps, Leaps and Hops!

We played several rounds of Tax Man, and then I issued a challenge to students. The first male and first female student to play against me and win with the highest possible score will receive extra credit points on the upcoming test. All challenges must take place during lunch time.

Next, we used the idea of hops, leaps and jumps to help us sketch pictures of story problems, and then transform them into variable equations. Students laughed at my lame drawings, but they really did get the idea of what we were doing. We will continue with this activity on Monday.

Tonight's Homework: None, unless you are motivated to beat me at "Tax Man".

Solving One-Step Equations Involving Multiplication or Division

Again, we reviewed that the way to "undo" multiplication is to divide, and the way to "undo" division is to multiply. Students are starting to grasp this notion more readily, although some continue to forget to do the opposite operation.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 3.2 ( 22 - 47 ). Don't forget to show your work!

Keeping Track of the Widget Inventory

To emphasize the use of the distributive property, we used the inventory of Widgets, Inc. as our backdrop. Students computed the meaning of various numbers of loads of deliveries or shipments, and kept a running total of the inventory. Students also practiced dividing expressions by a constant, again using the Widgets, Inc. company as the context of the operation.

Tonight's Homework: Complete both sides of the Widgets, Inc. worksheet, and Lesson 3.2 ( 5 - 16 all ). Show your work!

What's A Widget?

Today, we continued our quest to combine like terms, using the context of a manufacturing company named Widgets, Inc. Students were able to create variable expressions to represent a variety of workplace situations, and then add or subtract expressions, depending on the parameters of the situation. Most students understood this part of our lesson quite well.

We then looked at very basic one-step equations and realized we have been able to solve these since we were in the first grade! The key to solving these types of equations is to do the opposite of what the equation states. For instance, in the equation x+4=9, to determine what x is requires you to subtract 4 from each side of the equation. We used the teeter-totter analogy to help us understand what to do in order to keep the equations balanced.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the Widgets, Inc. worksheet (both sides). Do Lesson 3.1 ( 6 - 24, 40 - 43, and 48-49 ).