Looking at the Coordinate Grid

Students reviewed how to name integers, and then looked at the grid that is created when two number lines are placed perpendicular to each other. We practiced naming the coordinates of many different points. We concluded that the first number tells us how far left or right to go, while the second point tells us how far up or down to go.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the worksheet you started in class. Do page 31 (E), and page 36 (27 and 42).

Combining Like Terms, Again

Students used colored markers to identify terms that were similar, and then combined them.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the yellow worksheet on combining like terms that you started in class today.

More on the Distributive Property

Students had difficulty with the distributive property, so we reviewed how to use it again in class. Students took step-by-step notes on how to complete the steps.

Tonight's Homework: Redo all problems (front and back) on the green worksheet. Show your steps, using arrows.

Orders of Operations and the Distributive Property

Students struggled with last night's homework, primarily because they did not choose to follow the directions of showing their work sequentially. Because the quality of the work is important, students were given a second chance to do the problems correctly and again were asked to show work.

We looked at how to use the distributive property today.

Tonight's Homework: Complete both sides of the green "Distributive Property" worksheet. Redo all problems you missed on the purple "Orders of Operations" worksheet.

Orders of Operations with Integers

Now that we are feeling more confident with computing with integers, we revisited how to use orders of operations with integers. We worked through several problems, showing step by step computations. Students seemed to get the process pretty well.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the purple Order of Operations worksheet, and show your steps..

Round Two of Integer Assessment

We took another stab at computing with integers, and students rocked the assessment!

Tonight's Homework: Complete the orange Orders of Operations worksheet.

Adding the Opposite = Subtraction

We reviewed how to subtract numbers by rewriting the expression as an addition problem. In most cases, this little bit of work pays of tremendously, because students feel more confident when they are adding integers.

Tonight's Homework: Complete at least one of your assignments listed on your grade slip and be ready to turn it in on Tuesday. We will be taking another integer computation test on Tuesday.

Integer Operation Test Today

Students took a test over integer operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) today on computers. Some students were able to finish very quickly, while others need more time to finish.

Tonight's Homework: Nothing new. It would be wise to complete any missing work you haven't turned in and bring it to school on Monday. Enjoy your long weekend!

Reviewing for Tomorrow's Test

Students completed a series of problems on a Math Crossword worksheet to review for tomorrow's test. Students were asked to specifically rewrite each subtraction problem as an addition problem, so that they were adding the opposite. For example, 3 - 5 could be rewritten as 3 + (-5). This will ensure that the student has the best possible chance for getting the answer correct.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the "Math Crossword" worksheet (both sides).

More Review on Integer Computation

Students are gaining confidence in their ability to add, multiply and divide integers. Subtracting is still problematic, so we worked on that in class. We did quite a few problems from a 7th grade text book in class today (pages 302-303, 4-35).

Tonight's Homework: Work on make up work for math, so you can turn it in on Monday.

Integer Multiplication and Division Review

After spending about 20 minutes on the computer program, we practiced working on some mixed problems involving integers.

Tonight's Homework: Page 51 ( 4 - 6, 12 - 20 ) in Accentuate the Negative

More on Integer Computation

Using the ideas we've developed this week, we looked to see if our rules for multiplying integers would work for dividing them. The patterns still work!

Tonight's Homework: Page 48 (A, B 1-3) in Accentuate the Negative.

Integer Computation Review

Students practiced for next week's test over integers by completing two worksheets focussing on adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing integers.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the Practice with Integers and Multiplying Message worksheets, if you did not finish them in class today.

Multiplying Integers, Part 1

Today, we developed an algorithm for multiplying integers. Students recognized the following rules:

•a positive times a positive is a positive
•a negative times a negative is a positive
•a positive times a negative is a negative

We summarized the rule like this: If the signs are the same, the product is positive. If the signs are opposite (or different), then the product is negative,

Tonight's Homework: Page 45 in Accentuate the Negative