Test 2 Review and Integer Problems

Test 2 was reviewed today and the Retake will be given tomorrow.  All students scoring 1 or 2 will be required to retake the test (and were required to take notes for the retake today). All students scoring a 3 have the option to retake and needed to inform me today as to whether or not s/he wished to retake. The retake is only for the item(s) which individual students did not successfully demonstrate understanding the concept.

Then a problem solving worksheet was given to all students to work in pairs and answer 4 questions. Whatever was not finished was homework. Homework is to TRY to solve and show what attempts were made. I WILL NOT be giving an accuracy ranking for homework. What I WILL be evaluating is the notes that students take tomorrow when we go over the assignment in class.

Homework due on 10/30/14

ANSWERS:

Student-led Conferences - Day 2

In place of core classes, we broke out into basecamp groups and worked on further preparation for student-led conferences. Evidence of their work will be demonstrated at the conferences. Have a good evening.

Student-led Conference Set up

The list of requirements for the math portion presentation at student-led conferences was outlined in today's class (see photo). All students were instructed to copy the information from the board into their Agenda Book. The list will remain on one of the white boards through next Thursday. We will be using some class time to assist students with gathering the information, but students will have to spend some time at night checking and organizing their materials at home.

Student-led Conference Math List of Requirements

I also photographed one student's Table of Contents (TOC) to assist anyone who may be missing an item or two (page numbers may vary from student to student). Thanks to Cherilynn.

Positives and Negatives - Day 2

Here are the results to Guided Practice and Independent Practice sheets. These problems also led to 2 great discussions about "in the black" and "in the red" and "net result" (gross pay versus net pay). I am expecting that all expressions be written with addends (even negatives). That will lead us to the properties of math; any arrangement of addends will allow us to always get the same answer. Can you name the property (law)?










Test 2 have been corrected. I have not yet finished an item analysis from as student tests, and 4 students were absent and have not yet had a chance to take the test. The plan is for them to take the test tomorrow after lunch.  Two students asked me about their individual results, which I did show them their tests. The plan is to return all tests to students on Monday.

Positive and Negative Integers

Individuals conceptualize positive and negative integers in different ways.  Today we investigated 3 possibilities.  The first is a number line or thermometer.  Take the example of 10 + (-5). The number line method suggests to start a 10 and pull back or drop down 5 steps or degrees. In either case, you stop at 5.  Another way to think about it is looking at the absolute values. Again, our example of10 + (-5)  =  /10/ + /5/, find the difference, which is 5, then ask - which integer (+ or -) has the higher value; in this case (10) is positive. Thus the difference; 5, and is positive. Finally, look at the values as positive and negative charges. Yes, using 10 + (-5):

Pictorial representation

An important concept is: n + (-n) = 0.  With n = any number.

A example given to the students was -25 - (-25).  We've all learned the "trick" is to rewrite the expression as -25 + 25.  Then the question was asked -- Why?  What is happening? What real life example could represent this expression?  After sharing possibilities and extended discussion, students were able to deduce that -25 - (-25) is indicating that (-25) is "taken away."  Pretty good.  Ask your child about the real life example(s).

Whole Class Practice Example: notice the steps.

Homework due tomorrow, 10/23/14

Tuesday Test

Students took the test today. The Tsuga group began taking notes for working with positive and negative integers, but the Betula group needed the entire class period to complete the test. Notes on integers will be posted on tomorrows blog page. The Tsuga group has a homework assignment: Bring to class a real life example that will help explain and demonstrate when to use -25 - (-25)  is rewrittten to -25 + 25.

PEMDAS Practice

Today was spent reviewing last week's Quick Review (which is practice) and completed PEMDAS practice with Scientific Notation.  I also spent time with reviewing key points for tomorrow's Test 2.

A note on practice, which includes homework.  When I'm checking for homework, I'm checking for completion or whether or not the student attempted the assignment. I'm am not recording an accuracy rate. Accuracy is for an assessment or achievement score/grade. Students are ALWAYS welcome to see me the morning after a given homework assignment,  and were not able to do the task. The students who have accessed my help are able to finish in 5 minutes and still have time to socialize before advisory.

Reminder: Test 2 is tomorrow: Rational/Irrational Numbers, Scientific Notation, PEMDAS.

Scientific Notation

Notes on Scientific Notation for positive and negative exponents were given today with LOTS of practice items. Tonight, students have 5 -- Yes -- That's 5 items to complete tonight.  Everyone should be able to complete these. Another assignment given is that Test #2 will take place next Tuesday, 10/21/14. The topics will be Rational/Irrational Numbers, Scientific Notation, and more PEMDAS (order of operation).

 Here is a link to Kahn Academy video clip to review Scientific Notation. We will practice note taking from this video clip tomorrow. Scientific Notation -- Kahn Academy

 

Rational Number

Welcome Back from the extended weekend. First, we reviewed the homework and definition of rational numbers. Below is a photo of the definition that everyone copied in MTN's. We had a Quick Review Assessment, and I will touch base with students who may still be struggling with the concept.

We are now moving to Scientific Notation. We will be working with this idea for the week, along with continued practice to using PEMDAS.  Below is a photo of today's notes.

Scientific Notation #1

Rational Number Definition

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are Rational - Irrational Numbers?

Determining whether a number is rational or irrational can be dull. So in an attempt to make it interesting, fun, and meaningful, the students were given random numbers on sticky paper. With their partner, they needed to decide as to where the numbers belonged -- Rational or Irrational. After adjustments, discussions, and realignments, the students were then instructed to construct their own working definition for rational and irrational numbers. This is a homework assignment if not finished in class.

A few working photos of the day:

Ratios

Retakes for Test 1 were returned to students. Approximately 95% of the students scored 80% and above on the tests. This indicates that the students have a fairly good understanding of the ideas that we were evaluating. 

Below are photos of notes that were given in class. If you took 50 MTN journals, an observer would see similarities and differences among all note takers. My notes from class to class and from class to photo vary as well. The major point that I look for with student notes is: "Does she or he have the jest of the skill/concept?"

Tonight's homework: Read over today's notes.  We will have a discussion tomorrow about the specifics as what individuals did for the assignment. Nothing written, nothing to be turned in.

Students choose what he/she needed for individual notes.

All information (except measuring cup - demo only) was copied.

Test Retake #1

The retakes for Test 1 were completed today. Tomorrow we will be taking notes on Ratios and practicing Bar Modeling as another option to problem solving plans. Have a good night.

TOC & MTN Check #1

Today we review all items from Test 1 given on Thursday, overall quality and writing responses in MTN's and Table of Contents. Below you will find 2 samples of well done TOC's. Thanks to Sam's and Kiera's permission to post their copies. Tomorrow will be a retake (with slightly different items) for anyone scoring below 80% on last weeks test.  

Sam's TOC

Kiera's TOC

Review: Order of Operation

Today we practiced with note taking from a video. Click on the link below to review the information. 

Additional Notes from MBW

 Order of Operation Review   

Then we practiced PEMDAS/GEMDAS with an BINGO game.  All work is done in student MTN's.

 

Test 1 is tomorrow and I will be collecting MTN's after the test.