Feedback & Fractions

After returning students' Mini-Eval papers, we went over correct responses. Any student who wishes to retake the mini-eval needs to make arrangements with me.

Many students are still having difficulties with manipulating fractions. Today was review. As soon as I began with examples, the students were very good at telling me what should happen. Hmmmmm. So they have practice work over the next several days.

                      


HOMEWORK: 

• IXL: Grade 7 or Level I:  G.1,  G.3,  G.7,  G.10,  G.12, and  G.13 due by next Tuesday. 80% or higher.

Mini-Eval: Rates

Post for March 28 & 29, 2017

The mini-evaluation was postponed from Monday to Tuesday. Students worked diligently on their tests. We will be going the answers on Thursday since some students need a little more time complete on Wednesday.

I would like to take this time to thank all students and parents for your support and kind words to us about the death of our dear friend Kathy Kenny. She was a true educator and protector of children. Mrs. Kenny will be missed by us all.

HOMEWORK:   None for tonight.

Proportional Relationships

After checking for homework completion, we review the ideas from students' responses.

Vocabulary definition to the ratio parts:

Classwork:

                  Independent work:
                       

HOMEWORK: 

• Review notes for next Monday’s Mini-Evaluation: Rates.

More with Rates

Students should have completed at least the following on their sheets in their MTN's before leaving class today:

Students also had some time to begin discussions and respond to the questions associated with the tables. Any blank areas must be answered on their own before class time tomorrow. A mini-evaluation will be conducted next Monday.


HOMEWORK:

• Complete all questions on the activity “More with Rates” in your MTN.
• Review notes for next Monday’s Mini-Evaluation: Rates.

Group Presentations: Rates

Each group presented their thinking and findings for their given problem. Students were to copy all work for each problem. Here is what each student should have copied in their MTN:

 


HOMEWORK:   None for tonight.

Solving Problems with Rates

After modeling a demonstration of how students were to record their group work:

Each group was given a different problems to solve. Ideas and solutions were written on the paper along with the member's name next to their contribution to solving the problem.

HOMEWORK:

• If you have not yet done so, BRING IN YOUR MODIFIED PROTOTYPE A.S.A.P This is for a make-up test with Mrs. Warren for evaluation.

• Go to the Blog to review notes.

Rates Practice

Today was skills foundation for determining the average rate of speed for different distances, rates, and/or times. A brief review was conducted.  Then within their assigned table mates, students solved for the missing number. (The number in black represents the solution.)

The second sheet students worked in groups:

On Monday, students will be solving problems that will require 3-4 steps in order to acquire the final solutions.

HOMEWORK: 

• If you have not yet done so, BRING IN YOUR MODIFIED PROTOTYPE A.S.A.P This is for a make-up test with Mrs. Warren for evaluation.

• GRADES CLOSE for Q3 Interims. Many students have minssing/incomplete work from Math Lab Week. Get it done!

Reflection Day

Due to the delayed opening and funky schedule, every class is in a different place. Here is a list of possible combinations of today's class:
1. Returned Matchbox Speed Tests Lab Sheets to students (related to continued work with rates)
2. Shared Cube Nets justifications on posters
3. Worked on rates (one of which is the average rate of speed: D=rt)


HOMEWORK:

• If you have not yet done so, BRING IN YOUR MODIFIED PROTOTYPE A.S.A.P This is for a make-up test with Mrs. Warren for evaluation.

Cube Nets & Categorization

During this week, I will be returning one set of lab sheets per day so that we can go over each one well. Today's Lab sheet: Engineer & Design Prototype and entered into their MTN's.

Next, students put cube nets into categories. Then they had to explain the rationale as to why some formed cubes and why they did not form cubes.

More fun with geometric shapes and nets click here.

HOMEWORK:

• If you have not yet done so, BRING IN YOUR MODIFIED PROTOTYPE A.S.A.P This is for a make-up test with Mrs. Warren for evaluation.

• Go to Mrs. Warren’s Blog here.  Try out Geometric Nets for fun.

Engineer & Design Prototype Test #2

Our primary focus was testing the prototype modifications. The problem given to students on one of our blizzard bag days was as follows:  How can I design and build a device that can be launched into the air and continually fly for the longest time?

The criteria/constraints included the following:

• Device MUST include a minimum of five different materials to build

• Can launch by hand or through another device
• The device cannot touch a person during flight but it is okay it it touches parts of the room (except floor), as long as it keeps moving after.
• Cannot use compressed air, gas, flame, fire, or anything that may cause damage to the gym floor, walls, ceiling, lights or your own home.
• Cannot use materials that come from device/toys that are designed to fly. For example, you couldn’t use toy wheels, but could make wheels from other materials (i.e. bottle caps).

We conducted the semi-final tests to the prototypes and students answered lab questions.

Students also answered survey and evaluation questions on a form online about Math Lab Week.

Something fun: Cube Nets

HOMEWORK:

• If you have not yet done so, BRING IN YOUR MODIFIED PROTOTYPE A.S.A.P This is for a make-up test with Mrs. Warren for evaluation (but not entered into Friday’s, 3/10/17 Finals).

Math Lab Week -- Conclusion

This was our last day to Math Lab Week. Students were required to complete: 1. 4 of the 6 labs, 2. Matchbox Race Cars (rate conversion), and 3. Prototype Time Trials - Test #1. The standards that were evaluated included: all 6 work habits, all 4 math practices, proportional relationship, rate conversions, solving real world problems with algebraic expressions/equations, analyze linear regression, show transformations, and collect data and construct graphs from table.  All groups met the goal and some groups managed their time well and completed a 5th station. Students also had specific group roles that needed to be accomplished in addition to completing the station.


HOMEWORK: 

• Semi-Final tests for modified Engineer/Design Prototype will take place tomorrow.
• If you have not yet done so, BRING IN YOUR MODIFIED PROTOTYPE BY THURSDAY, 3/9!

Math Lab Week -- Day 5

Students continued working on completing the math lab stations.  All requirements must be met by the end of class tomorrow.  Prototype #2 must be brought in tomorrow and all will be tested on Thursday.

Immersion Day -- March 2017

Some of today's immersion studies: logo design and Chimborazo website design, juggling, card tricks, knot tying,  origami, car building, coding, felting, music practice, journalism, and many others.

Math classes will resume tomorrow.

Math Lab Week -- Day 4

Work at the stations for the 6 math labs has continued. We will be continuing with the labs on Tuesday and Wednesday after vacation. (Monday is Immersion Day, thus there will not be "math class.")  On Thursday, we will all be testing the Engineer/Design Prototypes -- Test #2.

Since tomorrow is hiking day -- have a safe and restful vacation. See you on March 5 -- Mr. Viens' birthday!

HOMEWORK:  

• Work on modifications to your Engineer/Design Prototype. Finished for class by Wednesday, March 8.

Math Lab Week -- Day 3

Photos of student working today:

 

HOMEWORK:

• Work on modifications to your Engineer/Design Prototype. Finished for class by Wednesday, March 8.

NEML Contest

The annual New England Mathematics League Contest was administered to students throughout our school today. It can only be administered on Tuesday, February 21 (or Tuesday, February 28) throughout the New England region. Students are given 30 minutes to answer 35 questions. Results will be shared in June.

We will return to Math Labs tomorrow. Due to all the shortened schedules and lost days, we will continue the labs the week after February vacation to allow students ample opportunity to complete the labs well.

HOMEWORK: 

• Work on modifications to your Engineer/Design Prototype. Finished for class by Wednesday, March 8.

Math Lab Week -- Day 2

Class Photos of students working today:

Mathy Valentine was also added to the stations:

HOMEWORK:  Work on modifications to your Engineer/Design Prototype. Finished for class by Thursday of this week.

Math Lab Week -- Day 1

Welcome to an exciting week of math labs/stations! This is a first for me.  Conducting 6 different labs all running at the same time. It has been well received by the students, has required much prep work by me, but promises for some authentic work and assessments. I'm sure I will meet some glitches/errors that will require some rethinking, but I believe it is good for students to witness adults problem solve during the day.

My plan is to post work photos daily as the week progresses. Today, I am posting the lab sheets that students have to record conjectures, data, surprising information, and answer questions. Each student is assigned a personal role with descriptor. The roles include: Team Leader, Recorder, Time Keeper, and Materials Manager. Also, all participant have a set of criteria to follow while working in the group. I will meet with each Team Leader at the start of the block for "News Alerts" and at the end of the block for "Brief Updates."  Stayed Tuned!

HOMEWORK:  None

Finalize Scientific Notation & LAB WEEK OVERVIEW

Notes from today's problems:

 

Students gave feedback for role choices during Lab Week, which begins tomorrow!


HOMEWORK:  If you have not yet brought in your prototype:

• Bring your Engineer/Design Prototype to math by tomorrow.

Multiply and Divide Scientific Notation - Day 2

Today's Notes:

 


I also began an explanation about Math Lab Week. More information will be forthcoming on the blog once we get started.

HOMEWORK:

• Bring your Engineer/Design Prototype to math by tomorrow.