Indirect Measurement and "Corny" Proportions

 Friday we wrapped up our unit on Similar Figures by working on Indirect Measurement. First thing we did was fill out our mini book Flippable with an example of Indirect Measurement of a Truffala tree from the Lorax) and Max (from Where the Wild Things Are).   We discussed how to determine the height of something if knew the height and shadow length of another thing as well as the shadow of the figure.

After we did that together, we moved on to filling our jar on the different ways that we could use indirect measurements and came up with some great ideas. After that, the students then had to solve word problem about basketball courts.  All students who worked through the word problem and solved it correctly earned a sticker toward a Homework Pass!

Today was a review day since we have a quiz over our unit on Proportions tomorrow. As a review, each student had to come up with their own "Corny" Proportion. It had to be about them and include Candy!

After seeing my example of a proportional candy word problem, they got busy writing. Then after each student wrote their problem, they had to have it approved. Once approved, they went back to solve and decorate. Now, they got a bit of "inspiration" during this time as I passed around some Candy Corn to each student. What a fun way to finish up our unit on proportions.

I honestly can't wait to snap pics of the proportions tomorrow and Wednesday as my students are taking their Proportions Quiz. I know they are more than ready for this quiz and will do amazing!

Don't forget, Extra Credit is due on Wednesday by 4pm to receive a test grade replaced. 

Also, this week's homework is a review from the first six weeks for all my classes.

Ratios and Central Tendency Homework

Dividing Decimals Review

Today I reviewed with 8th period how to divide with Decimals and we created a short but sweet video. Enjoy! :)

Rates and Unit Rates

And to have some review for the math homework this week, here is an example lesson of the first problem for 7th Grade Math Homework.

Once the Proportions Unit is complete with my 7th Graders, I will have the new bundle available in my TpT Store. I have uploaded the Practice Sheets for Multiplying and Dividing Decimals and they are available for purchase by clicking here.

Starting New Units!

Homework this week is a nice easy practice sheet of 12 problems. No excuses on Friday when homework is due! 

7th Grade Math is starting Unit 3 learning about Proportionality! Today we did a review over the different ways to write ratios, how to simplify ratios an how to compare ratios. Make sure your notes are complete! Remember, there will be a pop quiz sometime this week!

Resource Math started Unit 3 on Data and Graphs. Today we identified mean using a pictorial model (chart) and communicated that data into a Frequency Table. Tomorrow will be a Workstation Review day going over Decimals and Number Patterns. Thursday we will be using this data again to determine the median and mode of the letters in our class names as well as a new topic! 

This Week's Homework for 7th Grade Math

After last week's lessons, I could definitely tell we needed more practice on this. I have assembled a total of 20 problems for you to practice with multiplying and dividing fractions this week and I know that with more practice you will make great progress. Remember, "Mistakes are proof that you are trying."

Homework Time

And a video to share with you that refers to working with positive and negative numbers. There are actual several episodes that are available that provide information as well.


10 bonus points on this week's homework if you leave a comment below! :)

Another week! Here we come!

Remember this week is the end of the six weeks. Remaining grades left to be put in are this week's homework, this week's bellringer and the quiz on Friday.

7th Grade Math Homework

To make things easier each week, I have decided that Monday's posts will always be dedicated to the homework of the week. Remember, it is due on Friday and if you have a question or need an extra copy, feel free to come in for tutoring!

More INB updates

Where has the time gone? We are already in our 3rd week of school and progress reports go home on Friday! Oh my!

Tomorrow and Wednesday I will be checking notebooks for this six weeks. I will be looking for completeness, table of contents being up to date and your Unit 1 Title Page. More examples of what we have done in class are below. You should have through page 19 filled in.

Unit 1 Cover Sheet pg. 10

2nd Vocab Word (pg. 14) **Page 15 will also be vocabulary) 

Comparing and Ordering Notes (pg. 16)

Also, if you are absent, don't forget to check out the Class Handouts folder for the dates you are absent to get copies of what you missed. As soon as all the Graded Paper files have names on them, you will be able to track your grades by checking your file.

If you need to come to tutorials this week, remember that my times are as follows:

Tuesday 3:45-4:30 pm

Wednesday and Thursday: 8:00 am-8:25 am

Week 24...

Week 24 is upon us and going strong.  We are studying the effects of changing dimensions this week and our packet is due on FRIDAY.  The packet is PINK and easily noticed just for Valentine's Week.

Don't forget that Bellringers will also be checked on Friday.

Grades are being pulled on Tuesday morning for report cards and then report cards will go home later this week.  Please make sure you have tied up all of your loose ends so you don't see a grade you are not happy with.

As of today, Monday, we only have 27 school days and 20 actual class periods until the STAAR test.  Please make sure that you are working hard to be here EVERY day and staying on top of the work as we still need to cover many things in that little amount of time.

Pythagorean Theorem and Notebook Check

This week we will be discussing the Pythagorean Theorem, which is an idea that came from the ancient Greeks about the right triangle.

The basic principle behind this idea is that if a triangle has a right angle and you made a square on each of the three sides, then the biggest square has the exact same area as the other two squares put together.

Here’s a right triangle.  The hypotenuse is the longest side of the triangle.

This week, please take the time to watch the following videos to assist you with your learning of Pythagorean Theorem. This concept builds upon the Square Roots that we learned today and will be something that you will truly love to work out because they are so easy!

Introduction to Pythagorean Theorem

Pythagorean Theorem 1

Pythagorean Theorem 2

Pythagorean Theorem 3

Also, any commenting on these 4 videos will be for extra credit. Remember to use the 3-2-1 Response method and number the things so I can easily read them.

Pythagorean Theorem Practice is due on Friday.  I will also be taking a grade on your class notebook on Friday.  You will need to have the following 5 things for a 100...

1. Square Roots Notes

2. Perfect Squares Chart

3. Root of the Problem

4. Technical Reading Strategies

5. Pythagorean Theorem Notes

Edited 2/9/2013: You can now find a copy of Pythagorean Theorem Notes Graphic Organizer and Task Cards Activity in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.



Indirect Measurement

On Tuesday and Wednesday we reviewed Indirect Measurement.  We took notes and glued them into our notebooks working through a problem together and reviewing steps to use and vocabulary.  We will continue to add to our notebooks.  You should keep these with you at ALL times! :)

Scale and Indirect Measurement

Here is the link to a video on Khan Academy to help enforce this material more.  Remember the ratio of height/shadow does not change!  Use this in any problem that is asking for Indirect Measurement to be found.

Don't forget on the homework, you can omit #9.

Proportions Word Problems

This week we are reviewing the different types of proportions, scale factors, dilations and similar figures.  We will be having a test on Friday of this week.  The test consists of word problems that will require extra thinking and are more aligned with our upcoming STAAR test.  Please take extra time this week to study for this test as it is crucial!

Today's homework is a packet of 10 Proportion Word Problems.  They are due on Tuesday for 1st Period and Wednesday for 8th period.  Make sure you are showing all of your work so I won't have to hand it back to you as an incomplete assignment.

Heads up: I will be taking a Notebook grade this week!  I don't know what day so make sure it is organized and up to date! :)

Tuesday and Wednesday 10/5-10/6

We are testing on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Make sure that you have your Study Guide to turn in.  This will be given for a participation grade depending on the amount that you completed.  You had plenty of time in class on Monday and then Monday night to finish this.

Also, on Thursday and Friday we will be benchmark testing.  At this point we are seeing quite a few struggles with what we are teaching and haven't gotten into the true 8th grade material.  We need to find out where the problem lies and what to do about it before we can move on with our material.

Please get a good night of sleep and relax on benchmark days.  This is not there to stress you out but to determine your achievement level.

November 29th-December 3rd

Monday:
Displays of Data and Data Representation
HW: Practice Sheet #14

Tuesday:
Scatterplot Practice and Is There A Relationship?
HW: Practice Sheet #14 and bring in a graph from newspaper, magazine, etc. for 5 pts. on quiz

Wednesday:
Misuses and Validity of Data
HW: Practice Sheet #14 and bring in graph

Thursday:
Review Displaying Data and Data Representations
Data Representations Quiz
HW: Practice Sheet #14

Friday:
Review Displaying Data and Data Representations
4 Corners Recording Sheet Group Work
Practice Sheet Due!

This Week in Mrs. S's Classroom

We are starting a new unit here at school covering Mean, Median, Mode, Range and different types of graphs.  I will be starting to give TAKS practice to the students as well so that they can see how the topics we are covering are going to be asked on the test.

Assignments (and Homework) for this week:

Monday:
Monday Memory Quiz (Algebraic Expressions)
Mean, Median, Mode and Range Practice
HW- Practice Sheet 12 and TAKS MMMR w/s

Tuesday:
Begin Graph Notes
Scatterplot, Bar Graph and Line Graph TAKS
HW- Practice Sheet 12 and FINISH classwork

Wednesday:
Continue Graph Notes
Histograms and Venn Diagrams
HW- Practice Sheet 12 and Finish classwork

EXTRA CREDIT(for 3rd Six Weeks): Create a poster of the 9 different types of graphs we are learning about this week. It must include a visual representation, definition of the graph and labels. DUE 11/29 for credit!

Thursday:
Continue Graph Notes
Circle Graphs
HW- Practice Sheet 12 and TAKS Graph w/s

Friday:
Continue Graph Notes
Line Plots, Stem and Leaf Plots, and Box and Whisker Plots
Practice Sheet Due!

Homecoming Weekend

I hope that everyone has a wonderful, and safe, Homecoming weekend in Crandall. I launched all of my students today with "Have a great weekends; Stay safe; Make good decisions and see you on Monday!"

Don't forget: Benchmark #1 on Tuesday/Wednesday
NO QUIZ next week! :)
Practice Sheet #6 will be given on Monday and due on Friday as usual.
Grade cut off is Wednesday for my class. I will have all tutorial sign ups on Tuesday and Thursday put up first thing Monday morning. I will hold you responsible for showing up! :) Don't make me call you! :)

Homework, Homework, Homework

We have been having some trouble getting our homework in and I wanted to make sure that you know how important doing your homework is. Homework is practice of previously learned things and is vital for success in the school year.

Eighth Grade policy is to NOT accept late work. Therefore any assignment that is NOT turned in on it's due date is given a 0! The first time that this happens, parent contact occurs (via email or phone call). The second time it is an after school detention. The third time is an office referral. If a detention is skipped, it is also an office referral.

Practice Sheets are given at the beginning of the week and due on Friday. We rarely have other homework during the week and normally it is classwork that is not completed. Please make sure to be checking over homework with your student weekly.

What A Great First Day!

Today was an amazing start to the 2010-2011 school year at Crandall Middle School. Loved the new school clothes, supplies and smiles on the students faces. If your student did not bring their supplies today, make sure that they bring them to class tomorrow. I will continue to collect them as the come in and store them in the classroom.

Today, your student received a class syllabus (can be found on our Website here). They were urged to have their binder, dividers and composition notebooks starting tomorrow! We want to have organized students in Mrs. Smith-Sloane's class year and we can't do it without these three items.

I did receive some Kleenex (13 boxes) and expect this to last until about October at best. Please send Kleenex as you can to our classroom so we can combat sneezes and runny noses with comfort. :)

Thank you for all that you have done to support your student's education so far.

Homework for August 23:
1. Parent Email (read directions at the bottom of the course syllabus)
2. Get all Math Supplies (check course syllabus)
3. Bring magazines for Thursday (appropriate material please)
4. Practice Sheet #1 (1-5 ONLY)

Don't forget to remember: Pirates SHINE!