Yes, a final!

The algebra students will be taking a mid-year final over chapters 1-7 on Thursday and Friday after break. We will be reviewing in class for the first three days of the week before the final. Students can begin to study using the online materials for chapters 1-7 or the packet that was handed out in class on Friday.

Have a great holiday!!

Class Update

This week in Algebra we have continued our study of systems of equations. We have been working really hard to set up the word problems using our new skill. Some students would still rather use "guess and check", but are coming around to the idea of using equations instead.

In Math we have been continuing to build on our equation solving skills. Students were very happy (hehe) to get to solve multistep equations involving fractions on Thursday. So much so, that we reviewed it again today!! This is always a tough topic for students, as they really don't like fractions. Maybe that could be a New Year's Resolution for them, to once and for all conquer fractions.

I can't believe it is December!

This year really seems to be going very quickly. I can't believe that I turned my calendar to December yesterday.

In Algebra we have started solving systems of equations. We have been working really hard on solving word problems. It is pretty amazing how much students love to read, but HATE word problems in math. We will keep up the hard work though.

In Math we are once again solving equations. The equations we have be solving take many steps to solve. Students always seem to groan when they see how much work is involved, but the smile a little to see fewer problems on their homework assignments!

Answers to Algebra Practice Test

Here is a link to the ansers to 419. Happy Studying!
http://www.ccsd66.org/pdf/Alg%20Ch%206%20Prac%20Test.pdf

Conferences are coming again soon!

I recently read an article about conferences that I thought I would share with parents. As I was reading, I found myself thinking, "I wish a parent would ask me that about their child." http://www.childrenshealthmag.com/big-kids/9_Questions_to_ask_a_teacher.php

Parent request conferences will be held on Thursday, December 3rd. I know that many of you met with teacher in October, but this is your chance to meet with teachers that you did not meet with then, or to follow up with someone. You can contact the office to schedule a time.

Remember, you may email or call a teacher at anytime if you have an urgent matter.

Class Update

This week math students will complete a mini-unit on exponents and Scientific Notation. There will be a test over this information on Monday, November 23rd.

Algebra classes will finish Chapter 6 with a test on Friday this week.

These tests will be the final grade for Trimester 1, which means this is the last chance to raise (or lower) your grade.

Trimester 1 is almost over!

I can't believe how quickly this trimester has gone! Soon we will be crunching through the snow and beginning the second trimester. But, before that happens I know that many students in my 2nd through 8th periods would appreciate one last opportunity to raise their grade. So here it is!

Mathland Extra Credit
Due Friday, November 13th

You have an opportunity for extra credit! You need to write a story about your friend the fraction, his friend the improper fraction, and his arch enemy the decimal. Your story may include any other people from the country of Mathland. The more creative you are, the more points you will

receive.

HELP! I have been absent.

It is no secret that MANY students have missed class recently. Catching up with work is a difficult task, but students can make it a little easier on themselves (and their teachers) with these hints.

1. CHECK THE HOMEWORK BLOG!!! Homework is posted nightly by your teachers and you could get a head start by looking here before you even come back.

2. Check the running list in my room. I have been keeping a running list of assignments on my front board since the Friday before Columbus Day. It is an easy way to see what problems were assigned.

3. DON'T PROCRASTINATE!! The longer you put off doing your make-up work and seeing your teachers, the more you will have!

Remember it is your responsibility to get your work and turn it in to your teacher!

Weekly Update

This is a very short week due to the Monday holiday and tomorrow's Explore testing!!

In Algebra, we will finish Chapter 4 with a test on Friday. We will continue studying Linear Functions in Chapter 5.

In Math, we just started Chapter 3, solving equations. With the new chapter, students have a fresh start with homework completion. Please check grades often to make sure all homework is being completed.

Weekly Update

This week is sure to be a busy one as many students are preparing for their trip to DC this weekend. A few reminders of upcoming events.

10/6 - Quizzes in both math and algebra
10/8 - Math Test, Spirit Wear Orders due
10/9 - Algebra Quiz, Hat Day
10/13 - Homebase Switch
10/14 Explore Test

Coming This Week

Cooler weather has definitely arrived, but hopefully we will get a few more days like Sunday to enjoy. I love the fall, it is my favorite season of the year. Hopefully all of you will get out and enjoy your last few nice days before winter arrives!

In Algebra this week we will take a test on Chapter 3 and begin Chapter 4. I am looking forward to Chapter 4 as it begins our study of Linear Functions. This is where the fun will begin in Algebra. Hopefully students have scraped off all of the cobwebs with our review.

In Math we will be spending the week learning about number properties (commutative, associative, etc.) Most of the week will be spent learning about the distributive property. This is one can be confusing, but by the end of the week all students will be distributing with ease.

Have a great week!

Question of the Week

Each week I post a question of the week in my classroom. On Friday I draw a couple of correct answers for 3 extra credit points on a future test. Many students have asked that I post the question on my blog, so here goes.

Jillian visits her friend Doug and then returns home by the same route. She always walks 2km/h when going uphill, 6km/h when going downhill and 3km/h when on level ground. If her total walking time is 6 hours, then what is the total distance she walks in km?

Busy Week

This week is a week full of strange schedules. Tomorrow is an early dismissal for students meaning that all classes are 22 minutes long. Thursday and Friday are also different schedules due to the golf trips. Students need to keep in mind that they will not have the same classes before study hall on those days, so they may need to do their homework at home.

In algebra this week we will finish our chapter on equations and percents. This has been a fast chapter and all review for the students. They have come to eighth grade with a solid foundation, making my job easy so far! If at any time any student feels they could use a little more review of any given topic, they should see me. I have collected many resources over the years and I am sure to have something for them.

In math students got their first tests back. Overall, I was very pleased with the results. Hopefully they keep up the good work! We will continue in the integer chapter this week.

A little overdue!

This has definitely been an exciting start to the school year. I have been so busy getting to know my students and planning for my classes that I have completely forgotten to update my blog!

So what have we been doing? In homebase, we went on our Irons Oaks field trip. My homebase had an awesome facilitator, (not me) so they had a very positive experience and great time. In homebase we have been getting to know each other. Most recently we watched the Black Eyed Peas' Flash Mob dance on Oprah. We thought it was so cool how they got thousands of people to come together and be a part of the performance. If you have not seen it you can find a video of it on YouTube.

In algebra we are sailing along. We are still reviewing, right now focusing on solving equations. Soon we will be into brand new material. (I can't wait, I love to teach them things they have never learned!)

In math students are taking their Chapter 1 test today. We will begin Chapter 2, Integers, tomorrow. They don't know it yet, but this will be a chapter without calculators. (Ut-oh) It really is necessary to assess their understand of operations with positive and negative numbers.

Please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions as the year progresses!!

Back into the swing of things

It is so nice to be back into the swing of things at school. I have really enjoyed meeting all of the students and think I have their names down now:)

This is the first school year that I am starting with the Mimio board in my classroom. So far it has been a great tool, especially for going over homework. I can now put the problems and answers on the board so that all students can check their work everyday. This should be helpful for students because they should know everyday how they are doing based on how they did with their homework. (Hopefully they will become more comfortable asking about problems they do not fully understand!)

Welcome!

Welcome to the 2009-2010 school year! I am looking forward to an exciting and productive year. I hope everyone had a relaxing summer and is ready to get back into the swing of things at school.

Mrs. Myers 5/22/2009

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day.

Mrs. Myers 5/12/09

Algebra: Quiz 12.1/12.2 tomorrow.

Math: Test Chapter 12 tomorrow. One 3.5 by 5 notecard may be used.

THANK YOU!!

Thank you to all of the parents who helped with Teacher Appreciation week. The treats in the lounge we all delicious! It is so nice to work with you and all of your children!!

Math in the news

With such a great response to my first extra credit assignment, I thought I would try it again.

Math is in the news all of the time, so often many don't realize it. Your assignment is:

1. Find a news article from a newpaper or news related website (CNN, Chicagotribune.com, etc.) that has a math term in it.
2. Print out the article and highlight the word(s).
3. Explain what the word means within the context of the article. (only a few sentences.

You may find up to five articles (or different words in one article) for two points each.

Example - from http://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/28/swine.flu.international/
...The median age of all the U.S. cases is 16 years...

This means that the middle age of all cases is 16. This is used over the mean to account for extremes (young or old) on either end.

This extra credit assignment is due NEXT Wednesday, May 6th.

Summer is coming!

In honor of the coming season I am offering an extra credit assignment for any student who reads this and completes the assignment below by Wednesday, April 29th.

Do your own research on the importance of wearing sunscreen. Write a one page paper about ANYTHING to do with sunscreen (which is best, skin cancer prevention...). You must include one graph supporting your paper. Your graph may be self created or something found elsewhere. You might want to find your graph first, then do research. The paper and graph are due by the end of the day Wednesday, April 29th.

Update 4/14

In Algebra we are nearing the end of our study of rational functions. We have spent this week performing operations with rational expressions. This is a topic students typically struggle with because it is built on their foundation of knowledge with fractions (the dreaded topic with junior high students!)

In math we have been studying linear functions since right after ISAT tests. It have been a great unit to start using the interactive whiteboard in my classroom. It has really added to the visual explanations in this particular unit. We will finish up this chapter on Friday with a test over all of Chapter 11.

ONE MORE WEEK!!

As always the last week before Spring Break will be a busy one. Students in math will have quizzes Tuesday and Friday and students in Algebra will have a test of Chapter 10 on Wednesday.

In math students will continue their study of linear equations. We will spend next week focusing on slope and intercepts. It has been fun using the new mimio board to get the students involved in the lessons. I look forward to the rest of the year and using the new technology to engage students.

In Algebra we will review for the Chapter 10 test on Monday and Tuesday and spend Thursday and Friday studying inverse relations. We will begin using the mimio in class as well!

Update

This week in Algebra we will continue our study of quadratic functions. We will have a quiz on Thursday over everything through 10.4.

Math will continue with linear functions. We will have a quiz Thursday over 11.2-11.3.

Congrats to the Mr. Dodd and the 8th grade boy's basketball team on their victory Friday night!!

ISAT testing is over!

This week has been a long one for both the students and teachers. Students have done an outstanding job taking ISATs and deserve a relaxing weekend before starting a new trimester.

Monday starts the third and final trimester for the eighth graders. I am looking forward teaching the students in math during this time. It is a time where most of the math they are learning is new to them and it makes my job really fun!

In math we will be starting our study of linear functions. This is a huge stepping stone to Algebra 1. Success with this chapter will definitely get the students a step ahead in high school.

In Algebra we will be continuing our study of quadratic functions.

All of my classes will be using the new interactive whiteboard all next week in my classroom. (YEA!) I do not have one permanently, but one of the great features of this whiteboard is that it is portable.

ISATS!

This week all students will be taking ISAT tests. It is important that students get a good night sleep and eat a good breakfast each morning. Math homework will be kept to a minimum. This would be a great time to reflect on the past two trimesters and set goals for the third and final trimester of the school year.

Interactive Whiteboard

This week was an exciting week in math. The IMC installed an interactive whiteboard called a Mimio board. Our math classes were the first classes to use this board during class. It does a great job of helping students visualize the three dimensional shapes and their surface area and volume. I am looking forward to using this board with all of my classes soon!

Class Update 2/13/09

This week in Algebra we continuted to factor polynomials. We will finish Chapter 9 early next week and will take a test on it on Wednesday.

In math we finished Pythagorean Theorem and have started learning about three dimensional solids. Next week we will be finding the surface area and volume of those shapes.

It is like a sport!

How is math like a sport? If you don't practice well, you won't play well. Many students are often surprised, or at least act it, when they don't do well on a test or quiz. They will say something like "I understood what you did in class." Unfortunately, many of them have not spent enough time practicing "doing" problems on their own and therefore, do not do well as they could on their tests.

There are several place to find these problems to do for practice.
1. The odd problems in any section. (Answers are in the back.)
2. Online quizzes and tests for each section. www.classzone.com
3. Any quiz that has been returned. Especially missed problems. It doesn't hurt to do the same problem more than once.
4. Any worksheet or homework assignment that has already been reviewed in class.

Parents, if your child is struggling in math, please encourage them to practice problems from any of the sources to review for quizzes and tests.

Don't they clean up well?

On Friday we had our annual 8th grade ballroom dance. All of the students dressed up for this event and I do have to say that it was nice to look out into a classroom of well dressed students. As always the students impressed a crowd of teachers and parents with their dancing skills.

Below is a picture of my homebase dressed up for the days. (Some of the girls were smart and wore comfortable shoes for the day so their feet would not hurt before the dance!)

Start of the 2009!

Welcome back! Hopefully everyone had a restful and pleasant winter break. I want to take a few minutes to remind everyone of a few ways to keep the rest of the school year going as well as the first half did.

*Make sure to keep up with homework. It is easy to get behind and hard to catch up!
*Stay healthy! It is hard to make up work when you have to miss school. If you do have to stay home sick, make sure to see your teachers as soon as you get back to get what you missed.
*Ask questions when you have them. Your teachers are available before school and during study hall to answer any question you have.

In Algebra we will be finishing Chapter 8 next week.

In Math we will be starting our study of Geometry next week.