Happy Holidays!

Today is always a fun day to be an 8th grade teacher. The students are dressed up for their ballroom dance this afternoon and they look GREAT!!! Below is a picture of the students in my homebase.

I hope everyone has a restful break and enjoys their time off with family and friends.

Break is ALMOST here!

I know the students are looking forward to their winter break as much as I am. I can't wait to spend two weeks celebrating the holidays with my family and friends. But, before that begins we have to wrap things up in math:)

This week in Algebra, we will be taking the Semester Final. We have been preparing for this the last several days and I am sure that the students will do well!

In math, we have one lesson left in our study of equations and inequalities. We will have a shortened test next Thursday due to the shortened schedule on that day. When we get back from break we will begin studying geometry and measurement.

Class Update

This week in Algebra we will be taking the Chapter 7 test. Finishing the first seven chapters brings us to the semester final. This final is the final that DGS requires our students take as part of the recommendation process. Student's grades will be recorded on their recommendation form, as well as be counted as a grade for Trimester 2. It is important that students prepare for this exam, as it is the best indicator to the high school as to whether or not the student has a solid understanding of the first sememster of Algebra. We will spend Thursday the 9th through Monday the 13th reviewing in class. Student's will be taking the exam on Tuesday, December 14th and Wednesday, December 15th.

In math we continue to study equations. We should be finished with Chatper 6 before break.

Weekly Update

I can't believe it is almost Thanksgiving and that fall is quickly turning to winter!

This week in Algebra we are finishing Chapter 6. Students will be taking their Chapter 6 test on Thursday and we will jump into the beginning of Chapter 7, Systems of Equations, before break. This is a great chapter and is filled with real world applicatoins, AKA problem solving.

In math this week we will be starting to solve complex equations. Before winter break, students will be expert equations solvers.

Math Update

This week in Algebra we started Chapter 5 which covers Linear Equations. We will be busy next week learning about the different ways in which a linear equation may be written. We will be focusing on problem solving throughout these lessons.



In math, we have finished Chapter 3. We will take the Chapter 3 Test next Tuesday and then move into a review of fractions. Hopefully our review of fractions will stop students from groaning every time they see one!

Short Week = Busy Week

First of all I hope everyone enjoys their Monday off from school. The weather is supposed to be BEAUTIFUL this weekend.

The week of October 12th is going to be a busy one for 8th graders! All 8th graders will take the Explore text on Wednesday, October 13th. This test is used to help make recommendations for high school placement in math, English and biology.

In Algebra we will finish up Chapter 4 with a test on Friday!

In Math we will continute working in Chapter 3. This week we will spend time write equations (yes, word problems) and working with geometric formulas.

Weekly Update

I can't seem to get over how quickly this school year is moving. It seems like just yesterday I was meeting this group of students for the first time, and here I am thinking about turning on my heat at home!

This week in Algebra we will continue reviewing what students knew about Linear Functions and really start building on that knowledge. We will definitely be learning new material from here on out and I am really excited about it. It is great to see their wheels turning! This class has been asking some really thoughtful questions already and I love to see their interest and enthusiasm.

In math, we are finishing up Chapter 2 with a test on Tuesday. I am proud of how well the students have been coping without the use of calculators in this chapter. They aren't used to being without them, but they have not really complained and have done well. (Maybe we should go the whole year;) We will start Chapter 3 on Wednesday and will be solving equations.

Have a great week.

Class Update

This week in Algebra we will take the Chapter 3 Test. After the test we will move on to Chapter Four which will start our learning of Linear Functions.

In math, we will finish Chapter Two this week. We will be using the distributive property and combining like terms to finish out this chapter. Look for a test early the week of October 4th.

Week of 9/20

This week is a short one....FOR STUDENTS!! I am sure all of my students are looking forward to a day off on Friday and will hopefully take some time to enjoy the DGS Homecoming parade on Friday afternoon.

For the days we are here, Algebra students will be finishing up Chapter 3 (solving equations) with a test next Monday.

Students in all of the rest of my classes will be working through Chapter 2: Integer Operations. We will really be stretching their mental math skills because calculators are banned in this chapter. Students should not be using a calculator at home for this entire chapter!

Have a great week!

What's coming up next week...

I am looking forward to meeting the parents of my students Monday night. Hopefully we will have a good turn out for our annual Open House. It is a great time to meet all of your child's teachers and get a feel for what your child will be doing in 8th grade.

In Algebra this week we will review solving equations. We will move very quickly through Chapter three and solving equations. We really push the review material quickly so we can get to the fun of Linear Functions!

In Math, we have almost finished Chapter 1. We will review the first part of the week for the Chapter 1 Test, which will be on Thursday. I have really been impressed with the students and their work ethic so far this year. Keep up the good work!!

First Full Week

I have really enjoyed this week and getting to know this class of 8th graders. We are now moving at full speed through our curriculum and the students are doing GREAT.

In math, we will finish up Chapter 1 next week and probably have a test the following week. We will be talking about how to study for math next week in preparation for the test.

In Algebra, we will take the Chapter 1 test Tuesday and do a small part of Chapter Two and move onto Chapter Three the following week!

Have a great weekend!

Welcome Back!

I hope that everyone has had a relaxing summer is ready to kick off the 2010-2011 school year.  I am looking forward to a great year with the 8th graders! 
In this post I have included attachements of my parent letters that were sent home this week.

Algebra (1st Period)
Math (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th Periods)
Co-taught Math (6th Period)

Math Chapter 12 Review Materials

By clicking on the link you will be directed to a PDF of the answer key.

Page 812 Chapter 12 Extra Practice

Page 704 Chapter 12 Review

Page 709 Chapter 12 Test

Algebra Review Practice

Page 949

Chapter 12 Test

Update

This week in Algebra we will be finishing our chapter on Rational Functions. We will have a test over this chapter on Wednesday.

In Math, we are finishing our chapter on data and probability. We will have a test on this early next week.

I am so inspired!

Ask anyone who knows me and they would tell you how much I love teaching middle school. I can't say that I have ever been more proud to be a teacher than I have this week. Our students have been bringing in money for Ride Janie Ride. (Two of the recipients of Ride Janie Ride's fundraising efforts are directly linked to our school district.) Students have been doing everything they can to raise money for this effort and have brought in a significant amount of money. On Monday, people from Ride Janie Ride will be coming to Lakeview to be presented with our donation. I am expecting surprise on both the students and recipients parts when we present the check. What an awesome feeling, we are so proud of our students.

Ride Janie Ride

Students have been collecting money this week for Ride Janie Ride, an organization that selects three cancer patients as recipents each year for their fundraising efforts. Our students have collected over $1900 in our first week and will continue collecting through next Friday. Each motorcycle displayed in our lobby represents $5 that has been collected. The gold motorcycles are from 6th grade, the green are from 7th grade and the blue are from 8th grade. I am so impressed with our students efforts for this event! For more information about Ride Janie Ride visit ridejanieride.org.

Ride Janie Ride

My homebase, in combination with Mrs. Ohlander's homebase, have organized a fundraiser for the Ride Janie Ride foundation. This is an organization which raises money for people stricken with blood cancers. Two of this year's recipients have connections to our school district. Donations will be collected in homebases through April 23rd. For more information on Ride Janie Ride visit ridejanieride.org.

Funny Video

While searching for a video to show my students about the Quadratic Formula, I found one of my old favorites. I bet this kid got an A for this video!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cAs1YBELmA&feature=fvw

Week of 3/8

ISATS ARE OVER!!

After testing all last week, we are ready to move into the final stretch of 8th grade.

In Algebra we are just starting Chapter 10 which continues our study of Quadratic Equations. Students will be spending time working with the graphs of these functions.

In Math we are picking back up with Linear Functions. This will include a review of what we covered before ISATs, as well as some newer material.

Have a great week!

Update

This week in Algebra we have started factoring. This is definitely one of my favorite topics to teach students. I love to watch them think!!

In math, we will begin an introduction to Linear Functions tomorrow. We will study this more in depth after ISATS.

Congratulations to the Scholastic Bowl team for their victory Monday over Burr Ridge! The team won 301 to 64. Anyone is welcome at our next home match Monday, February 22nd.

I am back!!

Boy, this was a short week for me!! Monday I started feeling sick and I spent Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in bed. I made it back to school on Friday, with A LOT of work to catch up on. I was lucky enough to have Mrs. Guinand, Lakeview's former math teacher, as my sub, so I knew math was being taught in my absence!! I have caught up on entering grades except for the quiz that was taken on Friday.

Many students have missing homework assignments, while most are only worth 3 points, they add up quickly. Remember that as long as they are turned in before the chapter test, points will be given!! Those zeros don't have to stay zeros, so check your grades and turn in your late work!!! A lot of times students just skip a few problems, but they don't get completion points unless the assingment is complete!

In math next week we will finish up the chapter on geometry in measurement. Hopefully we will get through the Pythagorean Theorem and Linear Functions before ISATS. I big task, but I think we can do it.

In algebra we are working on Exponential Functions. This is one of my favorite topics in algebra. We will be finishing this chapter next week with a PROJECT!!!

Have a great and HEALTHY weekend. Hopefully I will fully recover by Monday.

Week of 1/15

In Algebra this week we have been getting back into full swing after our final last week. We have started our study of exponents, focusing on operations with exponents. Next week we will move on to exponential functions and applications.

In math we have moved into a chapter on geometry and measurement. Students will be using their equation solving skills daily in this chapter. With only a six or so weeks until ISATs we are moving full steam ahead!!

Have a great weekend!

High School Recommendations

You all should have received a registration packet from the high school over winter break. Within the packet you can find course descriptions for the classes that your child will be taking next year if they are attending Downers Grove South. I will be sharing my recommendation for math with students this week. Please take a moment to talk to them about my recommendation and contact me with any concerns.

**Algebra students will be receiving their recommendations after they take their final.**