Update Week Beginning 4/30/2012

In all math classes next Tuesday students will be taking the Spring MAP test.  Students have set goals with their homebase teachers and with me in math class.  I am very proud of how hard students have been working in math recently and have high hopes that their hard work will pay off for them during MAP testing.  I have offered them extra credit for meeting their goals next week with this testing.  

In Algebra we have started Chapter 12 this week.  We will be studying Rational Expressions and Functions for the next several weeks  Students in this class will take part 2 of the Proficiency test on May 22nd and 23rd.  

In math we have started studying geometry and measurement.  We will be looking at surface area next week.  I am in the need of cereal boxes for an activity coming up involving surface area.  If you finish up a box of cereal, feel free to bring it in.

Update 4/22/2012

I can not believe how quickly this trimester is going and that it is already past mid-terms.  With ISATs and Spring Break taking out days in the trimester it seems like it just began.

We are just finishing up Chapter 11 in Algebra.  Students will take a test on Wednesday (early dismissal) over this chapter before we move on to Chapter 12, Rational Functions.  Students can expect a visit from their favorite concept in the next chapter....FRACTIONS!!  We will do a lot of practice and have a few graded homework assignments.  Students can also look forward to another problem packet with this chapter.

In Math class we have been studying systems of equations.  Students have been doing a great job understanding how to solve systems both graphically and algebraically.  I am really proud of how well they are doing with this concept and their hard work has shown in their recent quiz scores.  Good Work!

Hope for Hunter

I am so proud to work in a community with such an amazing support system.  Keep fighting Hunter!!  Never, never, never, never give up!

ISAT Week

This week is ISAT week and so far students are doing a great job with the testing.  It is great to see them working hard and doing their best.

In algebra next week, we will be working on Chapter 10.  Students have a set of problems from the first three sections and will receive the rest of the chapter once we cover more of the material.  The plan is to finish up Chapter 10 before spring break.

In math we will be working with percents.  Most of our time will be spent with the applications of percents in the real world.  Hopefully students will see the advantage to having a good understanding of percents in their real lives!

Week of 2/20

This week in algebra we will begin working in Chapter 10 with graphing Quadratic Functions.  We will be talking about how quadratics apply in real life and hopefully the students will begin to make some connections between the physics they will be learning in science and the math behind it.  In Chapter 9, factoring, we applied the math in situations where an object is hit into the air or falls from a height, we will continue to to exam these applications and others.

In math we are getting ready to change our pace.  We will spend the first part of the week preparing for Thursday's trimester test.  Following that, we will be reviewing for ISATs.  I am sure that students will whip right through the review of their favorite topics, like fractions ;)

Have a great week!

What a week!

On Monday in algebra we will be taking the chapter 8 test.  We will then move into factoring!!  YEA!!!!!

In math we will take the Chapter 8 test in two parts.  Wednesday we will test over sections 8.6-8.8 and on Thursday we will test over sections 8.1-8.5.  Students will be allowed to create a note card to use on each day of the test.  (This means two note cards total, one for each day.)  

Also this week we will be participating in the Cancer Smashers fundraiser.  Ours school is in a friendly competition against Eisenhower to see who can raise the most money.  GO SPARTANS!!!!

Weekly Update

Finally the first snow is here!!! I hope that everyone has a weekend filled with activities that are enhanced by the recent snow fall.

Next week in Algebra we will be finishing up Chapter 8 on Exponential Functions.  We are finally getting into to the problem solving and practical applications in this chapter, the part that I enjoy most!  Students should also begin working on their chapter 8 project about exponential growth.

In math, we will also be wrapping up Chapter 8 on polygons.  We will finish the week by studying transformations of polygons.  Our test will be the following week.

Have a great long weekend!!

Happy New Year

I hope that everyone has had a great start to the new year!  We have hit the ground running with new chapters in both math classes this week.

In Algebra, we started chapter 8, which covers exponent operations and exponential functions.  We spent this past week making sure that students have solid skills in applying the properties of exponent operations.  Next week we will move onto the application of exponential rules in exponential functions.  zStudents will also begin our Chapter 8 problem packet.  This time it is more of an investigation than a set of word problems.  With cold and flu season in full swing, it is the perfect time to study how antibiotics work!!

In Math, we have also started Chapter 8.  This chapter deals with shapes and their properties.  Students have been putting their equation solving skills from the last chapter to use this week by finding missing angle measures.  They will continue using these skills throughout the rest of the chapter.  Next week will move onto quadrilaterals and other polygons.

Monday and Tuesday students will be taking the MAP test in their social studies classes.  Students have met with their homebase teachers to set goals for this upcoming test!

One More Week!

I know the students are already feeling the excitement of the upcoming winter break!

Coming up next week in Algebra we will have our Semester Final.  Students have been preparing for this exam and will do well!!

In math, we are also preparing for a test on Wednesday over Chapter 6.  Students will be assessed on their equation solving ability in this chapter.

All students can look forward to a homework free break in math:)

Week of December 5th

The next two weeks in Algebra are very busy.  We will be finishing Chapter 7, as well as, reviewing for and taking the Semester Final.  You should have received an email from me regarding proficiency credit in regards to the exam.  Below I have listed important dates.

Tuesday 12/6  Chapter 7 Test Part I (Solving Systems)
Wednesday 12/7  Chapter 7 Test Part II  (Problem Solving); Chapter 7 Problems Due
Thursday 12/8  Chapters 1-7 Cumulative Review Due #1-70
Tuesday and Wednesday 12/13 & 12/14 DGS Semester Final

In math we will be finishing Chapter 6 this week.  By the end of the chapter students should be proficient in solving equations.  The Chapter 6 test will be on Tuesday, December 13th.

Week of 11/29/2011

I can't believe we have already entered the holiday season! I know this is a busy time of year for everyone and I try to keep homework over breaks to a minimum.

Coming up this week in algebra, we will be finishing Chapter 7. Students were given Chapter 7 Problem Packets on the Tuesday before break. Those will be due the day of the Chapter 7 test, tenatively set for Tuesday, December 6th. After we wrap up Chapter 7, we will begin reviewing for the semester final, which will be given on Tuesday, December 13th and Wednesday, December 14th. This final covers Chapters 1-7 and will be used to help with placement in high school. I will share more information regarding this test in a later blog post.

In math, we will continue in Chapter 6: Solving Equations. We will be building each day on what we have previously learned. It is more important than ever that students are doing homework so they do not fall behind. If you see any zeros in the gradebook, that howework should be made up ASAP to ensure that students understand material before a quiz or test.

I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving.

Week of 11/7

This week in Algebra we will be finishing the lessons in Chapter 6. We will take a quiz over lessons 6.4-6.5 on Tuesday this week and and begin the chapter review on Thursday. Students should have little, to no, homework over the long weekend! Just as a note, I am planning on having the students take this test before the end of the trimester.

In math, we have a busy week. We are continuing to learn about operations with numbers involving exponents. We will also spend Wednesday reviewing for Thursday's Trimester test. Students may pick up Thursday's homework on Wednesday to reduce what they will be responsible for over the holiday weekend.

Have a great week!

Week of 10/31

This week in Algebra we will finish Chapter 5 with a test Tuesday. Students will also turn in their Chapter 5 Problem Solving Packet on Tuesday. Please remember that part C of number 10 is extra credit:) We will begin chapter 6 on Wednesday and should have our first quiz on sections 6.1-6.3 Friday.

In math, we will be continuing our review of fractions this week. This will include an extra credit assignment relating to fractions and a test on Thursday. Also, we will begin preparing for our Trimester Test which will be given on November 10th and covers every thing we have learned so far this school year. Students will receive a review packet this week for this test.

Week of 10/17

This past week was a very busy week with two days off for students and the Explore test. I am looking forward to getting back into the swing of things next week with a full schedule.

In Algebra we will begin Chapter 5, which continues our study of linear functions. By then end of this chapter students should master their knowledge of linear functions. Students should also be prepared for another problem solving packet where they are applying the concepts we are learning in class.

In math we will be finishing up Chapter 3, which is solving equations. Students have been doing a pretty good job so far in class during whiteboard practice with this process. Hopefully I will see some great scores from Friday's (10/14) quiz!!

September is over!!

I can not believe how quickly this year is going! I have really enjoyed getting to know this group of students. They are truly an energetic group of kids with a lot of personality!!

On Tuesday in math we will finish Chapter Two with a test. Students have been having a great time using the MIMIO pad in class this week to do work on the board from their desks. It is great to see this technology in action and it frees me up to circulate the room more! After Tuesday we will move onto solving equations in Chapter Three.

In Algebra we have begun our study of Linear Functions. We have been learning about slope and intercepts and will continue to make connections between linear equations and their graphs. We will be tying this to the real world frequently, so that students can see how math is used in the real world. (Today we talked about slope and where that is important in the real world. Student gave some great examples!!)

Week of 9/19

Which is a better deal for carpet, $5/square foot or $15/square yard? Hopefully students in 8th grade math can now tell you and explain how not to get tricked by retailers!! With our first chapter test under our belts in math, we will be moving on to Chapter 2 this week. This chapter covers integers and operations within this set of numbers. This chapter fits nicely with the golf trip and over and under par. Students should be ready for a quiz over the basic operations of these numbers and their applications on Thursday, September 22nd.

In Algebra, we are in the middle of our chapter on equations. We have taken their knowledge of solving equations and "upped the ante" with more complex equations involving distributing and variables on both sides. We have been trying to avoid common mistakes like not distributing the negative to all terms when solving. I was also impressed by some students remembering how to clear the fractions to make the equations easier to solve. This week we will be focusing on percents and ending the week with a chapter 3 test!

For those of you who attended Curriculum Night and are wondering about the answer to the Question of the Week, it is Daniel.

Question: Two friends were driving from there home to Manchester. Kevin Drove the first 90 miles and then Daniel took over the remainder of the journey. On the way back, Kevin drove to begin with and Daniel took over the last 100 miles. Who drove the most?

Reasoning: Kevin drove the first 90 miles and Daniel then drove the unknown distance on the way there. On the way back, Kevin drove 10 miles less of the unknown distance because Daniel drove 10 miles more of the last leg than Kevin did on the way there. (100-90) So, no matter the unknown distance, Kevin drove less.

What is happening next week?

In Algebra next week we will finish the first chapter. We will have test on Friday over this chapter. As a look into the future, there will be no pre-test over Chapter Two. We will only spend one day reviewing two concepts from this chapter before we move onto Chapter Three.

In Math we will continue to work in chapter one. The main focus next week will be on finding area and using formulas. For future planning, the Chapter One test will most likely fall at the end of the week of the 12th.

I am looking forward to going to Irons Oaks with this class on Tuesday!!

1 Mile Run

The 8th grade teachers decided to join their students in "the mile" in PE today. It was great running with our students and I think we even inspired a few to run a little faster so they didn't get beat by one us!!

Here we are, tired after the run!

Week of 8/29/11

This week we will start setting our routines for the year in math. By the end of the week students should know what my expectations are in all aspects of math class.

On Tuesday we will be taking MAP tests during math class. This will give me a good idea where students are academically in math and allow me to better tailor my instruction to meet their needs.

In Algebra we will start with Chapter One. Since much of this chapter is review, I have compacted it into a few days. This is done with much of the first few chapters. I also offer pre-tests on this material as a way for students to move beyond material they have already mastered. Students will not be allowed to use calculators for these chapters.

In Math we also will be working in Chapter One. Most of this material should be review and should get the students minds thinking about math again. This is a time where they are setting up habits and showing me what they know, so it is important that they take this review seriously.

I am looking forward to a great week!!

Welcome Back!!

It has been a great first week! I have to say I have truly enjoyed getting to know this group of students and I am really looking forward to this year with them. Below you will find copies of the parent letters I sent out in each of my classes. If you have any questions as the year progresses, please don't hesitate to contact me!


Parent Letter 2011 Cotaught




Parent Letter 2011 Reg_1




Parent Letter 2011 Algebra