Testing Bridge Thicknesses

Students worked in groups to test the strength of bridges of differing thicknesses, using paper for bridges and pennies as the stressor agents. Group data was shared with the class and analyzed.

The two classes are still not quite ready to have the same homework, but we're getting closer!

Tonight's Homework:
Period 2: Do problems 32 and 33 in the TWMM book (the new book you took home today). Remember to title and label!

Period 6: Do all problems found on page 7 of the TWMM book.

Classes Are Still Split

Period 2 students took the 4th concept test today, while 6th period students enjoyed seeing their wonderful results. My goal is to have each of the classes back together on the same track by midweek.

Tonight's Homework:
Period 2: Bring your Say It With Symbols book to class tomorrow. In the Home Book, do problem 3 on each of the pages from 135 through 140.
Period 6: Do problems 32 and 33 in the TWMM book (the new book you took home today). Remember to title and label!

Happy Thanksgiving!

After an unexpected day off, students returned to classes today. Since the classes are not quite in the same places right now, here's a synopsis of what each class did:

Period 2: We reviewed for the Concept 4 test by correcting the practice test and doing 2 quick problems. We corrected the book homework and played a couple of games.

Period 6: We corrected the book homework, and then took the concept test over word problems.

Tonight's Homework: None for period 6 students, and be prepared for the test on Monday for period 2 students. Be safe over the long weekend.

"Snice" Cancels Classes

School was canceled today, due to a little snow and some icy roads. Enjoy your day off!

If we have school on Wednesday, students in period 6 will be taking the test for Concept 4; period 2 students will be reviewing for the test.

Obviously, no new homework was assigned.

Coordinate Grid Review

Students in both classes reviewed a few vocabulary words related to the coordinate grid today, as well as the procedure for plotting points on it.

Tonight's Homework: Read pages 151 and 152 in the home book, and then do page 152 ( 1 - 18 ).

Gearing Up for Another Concept Test

Students continue to apply their problem solving and equation writing skills to a variety of problems involving integers, coins, ages and distances. Most are becoming quite adept at getting these solved.

It looks like we'll be taking the Concept 4 test on Wednesday of next week. Those students planning to be gone should make arrangements to take this test earlier in the week. The practice test was distributed to all during class on Friday. We'll go over it on Monday in period 6 and on Tuesday in period 5.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the problems on the half sheets if you did not get them done in class. In the "Home" book, please do problems 18, 21 and 22 on page 147.

Two Step Story Problems

Today, we looked at how to solve problems that are a little more involved. We talked about how to set up problems in two different ways, and how you can choose to use different forms of an equation to help you solve the problem. We set up problems on the handout, and students were asked to complete the problems (along with a check step) as a part of their homework tonight.

In addition, we looked at more examples of distance, rate and time problems, including those that have vehicles crashing into each other.

Tonight's Homework: Complete both sides of the "Two Step Problems" worksheet. Do problems 12 - 14 and 21 on pages 146-147 in the "Home" book.

Distance/Rate/Time (DiRT) Problems

Students were introduced to a new type of problem that can be solved using variable expressions today. Most of the information about this type of problem can be found in your "Home" book on pages 141 - 143. Be sure to check out these pages if you missed class today.

Tonight's Homework: Read pages 141 - 143 in the Home Book. The problems you need to do are as follows:

Period 2:
Choose any two to complete from problems 1 - 4.
Choose any two to complete from problems 5 - 8.
Do problems10 and 17.

Period 6:
Choose any two to complete from problems 1 - 4.
Choose any two to complete from problems 5 - 8.
Do problems 9, 10, 17 and 18.

Solving Problems involving Fractions

Yet another type of word problem involves the use of fractions. Often, these compare weights of things or the number of things people have. Students were asked to use the problem solving strategies to solve these problems, and were encouraged to not be afraid of the fractions. (We reminded ourselves that we have the power to get rid of fractions by using the multiplication property of equality!)

We also tried to write introductory paragraphs that will meet the communication strand of the problem solving work sample, which will be coming up soon.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the "Problems with Fractions" worksheet (both sides)

Comparison Problems

Today, we used the problem solving tips to understand how to solve problems that compare one thing to another. We looked at problems that compare:

•the number of each type of coin you might have in your pocket to the total value of those coins
•the ages of different people in a group, compared to each other
•the weights of two different people

We agreed that the most difficult part of solving these types of problems can be setting up the equation correctly. Once that is done, it is relatively simple to solve for the variable, and state the answer.

Tonight's Homework: Complete all problems on the cream-colored worksheets you received in class today.

More on Problems Solving and Combining Like Terms

Today, we looked at a problem where the number of people attending a water park determines the profit a vendor makes. The number of visitors depends on the probability of rain for the day. Students figured out that it is better to combine equations to be more efficient in solving some problems.

Tonight's Homework:

Period 2: Complete the probability and button problems. Then do the problems in Lesson 2.2 in the SIWS book.

Period 6: Complete the problems from Lesson 2.2 in the SIWS book.

Another Day of Split Lessons

Students in both classes received feedback on how they did on the concept two test. Because the results were so different, I chose to do different things in each of the classes. Here's a recap of what we did:

Period 2: Students who did well on the test were paired with a student who didn't do so well on one or more parts of the test. Students were asked to discuss how to do each problem they missed, focussing on the process. Students felt the time was worth it, as they discovered both simple, silly errors as well as conceptual errors.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the review sheet for Concept 2 if you did not pass the test. Work on late or missing work, if you have it. If all is caught up and you passed the test, enjoy the night off!

Period 6: We reviewed some of the work that was done with Mrs. Stamm, and cleared up some of the misconceptions that students had with the SIWS assignment from Tuesday. We then went over the problems that were assigned for homework.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the fair problem, and be sure to show work completely and neatly. Don't do the back side of the worksheet tonight.

Concept 2 Test Given in Class Today

Students took the test over solving equations, inequalities and absolute value (Concept 2) in class today. Most finished with time to spare.

Tonight's Homework: Depending on your class, you had the following homework assignment:
Period 2: Solve the problem from the board, showing the units as well as how you set up the problem.

Period 6: Complete both sides of the problem solving worksheet, showing your work (problems about buttons and ice skating).

Dimensional Analysis and Combining Like Terms

Today, I was not able to teach the afternoon class, because I was attending a meeting for all 8th grade math teachers. Students did not end up taking the concept 2 test today. It will be given in class on Wednesday. We discussed the importance of using unit conversions (dimensional analysis) to help solve complex problems. If you can set up a problem so the units work out, it almost guarantees you'll get the correct answer.

We also looked at how combining like terms can be used in real life situations. In particular, we looked at Lesson 2.1 in "Say It With Symbols".

Tonight's Homework: Be sure to prepare for tomorrow's test. Complete the "Dimensional Analysis" worksheet (both sides). Do ACE 2.1 (1-5 and 13-15), starting on page 28 in SIWS.

Dimensional (or Unit) Analysis

Students received results from the recent concept 3 test taken late last week. Most did a very good job on the test!

Students were not so good at following directions on the "Good Morning!" worksheet. Most students did not show work, or enough work. We reviewed how to analyze units and let them help us as we try to solve word problems.

We reviewed answers for the concept 2 practice test, which will be given in class on Wednesday, November 3rd.

Tonight's Homework: Redo all problems from the Good Morning worksheet on another sheet of paper, showing the unit analysis for each.