Whew-we!!!!  Where does the time go?!?!?!?

It is hard to believe that there are only 3 weeks left till Christmas break.  I want to apologize for not posting the last two weeks.  I love this time of year, but things are always so crazy, hectic!

I will start by recapping what I did the week of November 22.

Monday 11/17 - A review of changing fraction to decimals and decimals to fractions.

Tuesday 11/18 - Percents as Fractions

Here is the journal entry.  The assignment for this week all come from the book.  Tonight's assignment Pg. 212 #11-21.  I also require students to write out what the percents mean.  That is why you see 9 out of 20 and 9 out of 10.

Wendesday 11/19 - Percents as Decimals

On this day, I modeled two problems and then the students completed Let's Roll.  Each pair of students were given two number cubes, and used them to get their percents.  Students then had to write each form of the percent.  The students really enjoyed the activity.  The assignment was pg. 220 #14-22.

Thursday 11/20 - Fractions to Percents

Nothing fancy for this journal entry.

We did three problems together, then I had students complete Pg. 215 #2-7 with a partner.
The assignment was Pg. 216 #9-21

Friday 11/21 - Decimals as Percents

 Nothing fancy here either.  I modeled some problems, then students work problems from Pg. 220 with a partner.  The assignment was a study guide.  I did something different this time that I don't normally do.....I gave a test on Monday.  In preparation for the test, I gave students a study guide to complete over the weekend.

Monday 11/24 - Test over Ratio, Rates, and Percents

Tuesday 11/25 - I handed back their test and we discussed the questions that students missed.

Wednesday 11/26 - Students took the Practice TCAP all day.

So, That brings me to present!!!  About time huh?!?!?!

Monday 12/1 - Students are taking Discovery Ed in ELA today.  That takes up my entire block.  Students will not be given any kind of assignment.

Tuesday 12/2 - I will reteach converting percents.  I haven't decided what to use for the journal entry.  Here are some ideas that I'm playing around with.

Link to FDP flippable.  If you follow the link, it will show you what is on the inside of the flippable.

Not quite sure what the assignment for the day will be.  I did just the minimum amount of work over the weekend.  It was Thanksgiving, and the weekend just seem to fly by even thought it was 4 days long.

Wednesday 12/3 - Changing fractions whose denominators are not factors of 100 into percents.  For example 2/9.  I will make students divide using long division, then write the answers as percents.  Assignmnet - TBD

Thursday - 12/4 - Students will find percent of numbers.

Friday - On this day there will be a quiz!!!

That should bring me up to present.  I apologize for getting behind.  I will try my best to not let that happen again.  It is hard to believe that in just three weeks Christmas break will be here.  I can already give you a brief overview of what I will be doing in the next weeks as well.

Next week 12/8 - 12/12, Students will apply percents to find discounts and taxes.  I am planning a test for next week, I'm thinking around Wednesday or Thursday.  The next week after that, the week before Christmas break, I have fun group activities planned.  I even have some things that I bought from Teachers Pay Teachers, that I plan on sharing.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Break!  I know I certainly did!

Unit Rates, Ratio Tables, and Unit Cost is what is up for this week!

Here is a rundown of the week.

Monday - Unit Rates
Tuesday - Ratio Tables
Wednesday - Unit Cost
Thursday - Finding the best buy
Friday - Quiz

I don't have any fancy as far as journal entries are concerned. :(  Sorry

Monday - I am covering Unit Rates.  I made my assignment from the book.  Pg. 160 7 - 14.  In addition to finding the unit rate, I require students to write "per" statements for every  problem.  I think it just reinforces the concept.

Tuesday - Today is Ratio Tables.  I debating even doing this lesson.  I prefer to solve/teach rate problems using proportions.  In the end, I decided to teach rates using tables.  Here are the problems I used for notes.  I did copy the problems for students to paste into their journals.  I used the book for this day's assignment too.  Yay!!  Pg. 166 1-7

Wednesday - Unit Costs.  I'm going to start the journal entry with an Apple problem.  Then I intend to give the students a sales ad.  I had a students bring in a BUNCH last year, and I just kept them in a crate.  Today is a good day to pull those out. :) Students will  have to find an item or two to find the unit cost.  Here are some worksheets that I found online.  Not sure which one I'll use for an assignment.  Be a Smart Shopper,  Math Vine,   Unit Prices.  I'm leaning towards Be a smart Shopper :)

Thursday - Finding the Better Buy.  I'm looking forward to this day.  The journal entry will just be students working problems in their journals.  What I'm most looking forward to is using scratch-offs for my group activity.  Scratch-offs, huh?  Using Dawn dishsoap and silver acrylic paint you can make scratch-offs.  I used them one other time a couple of years ago, and decided last week I needed to do it again.  Here are the problems that I used.  I made a copy so that there are two sets of problems on a page.  I cut them up, taped them to construction paper, and got them laminated.  I bought some contact paper, and put it where I want the scratch-off to be(covering the incorrect/correct).  After the contact paper is placed, I put the soapy,paint mixture covering up the words.  Then you just gotta wait till it dries.  I'm actually going to take my hair dryer to school with me to speed up the process.  I'm sure the kiddos will love to help out with that part.  :)  The students will work the problems in their journals.  When they have decided which item is the better buy, they will scratch-off to check their answer.  I hope the kids like it.  I am sorry this entry is a little tardy.  I'll just be honest, my personal life was more of a priority the last 10 days.  That's just how it goes sometimes.  I have regained my focus towards school.  My whole point is, the activity might not be feasible for this week, but it could make for an activity to do the last week in December.  I know for us, grades are usually turned in, and I use it as a review time.  Just an idea.  :)  Here's the assignment for tonight.

Friday - Quiz

I don't have that ready at the time.  Let me know if you want a copy for future use.  :)

I hope you have a great week.  As always, just let me know if there is anything I can help you with!

~ Jenn

I am finally back on track!!!  And what a good feeling it is, too.  I looked at a journal from last year, and I started ratios on November 4th last year.

Here is a breakdown of what my week is going to look like.

Monday and Tuesday - Ratios
Wednesday and Thursday - Unit Rates
Friday - Quiz

Monday - Ratios

I found this video on Pinterest.  I will definitely show it to my students.  I thought it was funny.  Hopefully, the kiddos will enjoy it.  I think it will make for a good hook!

For the journal entry, I bought a bundle from 4mulaFun!  Link to Bundle

I spend a good bit of money on Teachers Pay Teachers.  I'm glad to be able to purchase classroom materials.  It is so worth the few dollars to save several hours.  I will be using the All About Ratios book tomorrow.  I will add pics throughout the week.

I will go ahead and take this time to apologize for getting this blog entry out so late.  My boyfriend is in town and I have been trying to squeeze in as much fun as I can while he is here for that week as I possibly can.  I haven't seen him since August.  It is great to have this time to spend with him.  With that being said, I will be on the later side for next week's blog.  I have to take my boyfriend to the airport on Sunday.  In addition to taking a trip to Chattanooga Airport, one of my best friends from high school is celebrating her son's first birthday on the same day.  I can't wait to give Martin his birthday gift.  I can't believe he is a year old already.  Anywho, back to the topic at hand....ratios.

My assignment for Monday is out of the book.  Pg. 152 #7-14

Tuesday - More Ratios.

I will have students complete more Ratio problems either in pairs or in groups.  Not sure yet.
Assignment - Workbook Skills Practice page.

Wednesday - Unit Rates

Using the same bundle from 4mulaFun, I will complete a model map and a foldable/flippable for Unit Rates.

The assignment for Wednesday will be Pg. 160 #7-14.

Thursday

Students will practice unit rates again today.

Assignment will be out of the workbook #1-12

Friday will be a quiz.

Sorry that the last part of this entry is bare, but I feel like it is.  I will upload pictures throughout the week.  I hope you have a great week.

Dividing Decimals is on the menu for this week!!!

Here's a quick overview of the week

Monday - Change Decimals to Fractions
Tuesday and Wednesday - Divide  Decimals
Thursday - Review for test
Friday - Test of Decimals

Monday

Today I'm going to discuss changing decimals to fractions.

Decimal to Fractions Flippable

I will definitely do some Plicker problems as a way to assess students.  Have you tried using Plickers?  It is definitely worth your time if you haven't yet.  I love them.  The students really like to use them as well.  Double Bonus!!!  When doing Plicker problems, I just have students work them on a scratch sheet of paper instead of including them in the journal.

Monday's Assignment is out of the textbook.  Pg. 202 #12-21


Tuesday

Today I will start on dividing decimals.  I got the flippable out of a bundle that I bought last year.  Not sure if you purchased it as well, but I am glad to share it with you if you didn't.  Below is the journal entry and the inside view of the flippable.

Dividing Decimals Flippable

Today's entry takes two pages.  Below is the second page.

Tuesday Assignment comes from the textbook again.  YAY!!!  Pg. 52 9-11 and Pg. 58 18-22.

Wednesday 

We'll still be dividing decimals.  Students will have the opportunity to work problems in groups. I usually give students 3 to 4 problems to work.  Then we discuss the answers as a group.

There will be Plicker problems today too.  I haven't decided what problems I'm going to use at this point.

Wednesday Assignment - A page out of the workbook, Homework Practice #4-11

Thursday

This is review day.  The test will cover this week's and last week's objectives.  Today is an abbreviated day for us.  I will only see students for a short time today.  Half of the day is a reward day for students.  We call is Survivor Day.  We reward student that have passes all their classes and turn in all their work with time to play games and participate in certain activities.  The assignment for today is a study guide.  I just about have it ready.  If you would like a copy, just feel free to ask, and I'll be more than glad to share.

Friday

Test day.  Not really much to stay about today other than, the students will be taking a test.

I hope you have a great week.  Please, Please let me know if there is anything I can help you with.

Next week, I'll be moving onto Percents!!

This week, We're moving onto decimals!!!

Here's a quick overview of the week.

Monday and Tuesday - Convert Fraction to Decimals
Wednesday and Thursday - Multiply decimals
Friday - Quiz

Monday

I will introduce writing fractions as decimals.  Below is a picture of the day's journal entry.

Here is the flippable for the day ~ Dividing Fractions Flippable
When dividing, I like to provide grid paper for students so that are able to keep numbers lined up.

I just love it when I can use the book.  This week assignments will come from the text book and workbook.  No Worksheets this week, which is rare for me.  Today's assignment is Pg. 206 11 - 14, 19-21

Tuesday

Students will continue to practice converting fractions to decimals with a partner or in groups.  I haven't quite decided yet.

Below is a picture of last years entry.

The idea is to color the fraction and it's decimal form the same color.  I'm not sure why 0.512 is colored orange.  Students must show work, hopefully students will put on the bottom part of the page so it is easy to find.

Homework for Tuesday comes from the workbook.  Not sure what page number as I do not have a workbook with me at this time.  Students will be assigned #7-14.

Here is the template for today's work.  Template  As you can see I wrote in the fractions and decimals, hence why I provided the template.

Wednesday

I will introduce Multiplying Decimals.  I will come back and pick up converting decimals to fractions next week.  Below is the journal entry for the day.

Here's the day's flippable.  Multiplying Decimals Flippable

Homework for Wednesday is Pg. 40 #11-17, 23.


Thursday 

Today is a group work day.  I will give students three or four problems to work in groups.  Now that I'm thinking about it.  I may use the template from Tuesday.  Just a thought.

I have a PowerPoint that I put together.  Basically, students have to tell me where the decimal should be placed, and justify their answer.  I tried to upload the PowerPoint through Google Drive, but it didn't quite work.  If you would like the PowerPoint, just holler at me.  I'll be glad to send it to ya!

The assignment for today is from the workbook, the odd problems.

Friday

Formal assessment time!  Students will take a quiz.
When I uploaded the quiz to Google Drive, it drastically changed the document.  So, I thought it would be best to just attach it to the email.

I hope this has been of some help to you.  I hope you have a great week.  Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Until next week ~ Jenn

Fall Break is over!  Sadface!!!  Oh well, it will be good to see the kiddos on Monday morning.  I hope you had a great week.  I fit in a good amount of retail therapy :) and some knitting to boot. I haven't knit anything in along while: it was good to give my hands a workout.  I decided I would knit a sweater for my little fur-boy, Luke.  He will be a year old in a couple of days.  I got him last December when he was just a 2 pound puppy.  I have waited till now to knit him something because I wanted him to be done growing.  With cool weather just around the corner, a sweater for him was on my to-do list.  I can't resist but to share some pics of Luke in his new duds.

He is great help when it comes to grading papers.  NOT!  He likes to walk all over them, but he does make for great company.  I love my little Luker!!  <3

Enough about Luke!  On to the important stuff.

My objectives for this week are to cover multiplying and dividing mixed numbers.  I decided to skip adding and subtracting mixed numbers for now.  At this point, I do not think I will teach the process of adding and subtracting mixed numbers, but discuss it and show students how to do it using a calculator.  This is all due to the fact that I feel behind. ugh.  I hate that feeling.

A good thing about multiplying and dividing mixed numbers is that I will make Monday and Tuesday's assignment from the text book. YAY!!  On Monday for homework, students will be assigned Pg. 114 #14-20.  On Tuesday, Pg. 132 #12-19. 

Wednesday, students will spend time working word problems that have mixed numbers.  I'm looking forward to this day.  To add a little spice to the word problems, I am going to use QR codes.  I did not use QR codes at all last year, and I'm not even sure why.  Anywho, I'm definitely going to use them this week.  I used problems that were in the book, the additional examples in the margin of the teacher's edition, and some problems from one of the problem solving masters for classwork and homework problems. Here's the Classwork Problems.  I made the problems so students would cut them out and glue them into their journals. Here's the assignment.

I have decided to give 9 weeks test this year.  On Friday students will be taking their 9 weeks test.  Thursday, I will spend time reviewing with students.

Well, I think that does it for this entry.  I hope you have a great week.  Please let me know if there is anything that I can help you with.

~Jenn

Can't wait for fall break!!!!

I doesn't seem possible, but Fall Break is almost here!  Heck Yeah!  and I am soooooooooooo excited.  I don't have any definite plans as of yet, but I'm not worried.  I'm sure it will be action packed.

Let's get down to business, shall we?  We Shall!!!

Next week is a short week for me in terms of teaching.  Friday is a Hornet Walk at the Rim.  Hornet walk is our yearly fall fundraiser.  It is a hectic and tiring day, but there's no lesson plan for the day.  I just get to show up.  

It has taken me all weekend to commit to objectives for this week. I am feeling like I am behind. When I look at my plans from last year, I actually am a little behind. ugh! First 9 weeks of last year, I had covered multiplying and dividing fractions.  With that in mind, I am going to skip adding and subtracting mixed numbers for now and go forward with multiplying and dividing fractions, which is something that I like teaching and there are problems in the book.  I don't use the book much for assignments, but I do whenever I can.  Covering multiplying and dividing fractions works for me in several ways.  :)  

There are so many activities and idea for Multiplying and Dividing fractions. 
I bought this bundle last year from 4mula Fun.  I will use it again this year.  Let me know if you would like to see it.  I found this one too that I really like.  It seems like you get a lot of stuff for the money.  Here's the link for the blog. I really liked the way it illustrates dividing fractions by whole numbers. If I don't buy the bundle, I may imitate some of the examples. 

There's one last thing I want to share that caught my eye.  It applies fractions to baking.  It's pretty cute. Here's the link to it.

Monday ~ September 29

Multiply Fractions
I found the video below.  We'll be watching this several times.  It's pretty catchy! 

While searching YouTube (YT and Pinterest are my favorite websites), I ran across Flocabulary.  I really like the multiplying fractions vidoe.  Now I'm torn between the two video.  Do you have any favorite videos that you watch with your students?  Please share if you do, I love using videos to teach concepts.

Tuesday ~ September 30
Divide Fractions

Wednesday ~ October 1
Review Multiply and Divide Fractions

The test will cover divisibility rules, factors, multiples, adding and subtracting fractions, and multiplying and dividing fractions.  I am going to use this day to practice multiplying and dividing fraction.  I saw this pin.

and immediately knew I had to incorporate this into today's lesson.  A couple of years ago, I bought a bunch of cards from dollar tree.  I think I will just put some cards in baggies and put the students into groups.  I think they'd enjoy that!


Thursday ~ October 2
Test!!    

Friday ~ October 3rd
Hornet Walk!!!

Internet Find

I found this while trolling the internet look for math stuff.  It is a 7th grade Interactive Notebook by Maria Gonzalez.  There are some things I really like about it.  I like the weekly vocabulary.  I'm still thinking about how I could incorporate into my current notebook.  Another thing that caught me eye, is the weekly prompt.  How clever!  I found her notebook to be inspiring in many different ways.

How are things working for you in your room so far?  Have you found some cool and interesting things?  Did you use the butterfly method from last week's post?  I did, and I think I liked it.  Most of the kids did as well.  I'd love it if you left a comment and let me know what is or isn't working for you.  I'm glad to help out in any way!!

I could keep this blog post going on forever.  There are so many good finds out there.  I hope I have provided you with something that is useful.  I hope you have a great week and an even better fall break!!!

~jenn

A week full of assessment!!!

September 22 ~ 26

This week my students will be taking ThinkLink, Discovery Ed, in three subject areas: ELA, Math, and Science.  Being that I also teach Computers, I take on the responsibility to administer Discovery Ed.  This week also starts our journey into fractions, at least the basics and possibly ending the week adding and subtracting mixed numbers.  Below is my testing schedule for this week.

Monday ~ ELA.

I have 2 - 50 minute periods, or block, to incorporate Math and Computers. It takes several students the entire block to finish ELA.  I hope to squeeze in some kind of pretest over fractions.  I want to see what skills students have over the basics:  adding and subtracting with common denominator, change improper fraction to mixed number and vice versa.  I don't expect to get much else accomplished.

Tuesday ~ Math

Thankfully, the math portion does not take as long as ELA.  I will be able to do some math today but I doubt I will have a full 50 minute period.  I plan to keep things simple, I will go over converting improper fraction to mixed number and vice versa.

I found this journal entry on Pinterest(what did I do before Pinterest came into my life?  I don't even want to think about those days.  lol).  I want to do something like that today with students.

Wednesday ~ No Discovery Ed today

I will have a visitor with me on this day to see how I run my classroom.  Because of that I decided that students will take a break from Discovery Ed.  The results of the pretest will determine more of what I will be going over on this day and the rest of the week.  At this point, I am certain that I will be adding and subtracting fractions.

I had never heard of the "Butterfly Method" until I started searching around the internet.  But I think I will try it with the kiddos this year and see how it goes over.  Here is a picture of it.

I'm not sure how I feel about the butterfly method.  I've always preach to find the LCM to find the common denominator so there is less simplifying to do.  This method finds just a common denominator by multiplying the denominators together.  I still think I'm going to use this method and see how the kids like it.

Here is what my journal entry will look like.

In addition to the journal entry, I will give students 2 or 3 problems to work in pairs.

I don't make many assignments out of the book, but with this lesson it is possible.  I will assign students Pg. 15 4 - 9, 13, 14.  I am proud of myself for sticking to the RISE method this year.  I tried RICE last year, and it was an epic fail for me.  I just was not able to stick to it, but with RISE I am doing much better.  My students now know that all word problems are to be worked using the RISE method.  13 and 14 are RISE problems.  If you would like to know more about RISE let me know.  Its a great problem solving technique that Melanie from South Lincoln came up with.  It's a lot like RICE, but just a little different.  I really like it!!!

I also found a video, you know how I love videos.  I love Mario too.  I couldn't resist sharing it with y'all.

Thursday ~ Science Discovery Ed

Thursday is Science Day!!  The last day of the Discovery Ed testing!  This test usually only takes one 50 minutes class period.  Today I will cover adding mixed numbers.

I found this worksheet that I like.  Although, I wish there were some problems with unlike denominators, but I like the pictorial representation of the mixed numbers.

My assignment for this day is coming out of an old math book that we used to use.  I really dislike how our book only has one page of adding and subtracting fractions, much less adding and subtracting mixed numbers.  I kept a classroom set of the old math book that we use to use.  I will jot some problems on a piece of paper, copy it, and give to the students for homework.  When it comes to fractions, I end up writing their worksheets by hand instead of typing it up.  Typing fractions is more work than its worth in my book.

Friday ~ Quiz Day

The quiz for this week will cover writing improper fractions as mixed number, mixed numbers as improper fractions, adding and subtracting fractions, and adding mixed numbers.

I hope you have a great week.  Please let me know if there is anything I can help you with!!!

September 15 ~ 19

This week I will be covering Divisibility Rules, Factors and Multiples.

I have found two flipables to use with divisibility rules.  At this moment, I can't decide which ones to use, both are awesome!!

Here is the link for the foldable above.  I found it on Pinterest. This foldable above covers rules  2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.  If I use this one, I am going to take off the 7, and add 10

Here is the link for the other foldable: it is more of a book.  The book covers rules 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 10.  I really want to cover the divisibility rule for 8, need to figure something out if I am to cover it.  The link above takes you to a blog.  There are instructions on the folding and cutting part.

Time is closing so I need to decide here in a bit.  I hope you find one that works for you!!!

Monday and Tuesday

I will be covering divisibility rules.  I think it will take a good part of Monday to get the foldable completed, and do a couple of examples.  Tuesday, I will have the students do problems together in pairs.

Here are the journal entries that we created last year.

Day One

Day Two

As far as assignments, I am using worksheets that I got from Math-Aids.com.  The website has other great worksheets too, and they are generated.  You can get multiple worksheets!!!  I also think I am going to have students shade in the box for Yes, and leave blank in for No's.  In my opinion students like to color, so I thought it would be a good twist if the students colored the sheet.  It's just an idea.

Wednesday

I will cover factors.  I want my journal page to look a lot like this.  

Here's what last year's entry looks like.

 I need to scan the copy of this days assessment.  I wrote out the problems on a piece of notebook paper, and copied it to give the students.  Once scanned, I will be sure to attach the assignment.

Thursday 

I will cover multiples.  I like today's journal entry too.  Below is the entry that I completed last year with my classes.

I don't see me changing this entry much.  

Friday

Friday's are my quiz/test day.  This Friday in no exception.  Students will take a quiz.

I don't have my quiz made out yet.  I hope to have to done by Wednesday. 

Assessment Tools

I used two new websites this week in class, and I am sure I will continue to use them.  I'm so excited about them, I will tell anyone about them that will listen.

Plickers.com

The first one is Plickers.com.  The website takes the place of electronic clickers.  On the website, you do have to create classes and enter your students.  When you enter your students, each child will be assigned a number/picture.  Each picture is different so students will not be able to barrow other's answers.  On each side of the picture is an answer option: A, B, C, OR D.  Give the students a problem, and they will show your their answer using the picture.  You scan the room with either an Apple or Andriod device, (I used an iPad), and the device will record the students answers.  The students that answer incorrectly are highlighted in red.  So you have instant feedback on each individual student.  

One thing that I want to mention, is that you can enter the questions as you go.  Using the iPad, you enter the question and the answer, which only takes a few seconds, then hit scan, and it does the rest for you.

When I used it last week, I had the students practice locating integers on a number line.  I gave them 5 number lines and gave students time to answer all the questions.  Starting with number 1, I collected their answers and then discussed the problem.  What I loved about discussing each problem, is that I was able to get feeback/input from those that missed each problem.  I loved using Plickers, and the students did too.  The next day students were asking when we were going to use them again. 

Quick Key

This website I'm going to tell you about was recommended to me by Katrina!!!  It rocks too.  I used it twice: Thursday and Friday.  This website/tool basically takes the place of a scan tron machine.  I'm not fond of the one that is at my school, and Quick Key is awesome.  The downside to quick key is that is only available on iPhones or iPads, but if you have one of those, then there is not a downside.  :)  It is like Plickers, in that you have to create classes and students, but you also have to create the quiz beforehand. Using an iPad, I scanned each person's answer sheet, which you have to download and copy.  Once an answer sheet is scanned, it will report how many questions the student got correct. Again, I used it twice two days in a row, and will definitely use it again, very soon.

That is all I have for now.  Is there any particular website that you use in your classroom that you recommend to others?  I would love to hear about it.

Have a great week!!!!

The 3rd Week!  I finally feel like things are starting to get in a groove.  Which is nice.  I hope you are experiencing a similar feeling.  If not, then hopefully real soon.

I am excited for this week's objectives!!  I'll be teaching Properties.  I love teaching properties, and the kiddos really enjoy it too.  What makes teaching properties fun are the awesome videos found on YouTube.

My favorite video is by Mr. Q-U-E.  We will be watching this one many times this week.     

Here is the other video I show students.  The girls are pretty silly, but I still like it.



If you have any videos that you use in class, please let me know.  I love incorporating videos into my lessons.

I will be having my first test this Friday.  My test is going to cover everything that we have worked on in the last three weeks: Classifying Number, Absolute Value, Ordering Integers, Plotting Integers on a number line, Properties, and Representing situations using Integers.

Here are some worksheets that I will be using throughout the week,

Identifying Properties Worksheet
Properties Practice
Properties Start to Finish I've not used this worksheet before, but I found it in my Properties file.  I will warn there is a mistake on D.  The expression should be set = to 42 not 56.
Properties Quiz  I think this is a quiz that I used a couple of years ago.  I figured I would include it anyway.  Feel free to use as you wish.

I found this awesome blogger while spending time on internet.  She has a lot of examples of foldables/flippables that she uses in her INB, interactive notebook.  I plan on making a 4 four door flippable with the Associative, Commutative, Distributive, and Identity even though Identity is not required.  I still like to cover it. The flippable template is in her blog.  I also like the Request to Retest document that she has.  I think I'm going to use it.  In theory, I don't believe in redo's.  I know that may sound bad, but that's how life is.  Sometimes you only get one shot at things.  But when it comes to learning I think it is an appropriate thing to do.  The student has to attach proof that they tried to master the objective, that's the part that I REALLY like.  In the end, students need to learn the objectives before TCAP.  If a student follows through with the request, then I am alright with redoing a test.

I will try to get pictures up in the next day or two of my properties flippable.  I also found this foldable activity that may be of help. I like questions that is included with it.  It has given me new ideas to ask the students about properties. I would show you what last year's journal entry looks like, but to be quite honest, it wasn't that great.  I want to do a better one this year.  I want this year's to look more like this (minus the property of zero) I hope you can find something useful in this blog entry.

I hope you have a great week!
Jenn

2nd week of "real" teaching

I hope the first two weeks have been pleasant for you.  Having been so busy the last two weeks, It definitely makes this long weekend even sweeter!

Last Week's Materials

Since I just learned how to attach documents to this blog, I thought it would be good practice for me to attach the work that my students completed last week either in groups or for an assignment and the Quiz that I gave on Friday.

Classify Numbers Worksheet (Tuesday)
Number Classification Worksheet  (Wednesday)
In Class Practice (Thursday)
Classify Practice  (Thursday)
Classify Numbers Quiz  (Friday)

Online Goodies

I found an online game about classifying numbers, that students were allowed to play during computer class.  I actually got positive feedback about the game.  Students like it, and I discussed the Venn Diagram that the game uses to further explain classifying numbers.  I actually heard a couple kids say, "oh, now I understand!"  Classifying Numbers Game

I found this standard sheet online tonight.  Just thought I would share it with you.  I found it interesting that the SPIs are divided into two different groups.  What do you think about it?

Let's get down to the teaching business!  I got a little behind last week.  I ended up classifying numbers for three days. One of those day, I spent discussing the three types of decimals.  It wasn't my intention, but things just happen sometimes.  As I've said before, I move at a snail's speed.  As long as I have all the objectives covered by the end of the third weeks, I'm good to go.

Check this out!!!  Another great internet find.  This document has every SPI listed, even the dropped SPIs, that includes links to resources.  I will be referring back to this sheet all year.

Here's my plans for next week.

Tuesday Sept. 2nd - Absolute Value
I'm not going to say much about this since I wrote about it in the last blog.

Here's the assignment for tonight.  Absolute Value HW Worksheet

Wednesday Sept. 3rd - Representing Integers and plotting integers on a number line.
I am not sure if I included this on the schedule that I made the day of the county-wide PLC, but I thought this would be a good day to squeeze it in.   Below is a worksheet that I found using the SPI Resource document that I posted above.  It will definitely be the assignment for this day.

Representing Integers Worksheet

Thursday Sept. 4th - Ordering and Comparing Integers
I blogged about this journal entry in the last blog too!  Now looking back, I definitely had some ambitious goals!

Here's Thursday's assignment: Ordering Integers Worksheet

Friday Sept. 5th - Quiz

I hope you can make it to the PLC meeting Thursday.   I'd love to hear how things are going for you so far, and to get any input that you may have.

Integers Quiz

I hope you had a great week of In-Service and Staff Development!  Eating out for lunch with my co-workers is one of my favorite parts of the week.  I really enjoyed registration day the best.  It was great to meet the students and parents that stopped by and visited.  HR Middle School teachers managed to stop for a second and take a picture.  There's me in the front :)

I wanted to take some time to share with you what I will be doing for the next two weeks. 

August 18 - 22 

Monday and Tuesday I will be going over my rules, expectations, and procedures.  Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, I will spend class time setting up Journals.  Journals are my version of an Interactive Notebook.  I start with a coverpage, syllabus, table of contents, math goals, TCAP Data, RISE, and something else that I can't remember off the top of my head.  In other words, there is little math instruction going on along with any type of assessments. 

August 25 - 29

This week is when Math really gets going!!

Monday - Classifying Numbers

I will spend the first day discussing the classification of numbers: natural, whole, integer, and rational.  I do mention to the class that there are other types of numbers, but for our purposes, we are only going to worry about these four types.  When you tell 6th grade students that there are imaginary numbers, it blows their mind. :)  This year I will add numbers lines to demonstrate each group.  Below is the journal entry that I completed last year.

In the same class period, students also completed model maps for each type of number.

Below is an example of what the Natural number model map looks like.

Homework

The question I get most often is, "Do I give homework?"  "Yes, I do." Students should expect an assignment to be completed outside of class Monday - Thursday.  I feel it is a necessarily evil in order to be successful in Math. Students must practice the concepts outside of class. My homework philosophy is "Quality over Quantity".  I rarely ever assign more than 10 problems, and my intention is for it to take students no more than 15 - 20 minutes to complete.  How do I grade it?  That is another good question.  In the past, I have graded it based on effort.  Students must show work to receive full credit.  I will continue to do that this year as well, but I will do more of what I call "spot checking".  To spot check, SC, I will look at a few problems for accuracy and deduct 10-15 points for each problem that is incorrect.  For instance, I assign 8 problems, and spot check 3 of them.  If all problems are worked completely and the three SC problems are correct, the assignment earned a 100.  If one SC problem is incorrect earns grade of 90, two SC problems are incorrect, earns an 80, and three SC problems are incorrect, earns a 70.  I hope that is thorough in my procedure for spot checking.  I check homework at the beginning of class while students are completing a warm-up problem(s).  I don't have any worksheets to post at this time, but if you are interested in any assignment(s) that I will be giving, just let me know. I'll be glad to share the assignments with you when they are ready.  

Tuesday - Classify Numbers

In class, students will either work in pairs or groups to practice classifying numbers. 

Considering how early it is in the school year, I will spend class time reviewing with students my expectations and procedures, especially homework procedures.  In my class, if students don't come to class with their assignment to turn in on time, they have to fill out documentation.  I like to call it the pink slip!!!  The pink slip is an assignment accountability form.  Students have to turn in the pink slip if they do not have their assignment.  This has been a huge game changer for me.  I like having written documentation from the student to keep on file.  :)

If you would like a copy of my Assignment Accountability form just let me know.  I tried to attach it, but didn't have any luck.  I actually copy it on pink paper, hence "pick slip". :)  I have used this for the past 3 years and can't imagine how I managed before without it.  

Wednesday - Ordering Integers

Today I will be discussing integers more in depth.  Students will order integers using a number line and we'll also the concept of opposites.

Journal entry below.

Thursday - Absolute Value

On Thursday, we'll cover absolute value.  Journal entry below.

Friday - Quiz

On Friday, students can usually expect some kind of formal assessment: a test or a quiz.  I schedule a test every two or three weeks, otherwise I give a quiz.  I have given weekend assignments, but they are very few and far between.  

I hope you find something that is useful or helpful to you.  If you have any suggestion, please feel free to chime in.  Just looking back on last year's materials, I see things I want to do differently this time around.  

I enjoyed meeting you at the county wide PLC on Tuesday, and I look forward to working with you in the future.