Dec 21st - January 1st 2013

Have a safe and enjoyable set of Holidays!
See you in 2013!

Tuesday December 18th - Study Guide and Problems

Here is the study guide for Thursday and Fridays Test.

Here is the Question Bank Problem set Answers to check when you complete a set of problems.
Come Wednesday with Questions for our review day!

Monday December 17th- Investigation 5

Today we completed Investigation 5.1 and 5.2.  The goals of today's class was to:

• Understand how to find unknown lengths in a given situation.

Here are the notes from today's class.  

Tuesday December 11th - Problem 4.2

Today we completed Problem 4.2 in class and started #1 and 2 ACE problems.

Skills Work:
Answers to the skills assessment # 1 - 8 that we have been working on as prep for quiz:
1) 43.96 inches
2) 180
3) 9
4) 50
5) 7 13/15
6) 6
7) 20
8) 42
9) 7.9
10) 1/2 & 7/8
11) 72 %
12) 4

Monday December 10th- Inv 4.1 Ratios and Similar Shapes

Today we covered Problem 4.1 in the text.
The goal was to understand and use ratios of corresponding sides within a figure to prove similar shapes. 

Here are the notes from today.

The homework is p. 76 # 3, 4, 15-20.

Thursday/ Friday - Dec 6th-7th

Over the past two days the students completed Investigation 3 Quiz and also corrected Skills #8.  They will receive feedback on these check-ins and then be able to see areas where they have misconceptions.  Next week will be a Skills Assessment #1-8 and the week after will be the Stretching and Shrinking Unit Assessment.

Wednesday December 5th

Today the students had a choice to either take the Investigation 3 Quiz or to have one more review day.  The students that chose to review completed ACE Problems #7-21 starting on page 52.  We used a "cafe style" process to record and discuss our answers.  Here are some photos from today's work. 

The only final piece of homework left for tonight, would be to complete the Math Reflection on page 65 of the text #1-3.

Tuesday December 4th - Study Guides for Inv 3 Quiz

Here are the study guides for tomorrow's Quiz

Study Guide #1

Also ACE #7-21 are very good preparation questions.

Monday December Problem 3.3

Today we completed Problem 3.3.
The students were given the following handout to complete Parts A-C.
Here are the notes we completed together.  The rest is homework for them to complete tonight.

Wednesday and Thursday Nov 28th-29th

We completed Investigation 3.1 and went over the ACE Problems 1-3.

Students are in the midst of Investigation 3.2 working with triangles.

We gave them review problems in ACE 22-27 on pages 57-59 for homework.

Tuesday Nov 27th Class - Rep-tiles

Please use the following directions to complete Investigation 3.1 in the Stretching and Shrinking Book.

Investigation 3.1 Problem Directions

Fill in the following Pages 3.1 Investigation Table to document your work.  You will have to download this to be able to use it.

Here is a good link to use in this Rep-tile Lesson.

Good luck and have fun.

Monday November 26th

Today in class the students received Skills #7.  This will be due on Friday.  Wednesday of this week is the question day for skills. 

Students are taking a re-entry Check-in to see where they are as we are halfway through the next Unit - Stretching and Shrinking.

Monday Nov 19th

Complete Level I or II
 Level I would be the normal level consisting of:
ACE Problems # 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 16, 17 and 30  starting on page 32

Level II would be a challenge level set consisting of:

ACE Problems # 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 13, 19, 30, 31, 32 starting on page 33.

Complete Reflection for homework p. 41 #1-4

Friday November 16th

Today in class students split up for work time. 

They had a choice of completing a Level of homework: Level I or Level II.

Level I would be the normal level consisting of:
ACE Problems # 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 16, 17 and 30  starting on page 32

Level II would be a challenge level set consisting of:

ACE Problems # 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 13, 19, 30, 31, 32 starting on page 33.

Wednesday - Thursday November 14th/15th

The goals:
1. Understand how to use and apply scale factor to create similar shapes
2. Understand how rules change an images location or shape.

In these two days we are working through Investigation 2.2 and 2.3 in the Stretching and Shrinking Text.  Students are learning how a rule (2x, 2y) alters an figure/image.  Also if a rule such as
(x+2, y - 4) is applied to a set of coordinate points how is the figure is changed?

Tuesday November 13th

The goals of the class:
1. Correctly stretch and shrink figures on a coordinate graph using rules.
2. Identify similar figures and imposters.

The students were exposed to the character Mug Wump in Investigation 2.1 in their text.  Students were introduced to the vocabulary: rule, proportion, scale factor, similar, and imposter.
We graphed the first mug wump coordinates together then I showed how to apply the rule to the other wumps.  Students then worked on their own creating data points and graphing the characters.
The students final task was to complete the plotting and find out which wumps are imposters and which are similar to the original, Mug Wump.

Investigation 2.1 C p. 24

Tuesday Nov 6th

The past two days the students worked in our new book Stretching and Shrinking.  Here is the parent letter explaining the content of the Unit.

Today the students spent their time in Investigation 1.2.  They were creating scaled images using a rubber band stretching system. After they created enlarged figures they needed to make comparison statements between given lengths, areas, perimeters and angles.

Here are some photos of today's class.

The work was spent on A and B of Problem 1.2 and also ACE Problems  1 and 2 p. 12.  Any problems not completed are homework.

Monday November 5th

Today the students had the goals of:
1. Understanding what makes two things similar.
2. Identifying professions where scale modeling is used.
3. Knowing how to create scale figures.

We walked through Investigation 1.1 page 5 and 6 together.

We looked at ways students could use an know object to approximate the length and width of other objects.

No School October 30th - Reminder

Hi All,

I hope you are all safe in this storm.  Things will wind down today and the Test will still be tomorrow (Wednesday)!

Here are the links to the Looking Back Looking Ahead Answers p. 106-107.

Also here is a link to the Test Packet Questions and also the link to the Answers to the Test Packet.

If you questions to specific problems in the Test Packet email me.  I can make short videos to help you today and post them to the Blog or email them directly to you.

Also we will continue to hold the study session Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 7:15 in Mr Hagety and Mr. Cuthbert's rooms.

Friday October 26th

Today in class students reviewed their homework p. 93 and 98 # 3 and 13.

The students then started to work on "Looking Back and Looking Ahead Review."
Here are the answers to the review on p.106-107 in their text #1-6.

Here is the Test Work Packet the students received today to help them prepare for the Test Tuesday.
Also here are the answers if you would like to correct your work.

Good Luck and only complete what you need to to feel confident!

I will hold study sessions Tuesday and Wednesday of next week starting at 7:15 in Room 210.

October 25th - Thursday

Today in class we handed out the following study guide for next Tuesday and Wednesday's Unit Test.  We went over it in detailing looking at the learning goals, giving examples, and discussing the materials to collect to study.

We also covered the homework ACE # 4, 6, and 12 from last night.  We introduced Investigation 4.3 and completed A, B, C, and D together.  The students need to graph the equation and complete E and F for homework.

Also for home work are problems #3 on p 93 and #13 on p. 98.

Wednesday October 24th - Class Work and Helpful Videos

Today we started off by reviewing Investigation 4.1 a-c on page 86 of the text.
Then, students completed ACE problem #1 and #12.  Please see the following videos below for any help that you need.





After checking these answers with Mr. Cuthbert, the students completed ACE 4 and 6 which will be homework if they do not finish in class.

October 23rd Class

Today the students completed Investigation 4.1 in class.  Instead of the graphing calculators students will use there Graph-it Program on their laptops.

Here are the notes covering A from Problem 4.1.  Students need to complete B and C for homework tonight.

Also we reviewed the expectations for Skill Sheets and all make-ups for the Skills Assessment must be completed by this Friday.

October 22 Monday

Today in class the students received their Skills Assessment #1-4 back.  An acceptable score was 7 out of 10 or higher.  The students will be able and are expected to make-up the work on a separate sheet of paper if they did not meet the goal of 7 out of 10.

You can check in at the following link to PowerSchool to see their current grade and if you click on the grade you can see the specific areas of weakness.

They are to gather all the Skills Sheets #1-4, their Skills Review #1-4 (used to study for the assessment), their Skills Self-Assessment (reflection sheet), and their Skills Assessment #1-4 (test).  This will prepare them for tomorrow's class.

Friday October 19th 2012

Today students took their first Skills Assessment #1-4.

When they completed the assessment they were able to work on the Additional Practice Investigation #3.  They only need to complete as many problems in it to feel comfortable with the material.  Here are the Answers to the Additional Practice Sheet.

Quiz on Investigation #3 to be given Monday October 22nd.

October 18th - Class Work

Today in class we reviewed the answers to last night's homework ACE Problems 16-20.

I handed out the Investigation #3 Additional Practice for the students to complete by Monday's Quiz.  Students or parents may also access the Study Guide for Investigation #3 here.

October 17th Wednesday - Class Work

Today in class we introduced Investigation 3.3 to the students.  We talked through the terms revenue and profit.
The students took notes on how to create equations from the table.  They will need to continue to work on Problem C and D.  In addition they need to complete ACE Problems starting on page 76 #16-20.

Tuesday October 16th

Today we used the class time to review and give examples of skill problems.  Students charted areas of weakness on the board and then we went over specific problems and I gave an additional example for each skill.  This practice should be completed by Friday's Skill Assessment.  Students should have a record of this work on a note sheet.
Any student that need more practice or assistance in a skill can see Mr. Hagerty and Mr. Cuthbert for help.


Students need to complete the end of investigation review p.83 problems #1-3.  Complete sentences should be used.

Monday October 15th- Class

Today in class we had the students review their skills #1-4 sheets and reflected on their progress on a Self-Assessment Worksheet.  They need to review their progress with you and have you sign their Self-Assessment Sheet for homework tonight.  This is used to identify their areas of weakness so they may get help in these areas before Friday's Skills Assessment.

We then preceded to complete a Investigation 3 Check-in.  We reviewed the steps to identify numbers and variables in a word problem and then convert those into a rule.  From the rule the students form equations and convert the equations into the form of y as a function of x.  In this form they are ready to enter this equation into graph-it and then analyze it.

Friday October 12th - Work for the Day

Today in Math we will go over the Core ACE Problems #5-12 that we completed in class and for homework last week.

The following are the review of the 2 Levels.
Level I  Starts on page 74, ACE Problems #5-12, 22-27, 30-34

Level II Starts on page 74 ACE Problems #5-12 and 26 - 37.

The following are the Answers to the given ACE Problems.

I supplied the answers above, but any questions you have should be directed to Mr. Poloquin to go over on the board.

We will complete the ACE Problems and then move onto Skills Practice Work.  The sheet you will be handed is a practice for the test you will take next Friday (October 19th).  This test will count on your final grade.  It is very important you identify the areas of weakness you are having on the practice sheet and get help in these areas.

Use the entire time to work through the sheet and complete the rest over the weekend for Monday's class if you do not finish.

This is independent work, but you may get help from Mr. Poloquin if it is needed.

Good luck!

October 9-11 Tuesday through Thursday

No official classes.
We are NECAP Testing.

How to graph two operation equations

The following video details how to take a word problem or scenario and convert it into a rule. Then take the rule and convert it into an equation with two operations that can be entered into the Interactive Graph-it Program. Use this video to review the work we have completed in Variables and Patterns Investigation #3.2.

One operation equtions and graphing video

The following video details how to take a word problem or scenario and convert it into a rule. Then take the rule and convert it into an equation that can be entered into the Interactive Graph-it Program. Use this video to review the work we have completed in Variables and Patterns Investigation #3.

Thursday and Friday October 4th and 5th

Here are the notes taken in Thursday's class for Problem 3.1 and 3.2.

Problem 3.1 and 3.2 Notes and Examples.

We went over in detail how to view a word problem and take out the essential information.

Our 5 steps we came up with were:
1. identify variables
2. form a rule
3. create an equation from the rule inputting variables
4. input provided (known) information into the equation
5. solve and add correct units.

In Friday's class we will start with and entry slip and based on comfort students will choose Level I or II

This will be in class review work.  Students will complete a set of the problems and check their answers with me.

Level I  Starts on page 74, ACE Problems #5-12, 22-27, 30-34

Level II Starts on page 74 ACE Problems #5-12 and 26 - 37.

The following are the Answers to the given ACE Problems.

Anytime the questions ask you to sketch a graph or create a table, Graph-it maybe used.

Wednesday October 3rd

Today the students completed Problem 3.2 in class.

The math goals for today were:
1. To be able to write two-step equations
2. To be able to use tables and graphs to answer questions.

Do not work on any ACE Problems only complete Problem 3.2 A and B p. 68 and 69.  We completed most of this in class if you took good notes! 

Tuesday October 2nd

Today we went over Problem 3.1 in detail on pages 65-67.  We took the following notes on what a rule was versus an equation.  As a class we completed Problem 3.1 A-C on the following worksheet.  We then inputted the equation into the computer program Graph-it creating the needed data table and graph.

Homework is to use the graph and table to answer question D and then ACE #2-4 on pages 72 and 73. 

Monday October 1st

Today in class students updated there Skills Tracker Sheets on their E-portfolios. They now have scores from the first 3 skills sheets. My expectation is that if they received a score lower than 7 out of 9 they will correct and resubmit the sheet to me. These are corrections are due by Friday!  

A reminder that skills help can be found on the HMS Skills Help Page.

They also received Skill Sheet #4.





Students completed their first Quiz today and will be getting this back this week.

We will start Investigation 3.1 tomorrow.  Students should organize their binders and get ready to begin this.  Binders should be in order of investigation for example:
Inv 1.1, Inv 1.1 homework, Inv 1.2, Inv 1.2 homework, Inv 1.3, Inv 1.3 homework....

September 27th - Class

Today in class students had a review session with two sets of ACE Problems to complete.
Finish a level from the class work as prep for tomorrow's quiz. 
Level one (a bit easier) begins on page 43 and is #s 1, 2, 4, 6, 11, 12, 19, 23. 
Level two begins on page 46 an is #s 4, 6, 7, 11, 12, 17, 21, 23. 
The most important problems are the ones each level has in common (#s 4, 6, 11, 12 & 23). 
Complete as many problems as you need to feel secure and confident with the content. 

The following is a link to the answers to the ACE Questions.

Friday morning Mr. Cuthbert will hold a final review session in Room 210 starting at 7:15.

Wednesday September 26th

Today I introduced the following Study Guide to the students.
They will have their Quiz over Investigations 1 and 2 this Friday.
A study session will be held in Mr. Cuthbert's Room (210) starting at 7:15.
All 7th Graders are welcome!

Today we covered Problem 2.3 where students will:

• Predict the pattern in a graph of a relationship between two variables
• Tell a "story" shown in a graph.

Tomorrow will be a review day leading up to Friday's Quiz.

Tuesday September 25th

We started class with some work with an Organic Number Line.
Students were given a flash card with a fraction on it.  In groups they had to create the deciaml, percent, area model and set model of the provided fraction.  Then they had to discuss where on the number line the fraction should go in reference to the benchmark fraction 1/2.

Here are some photos of them in action

For classwork we worked through Problem 2.2 in their text.

The goals of today were for:

• Students to graph two sets of data on one coordinate grid.
• Students had to use tables and graphs to analyze data, uncover patterns and make decisions.

The following link takes you to an example of the graphs they created.

September 24th - Class

Today in class students received Skill Sheet #3.

We completed most of Investigation 2.1 - Analyzing Tables and Graphs. 
The goals of this lesson were to:
1. Graphing two sets of data on one graph and compare the data sets.
2. Identify and use patterns in data to make accurate predictions about values. 

Students are to finish Problem 2.1 for homework, specifically Questions D 1, 2  and E 1, 2.

September 19th - Class

As a class we reviewed Skill Sheet #2 and questions on it.  Students had specific questions around area of a circle and the formula for circumference.  Questions also were brought up on percents of a number, order of operations and division of fractions. Please see the Math Skills Help Site for some more assistance on this.

After Skills were discussed we moved into the Investigation 1 "mock" Quiz. This will be graded as a class to allow students to see what the format of a Quiz is like. 

September 18th - Class

Today in class we completed a Vocabulary Check-in as a warm-up.

We then reviewed the class homework and moved right into Investigation 1.5.
We spent a lot of time reading and extracting information from text to create a table and a sketch of a graph.

Tonight's homework is to complete the Reflection at the end of the Investigation.
Page 37 #1-3

September 17th - Monday's Class

Today the students performed some mental math as a warm-up.  For example "What is 1/2 of 700?"

Then they learned how to enter in their Skill Scores to a spreadsheet to track their progress. Any student that scored below 7 out of 9 on their Skill Sheet needs to redo the missed problems and check them with me.
I also handed out Skill Sheet #2 which is to be completed by Friday the 21st.

We started to work through Problem 1.4 on pages 12 and 13, which focuses on discrete and continuous data.  See the following notes from class.

Classwork was to complete A-F in Problem 1.4
Homework is to complete ACE #6-9 pages 24-27.

September 13th and 14th - How to Create a Coordinate Graph?

 In class today we reviewed how to create a coordinate graph on the program Interactivate Graphit.

Here is a link to the program:
http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/Graphit/

The following is a YouTube video we created to walk you through the steps.  Tomorrow we will test your ability to perform this task and assist you if you still have questions.

Homework questions for tonight are ACE #4 on page 20 and ACE #26 on page 34.

September 12th - Class

We had a great class today discussing questions students had on Skill Sheet #1.  We also reviewed the format of how homework pages should be set up and expectations around complete answers and sentences.

See below for set up of the homework


Investigation 1.1 and 1.2 ACE Problems                                       NAME: _______________
ACE # 1 - 3 p. 16 and 19                                                                Date:

1a.


1b.


1c.




In the homework for tonight we see the first set of "Worked Problems."  These problems can be identified because they placed in purple boxes.  Answers are given and the students are asked to explain the mathematical thinking. 

ACE #1-3 on pages 16-19 are homework for tonight.

September 10th - Class

Students completed the Mathematics Diagnostic Testing Project (MDTP) online assessment.  This will capture a baseline of the student's knowledge.

The students also received Skill Sheet Practice #1.  These weekly worksheets focus on computation skills that students need to master to be successful this year and future years, some of these skills are review form years past and some are current skills needed to be learned.  The sheets will be handed out Mondays and need to be completed by Friday. 

September 6th - Inv 1.1 and 1.2 V and P

Today we started the first investigation in the CMP Book, Variables and Patterns.
The following link will take you to the notes that we took in class.

Investigation 1.1 and 1.2 Notes

The homework was to complete the graph, Question 1b, on the provided worksheet.
Be sure to include the major components on the graph.
The top 5 we charted in class were:
1. Title
2. X and Y -axis (coordinate grid lines)
3. Axis Labeled (X and Y- variables)
4. Scale - consistent increments
5. plotted data points (coordinate pairs),  (x, y) format

Good luck, we hope the notes provide some good review!

September 4th Math Class

Welcome Back!

Today you were introduced to the weekly routines in math class as well as how to set up your binders.

Weekly routines are 5-8 minute starting activities that preview math class and are as follows:

Monday - Mental Math
Tuesday - Fraction Work
Wednesday - Skills help/questions
Thursday - Other
Friday - Skills Correction

Your binder should be set up by Friday and contain the following sections:
1. Current Unit (this should be kept in order Inv 1.1, Inv 1.2, Inv 1.3)
2. Other Section: skills, crate work, fraction sheets, mental math...

WestEd Math Study

Mr. Hagerty and Mr. Cuthbert will be partnering with WestEd (WestE.org) and other major academic institutions in a mathematics study this year. WestEd's National Center on Cognition & Mathematics Instruction (NCCMI) is redesigning the Connected Math Project (CMP) curriculum in ways they hope will substantially improve student outcomes. The Math Center is using what is currently known about improving the acquisition, retention, and transfer of knowledge — cognitive science principles — to redesign the delivery of CMP, and is evaluating the efficacy of the revised curriculum to determine whether it improves students' mathematics achievement. More about this Project.

A "Parent/Guardian Informational Letter" will come home with your child on the first day of school.  If you do not want information about your student to be included in the research study please sign Page 3, "Parent/Guardian Opt-Out Letter" and return the letter to their math teacher.

At no time will students names and information be released and all information will be kept confidential.

Graphing Program Link

Here is a link to Interactivate's Graphit Site