"TORNADO" Problems

Order of Operations (w/ exponents) - we began to learn how to solve order of operations problems using powers and exponents

Examples to Solve Order of Operations Problems:

 

Below is an example of the process we use in 6th grade to solve order of operation problems. Each step has one change to spiral down to create "TORNADO" problems.

Codes of Cooperation - Advisory Activity

Codes of cooperation are standards that are developed by 

a team. They describe expected behavior for the entire 

school. They may have consequences for anybody who 

breaks them.

           Today, our advisory did an activity for the codes 

of cooperation. Below are pictures of the activity. The 

students did a great job participating and learning 

from the lesson.

Google Classroom

Utilizing Google Classroom in Math Class

Classroom is designed to help myself as well as other teachers create and collect assignments paperlessly, including time-saving features like the ability to automatically make a copy of a Google Document for each student. It also creates Drive folders for each assignment and for each student to help keep everyone organized.

Students can keep track of what’s due on the Assignments page and begin working with just a click. As a teacher, I can quickly see who has or hasn't completed the work, and provide direct, real-time feedback and grades right in Classroom.

Your student has already joined their class on Google Classroom. We will utilize Google Classroom for various assignments, assessments, project-based learning activities, tutorials, and increasing our reading & understanding/comprehensions.

Recently, we began reading Secrets, Lies, & Algebra by Wendy Lichtman. As a junior high building, as well as throughout the district, the goal is to improve literacy, especially reading tied to understanding/comprehension. So, each week, together or individually the students will be asked to read chapter(s) and answer 1-2 discussion questions as well as learn mathematical terms. 

About the Book:

Tess loves math because it's the one subject she can trust—there's always just one right answer, and it never changes. But then she starts algebra and is introduced to those pesky and mysterious variables, which seem to be everywhere in eighth grade. When even your friends and parents can be variables, how in the world do you find out the right answers to the really important questions, like what to do about a boy you like or whom to tell when someone's done something really bad? Will Tess's life ever stop changing long enough for her to figure it all out?

Here is a link to a FREE, online PDF version of the book for the students: http://teacherweb.com/ga/lafayettemiddleschool/mscarter/do_the_math_secrets_lies_and_algebra_wendy_lichtman_.pdf

Back to School

School is underway! The classroom is set up and ready to go, and now the students have arrived! Let the school year begin!

The BRIGHT, inviting classroom...

The first couple of days have been spent discussing rules and expectations, and getting to know the students. The students were able to see the teachers and a few other staff members in a different light. See the pictures below.

What is in Store for this Week?

Monday, August 18 - Wednesday, August 20
The students will learn strategies to solve multiplication problems using the standard algorithm. (Which means the students will be learning old school multiplication, no lattice or partial products.) Common Core expects the students to understand and use the standard algorithm on the test so we will prepare the students to correctly multiply 3 digit by 2 digit numbers.

Thursday, August 21 & Friday, August 22
Introduce and practice ST Math. 

"The ST Math Program Family for Middle School includes on-grade-level content as well as intervention content that can be used with students who are at a variety of levels of math understanding."

ST Math: Middle School Supplement prepares students for success in Algebra 1 by remediating students on concepts from previous grade levels and by building students’ conceptual understanding of select on-grade-level math concepts from 6th, 7th and 8th grade mathematics. The software is designed to connect interactive visual models to abstract concepts and language components for each math topic. The built-in diagnostic tool personalizes the learning path for students and gives each student the intervention content that he or she needs. Individualized student reports provide teachers with diagnostic results and real-time content mastery for each student. http://web.stmath.com/

  

Let's Try A New Tradition

This year, I thought it would be a great year to try and start a new tradition in the Junior High. Close to the finale of the school year, all students and staff went to the gymnasium to watch the first annual Teachers vs. 8th Grade volleyball game.

The 8th Graders who participated in the game are pictured below.

A picture of a few of the teachers who participated in the game are below.

Field Day Fun

Sixth grade Field Day was Thursday, May 22nd... 

The sixth grade teachers had fun spending time outside with the students by participating in some of the fun activities.

From Left to Right: Mrs. Beste, myself, Mr. Eads, Ms. Castor, Mrs. Via, Mr. Taylor, Mrs. Gordon, Mrs. Dalton, and Mrs. Linton

Most of the teachers decided to participate in the Field Goal Kick activity...

 

 

It was a fun year working with these teachers. We will be losing a few of these special people and are sad to see them leave. Good luck in your endeavors, Ms. Castor and Mrs. Linton! Good luck to Mrs. Gordon in her new position at the Murray building. Here are more pictures from the fun day!

 

Going to miss these ladies! We shared so many stories, laughs, and great times! They became so much like part of the family! Wishing them all the best in their future endeavors. It's not GOOD-BYE because we will see each other again soon!

We've got MUSCLES! - Myself, Mr. Taylor, Mrs. Linton, & Mrs. Gordon

The beautiful ladies I had the privilege to work with this year! 2013-2014

Time to Fly A Kite

The students had the opportunity to attempt to fly their kites on Monday, the 5th of May. Some students' kites were successful; others were too heavy, didn't have strong support, or their string did not support their kite.

Below are pictures of each class of students with their kites: 

                     Kites in motion!

Students with their kites...