Integers Unit

Integers

Integers include positive whole numbers, negative whole numbers, and zero.

The “set of all integers” is often shown like this:

Integers = {… -5, -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, …}

The dots at each end of the set mean that you can keep counting in either direction. The set can also be shown as a number line:

The arrows on each end of the number line mean that you can keep counting in either direction.

Adding and Subtracting Integers

Looking at a number line can help you when you need to add or subtract integers.

Whether you are adding or subtracting two integers, start by using the number line to find the first number. Put your finger on it. Let's say the first number is 3.

• Then, if you are adding a positive number, move your finger to the right as many places as the value of that number. For example, if you are adding 4, move your finger 4 places to the right.

  3 + 4 = 7

• If you are adding a negative number, move your finger to the left as many places as the value of that number. For example, if you are adding -4, move your finger 4 places to the left.

  3 + -4 = -1

• If you are subtracting a positive number, move your finger to the left as many places as the value of that number. For example, if you are subtracting 4, move your finger 4 places to the left.

  3 - 4 = -1

• If you are subtracting a negative number, move your finger to the right as many places as the value of that number. For example, if you are subtracting -4, move your finger 4 places to the right.

  3 - -4 = 7

Here are two rules to remember:

• Adding a negative number is just like subtracting a positive number.

  3 + -4 = 3 - 4

• Subtracting a negative number is just like adding a positive number. The two negatives cancel out each other. WE USE THE RULE: Keep. Change. Change.

  3 + 4 = 3 - -4

Multiplying and Dividing Integers

If you multiply or divide two positive numbers, the result will be positive.

6 x 2 = 12

6 / 2 = 3

If you multiply or divide a positive number with a negative number, the result will be negative.

6 x -2 = -12

6 / -2 = -3

If you multiply or divide two negative numbers, the result will be positive—the two negatives will cancel out each other.

-6 x -2 = 12

-6 / -2 = 3

Is It an Integer?

Integers are whole numbers and their negative opposites. Therefore, these numbers can never be integers:

• fractions
• decimals
• percents

Homecoming 2014

Homecoming 2014

“The Red and Gray Standard”

Spirit Days:  “The Red and Gray Standard”

Monday – Mission Homecoming: Dress up like a spy, superhero,  or a supervillain.  “Keep your mission in mind.”

Tuesday – Viva Las Vegas: Dress up like Elvis or base your outfit off one of the hotel themes to not gamble with your future. “Don’t gamble with your future!”

Wednesday – Board Games: Wear class colors (seniors-orange, juniors-green, sophomores-yellow, freshmen-blue) representing game pieces or dress up like a character from your favorite game. “Don’t play around with your life!”

Twister - Teacher Edition

Thursday – Blast From the Past: Dress from a past decade or as a movie character. “Learn from the past, live for the future!”

Friday – The Red and Gray Standard: Wear your favorite red and gray gear and your homecoming t-shirt. “Show school pride and our standard!”

Order of Operations

The students have just finished taking an assessment over Order of Operations. Throughout the unit, the students learned several strategies to solve the problems as well as learned a song to remember the steps for solving. 

Click here to see the Youtube video for the rap song -->            Order of Operations Rap Song

Students in classes 3-7 will begin a project involving the Order of Operations. Below is a sample as well as an explanation of what is expected with the project.

On Google Classroom, the students will be provided with directions for the project, a sample Google Presentation and the above images.

"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/