BURTON:
Core 1-
We are currently in the middle of our unit on Ratios and Proportions, combining both 6th and 7th grade targets. A large part of this unit has the students work independently in a self-directed role, in large part to see if they are able to demonstrate these work skills that have been modeled this year.
This past week we experienced our second of three math auctions, and they were a huge success! I have never had so many donations from the parents/families; thank you so much for all your generosity! Our final auction will be early during the last week of school (June 5th).
Please be aware of your 6th graders’ ALEKS account, as we have just passed the ⅔ mark of the school year, which means they should be close to 67% completed. To see have them show you their ALEKS pie, and touch the middle where the number of mastered topics is shown, it will then show the % completed. It’s still not too late to catch up! Look out for another auction cash for math bonus for completed topics during the upcoming spring break vacation!
Cores 2 and 4-
We are currently wrapping up our unit on Equations and Expressions. The students did very well with only a few not showing proficiency the first time! Please check FAR regularly to see the updated evidence. Because we are slightly ahead of our scheduled pace, we are spending a week on 7th grade targets of two step equations. Our next unit will be on Geometry, more specifically, volume and surface area of three dimensional shapes. The students will end this unit with a performance assessment.
This past week we experienced our second of three math auctions, and they were a huge success! I have never had so many donations from the parents/families; thank you so much for all your generosity! Our final auction will be early during the last week of school (June 5th).
Please be aware of your 6th graders’ ALEKS account, as we have just passed the ⅔ mark of the school year, which means they should be close to 67% completed. To see have them show you their ALEKS pie, and touch the middle where the number of mastered topics is shown, it will then show the % completed. It’s still not too late to catch up! Look out for another auction cash for math bonus for completed topics during the upcoming spring break vacation!
HEMPHILL/LOCKE:
Core 1-
How many cupcakes can you bake in 72 minutes if you can bake 12 cupcakes in 9 minutes? Ask your student! Recently Core One has been working on a unit about using ratios, proportions, and equations to solve multi-step problems. During this unit students learned how double number lines and tape diagram are great visuals for solving proportions and equations. Your student should be able to show you how to solve this problem using four different methods!
Recently, we had our second of three Math Auctions, where students got to bid on various prizes including a trip to Culver’s for lunch with Mrs. Hemphill! The final Math Auction will take place early during the last week of school around June 5th. Thanks as always for your generous donations that make this event possible!
The next unit will incorporate various life skills: tax, tip, percent increase and decrease, simple interest, and percent error and change. Students will use their knowledge about ratios, proportions, and equations to work their way through this unit. We encourage you to have your student calculate the tip the next time you dine out!
Also, we encourage you to ask your student how their ALEKS Pies are coming along. At this point during the year the students should have completed their 7th grade ALEKS Pie and should be getting close to finishing their 8th Grade ALEKS Pie. We look forward to finishing the year strong!
Core 2-
How many cupcakes can you bake in 72 minutes if you can bake 12 cupcakes in 9 minutes? Ask your student! Recently core two has been working on a unit about using ratios, proportions, and equations to solve multi-step problems. During this unit students learned how double number lines and tape diagram are great visuals for solving proportions and equations. Your student should be able to complete and explain this problem using four different methods!
The next unit will incorporate various life skills: tax, tip, percent increase and decrease, simple interest, and percent error and change. Students will use their knowledge about ratios, proportions, and equations to work their way through this unit. We encourage you to have your student calculate the tip the next time you dine out!
Also, at this time students should have finished at least 288 ALEKS topics if not more. We encourage you to have a conversation with your student about their progress on ALEKS. We look forward to finishing the year strong!
GROSSKOPF/HEMPHILL/LOCKE/MORODER:
Core 4 -
Factoring, factoring, and more factoring! Over the course of the past few weeks, students have been working on calculations with polynomials - adding, subtracting, multiplying, and factoring. They tested their skills in a competitive game of The Amazing Race. Ask your student how their team performed!
As we wind down the year, students will be finishing Chapter 9, which revolves around solving quadratics. Upon completion, we are looking at final exams to take place around the middle of May. Students will be given a week of review sessions and practice (similar to semester exams) prior to taking the final exams. In addition to the review sessions, students should make sure they are finishing their Algebra ALEKS pies to help fill in any gaps with their understanding. Currently, students should have at least 354 topics done. Please have your student show you their pie.
GROSSKOPF/MORODER:
Core 1-
We wrapped up on Winter 2018 Olympics project where we collected, interpreted and analyzed data from various sports and events. Throughout this unit, students learned about stem/leaf and line plots as well as histograms and two way frequency tables. Each day students learned a new concept and applied that concept towards the project. The students had a wonderful time utilizing their creativity in order to demonstrate their thinking. Have your student share their project with you and have a discussion on various types of data diagrams!
We are resuming our geometry and expressions & equations topics! Ask your student their math progress! We have students working on transformations, inequalities, scientific notation, and everything about circles! After Spring Break, we will introduce them to functions and slope to help prepare the students for Algebra next year!
At this time, students should have at least 340 Aleks topics completed at this point. Check with your student regarding this progress on Aleks. We are looking forward to exploring more topics as the school year draws to a close!
Core 2-
We wrapped up on Winter 2018 Olympics project where we collected, interpreted and analyzed data from various sports and events. Throughout this unit, students learned about stem/leaf and line plots as well as box/whisker plots. Each day students learned a new concept and applied that concept towards their project. The students had a wonderful time utilizing their creativity in order to demonstrate their thinking. Have your student share their project with you and have a discussion on various types of data diagrams!
Our next unit will be on ratios, proportions, and equations to solve multi-step problems. Students will learn two methods to demonstrate their thinking in a visual way. They will be learning a new way to show their thinking with proportions. After Spring Break, we will continue our work with proportional relationships, percents, tax and tip! Hopefully by the end of the year, your learner will know how to find the tip at your next restaurant visit!
At this time, students should have at least 340 Aleks topics completed at this point. Check with your student regarding this progress on Aleks. We are looking forward to exploring more topics as the school year draws to a close!
Wray:
Math 8 - Core 1 and 2
Throughout middle school, students learn how to solve equations. In 6th grade, students start with basic one and two step equations. In 7th grade, students learn how to solve multi-step equations. At the beginning of this year, we did equations with variables on both sides. This past month, we built-on that foundation even more and learned how to solve a System of Equations. Systems can be used to solve a lot of real-life problems that require two equations, like comparing two rates or finding the best deal. We will be finishing Systems prior to Spring Break and we will be starting our Statistics unit when we return.
You can check your student’s progress on all of the Math 8 standard by checking For All Rubrics or theie Math Learner Continuum. Students should be continuing to learn and grow with Aleks too. At this point in the year, Math 8 students should have 76% of their Aleks pie completed.
Geometry Core 2 and 4
One month ago, we were working on Trigonometry. Although this is a favorite topic of mine, the students were happy to move-on to some more familiar concepts in the last few weeks: Circles, Polygons, Perimeter, and Area. When students return from Spring Break, they will be designing something of their choice and incorporating as many real-life shapes as possible and calculating each ones area. It could be a park, a house, or anything else that someone might need to know the area of.
You can check your student’s progress on all of the Geometry standard by checking For All Rubrics or their Math Learner Continuum. Students should be continuing to learn and grow with Aleks too. At this point in the year, Geometry students should have 84% of their Aleks pie completed.
Independent Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calc, Calculus - Core 2 and 4
We continue to have more students finish Geometry and move-on to Algebra 2. After Spring Break, some of these students will be presenting their projects to a group of their peers. If your student is part of the Independent High School math group, then check out For All Rubrics to see their progress. We will do our next reflection and set goals after the Break. Some students have goals that include working over Spring Break on various learning tasks. Please check with your student to see if they have something they need to finish over the Break. Check F.A.R. after April 9th to see your student’s progress from March and their goals moving forward.