Tuesday, August 30th

Sixth Grade

Today, we began our review of computation with an addition activity - Code Numbers. We added up the value of our names by assigning certain numbers to each letter! We had some fun ordering the class by value and then reordering after figuring our middle names. Tonight, be sure to redo the number code for the school's name: "St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School" Remember to have values for each word and then a total for the whole name. Then, choose one family member and do the value of their name. Be sure to write the family member's name down so I can check your work!

Seventh Grade

Math - We began our Balancing Act activity today and will finish it tomorrow. It is a way to demonstrate and visualize the properties of numbers with a balance. No homework tonight!

Geography - The class took notes on the next ten landforms. Please start studying the landforms now so you don't have to cram on Monday night! There will be a quiz over all 50 on Tuesday. We also finished reading Chapter 2, Section 1. Do the define and identify words from the Section Assessment and complete the worksheet over Section 1.

Eighth Grade

Both classes received the Metric Mania worksheet to practice conversions in the metric system. Just follow the instructions written in the boxes at the top of the page. If you are converting TO a smaller unit, you will multiply or move the decimal to the right. Count the spaces it takes to get from one unit to the other. If it's 3 spaces, then you multiply by 1,000. 10 x 10 x 10. Each space is a power of ten. If you are converting TO a larger unit, you will divide or move the decimal place to the left.

See you tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey

Monday, August 29th

Sixth Grade

Today was our game day! Everyone had a great time playing math games. They were learning and using math skills even if they didn't think of it that way. Tomorrow, we will begin reviewing computation skills.

Seventh Grade

Math - Properties of Numbers. The class took a BUNCH of notes today on the different properties. Everyone should have a list with a description and examples of each property. The homework is worksheet identifying examples of each property.

Geography - Today we discussed landforms. The class took notes on the first 10 landforms. Each day this week, we will add 10 more landforms or water forms. Next Tuesday, there will be a quiz over all 50, including identifying pictures of land and water forms. We then read part of Chapter 2, Section 1. We will finish reading the section tomorrow. There is no homework due tomorrow, but start studying the first 10 landforms!

Eighth Grade

In both classes I reviewed how to multiply and divide in Scientific Notation. Students who failed the worksheet from last week must redo it. Those who didn't fail have the option of redoing it. There is also a new worksheet with 10 more problems to work. Remember, on the division problems, just divide and round to the tenth. You don't have to keep dividing!

Scroll to previous days to find examples of multiplying and dividing. Remember to look in both Pre-Algebra and Algebra I.

Email me if you have any questions!

See you tomorrow,
Mrs. Swickey

Friday, August 26th

Sixth Grade

The class took their first today. There is no homework! Monday, we will have our first Math Games Day. It should be a lot of fun.

Seventh Grade

Math - Today, we worked more on Scientific Notation. The class completed a worksheet that mixed positive and negative exponents. Everyone finished in class and turned it in, so there is no homework!

Geography - The class took a test over Chapter 1. No homework!

Eighth Grade

Both groups worked on sets of numbers some more. Everyone has the same handout. Pre-Algebra, stop at #55. Algebra I, you must complete the whole page.

For the section where you have to "describe" the various sets. Just write out what the definition is. For example, to describe natural numbers, you would say something like, "Natural numbers include all the numbers that you say when you start counting, like 1, 2, 3....and continues in the same pattern."

Also, remember that absolute value (when you have a number between two straight lines) means that whatever is inside the lines, is positive. Absolute value is basically "How far away is the number from zero on the number line?" If there is a negative outside the lines, it stays there.

Email me if you have any questions! b s w i c k e y A T s c b c s DOT o r g
(No spaces...symbols instead of AT and DOT)

See you Monday!
Mrs. Swickey

Thursday, August 25th

Sixth Grade

There is a test tomorrow! Please be sure to study for it. You will be tested over the following concepts:

Place Value up to hundred trillions, including reading numbers aloud (Be sure to look over the place value chart that you wrote out and take your time as you read the numbers.)
Expanded Notation with and without exponents
Rounding Numbers up to the ten thousands' place
Ordering Large Numbers from least to greatest

There will also be a couple of mystery extra credit questions!

Seventh Grade

Math - Expanded Notation with negative exponents. Remember, negative exponents do NOT make the number negative. Negative exponents indicate DECIMAL place value. So, if a number is less than 1, such as 0.000057, you would move the decimal to the right 5 places so that the number is now between 1 and 10. Then, you would write x 10 to the negative 5th power. The most important thing to remember is that if a number is LESS THAN 1, when it is written in scientific notation, it will have a negative exponent. When the number is GREATER THAN 1, it will have a positive exponent.

To change a number from scientific notation with a negative exponent into standard form, you will be moving the decimal to the left. That is how you would make the standard form number less than 1.

Here are a few examples:


Geography - There is a test tomorrow over Chapter 1. Be sure to study tonight! Go over all of the define and identify words, the 5 themes of Geography, and understand the differences in maps.

Eighth Grade

Today, both classes learned about different sets of numbers. Here is the chart that you all copied today:

Click on it to make it bigger.

Pre-Algebra - Use the chart to classify the numbers in 1-10 on the handout. For example, if you are supposed to classify -3, you would see that the first set it is a member of is integers...then it is also a member of rationals and reals. You would write those three sets on the line.

Algebra I - Complete the handout. Be sure to write all of the sets each of the numbers listed in #1-10 is a member of and then put them on a number line as indicated in #11-12. On the back, remember that absolute value is always POSITIVE. It indicates how far the number is away from zero on the number line. So, the absolute value of -3 is 3 and the absolute value of 3 is 3.

See you tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey

Wednesday, August 24th

Sixth Grade

Today we reviewed the topics that we've covered so far. There will be a test on Friday. Tomorrow, we will continue going over some things, making sure everyone understands place value, expanded notation, rounding, and ordering. After the test, we will have our first game day! There is no homework tonight, but you DO need to start studying and having your parents help you get ready for the test.

Seventh Grade

Math - We continued working on Scientific Notation today. Yesterday, we were converting from standard form into scientific notation and today, we did the reverse.

To convert from Scientific Notation to standard form, you just need to move the decimal to the right the number of places indicated by the exponent. Remember, you aren't just adding that many zeros. If there is already a number after the decimal point, you have to count that too. Here are a few examples:
Everyone finished the worksheet from yesterday and worked ten more problems converting in Scientific Notation. There is no homework!

Geography - The test over Chapter 1 will be Friday. Today, be sure to finish the Chapter Assessments - Reviewing Key Terms, Main Ideas, and Map Activity. We will review for the test tomorrow.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra: Today, the class took notes on dividing in Scientific Notation. The homework is to complete the worksheet with both Multiplying and Dividing in Scientific Notation. The part that might be confusing is what to do with the exponents. Remember, in multiplying you ADD the exponents and in dividing you SUBTRACT the exponents - TOP minus BOTTOM. Here is an example of dividing:


Algebra I - Finish the Cartoon Corner - #2 and #4. Just follow directions!

See you tomorrow,
Mrs. Swickey

Tuesday, August 23rd

Sixth Grade

Today, we practiced writing numbers in expanded notation with exponents a little more and then the class showed me that they are pretty good at rounding! The homework is more rounding practice. On the worksheet, it has a number on the left and two blanks to the right. At the top of the page it tells you to round to the 10's and then to the 100's. First, round the number on the left to the 10's and put that in the first blank. Then, round the number to the 100's and put that in the second blank. You will do the same thing for the bottom except round to 1,000's and 10,000's. Here is an example:

Round to the tens' place Round to the hundreds place

1. 672 670 700

First, the number in the tens place is a 7. The number to the right is a 2 and a 2 doesn't make it go up, so we round to 670. Then, to round the hundreds, you see that the 6 is in the hundreds place. The 7 is to the right of the 6 and a 7 makes it round up 1, so you round to 700.

As always, send me an email if you have questions!

Seventh Grade

Math - Today, the class learned how to write numbers in scientific notation. Remember, the point is to write really big numbers more efficiently (quickly and without taking up much space on the paper). Here are a few examples:

The key is to first put a decimal after the first digit (this will make your number between 1 and 10). It can't be 10 or bigger and it must be at least 1. Then, you will always write "times 10" to some exponent. You know what the exponent is by counting the number of places the decimal moved. That is shown with the arrows above. In the first example, the decimal moved 6 places and in the second example, it moved 7 places.

Do #1-10 only on the worksheet I passed out this afternoon. We will discuss how to do the second half tomorrow.

Geography - We read Chapter 1, Section 3 today. Define and identify the words and people from the Section Assessment. Then, finish the Atlas Activity worksheet "Getting To Know Your Atlas" 1A and 1B.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra

Today, we continued working on scientific notation. Most of the class completed another handout practicing the skill in class. Then, we did some mental math exercises and took notes on how to multiply in scientific notation.

Algebra I

We went over how to multiply in scientific notation some more and then took notes on dividing in scientific notation. Finish the back side of the worksheet from yesterday as well as the 5 extra multiplying problems I wrote on the board today. I didn't bring home the MimioPad today so I can't make up any examples. I'm sorry! Remember that to divide in scientific notation, you first divide the base numbers. Then SUBTRACT the exponents - top - bottom. Pay attention to the signs. Then, check to see if the new base number is between 1 and 10. If not, you will need to move the decimal over one place to the right. That's a -1 in exponents, so add -1 to the exponent and you are done.

Email me if you have any questions!

See you tomorrow,
Mrs. Swickey

Monday, August 22nd

I'm sorry this is a little late!

Sixth Grade

Expanded Notation with Exponents. Remember that when you write expanded notation, you can do it several ways. We learned how to multiply the number in each place by its place value. You can do the same thing in a shorter way by using exponents. Here is an few example:

You can click the picture to make it bigger. In the above example, you multiply the number in each place by 10 to an exponent (or a power). You can tell what the exponent is by the place value. Since the 1 in the example is in the hundred thousands place and 100,000 has 5 zeros, your exponent is 5. You can also count how many numbers comes after the 1 - there are 5. It's the same thing. Remember, if a place has a zero, you don't have to write that one down. You can skip it. For the ones place - where the 4 is in the example - remember that your exponent will be 0.

If you have any questions, feel free to write! I'd be happy to help if you get stuck.

Seventh Grade

Math - We finished solving the problem, "Can you write a googolplex in a lifetime?" The students had to convert their times into just seconds, add them up, multiply 60x60x24x365x78 to find out how many seconds there are in a lifetime. Once we had that number, we could tell that there is no way to write a googolplex! Even if you wrote every second of your life, you couldn't even write a billion zeros.

Geography - We read Chapter 1, Section 2. The only thing you need to do is add your definitions to your list from Section 1.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra - Scientific Notation worksheet. Look back at the examples I gave for Algebra I last week if you need help - or just email me!

Algebra I - Multiplying in Scientific Notation. Remember to look at your notes! First, multiply the base numbers. Then, add the exponents. Now...examine your new number. Is it in scientific notation? If it isn't, move the decimal to fix it. Then, add how many times you moved it to the exponent. Here is an example:


See you tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey

Friday, August 19th

Sixth Grade

Today, we spent some more time on place value. We worked on numbers up to hundred trillions and this group is so enthusiastic! I'm enjoying teaching them so much. We also began working on expanded notation and the class got their first homework assignment today. They need to write 12 numbers in expanded notation. The numbers only have 5 digits in them, so that everyone could get used to this form of expanded notation. If you've forgotten, this is what you should do:

57,362

(5 x 10,000) + (7 x 1,000) + (3 x 100) + (6 x 10) + (2 x 1)

You write each digit in parenthesis and multiply it by the place it is in. Since 5 is in the ten-thousands place, we write 5 x 10,000, and since 7 is in the thousands place, we write 7 x 1,000.

Please email me if you have any questions! Remember, my email has changed. I'll fix it in the box at the right at some point...but it is: b s w i c k e y AT s c b c s DOT o r g
(There are no spaces and use the @ symbol for AT and the period . for DOT)

Seventh Grade

Math - We continued working on saying large numbers today, took two more math facts tests and began discussing large numbers. We talked about a googol and a googolplex and whether or not you could write either number. The class was able to write a googol and I timed them. Next, we'll find the average class time and try to determine if a person could write a googolplex in a lifetime! Next week, we will begin working on scientific notation....how to write very large and very small numbers efficiently.

Geography - We read Section 1 today and watched a short video about latitude and longitude. Write the definitions from #1-2 of the Section 1 Assessment and then complete the Section 1 worksheet for homework.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra-Today, we finished solving the problem, "Can you write a googolplex in a lifetime?". It was rather interesting to figure out just how many zeros a person can write in the average lifespan. Then the class took a short quiz over Scientific Notation to see what they remembered. It was pretty confusing for most everyone so we will be spending the next several days working on converting numbers into scientific notation and then back to standard form.

Algebra I - Today, we went over the scientific notation quiz I gave them yesterday. Most everyone had some idea as to how to do them so we practiced in class for awhile and then I gave them a homework assignment. It is the Scientific Notation worksheet B. Here are a few examples - the first picture shows numbers written in scientific notation being converted to standard form. The second shows standard form being changed to scientific notation. You can click them to see them bigger.



See you tomorrow!

Mrs. Swickey

Thursday, August 18th

Sixth Grade

Today, the class took a subtraction timed test and a multiplication timed test. Then, they took a place value quiz...I'm still assessing what the students know so this quiz was not for a grade. We then talked about really big numbers and the students were very enthusiastic about a googol and googolplex! (They are REALLY big numbers.) We also did some mental math exercises that they all loved. No homework!

Seventh Grade

Math - In math today, I assessed their knowledge of place value by having them say big numbers aloud. They also took addition and subtraction timed tests. Then we did some mental math exercises. For example, I would say, "Think of the number of US states. Divide that number by 5. Subtract 3. Hold up that many fingers." It gets the students thinking about math and making connections mentally. Then we played another numbers game called "buzz". Parents, ask your children about it! "Buzz" is fun and not only incorporates a lot of math skills, but also improves their listening skills. If they don't listen to their classmates, they can mess up! No homework.

Geography - In Geography, we continued reading in the textbook about the themes of Geography. We will start on maps, longitude and latitude tomorrow. No homework!

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra - Today we worked on some place value exercises and the class took a quiz. I am assessing what they already know and what they need to work on so this quiz was not for a grade. We then discussed really big numbers including a googol and a googolplex. (A googol is a 1 with 100 zeros after it. A googolplex is a 1 with a googol of zeros after it!) The class is trying to figure out if they could write out a googolplex in a lifetime. They discovered that they could write a googol in about 70 seconds (class average). We will take that information to see how many googols they could write in a lifetime and if it comes close to a googolplex. Tonight, they need to figure out how many seconds there are in an average American's lifetime. (We know the average American lives 78 years.) Remember students, you must show your work and not just hand in an answer tomorrow!

Algebra I - The class took a quiz on scientific notation today. I am assessing what they already know and what they need to know right now so this quiz was not for a grade. We then watched the Powers of 10 video on You Tube and the class was amazed. If you've never seen it, you should watch it! There is no homework.

See you all tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey

Wednesday, August 17th

We had a great first day of school! I was so happy to see everyone again and to meet some new students. We are glad you are here!

Please note, as we looked at the dress code, I told the girls that you had only 2 shirt options: red polo shirts, or white oxford shirts or blouses. This is what the dress codes says, but Mr. Gungoll told us after school that you ARE allowed to wear the white polo shirts as well. (This will be clarified in assembly in the morning.) Just remember to be modest and wear white undergarments underneath.

Sixth Grade

We had a great first day in math today! The class had an excellent discussion about rules and being respectful to each other and then we did a place value activity. We even had time for an addition timed test. We will be doing timed tests over the other operations tomorrow. There is no homework!

Seventh Grade

We are off to a great start! We met our mass buddies this morning and everyone did very well with them. Thank you! Then, we spent the rest of the morning discussing procedures, rules, and consequences. The class helped to develop the list of rules and they did a terrific job. We went over the dress code so that everyone knows what they are expected to wear each day. The class also practiced opening their lockers and everyone is catching on so quickly! During Geography class, the students wrote as many countries they could remember, and the names of all the continents and oceans. I am impressed by their current knowledge and hope to make them even more of the world around them.

Eighth Grade

We did not meet today because all the middle school classes stayed with their homeroom teacher until lunch. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow! Be sure you have your summer math homework.

Have a great evening,

Mrs. Swickey