Wednesday, November 30th

Sixth Grade

Today, we went over the assignments from the last two days - decimal place value and decimal rounding. The students were doing very well! We also practiced on saying decimal numbers, which can be tricky. There is no homework today because I copied the wrong sheet! Sorry, guys. I know you are sad.

Seventh Grade

Math - Converting fractions to percents. Remember that you can convert a "friendly" fraction to a percent by using an equivalent fraction with a denominator of 100. So, if the "friendly" fraction has a denominator that goes into 100, just make an equivalent fraction with 100 as the new denominator. The percent is whatever the numerator is. For example, 3/20 is a friendly fraction because 20 goes into 100. You would change 20 to 100 by multiplying by 5. So, multiply the 3 by 5 as well to get 15/100. That means that 3/20 is equal to 15%.

If your fraction isn't friendly, you can first check to see if it can be reduced to a fraction that IS friendly. If it still isn't, then you can change it to a percent by dividing the bottom into the top. Just drop the top down inside the box and divide. For the ones that don't work out evenly, you can write the repeating number with a bar over the repetend after moving the decimal point two places to the left. For example, if you tried to change 5/9 to a percent, you would divide 9 into 5. You would get, 0.5555555...... and on and on and on. So, you could move the decimal over 2 places, write one more 5 after the decimal and put a bar over that number. So, you would get 55.5% (with that 5 after the decimal with a bar over it...I can't do that without my mimio pad!)

Geography - There is a test tomorrow over Chapter 8. Be sure to study your notecards. Parents, today the students took notes on notecards instead of just notebook paper. Each notecard is an item they need to know for the test. The answer is on the back, so it should make it easy to study.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra: Finish the volume of solids worksheet. Remember that to find the volume of a cylinder or prism, multiply the AREA of the base x the height. To find the volume of a pyramid or cone, do the same thing, but then divide by 3.

Algebra I: The class had a much deserved game day today after a lot of hard work on slopes and systems of equations. We still have a few topics to cover on linear equations and then we will start in on linear inequalities.

See you tomorrow!

Mrs. Swickey

Monday, November 28th

It was great to see everyone today after a full week away for Thanksgiving! I hope all had a wonderful holiday. Just a reminder to all students and parents: Since today is the 4th Monday of the month, I will be posting grades to Edline. It is up to you (the student) to check your grades and missing assignments. Let me know if you need copies of anything. I will not be coming to you about your missing work. That is your responsibility!

Sixth Grade

Many students struggled with the fractions test before the break so today we went through all of the questions. There will be a makeup test tomorrow. I will average the two grades together. The students who did not need to retake the test worked on decimal place value. The worksheet is due Wednesday, but many finished today. We will continue working with decimals until Christmas break! (and probably after as well)

Seventh Grade

Math - Many students struggled with the discount, markup, sales tax test so we spent today going over the test and I was very happy with the attention that most of the class had during the review. The makeup test will be tomorrow so be sure you are going over your mistakes tonight and that you are ready tomorrow.

Geography - We read Chapter 8, Section 3. Do the identify and define words. Also, do the Atlas Activity - Canada 3. This is due tomorrow!

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra: Students continued working on the their shape posters. You must finish the poster tonight. Be sure you've included the perimeter and area of your shape. You must turn in your work! Also, color your poster using colored pencils or crayons. I need to be able to see the dimensions you used.

Algebra I: Many students struggled with the test, so we spent today going over the test. There is a makeup test tomorrow, so be sure you go over everything tonight!

See you tomorrow,

Mrs. Swickey

Seventh Grade

Thursday, November 17th

Sixth Grade

Because the class took a test yesterday, today was a game day! The kids had a good time. There is no homework.

Seventh Grade

Math - We weren't able to take the math test today because of scheduling issues. It will be tomorrow. Be sure you are going over markups, discounts, and taxes. Please review tonight!

Geography - We held the states fair today and invited the other classes in the school to visit our classroom to see the projects. Everyone enjoyed looking at the projects and visiting with the 7th graders. I'm very proud of their hard work!

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra: The class began working on a poster project today. We will not have class tomorrow because of the Thanksgiving Feast. No homework!

Algebra I: Here are the answers to the rest of the review:

Wednesday, November 16th

Sixth Grade

The class took a test today over fractions! No homework.

Seventh Grade

Math - There is a test tomorrow over markups, discounts, and taxes. Be sure you go over all of your notes and review for the test! Be sure you know HOW to find the final price of an item if it was marked up or marked down. Also, be sure you can find percent of markup or discount if given the original price and the new price. Remember, divide the change in prices by the original price. Please email me if you have questions!

Geography - Everyone's states' projects look fantastic! I'm so proud that everyone finished on time and did such a terrific job. We will be having the state's fair tomorrow where other classes will come look at our projects. Be proud of yourselves! They look great. And parents, if you are coming to the Thanksgiving Feast, please stop by our room and take a look.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra: Area and Perimeter of complex shapes with half circles and triangles. Remember, to find the perimeter of a half circle, multiply pi times the radius. Then add that to the rest of the perimeter.

Algebra I: The test is going to be on FRIDAY instead of tomorrow! Please don't stress about it tonight. I talked to Mrs. Baer and you guys will come to Algebra I class at 10:10-11:00. I won't have Pre-Algebra that day, so there is time for you to take the test then. Tomorrow, we will continue to review! Be ready to work hard.

See you tomorrow,
Mrs. Swickey

Tuesday, November 15th

Sixth Grade

There is a test tomorrow over Fractions! Be sure you have reviewed all of your notes. The topics will include:

• adding and subtracting fractions
• multiplying and dividing fractions
• comparing and ordering fractions
• making equivalent fractions
• determining whether a fraction is greater than or less than 1/2
• finding a fraction of a number

Seventh Grade

Math - Today, the class finished their activity from yesterday's class. No homework!

Geography - The State's Report is due tomorrow. Remember that it is a quiz grade so do your best! Also, today's assignment is the Atlas Activity - Canada 2.

Eighth Grade

We didn't have class today! See you tomorrow.

Mrs. Swickey

Monday, November 7th

Sorry this is a bit late!

SIXTH GRADE

More practice problems on multiplying and dividing fractions. Remember, you only flip the second fraction on division! Also, you can't do ANY of the ones with mixed numbers without doing the u-turn and turning them into improper fractions.

SEVENTH GRADE

Math - Fraction, Decimal, Percent conversion worksheet. Remember, to change a fraction to a decimal, you divide the bottom number into the top. Also, when you divide, if you get a repeating number, you write that with a horizontal bar over the number that repeats. To change a decimal into a percent, you move the decimal two places to the right.

EIGHTH GRADE

Pre-Algebra - Reflections. Everyone was doing very well and working hard in class! Please send me an email if you are stuck.

Algebra I - Solving Systems of Equations by Elimination.

Here is a link to a post from last year with some examples:

Click here.

See you tomorrow!

Mrs. Swickey

Thursday, November 3rd

Sixth Grade

Today, the class learned how to order and compare fractions. To compare fractions, you first need to check to see if the denominators are the same. You can't compare them if the denominators are different. If they are the same, then you just compare the tops. If they are different, find a least common multiple and change one or both of the fractions (just like you do if you were going to add them together) and then you can compare the tops. For example:

2/3 compared with 5/6

Since the denominators are different, I need to find a least common denominator. That would be 6, so I just need to change 2/3. It would change to 4/6. Since 5 is bigger than 4, 5/6 is bigger than 2/3.

To order fractions from least to greatest, you also need to have common denominators. So if the denominators are different, make equivalent fractions and then you can order them by the numerators.

Seventh Grade

To find the percent decrease, remember that you divide the amount of decrease by the original amount. So if you are going to find the percent decrease of 62 to 45, you would first subtract the numbers to find the amount it decreased. 62 - 45 = 17. Then divide 17 by 62. You would put the 17 in the box:

Add a decimal point and three zeros. Remember, you add the three zeros in case you need to round to the hundredth (nearest percent). Move the decimal point up and start dividing. In the above example, after dividing to three places, the answer was .274 - so I looked at the 4 to see if the 7 would go up or stay the same. Since 4 is less than 5, it makes the 7 stay the same. So, that makes .27 and then you move the decimal point two places to the right to make a percent. The percent decrease is 27%.

You are only doing 2-12.

Geography - You need to start researching the information for your states project. On Monday, you will be working on the backgrounds during Art class and the 3-D sculptures/designs during Geography class.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra:

Translations. You all did a terrific job on these today! Email me if you have any questions.

Algebra I:

Systems of Equations - Substitution. Here is a link to a blog post from last year. The video shows you how to solve using substitution. Let me know if you have any questions!

See you tomorrow,

Mrs. Swickey