Monday, January 30th

Sixth Grade

Today, the class spent time making booklets for conversions. Each student will take the notes for converting decimals, fractions, and percents, as well as any related notes for these topics. There is no homework tonight, but there will be a handout coverting percents to fractions and vice versa.

Seventh Grade

Math - Today, the class tested their Penguin igloos a second time to see if they improved their designs. Then, while the igloos were testing, we finished watching Cool Runnings. There is no homework.

Geography - We did not have Geography class today because we had DEAR time in the gym. (Drop Everything And Read) There IS a country quiz tomorrow, so be sure to look up facts for a new country and be ready!

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra: Assignment 8. Combining like terms and using the distributive property. Remember, two items are like terms only if the variables are identical. If they are, then you can add the coefficients. Also, all constants (numbers without variables) are like terms. For example:

2xy + 3x + 4xy - 5x + 6

2xy and 4xy are like terms because the variables are the same. Always look at the sign in front of a term to combine. So 2xy + 4xy = 6xy

Next, 3x and -5x are like terms because they both have an "x" only. 3x - 5x = -2x

Finally, the 6 is not a like term with anything else because it's the only number by itself.

The answer would be:

6xy - 2x + 6

To distribute, remember that you are "giving" the number or variable on the outside of the parenthesis to everything inside. Be sure to multiply. Here is an example:

3(2x - 5y)

3 times 2x = 6x

and

3 times -5y = -15y

So the answer is:

6x - 15y

You cannot combine these since the variables are different, so that's it! Please email me if you have questions. I'm happy to help.

Algebra I - We started going over more complex factoring and working through the examples. I will pass out the assignment in class tomorrow.

See you then!

Mrs. Swickey

Monday, January 23rd

Sixth Grade

Today, the class worked on an assignment comparing decimals and fractions. To do this, remember to first change the fraction to a decimal by dividing the bottom into the top. Then compare this decimal to the other decimal. On the fractions that turn into repeating decimals, remember that you only need to write as many of the repeating number that will make it easy to compare to the other number. For example:

1/3 and 0.325

Change 1/3 to 0.333.....the three will repeat so I typed it 3 times since the other decimal has 3 numbers after the decimal. Now I can see that 0.333.... is bigger than 0.325 because the numbers in the hundredths places are 3 and 2. 3 is bigger so 1/3 is bigger than 0.325.

Seventh Grade

Math - This week during math and science, Mrs. Lassiter and I are team teaching a unit called "Save the Penguins". It is a unit essentially about heat transfer but we use all kinds of math, science, and engineering to teach the lessons. We are using both the math and science times to teach the unit. It is a great project! If any parents have questions or would like to know more, feel free to email me.

Geography - We took notes over Chapter 11, Section 4, today. There is no homework. There will be a test on Wednesday over Chapter 11 and a Country Quiz on Thursday over another Latin American country. Please be sure you are studying your notes this evening so you are ready for the review tomorrow.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra - We did an activity on Simple and Compound Interest today. The homework is to complete the table on compound interest. You do not have to answer the Evaluation questions.

Algebra I - More factoring practice and factoring the greatest common factor. When you factor the GCF, what you are doing is looking for the largest number and the variables with the highest degree THAT EACH TERM HAS IN COMMON. Here is an example:

In the above example, you are looking at both terms. They both have a 3 in common so you will be pulling a 3 out. When you look at the variables, you are looking for what the terms have in common. The first term has x squared, but the second only has x with no exponent. So you can only take an x out. Looking at the y's, you see that the first term has just a y, while the 2nd term has y to the third. So you can only take a y out. So, you will be taking out 3xy from both terms. You have to think in terms of 'factors' and remember that factors multiply, so when you take a factor out, you are leaving what would be multiplied to get the number. So, when you take a 3xy out of the first term, you are just leave with 1x. When you take 3xy out of the second term, you are left with 2y squared. You get a 2 because 3 x 2 = 6. You can always double check by using the distributive property. You will get the original expression when you've done it right.

There is a video at this link from last year's blog that shows how to find GCF using another method. It might be useful.

Please email me if you have questions. I have the worksheet with me, so can help on specific problems.

See you tomorrow!

Mrs. Swickey

Tuesday, January 17th

Sixth Grade

Changing decimals to fractions. Remember, "IF YOU CAN SAY IT, YOU CAN WRITE IT!" First, say the number correctly using the right place value. The assignment includes only tenths and hundredths. Once you say it aloud, you can write it as a fraction using 10 or 100 in the denominator. Then, you must reduce the fraction if it can be reduced. Don't forget this step!

Seventh Grade

Math - Today, we worked in class on symmetry and messed around with some interesting shapes to create more shapes. There is no homework, but if you can recreate any of the shapes on the paper using ALL the pieces, I will give you 10 points extra credit.

Geography - We took notes over Sections 1 & 2 of Chapter 11 today. We will continue notes tomorrow. There is no homework!

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra - Percent of Change. Remember, first find the difference between the two numbers. Then divide that number by the FIRST number. The number that is FIRST on your sheet will go outside the box and the number you get when you subtract will go inside the box. Put a decimal point after the number inside the box and then add 4 zeros. Divide until you run out of zeros. Round to the third place after the decimal. Then, move the decimal two places to the right. This is your percent.

You must show all your work on notebook paper. You can use a calculator for assistance, but the long division must be on the paper or I will not accept it tomorrow.

Algebra I - Multiplying special case polynomials. Everyone did very well today. If you have questions, please email me!

See you tomorrow,

Mrs. Swickey

Wednesday, January 11th

Sixth Grade

Several students relaly struggled on the quiz yesterday, so today we spent time going over the quiz and analyzing the mistakes. The class will have a makeup quiz tomorrow and I will record the grade of whichever quiz has the highest grade.

Seventh Grade

Math - Today we talked about percents less than 1%. It was a little hard to understand just what it meant, but I think everyone started to grasp the concept. There is no homework! We will continue talking about very small percents as well as percents greater than 100 tomorrow.

Geography - Decision Making Skills - this is at the end of Chapter 10. Be sure to come up with a problem or situation in which you'd need to make a decision. Follow the steps for making a good decision. Also, the test over Chapter 10 is tomorrow! Be sure to study...and don't forget to know the 5 steps of the decision making process.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra - Ratio and Proportion Word Problems. Everyone was doing really well today! If you have questions, send me an email.

Algebra I - Adding and Subtracting Polynomials.

Remember, to add polynomials, just drop the parentheses and combine like terms. If you need to subtract, or if there is a negative sign in front of one of the parentheses, then you need to first distribute the negative sign by changing all the signs in the parentheses after the subtraction/negative sign.

Here is an example:(4x + 5y - 15z) - (20x + 14y - 12z)

Here, you would just drop the first set of parentheses and distribute the second negative sign:

4x + 5y - 15z - 20x -14y + 12z

Notice that all the terms from the second parentheses have opposite signs. Then combine the like terms:

-16x -9y - 3z

Remember, though, that you must write the answers in descending order of the variable. The above examples do not have exponents, but you must write your answers so that the terms are ordered with the highest degree term first and descending from there.

As always, email me if you are stuck!

See you tomorrow,
Mrs. Swickey

Tuesday, January 10th

Sixth Grade

The class took a quiz today. No homework!

Seventh Grade

Math - % of a Number Worksheet

Remember the proportion that you can set up with each one of these:

% /100 = is/of

If you don't know the percent, put a "p" where the % sign is. The bottom will always be 100 because every percent is out of 100. For the "is" and "of", you are finding that number that is with that word. For example:

What percent of 25 is 5?

p/100 = 5/25

The 5 is the "is" number because it says "is 5". The 25 is the "of" number because it says "of 25". Then solve using proportions. Since we were missing the percent, the answer would be a percent. If you aren't missing the percent, don't put a % sign next to your answer!

this example would be 100 x 5 = 500 divided by 25 = 20 ------ 20%

You can do 10 problems from the half size worksheet for extra credit. Be sure to do all 14 of the problems from the other worksheet.

Geography - We took notes over Chapter 10 Section 3 today. There will be a test on Thursday. Also, there is another country quiz on Friday. Be sure you are prepared for both!

EIGHTH GRADE

Pre-Algebra: Percent, Fraction, Decimal Conversions. You should all be pretty comfortable with these. Email me if you have trouble!

Algebra I: Classifying Polynomials by degree and by number of terms.

Remember, first find the degree of the polynomial by counting the exponents in each term. Whichever term has the highest sum of exponents tells you what degree it is. Here is a recap of the different degrees:

Constant ---- no variables with no exponents. Just a regular number.
Linear ------ no term has exponents that add to more than 1. (1st degree)
Quadratic ---- exponents add up to no more than 2. (2nd degree)
Cubic -------- exponents add up to no more than 3. (3rd degree)
Quartic ------ exponents add up to no more than 4. (4th degree)
Quintic ------ exponents add up to no more than 5. (5th degree)
6 or greater as the sum of exponents means you would say "6th degree" or "7th degree" - whatever the sum of the exponents.

After you find the degree, then count the terms in the polynomial. Remember, terms are separated by + or - signs.

Monomial - One term
Binomial - Two terms
Trinomial - Three terms
Polynomial - 4 or more terms

So, the expression: 2x + 5 + 3y would be a linear trinomial. (There are two terms with one variable with exponents of 1, so it's linear....and there are three terms so it is a trinomial.)

The expression: -5xyz + 2y would be a cubic binomial. (The first term has three variables with exponents of 1 each...so a sum of 3 for the exponents. That makes it cubic. There are just 2 terms, so it is a binomial.)

Email me with questions, if you have any!

See you tomorrow,
Mrs. Swickey

Monday, January 9th

TO ALL PARENTS AND STUDENTS: I have updated Edline with all grades (with the exception of the State projects in 7th Geography). I have changed all missing work from asterisks (*) to zeros so these are now reflected in the grade. I will still accept late work as late as Friday, January 13th, but will deduct points. If you are missing something that you need another copy of, please tell me the specific assignment you need and I will get it to you.

SIXTH GRADE

There is a quiz tomorrow over decimal computation: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of decimals by whole numbers and decimals by decimals. There will also be some word problems on them as well as a balance scale and input/output tables. Please go over your review tonight as your test will look much the same! As always, email me if you have any questions.

SEVENTH GRADE

Math - The class took a quiz today over ratio and proportions. No homework.

Geography - The class took a country quiz today and began taking notes on Chapter 10, Section 3. There is no homework. There WILL be another country quiz on Friday, so start studying for a new country!

EIGHTH GRADE

Both groups took quizzes today so there is no homework!

See you tomorrow,

Mrs. Swickey