Monday, April 30th

Sixth Grade

There is a test tomorrow over central measures of tendency (mean, median, mode, and range) and graphing. You guys will do very well because our in class review has been terrific. Thanks for working so hard!

Seventh Grade

Math - Today, the class worked on their graphs from our zoo trip. They will finish up tomorrow and present their findings to the class.

Geography - The class took a test over Chapter 16 today. There is a country quiz tomorrow! (It's been awhile.) So be sure to study.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra: We reviewed for the probability test, which will be on Wednesday. We will continue to review, but you should go over the review sheet tonight to be sure you understand all that we did today.

Algebra I: Completing the Square

Here are the steps:

Step 1: Get the x squared term and the x term on the left side and the constant term on the right side.

Step 2: Divide the coefficient of x by 2 and then square it.

Step 3: Add the result of step 2 to both sides. (Remember, if it's a fraction because the coefficient of x is an odd number, you will have to change it into a mixed number to add it to the right side.)

Step 4: Factor the left side. If the coefficient of x was an even number, this is an easy step. You should be able to see the factoring fairly easily. Just remember, what goes in the parentheses is what you got when you divided the coefficient of x by 2 before you squared it! Write the left side so that it's one binomial squared. (      ) squared. Also, if you have a mixed number on the right side, change it back into an improper fraction.


Step 5: Find the square root of both sides. Add a plus or minus sign in front of what you are square rooting on the right side.

Step 6: Get the x by itself by moving the constant term on the left side over to the right. Put this number in front of the plus or minus sign. If the right side works out when you found the square root of it, then you need to continue to solve and get your solution(s). If the right side still has a square root, you will be done. There are examples at Purple Math here.

Email me if you have questions!

See you tomorrow,
Mrs. Swickey

Tuesday, April 24th

Sixth Grade

Double Line Graphs - Many students were able to get mostly finished and ask any questions during class. If you have any other questions, send me an email!

Seventh Grade

Math - Today we learned a card game that reinforces adding and subtracting integers. Students, teach your parents how to play and you will get better and better at integers! The assignment is more practice with adding and subtracting integers. Follow the rules on yesterday's blog post for how to do them. And as always, email me if you have any questions!

Geography - The students had played the math game for about 10 minutes during math class and they wanted to play some more. I thought this would be good to fully understand the game and have practice with integers, so we continued math during Geography time. We will be back to Geography tomorrow!

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra - I taught the new concept today, but there is no homework! The class will get the assignment tomorrow.

Algebra I - Solving quadratic equations using the quadratic formula! I taught them how to remember the formula using the song "Pop Goes the Weasel". Sing it to your parents! You can go to this page to see examples of the quadratic formula. Ignore the graphs - we won't be doing those this year - and ignore the rounding the answer. Be sure to click to the next page at the bottom for more examples. Again, ignore the graphs and since you do not know "complex solutions" (those with imaginary numbers), then any problem with a negative number under the radical (as the discriminant) will not have a solution. Write "no solution" on those.

Again, email me if you are stuck!

See you tomorrow,
Mrs. Swickey

Monday, April 23rd

Sixth Grade

Making a double line graph - remember to label both axes, include a title, and make a key!

Seventh Grade

Math: Adding and Subtracting Integers

Here are the rules:

INTEGER ADDITION

You can tell it's integer addition if there is a + sign in between the numbers.

When the signs are the same, ADD, and keep the same sign.

Examples: 6 + 7 = 13     (-6) + (-7) = -13

(Some books and worksheets will use the parentheses to make it clear that the negative sign goes with the number and isn't a subtraction sign.)

When the signs are different, SUBTRACT, and use the sign of the bigger number. (whichever number is bigger ignoring the sign)

(-5) + 3 = -2   The signs are different, so you subtract 5 - 3 to get 2. Then, since 5 is bigger than 3, you use the negative sign.

7 + (-10) = -3 The signs are different, so you subtract 10 - 7 to get 3. Since 10 is bigger than 7, you use the negative sign.

(-2) + 9 = 7 The signs are different, so you subtract 9 - 2 to get 7. Since 9 is bigger than 2, the answer is positive.

INTEGER SUBTRACTION

You know it's subtraction when there is a minus sign between the numbers.

It's much easier to change all subtraction problems into addition problems by following these steps:

1. Change the minus sign to a plus sign and changing the sign of the next number.
2. Follow the rules for integer addition.

(-5) - 3 

Change the minus to a plus and change the 3 to a -3. Like this:

(-5) + (-3)

Now, since the signs are the same, add and keep the same sign. The answer is -8. Basically, we are giving the 3 the negative sign.

Here's another example:

10 - (-2)

You see "minus a negative" here so change it to "plus a positive" (click, click!)

10 + (+2)

Now, since they are both positive, just add! The answer is 12.

Here's one more:

2 - 14

Change the minus to a plus and change the 14 to -14.

2 + (-14)

The signs are different, so subtract 14 -2 and get 12. Then, 14 is bigger than 2, so the 12 is negative. The answer is -12.

Email me if you have questions!

Geography - Chapter 16 Vocabulary Activity worksheet.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra: Permutations Worksheet

Email me if you have questions on this. Everyone seemed to get it pretty well.

Algebra I: Solving quadratic equations by factoring. Email me if you have questions! Be sure to use your example pages.

See you tomorrow,

Mrs. Swickey

Friday, April 20th

Sixth Grade

Today, the class collected data about their heights, foot sizes, and measure from elbows to fingertips. The homework is to find the mean, median, mode, and range of each list. To find the mean, remember this is the same as average! Add all the numbers up and divide by the number of numbers. You will be dividing by 12 since one student was absent. Since it probably won't work out evenly, divide to one place past the decimal and round to the nearest whole number. To do this, add a decimal point and a zero after the number inside the division box and divide until you've dropped the zero down and have a number on top. Then use that number to round the number before the decimal place in your answer. If you have questions about how to do this, please email me!
Next, to find the median, you have to put all the numbers in order from least to greatest. Since there are 12 numbers, find the middle two numbers and average them. Basically, just add them together and divide by 2.
Next, to find the mode, look for the number that occurs most often. If there isn't one, there isn't a mode!
Finally, to find the range, subtract the smallest number from the greatest!

Remember, you will have 12 answers. Mean, median, mode, and range for each set of data.

Seventh Grade

Math - We worked in class on integers, but did not have time to start the assignment since we had a shortened class.
Geography - We took notes over the rest of Chapter 16, Section 2 and the assignment is to do the Section assessment questions at the end of Section 2. Do #1-4.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra: Compound Events. We have done this for two days, so if you have a specific question, please email me! I've been very happy with how quickly you have all caught on to this concept.

Algebra I: More practice with solving radical equations. Remember to isolate the radical first and then square both sides to find your answer. Also, don't forget to double check the answer to make sure it isn't extraneous. Again, please email me if you have a specific question. I'm happy to help!

See you on Monday,
Mrs. Swickey 

Wednesday, April 4th

Sixth Grade

Surveys - Answer the questions on the worksheet. Tomorrow, the class will work in pairs and survey another class about their favorite...whatever the pair chose to survey! Then, they will make bar graphs with the data. This is our introduction to data management and analysis.

Seventh Grade

Math - The class had some trouble with the independent and dependent compound probability yesterday, so we spent some time going over how to answer the questions. Then, I gave them time to finish yesterday's homework and gave them a few more questions in class. There is no homework tonight!

Geography - There is a test tomorrow over Chapter 15. Be sure to study!

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra: There is a quiz tomorrow over inequalities. Go over your notes tonight if you took them.

Algebra I: Assignment #6. Simplifying radicals that are perfect squares. Simplifying radicals by rationalizing the denominator. Send me an email if you are stuck!

See you tomorrow,

Mrs. Swickey