Tuesday, September 7th

TO ALL PARENTS - DON'T FORGET THAT TONIGHT IS BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT! COME MEET THE MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS. WE WILL BE TOGETHER, DOWNSTAIRS AFTER THE MEETING IN THE GYM WHICH
BEGINS AT 7:00.

Sixth Grade

Spelling - Unit 2 is due tomorrow! Since we didn't have Literature/Spelling class today due to mass, the test for unit 2 is tomorrow as well. We will also begin Unit 3.

Literature - You have a worksheet over Zlateh the Goat due tomorrow.

Math - Lesson 11. Some and Some More problems and Some Went Away problems. These are word problems where you have to figure out if you need to add or subtract. Everyone seemed to have a good handle on how to do these today. If you have a question, email me! I'll respond later this evening since we have Back To School night tonight.

Seventh Grade

Spelling - Unit 3 was assigned today. You do not have to do the Vocabulary Connections pages this week since it is a short week.

Vocabulary - Unit 2 was assigned today. Ten sentences using ten words are due tomorrow. The unit and the cards are due on Friday. The test will be next Tuesday.

Literature - We began reading Rikki-Tikki-Tavi today. There is no homework.

Math - Lesson 10. Fractions. Remember, to change a fraction to a percent, divide the denominator into 100% and write any remainders as a fraction. So, 1/3 as a fraction would be 33 1/3%. If you divided 100 by 3, you would get 33 with 1 left over. To change an improper fraction to a mixed number, remember to divide the denominator into the numerator. The remainder becomes your fraction. To change a mixed number into an improper fraction, do the u-turn!

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra - Solving equal groups word problems. You should have written in your MiniMath booklet the following equation:

# in each group x # of groups = total

By figuring out where your pieces of information fit into the equation, you can tell if you need to multiply or divide. Remember, when working with word problems and real things or people, remainders aren't meaningful. You will have to DO something with those remainders. Here is an example problem:

A school ordered 367 t-shirts for the students and faculty from Quick-T's Printing Company. They pack the t-shirts as evenly as possible into 8 boxes. How many t-shirts are in each box?

First, you don't know the # in each group. You DO know the number of groups (10 boxes) and the total (367 t-shirts). Since you are missing a factor in a multiplication problem, you need to divide to find the other factor.

367 divided by 10 is 36. The problem is, there are 7 t-shirts leftover. You can draw a sketch to help this make sense. First, I draw 10 boxes and put 36 t-shirts in each box (in blue). Then, since I want to make it as even as possible, I put those 7 extra t-shirts in 7 different boxes (in green). So, now you see that 7 boxes have 37 t-shirts and 3 boxes have 36 t-shirts.


I hope that helps!

Algebra I - Lesson 11. Please take your time working through the integer multiplication and addition problems. Let me know if you have any questions!

See you tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey

Thursday, September 2nd

Sixth Grade

Math - Today, the class worked through a practice test. The test is tomorrow. Go over the practice test questions tonight to study!

Spelling - Remember, the Spelling unit is due next Tuesday and the test will be Tuesday as well! Don't forget to take your book home over the weekend to finish the unit and to study!

Literature - The worksheet over Zlateh the Goat is due on Tuesday. Don't forget about it!

Seventh Grade

Literature - Worksheet over "The Third Wish". You will have a Selection Test tomorrow. Go over what you would like to write for the essay question. (I passed out the essay question in class today so everyone should have it.)

Math - The class worked on a practice test today. There was not a worksheet, so go over the lesson concepts from Lessons 1-5.

Spelling - Unit 2 is due tomorrow! Please be sure to complete the ENTIRE unit and study for the test!

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra. Lesson 9. Use your notes in your MiniMath booklet to help you on the new material. If you have any questions, as always, please email me!

Algebra I - Lesson 9. Multiplying and dividing integers. Remember the rule: if the signs are the same, it's positive. If the signs are different, it's negative.

See you tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey

Wednesday, September 1st

Sixth Grade

Literature - Worksheet over Zlateh the Goat. It just needs to be finished by Tuesday. (You can give it to me early if you are worried that you will misplace it.)

Spelling - Unit 2 is due Tuesday. Remember to complete the whole unit!

Math - Lesson 10. Sequences and Scales. Remember that patterns aren't always adding patterns. Sometimes you might be multiplying by a given number. For example, in the sequence 1, 4, 16, 64...you are multiplying by 4, so the next number would be 256. For the scales, remember that you first have to determine what the sequence is between the marks on the scale. It might go up by 1, by 2, by 5, by 10, by 20, by 25 and so on. Try out a sequence by guessing and checking to see if it works. If it does, then you can figure out the indicated number.

Seventh Grade

Grammar - Chapter 2. Pronouns. The assignment is to do Exercises A & B and the DWS on pages 29-31. Remember to FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS given in the book.

Vocabulary - There is a test tomorrow over Unit 1 - both the words from the book and the Unit 1 Idioms.

Math - Lesson 9. Adding, Subtracting, and Multiplying Fractions. This part was easy for everyone. The lesson also covered reciprocals. Remember that a reciprocal is when you invert a fraction, switching the numerator and denominator. So, the reciprocal of 3/4 is 4/3. Also, when you multiply a number and it's reciprocal, the product is 1. If you are asked "how many 3/4's are in 1?" the problem wants to know the reciprocal of 3/4 because you have have to multiply 3/4 by 4/3 to get 1.

As always, please email me if you have any questions!

Eighth Grade

Both classes took a test today that covered concepts taught in Lessons 1-4.

Algebra I has a multiplication page with signed numbers. Did everyone remember the rule? When the signs are the same, the answer is positive. When the signs are different, it's negative.

Pre-Algebra was given a handout and needs to copy the information from the first page into their MiniMath books and then answer the questions on the second page. Some of you weren't sure what to write. We will go over it tomorrow. The handout was a warm-up to your new lesson.

See you tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey

Tuesday, August 31st

Sixth Grade

Literature - Answer questions over "Zlateh the Goat": Thinking About the Selection #1-6, Analyzing Literature #1-2, and Critical Thinking and Reading #1-3.

Math - Lesson 9. Ordering Numbers. This was easy for everyone today, so I won't include any examples. If you get stuck, you can always email me though.

Seventh Grade

Literature - We finished reading the story, "The Third Wish". Answer the questions: Thinking About the Selection #1-9. Analyzing Literature #1, Critical Thinking and Reading - all.

Spelling - Unit 2 is due on Friday! Don't forget. Please use the time during the week to work on the unit.
.
Math - Lesson 8. Fractions, Percents, and the Ruler. To find what percent a fraction is, divide 100 by the denominator and then multiply that by the numerator. For example, to find what percent 3/20 is, divide 100 by 20 to get 5 and then multiply that by 3 = 15%

On the ruler, take your time and hold the ruler steady as you measure. If what you are measuring lines up with one of the littlest marks, count in sixteenths - count EACH mark over (including the bigger marks). If it lines up with one of the bigger marks, then you can count by eighths or fourths. You first have to count how many of THOSE marks there are between the inch sections. It's hard to explain on the blog. If you have trouble, I'll help you tomorrow.

Eighth Grade

Both groups worked on a practice test today. The first test is tomorrow. Please remember that you must turn in your practice test WITH ALL WORK SHOWN in order to get the completion grade for it. I will not give you the completion grade if you don't show the work. If you have trouble on a problem on the practice test, I will help you before you start.

See you tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey

Friday, August 26th

Sixth Grade

Math - Lesson 7. Remember that you need to make your Inch Ruler with the strip of white paper I sent with you on Friday. That will be part of your grade for this lesson! Follow the instructions for the activity on page 31.

Don't forget! Spelling Unit 1 is due on Tuesday. Your first Spelling test is also Tuesday! Be sure you are studying the words.

Seventh Grade

Vocabulary - Unit 1 cards are due on Monday! You need to include the following pieces of information on each card.

In the upper right hand corner, write the unit number.

Write the word and place the accent mark on the correct syllable in the word. You do not need to write the entire pronunciation, just the accent mark.

Write the part of speech and the definition. If there is more than one part of speech, then there will be more than one definition. Write all of them on the card.

That's it!

Unit 1 for Vocabulary is due on Tuesday.

There is no Grammar or Literature homework.

Math - Lesson 6. Divisibility. Remember to follow the rules for divisibility that are on page 35. These should all be written in your MiniMath booklet too. On the practice, for letters a-c, you are just writing all the factors of the numbers. This is just the same as what you did last year. For d-f, you are going to list the numbers from 1-10 that are factors of each. This is where you will follow the divisibility rules. So, if the number was 1,242, you would list all the numbers from 1-10 that go into it.

1 goes into it because 1 goes into everything.
2 goes into it because the number is even.
3 goes into it because when you add the digits in the number 1+2+4+2, you get 9, and 3 goes into that.
4 does NOT go into it because 4 doesn't go into 42 (the last two digits)
5 does NOT go into it because it doesn't end in 5 or 0.
6 goes into it because 2 AND 3 do too.
7 does NOT go into it because I tried to divide it and it wasn't even. (There isn't a rule)
8 does NOT go into it because 8 doesn't go into 242 (the last 3 digits)
9 goes into it because when you add the digits in the number, you get 9, and 9 goes into 9.
10 does NOT go into it because it doesn't end in 0.

You will do the same thing for g and h except you don't have to check to see if 10 goes into them because 10 isn't a single digit number.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra - Lesson 7. Remember that when you multiply by a decimal, you don't have to line the decimals up. You just multiply as if the two numbers were whole numbers. Then, put the decimal in after you have the answer. Count how many numbers come after a decimal in the two numbers you multiplied. That's how many places you move the decimal over in your answer.

In division, you have to deal with the decimals first. If the outside number (the divisor) has a decimal point, move it over to get a whole number. Then move the decimal on the inside number (the dividend) the same number of places. Fill in any empty places with zeroes. If you have a whole number on the inside, first add a decimal point to the right of the number, then move it over if you have to and add zeroes.

I will do an example of dividing with rounding:



Algebra I - Lesson 7. I won't do any examples since you all got the practice correct! You are doing a fantastic job so far. Thanks for your hard work!

See you Monday!
Mrs. Swickey

Thursday, August 26th

Sixth Grade

Math - Lesson 6. To find a fraction of a number, divide the number by the denominator in the fraction. So, to find 1/5 of 250, divide 250 by 5. The answer would be 50. Do the same thing with money. To find 1/4 of $3.20, divide $3.20 by 4. The answer would be $0.80.

Remember, the Spelling unit is due on Tuesday. You will have your first test Tuesday as well!

Seventh Grade

Grammar - There is a test over Chapter 1 - Nouns - tomorrow! Read through the red rules and you will do just fine!

Spelling - Unit 1 is due tomorrow! You will also have the first Spelling test. Please study the words!

Vocabulary - We began our first vocabulary unit today. I will always assign 10 sentences (choose 10 words and write a sentence with each), vocabulary cards, and the unit. The due dates for these are as follows:

10 Sentences - Due TOMORROW
Cards - Due MONDAY
Unit - Due TUESDAY
Test - THURSDAY

The test will include the first 7 idioms. After the first unit, there will be 10 idioms per test. The first set of idiom sentences is due tomorrow. The students are writing these in class. After writing tomorrow's idiom sentence, they will turn in the whole set. I will grade these and give them back in time to study them for the test next Thursday.

Math - Lesson 5. Whole number place value. I passed out a small sheet with the place value chart on it. The students will be able to get more of these from me as they need them. The sheets have blanks under each place to put numbers. This helps those students who still struggle with place value figure out where the numbers go.

To write a number in words, first SAY the number. If you can say it, you can write it! Remember not to use the word AND. (That is for the DECIMAL.)

So, to write the number 42,000,215,104,003, you would start at the left. Forty-two trillion, two hundred fifteen million, one hundred four thousand, three. Commas go in the written number in the same places.

Use the chart I gave you to write the number FROM words. Be sure to fill in places that aren't in the written number with zeroes. For example:

two billion, twenty-three million, four hundred five

2,023,000,405

There are no thousands, but you still must put zeroes in the thousands group. Also, since there are no hundred millions, place a zero in the hundred millions place.

To write in expanded notation, remember to write each digit multiplied by the place it is in in parentheses with plus signs between the parentheses. For example:

5,001,245 would become:

(5 x 1,000,000) + (1 x 1,000) + (2 x 100) + (4 x 10) + (5 x 1)

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra - Lesson 6. Decimal place value. Please use the place value chart I sent with each of you and be sure to write if you have any questions! If you read through what I wrote for 7th grade, that will help some. I know you are also doing decimal places, but it follows a similar principle. Remember when rounding, to look at the number to the right of the number you want to round. If the number to the right is 5 or greater, then the number you are rounding goes up 1. If it is 4 or less, then it stays the same. Every number to the right of your rounded number GOES AWAY. (as long as it is after the decimal)

Algebra I - I think you know what you are doing! Just....watch those signs! Remember:

-4-3 isn't -1. Since this can be written as (-4) + (-3), the answer is -7.

As always PLEASE EMAIL ME if you have any questions!

See you tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey

Wednesday, August 25th

Sixth Grade

The class took a Literature test over My Side of the Mountain today. Remember, Spelling Unit 1 is due next Tuesday! Math - Lesson 5. Order of operations. Remember, you have to do what is in parentheses first. If you don't have parentheses, work multiplication and division left to right and addition and subtraction left to right. Here are a few examples:

Seventh Grade

Literature - The class took a test over Hatchet today. Grammar - Worksheet over nouns. There will be a test on Friday! Spelling - Remember, the unit is due on Friday. Math - Lesson 4. Here are a few examples of the number line problems:

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra. Lesson 5. Read the problems carefully to tell whether to add or subtract and don't forget the labels!

Algebra I. Remember with absolute value to first find the value of what is inside the absolute value lines. Then, change what is inside the lines to a positive number. If there is a negative sign on the outside, then your answer is negative. Here are a few examples:


And, as always, EMAIL ME if you have any questions!

See you tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey