Monday, September 12th

Sixth Grade

Today the class practiced more division - with money and then with averaging. We had a little fun finding the average class height and discussing why it's reasonable. Then we worked a little on division word problems and figuring out what the remainder might mean. There are two pages for tonight - one is front and back, division with money and averaging - the other is one-sided and contains 8 word problems. We did two of these together.

Seventh Grade

Math - Today we began working with graphs and made a bar graph by picking 10 random states and graphing the population density of each. Be sure to finish your graph by tomorrow.

Geography - We continued our discussion of population density and other population factors by reading Chapter 3, Section 1. We also used our population density information to color a map of the US. Tomorrow, we will color another map with more detailed information. Tonight, finish coloring the map and be sure to define the words at the end of Section 1.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra - Computation Review. Many students finished in class, but some need to complete the problems at home.

Algebra I - pg.60-61 handout: #7-24 ALL, 36-88 EVENS. For #36-46 remember that you are multiplying the number on the outside by both of the things on the inside.

-3(-5 - 2x) = 15 + 6x (-3 times -5 = 15 and -3 times -2x = +6x)

For #48-58, you are doing the reverse and "pulling out" or factoring out what the two terms have in common. For example:

3x + 9

Both terms can be divided by 3 so they have a 3 in common. Divide each term by 3 (that's the same as saying "factor out" or "pull out" a 3) and put the 3 on the outside of the parenthesis. What's left inside is whatever is left after dividing by 3. The answer would be:

3(x + 3)

3x divided by 3 = x
9 divided by 3 = 3

Remember, you know you factored right if you use distributive property and get the original expression.

Email me if you have any questions!

Mrs. Swickey

Friday, September 9th

Sixth Grade

Today was a short class due to the House meeting in the afternoon, so we spent our time grading the papers from Thursday and practicing a different way to multiply large numbers. There is no homework!

Seventh Grade

Math - Math class was short today due to the House meeting, so we spent the time going over Thursday's test. While most everyone did fairly well, some students got confused and make several mistakes. Because of this, I'm allowing anyone who wants to, to retake the test on Monday and I'll average the two grades together. The retake will be basically the same except the numbers will be different. Here are the explanations for the test:

1. The 3 is in the hundred trillions place.

2. The 2 is in the billions place.

3. The 9 is in the hundred millions place.

3 (second one - I numbered wrong!). The 7 is in the hundred thousands place.

4. To write the number in words, it would look like this: three hundred forty-five trillion, twelve billion, nine hundred eighty-six million, seven hundred five thousand, one hundred five.

5. The 3 is in the millions place.

6. The 6 is in the ten thousands place.

7. The 9 is in the trillions place.

8. To write the number in words, it would look like this: five hundred seventy-nine trillion, one hundred eighty-two billion, one hundred forty-three million, seven hundred sixty thousand, five hundred seventy-one.

9. This property is the Associative Property of Addition. Notice that the order of the numbers doesn't change, but what is in parentheses does. This shows you that it doesn't matter which two numbers you add together first, you still get the same answer.

10. This is the Commutative Property of Multiplication. Remember that commutative property shows you that it doesn't matter what the order is, the answer is still the same.

11. This is the Identity Property of Multiplication. Remember that "identity" means the number doesn't change....so whenever you multiply a number by 1, the number stays itself.

12. This is the Zero Property. Here, you see that anytime you multiply a number by zero, the answer is always zero.

13. This is Commutative Property of Addition. Again, commutative means that the order doesn't change the answer. You are flipping the order that you add, but it's still the same.

14. This is the Distributive Property. Remember that "distribute" means to "pass something out" and here, the 2 is getting passed out to the 5 and the 7.

15. This is the Identity Property of Addition. Remember again, "identity" means the number stays itself, so Identity of Addition is showing you that every time you add zero to a number, the number doesn't change.

16. This is Associative Property of Multiplication. Here, the order of the numbers doesn't change, but what is in parentheses does. This shows you that multiplying numbers in a different order, doesn't change the answer.

17. The additive identity is zero because you can add zero to any number and it doesn't change.

18. The multiplicative identity is one because you can multiply one by any number and it doesn't change.

19. Identity means that the number stays itself.

20. Here, just choose a property that makes a lot of sense to you and explain it!



Geography - The class took a test today over Chapter 2. No homework!

Eighth Grade

Both classes took tests today. There is no homework!

See you tomorrow,
Mrs. Swickey

Thursday, September 8th

I was so happy to see so many parents last night at Back To School night! I enjoyed visiting with familiar faces as well as meet some new-to-me parents as well. I'm looking forward to a terrific year. As always, feel free to write me at any time if you have any questions or concerns about your child's school work!

Sixth Grade

Today the class worked some more on multiplication. We worked with numbers with zeros and the class is already really good at these! Then, I gave them a timed multiplication test and passed out their assignments. The multiplication page is for a grade but the division page is not. I am just wanting to see what they can do, so parents...don't check this paper (or at least, don't have them correct mistakes) or allow them to check their work with a calculator! I just want to see where their division skills are.

Seventh Grade

Math - There was a test today, so there is no homework!

Geography - There is a test tomorrow over Chapter 2. Be sure to study tonight and go over all the "identify and define" words from each section. Also, be sure you know all the climate regions and examples and the different kinds of natural resources and examples.

Eighth Grade

Both classes have a test tomorrow! Be sure you are going over all of the examples we did in class today.

Pre-Algebra - Since we didn't finish the last few topics, here they are along with the answers:

Integers - Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. Be sure you understand all the rules! If you understand one of the answers below, just email me! I'd be happy to explain.



Next, you will have some order of operations problems. Here are a few examples and again, if you don't understand an answer, email me! Remember that you ALWAYS have to do multiplication and division BEFORE any addition and subtraction.

Last, you will have a few evaluating problems. Remember to plug in the number that each letter stands for and then simplify the problem.


Study hard and I'll see you tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey

Wednesday, September 7th

Don't Forget!!! Tonight is the PTC meeting and Back to School Night The PTC meeting starts at 6:00. I hope to see everyone there! Parents only, please.

Sixth Grade

Today in math, the class played a dice game to practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts as well as addition skills. They loved it and were very engaged! Then, I gave them another handout to practice multi-digit multiplication.

Seventh Grade

Math - There is a test tomorrow! The topics will include:

Place Value

Scientific Notation with positive and negative exponents

Properties of Numbers

Order of Operations

Be sure to go over the properties of numbers and scientific notation especially! These are completely new topics to 7th grade.

Geography - Most of the students finished the Review and Assessment for Chapter 2 today. Be sure to do the Main Ideas, Map Activity, and Critical Thinking. There will be a test on Friday over Chapter 2.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra - There will be a test on Friday. We started discussing some of the topics on the test and will continue tomorrow. The class also played a dice game to practice adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing integers. It really strengthened their skills!

Algebra I - The class continued working on the handout from yesterday. Today's topics included determining whether a given number is a solution to an equation, writing equations given a word sentence, and evaluation with absolute value. I don't have the problem #'s with me right now so ask a friend if you can't remember which ones to do or email me later! I'll be at school this evening and will be sure I bring home the assignment numbers.

See you tomorrow!

Mrs. Swickey

Tuesday, September 6th

Sixth Grade

Today the class practiced their multiplication skills with 4 digit by 1 digit and 2 digit by 2 digit. The homework is a worksheet You need to do all of the 4 digit by 1 digit problems and then the first two rows of the 2 digit by 2 digit on the bottom.

Seventh Grade

Math - We continued working with Order of Operations today. There will be a test on Friday over all the skills learned so far. The homework is a worksheet over order of operations.

Geography - There is no homework today as the class took a quiz over landforms and water forms.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra - More practice with Order of Operations. The class also practiced integers today. the homework is an Order of Operations worksheet.

Algebra I - Translating statements into expressions and evaluating expressions. The assignment is #29-60 on the handout.

Write if you need help!

See you tomorrow,
Mrs. Swickey

Friday, September 2nd

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Labor Day weekend! The homework for Friday is as follows:

Sixth Grade

On Friday, we practiced more addition with menu math. I passed out two different take out menus and listed 3 "orders" on the board. Each student needs to calculate the cost of each order. Then, you must make up an order of your own and ask 2 family members to make up an order. Remember, you must choose at least 2 items. You can use whichever menu you'd like. Be sure to write down the items you and your family members choose.

Seventh Grade

Math - Order of Operations worksheet. Remember to always do multiplication or division first - whichever is first from left to right. Then you can do addition or subtraction - also whichever is first left to right. If a number is "stuck" to a parenthesis, that means you have to multiply the number by whatever is in the parenthesis.

Geography - There is a quiz on Tuesday over the 50 land and water forms. Be sure to study them as sets from each day. The test will consist of 5 sets of matching the definition to the land or water form. Then, you will have to identify 10 landforms or water forms from pictures.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra - Order of Operations worksheet. Remember to first simplify anything in grouping symbols, then simplify the exponents. Then, multiply or divide - whichever is first left to right. Then add or subtract - whichever is first left or right. Be sure you are also following the sign rules for adding and subtracting signed numbers.

Algebra I - Order of Operations worksheet - continued. The problems are more complex so take your time and show your steps. You will make more mistakes if you do not write down the steps as you work each problem.

As always, write if you need help!

See you on Tuesday,
Mrs. Swickey

Thursday, September 1st

DON'T FORGET TO WEAR YOUR HOUSE SHIRTS TOMORROW! WE ARE HAVING THE SORTING CEREMONY FOR THE 5TH GRADERS AND OUR NEW STUDENTS! SHOW YOUR HOUSE PRIDE!

Sixth Grade

Today the class worked a little more on adding and subtracting by working with larger numbers and a lot more regrouping. Then, I showed them Pascal's Triangle and the class figured out several patterns in the triangle. Ask them about it if they didn't show you yet! Most students finished the homework in class. It was a page of adding and subtracting larger numbers.

Seventh Grade

Math - Today the students took an open note quiz on the properties of numbers. Then they re-evaluated the pre-test they took before our balance activity. Tomorrow we will begin evaluating exponential expressions and square roots. No homework.

Geography -Today we began the list of water forms. The students wrote down the definitions. Remember to study all the landforms and water forms for the quiz on Tuesday! We then read part of Chapter 2, Section 3. Finish reading the rest of the section tonight and define the vocabulary words. Then, draw a picture of each climate (see descriptions on page 36) using colored pencils or crayons, and regular pencil only. No ink or markers and be sure to use blank paper!

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra - Today, we talked a bit more about the Trillion Dollar activity from yesterday. Then we began discussing order of operations. There is no homework tonight, but expect some tomorrow!

Algebra I - We reviewed the order of operations today. The key thing to remember is that multiplication and division must be done in the order they come in. They hold equal places in the order. So, if you have a division to the left of multiplication, the division is first. The same holds true for addition and subtraction. If subtraction is first from the left, then it is done first.

I didn't bring the homework sheet home with me to blog the problems you are doing. If you don't know, ask a classmate. (I remember that you have to do evens from #44-84).

If you have any questions.....EMAIL ME.

See you tomorrow!

Mrs. Swickey