Thursday, September 22nd

Sixth Grade

Today we began our unit on fractions. We spent some time working on fractions with a program on my computer and then worked with some tile pieces. Then we talked about factors. There is no homework tonight, but there will be tomorrow!

Seventh Grade

Math - We made another box-and-whisker plot as a class and then everyone made their own. The assignment was to finish the handout and everyone finished in class.

Geography - The class finished up the Atlas Activity and then we went over it together. Then we read Chapter 4, Section 1. The assignment is to answer questions #1-5 from the section assessment.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra: We reviewed multiplying and dividing fractions today and worked together on problems on the board. There is no homework tonight!

Algebra I: Mixed Review of equations. Please see yesterday's post for example equations. The following is an example where you have to get the variable on the same side of the equation:

See you tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey

Wednesday, September 21st

Sixth Grade

Today the class took a computation quiz. There is no homework!

Seventh Grade

Math - Today, we continued working with stem and leaf plots and the class took notes on how to make a box and whisker plot. There is no homework today!

Geography - Today, the class worked in pairs on the Activity Atlas for Unit 2 over The United States and Canada. Tomorrow, we will finish up the activity and begin Chapter 4.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra: Today the class practiced some more with adding fractions with unlike denominators. In class, they worked on reducing fractions to lowest terms. The assignment is the adding fractions worksheet.

Algebra I: We began our section on equations today. The assignment is the worksheet with two-step equations. Here are examples of the four types of equations you will see on the assignment:
As always, let me know if you need help!

See you tomorrow,
Mrs. Swickey

Tuesday, September 20th

Sixth Grade

There is a quiz tomorrow over computation - adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. Also, there will be addition and subtraction word problems. Just take your time and be careful with borrowing and carrying. Everyone knows how to solve these problems, but errors creep in, so don't rush!

Seventh Grade

Math - Stem and Leaf Plots. This is another way to organize a set of data. You have a line drawn between the "stem" and the "leaves". The stem can represent different things, but today, we used the stem to represent multiples of 10. So, a 1 in the stem stands for 10, a 2 for 20, etc. The leaves come from the remainder of the number - in this case - the ones place. So, 25 would be represented on a stem and leaf plot with a 2 on the left side of the line and the 5 on the right side. There is always a key to show you what the plot represents. Here is an example for the following set of data:

Scores on a test: 65, 68, 72, 74, 74, 76, 80, 85, 88, 88, 90, 92, 95, 99

Since the range is between 65 and 99, I'll make my leaves multiples of 10 from 60 - 90, by using the numbers 6, 7, 8, and 9 on the left of the line. Then, for each number in the data set, I'll put the ones place on the right of the line. Always put a number for each number listed in the data set. Even though there are two 74's, you would put a 4 twice after the 7.

After you finish drawing your stem and leaf plot, answer the questions #1-6 on the bottom. (Skip #7)

Geography - There is no homework! The class took a test today.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra: Adding and Subtracting Fractions. First, find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. The add or subtract. If the top numerator is smaller than the bottom numerator, borrow from the whole number and change the top numerator by adding the denominator to it. Here are a few examples:
Please email me if you are stuck! I am happy to help you if you are confused by one.

Algebra I - There was a quiz today. No homework!

See you tomorrow,
Mrs. Swickey

Monday, September 19th

Sixth Grade

Today we discussed how to solve addition and subtraction word problems. Homework is addition and subtraction problem solving worksheets.

Seventh Grade

Math - Mean, Median, Mode, and Range. If you forgot your notes, here is how to solve each:

Mean - This is the same as the average (mean ole average!). Add the numbers and divide by the number of numbers. Round to the nearest whole number or nearest cent.

Median - Write the numbers in order from least to greatest. The median is the middle number. If there is an even number of numbers, the median is the average of the middle two numbers. For example:

5, 6, 6, 7, 9, 13, 14, 14, 15, 16

In the above list, the 9 and 13 are the middle two numbers. Add them together - 22 - and divide by 2. The median is 11.

Mode - The mode is the number that occurs most often. There can be more than one mode if more than one number occurs the same number of times. Sometimes there isn't a mode if there are no numbers that occur more than any others.

Range - This is the difference between the greatest and the smallest number.

Geography - There is a test tomorrow over Chapter 3. Be sure to study! The essay will be to write about the similarities and the differences between a direct democracy and a representative government.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra: Decimal Computation Review.

Algebra: Study for the Distributive Property and Combining Like Terms Quiz tomorrow. Go over the worksheet that we graded today and email me if you have any questions!

See you tomorrow,
Mrs. Swickey

Thursday, September 15th

If you haven't heard yet, Mrs. Lofties was named Catholic School Teacher of the Year for the Archdiocese! We are all so proud of her as she is so deserving. Congratulations Mrs. Lofties!

Sixth Grade

Today, we continued working on division. Some students practiced with multiples of 10 and others worked on 2 digit divisors.

Seventh Grade

Math - I passed out a set of questions related to the two double bar graphs the class made on Wednesday. The students answered the questions by interpreting their graphs and recognizing which graph would contain the information they needed. Everyone finished in class and turned it in.

Geography - We read Chapter 3, Section 4. The class copied down and filled in graphic organizers on economic and political systems. You need to finish reading the section and fill in the graphic organizer for types of government. Then, define the words at the end of the section.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra: We reviewed decimal place value, comparing, ordering, and rounding decimals. The homework is to complete the worksheet on these topics.

Algebra I: More practice on combining like terms and distributive property. Remember to distribute the negative sign if that's all that is in front of a set of parenthesis! As always, email me if you have any questions.

See you on Monday!

Mrs. Swickey

Wednesday, September 14th

Sixth Grade

Today we practiced on division by 2 digits. Just do the front of the worksheet I sent home and please don't stress if you are struggling! I will help anyone who needs it tomorrow - or you can email me if you get stuck.

Seventh Grade

Math - Finish both double bar graphs tonight! One is on total number of students in each grade for both last year and this year. The other is on number of boys and girls per grade for this year. Remember the following parts:

Label the x-axis
Label the y-axis
Title the graph
Include a key

Make sure the distance between each set of bars is the same. Also, make sure the interval on the y-axis makes sense.

Geography - Chapter 3, Section 3. We spent time discussing what culture is today. Then define the words at the end of the section.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra: We spent our time in class continuing the lesson from yesterday and discussed the number of calories burned in 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc. We then graphed the results and discussed parts of a graph. The only homework was to do the multiplication necessary for #4 on the Cartoon Corner page.

Algebra I - Combining Like Terms and Simplifying Expressions. Here are some examples:

I hope that helps! If not, please email me.

See you tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey

Tuesday, September 13th

Sixth Grade

In math class today we graded yesterday's assignment and went over some of the answers. Then, we spent some time playing a math/reasoning game. There is no homework!

Seventh Grade

Math - Today the class learned about double-line graphs. The homework is to make a double-line graph with the data set I passed out today. You are either graphing the high and low temperatures from July 2010 or from July 2011 in Oklahoma. It will be interesting to compare the two groups of graphs tomorrow! We will make a double-bar graph tomorrow using some school data.

Geography - Today the class made another population density map - this time being more specific. Instead of just two colors, there are five to separate out the densities a little more. We will then compare the two maps in class tomorrow. We also read Section 2 of Chapter 3 about Human Migration. Be sure to do the identify and define words tonight as well.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra - Today we worked on a "Cartoon Corner" from one of my Mathematics magazines. We were figuring the average size of a step for the class and then determining how many steps it would take to burn 24 calories. Be sure to answer part of question #4 (how many calories burned in a day.) We will do some more figuring tomorrow. The class is definitely using their computation skills!

Algebra I - Today we graded the homework from yesterday and the class took a short quiz over the material. Then we played a math/reasoning game. There is no homework!

See you tomorrow,
Mrs. Swickey