Thursday, September 29th

Sixth Grade

Prime Factorization by using the factor tree or division by primes. Remember, to find the prime factorization of any number, you first think about what numbers go into it. If you are doing the factor tree, you don't have to focus on only prime numbers. For example, if you have to find the prime factorization of 32, you can start with 8 x 4 - neither of those are prime, so you would keep going, 8 is 2 x 4, then that 4 is 2 x 2. The first 4 is also 2 x 2. So you end up with 2 x 2 x 2 x 2. To do this with division by primes, you'd first divide 32 by 2, then you'd have 16 and you'd divide it by 2, then you'd have 8 and you'd divide it by 2 giving you 4 so you divide one last time by 2 to get 2. That's 5 2's altogether, so you still get 2 x 2 x 2 x 2.

Now...if that explanation is confusing or you are still stuck, you can email me tonight or ask me in class tomorrow.

Seventh Grade

Math - Computation Review. Remember, I don't want you getting help on this. Just do your best so I can see how much you remember.

Geography - There is a test tomorrow over Chapter 4 so be sure to study tonight!

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra: Decimal and Fraction Computation Quiz is tomorrow.

Algebra I: Equations Test is tomorrow. Be sure to look over all your notes and go back through the blog looking for examples.

See you tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey

Wednesday, September 28th

Sixth Grade

Today we talked about prime and composite numbers. We then figured out all of the prime numbers from 1-100. There is no homework today. We will do factor trees and prime factorization tomorrow!

Seventh Grade

Math - The class took a test today and what a doozy it was! No one finished during math class and had to finish taking it during Geography.

Geography - Do the Chapter 4 Review. Review Key Terms, Main Ideas, Map Activity, and #3 of the Writing Activity. Just make a chart with two columns. In the first column put the similarities and in the second, put the differences.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra: Do the 20 decimal and fraction computation problems. There will be a quiz on Friday!

Algebra I: Fraction and Decimal Equations. Below are a few examples of each kind:

See you tomorrow!
Mrs. Swickey

Tuesday, September 27th

Sixth Grade

Today we talked about reducing fractions. Remember that to reduce a fraction, you need to divide both the top number and the bottom number by the greatest common factor. Find what they have in common, and divide top and bottom by that. Be sure to check your new fraction to see if it should be reduced too. The assignment is the half-sheet with fractions to reduce.

Seventh Grade

Math - We reviewed for the test over bar graphs, line graphs, stem-and-leaf plots, box-and-whisker plots and central means of tendency (mean, median, mode, and range). PLEASE study your notes tonight and remember that anytime you graph something, you must always have a LABEL on all parts of the graph. I don't want to take points off of a beautiful graph because you left the labels off...so don't forget!

Geography - Chapter 4 Section 3. Do #1-4 on the Section Assessment.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra: You need to have your design finalized and your poster finished with all measurements, costs, etc., done.

Algebra I: We worked on more equations and learned how to simplify fraction equations. No homework!

See you tomorrow,

Mrs. Swickey

Monday, September 26th

Sixth Grade

Math - Today we worked on a couple of concepts. First is naming and placing mixed numbers on a number line. Second is the divisibility rules. We can tell if a number can be divided by certain numbers by following these rules:

A number is divisible by:

2 if the number is even - or ends in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8

3 if the sum of the digits in the number can be divided by 3. (For example, the digits in the number 135 add up to 9; 1 + 3 + 5 = 9 and since 9 can be divided by 3, so can 135.)

5 if the number ends in 0 or 5

6 if the number is divisible by 2 and 3

9 if the sum of the digits in the number can be divided by 9. This is the same kind of rule as for 3 above.

10 if the number ends in 0.

The assignment is a number line worksheet and to find the numbers that can go into the 10 numbers that were written on the board.

Seventh Grade

Math - Today, we worked on a class activity that connected math and Geography. There is no homework!

Geography - We continued the math activity and then read Chapter 4, Section 2. Do the define and identify words.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra - The class continued working on their cell phone holder projects today. Be sure to have posters for tomorrow to finish up the holders and presentations.

Algebra I - Equations with multiple steps. Remember that the answer is no solution if you end up with a false statement, such as 5 = 3. Email me if you have questions!

See you tomorrow,
Mrs. Swickey

Friday, September 23rd

Sixth Grade

Today we worked more on factors and greatest common factor. The assignment is to do Supplemental 20 (I think) from the Saxon 76 book. We will use the book on occasion this year to supplement what we are learning in class. Here are a few examples of how to find greatest common factor:

To find the GCF of the numbers 12 and 20, you first list all the factors of 12 and 20. Remember, a factor is a number that goes into another number.

12 - 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12

20 - 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20

Since the number 4 is the biggest on both lists, 4 is the greatest common factor. Remember when you list the factors, each number has a partner that multiples to give you the number. For example, 1 x 12 = 12, 2 x 6 = 12, and 3 x 4 = 12. Sometimes, a number will be its own partner. If you listed the factors of 16, you'd have 1, 2, 4, 8, 16. 1 x 16= 16, 2 x 8 = 16, and 4 x 4 = 16. You only need to list a number once though.

Seventh Grade

Math - More practice with averaging. Football Teams worksheet. Answer all of the questions on the front and then include the median, mode, and range of each list of data on another sheet. So, you will have median, mode, and range for the offense players' heights and weights as well as the median, mode, and range for the defense players' heights and weights.

Geography - Using the maps in the Atlas at the back as well as the maps at the beginning of Chapter 4, find, label, and color as instructed the landforms and water forms listed on the handout.

Eighth Grade

Pre-Algebra: The class began a project on Friday to design a cell phone cover. They worked on their designs, made calculations, discussed cost of materials, and spent the entire class time working hard and planning. On Monday, they will finish their designs and begin working on their presentation posters. Don't forget to bring posters on Monday! I will have students from other classes vote and rank the designs and the winning design will then be made by Ms. Freeh and myself for each student in that group!

Algebra I: We practiced equations as a group today. Each student came to the board to work out equations. There is no homework!

See you on Monday,
Mrs. Swickey

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