7 West Math

Today we began a mini-unit on compound probability called What Do You Expect? We are exploring what happens when you find the probability of two things happening together. For example, if you flip a coin five times, what is the probability of getting heads all five times? This is much more complicated than finding the probability of getting heads on one flip. We will also be working from the textbook. There was no homework tonight.

Several weeks ago I took some classes to the computer lab to comment on The Math Challenger blog. Today we are going to look at some other sites. You are to do the following tasks in the order I give them:

1. Read my post on Fractions, Decimal, and Percents. Read the comments as well. They were left by students from Mr. Harbeck’s class in Canada.
2. Mr. H’s classes have been blogging for a while. Look at their posts and leave a comment here telling me if you would like to be doing this in my class. You may also leave a positive comment for one of them.
3. Mr. H. and I worked together on a wiki a few weeks ago about Effective Math Videos. Look at it to get an idea about what a wiki is. Most of the videos we used are blocked at school, but you can see how the wiki is laid out.
4. Mr. H. and I are planning to have our students (that means you!) work together on a wiki in January or February. I have started a wiki for our class, and I would like for you to go “play” there a little bit now. Follow the instructions at the top of the page.
5. Read the Bonus Points #1 post on The Math Challenger site and solve the puzzle. Leave your answer on their post as a comment.

Almost everyone finished their exams today. Study guides were turned in as well. Tuesday is a makeup day for anyone who is not finished. Please take advantage of this day to check on what work you owe instead of waiting until January. If you will take a look at the “Upcoming Events” tab you will see that there are no school days before I have to turn in grades. I do not have grades averaged yet. Have a merry Christmas!

I have been swamped with paperwork, so I have not posted like I wanted to. However, you can find information for exam review in several places. First of all, your textbook has online activities. The link is on the first page of your book, and I told you to write the username and password in the front of your book or your planner. You can also check the archived posts from this blog, my blog from last year, Ellie’s blog, and Sargent Park Math Zone for topics you need help with. Each of these blogs has a search box on the sidebar that you can use to search the blog for a particular topic.  For example, if you need help solving equations, you could search for “equations” and the posts containing that word will be listed.   Please post in the comments any links that you found to be helpful to you!

Place the following values on a number line. Show all of your work.

Thanks to Mr. H. for the idea!

Progress reports went home today, and I already know that I made a couple of mistakes. Our computers were not working yesterday, so I had to rush today to get some grades entered. First the good news (hopefully)….

Pre-Algebra has taken a test that I have graded that was not included in the progress reports. I am entering that into the computer this afternoon, and I will have an updated average tomorrow if you need it. Also, there are a couple of assignments that I did not get entered that I will enter as well.

Now for the bad news…In at least one class, I did not go back and enter zeroes for missing grades. If a student is absent, I leave their grade blank until the end of the grading period. If these missing grades are not made up, it will lower the average. I am correcting that right now, I will notify any students whose grade is lowered significantly.

I apologize for any confusion, and I will be glad to answer any questions you may have.

This site has a wonderful review of fractions. Scroll down to the yellow box to find the topic(s) you need to practice. When you click on a topic, you will see a green box with explanation, and then a blue box with practice problems.

This site also gives practice adding and subtracting fractions, multiplying, and dividing fractions.

For a challenge to your brain, try these tangram puzzles.

Please leave me a comment to let me know what you found to be helpful.

Tomorrow we are going to have a test over Chapter 5. You may use the following links to review for the test:

Simplifying Fractions
Try this activity, and then take the quiz.

Write Fractions as Decimals and Decimals and Fractions
The game of Fraction Four is a variation of Connect Four. Two players take turns converting decimals to fractions and fractions to decimals. When you get a correct answer, you may drop a checker into the grid. The first player to connect four of their color is the winner.

Write Fractions as Percents and Percents as Fractions
This game lets you see fractions and percents side by side. Write down all the equal pairs that you find.
Write Percents as Decimals and Decimals as Percents
This mini-lesson explains how to convert between decimals and percents. You can practice percents to decimals here and decimals to percents here.

Convert Between Fractions, Decimals, and Percents
This game gives you practice moving between these three representations of the same numbers.

Saloon Snap
Match wits against Fast Fingers Malcoms as you try to match fractions, decimals, and percents before he does. Ring the bell when you see a match.

Please leave a comment on one activity that you liked. Tell what you learned from that activity.

Assignments for today…

Pre-Algebra pp. 151-152, #16-50 even, 60-72 even

Math p. 572, Lesson 4.3, #1-27 (show all work)

Parenting Day will be held tomorrow afternoon.  I am looking forward to seeing those of you who have scheduled conferences.  Our scheduled is booked solid! 

Math

Monday – p. 152, #10-24 even, 28-39 all

Tuesday – p. 159, #11-30

Wednesday – Practice Workbook, Lesson 4.3

Thursday – p. 572, Lesson 4.3, #1-30

Friday – p. 162, #14-25

Pre-Algebra 2nd Period

Monday -  None

Tuesday – p. 123, #14-46 even

Wednesday – p. 129, #8-19

Thursday – None

Friday None

Pre-Algebra 3rd

Monday – p. 123, #14-46 even

Tuesday – p. 129, #8-19

Wednesday – pp. 134-135, #10-42 even

Thursday – None

Friday – None