Friday, December 3, 2010

Test day!! Today students took the Chapter 5 Test. I will have them graded by Monday and have new grades posted in class and on Edline. There is no homework this weekend. Enjoy time with your family!

Next week I will be having surgery. I will be out of school for the next two weeks, and I will return to work after the holiday break. While I am out, I will not be updating the blog. You can however check your child's planner or the weekly calendar for homework. If you have any questions or concerns while I am at home recovering feel free to e-mail me. I will be checking my e-mail on regular basis.

Have a wonderful holiday, and I look forward to seeing you in 2011!
~Mrs. Slot

THursday, December 2, 2010

Today we spent time reviewing for the test. Students worked on the Chapter Test on page 230. Tomorrow we will go over the review and take the test on Chapter 4.
HW~STUDY FOR TEST!

Tuesday, November 30

Today we reviewed exponents and then took the quiz on sections 4-4 to 4-8. I will have quizzes graded tonight and new grades posted tomorrow. Remember, Friday is the test on Chapter 4.
HW~ NONE

Monday, November 29

Today we combined two lesson - Exponents and Division & Multiplication. We discussed how to multiply powers as well as divide powers. Tomorrow there is a quiz covering sections 4-6 to 4-8. Remember to do the Checkpoint Quiz in preparation for the quiz tomorrow.
HW~worksheet (odds only) & Checkpoint Quiz p. 218

REMINDER...Chapter 4 Test on Friday!!

Tuesday, November 23

The really fun suprise activity today was "The Amazing Math Race". Kids worked in groups and went to various classrooms around the school to solve a math problem and then complete a physical challenge. The first group to return to my room was the winner. The winning team beat all the others by about 5 minutes and each member of the team won a $2 gift certificate to Baskin Robbins.
There is no homework this weekend. Enjoy time with your friends and family and celebrate the things that you are thankful for this year. I am thankful that I have each of you in class this year!
See you Monday!!

Monday, November 22

Today we learned about rational numbers. We talked about negative fractions and the three different ways that they can be written. We also worked on graphing rational numbers on a number line as well as evaluating expressions.
HW~#1-36 p. 207

Thursday, November 18

Today we talked about simplifying fractions. Again another easy lesson but when we add variables it becomes a little more challenging. I moved the quiz on 4-1 to 4-4 to tomorrow so we can do a REALLY FUN activity on Tuesday.
HW~#1-39 (0dds) p. 198 & Checkpoint Quiz p. 199 (#1-13)

Wednesday, November 17

Today we discussed prime factorization and greatest common factor. This is old stuff to most but when we add in variables it a little more challenging. Reminder, there is a quiz on Monday covering the first four sections of Chapter 4.
HW~#1-41 p. 193

Tuesday, November 16

Today we talked about exponents and order of operations with exponents. It was a pretty easy lesson. Tomorrow we will talk about greatest common factor & prime factorization, which seems pretty easy but when you add variables to these types of problems it becomes a little tricky!

Please look at the HW calendar. I have made a few changes in preparation for the quiz. We will spend the day reviewing on Friday and then take the quiz next week Monday.

HW~#2-54 (evens) p. 188

Monday, November 15

Today I handed back the test and I went over any questions. Anyone who wants to retest needs to meet with me during Inspire tomorrow to study. Retake will be Wednesday during Inspire.

The lesson today covered divisibility and factoring. We will use these skills to simplify or reduce fractions later this week.
HW#2-52 (evens) p. 182 & 183

Tuesday, November 9

After correcting homework and answering question, we spent the hour working on the review for the test. Tomorrow is the test on Chapter 3. Study tonight!
HW~Chapter Test (skip #27-36 & 39) p. 174

Monday, November 8

Today we worked on solving equations with decimals. We also went over the quiz from last Friday. Everyone did great on the quiz!! Wednesday is the test on Chapter 3. Start studying now to prepare.
HW~Worksheet

Friday, November 5

Quiz Day...No Homework!! Test on Chapter 3 next week Wednesday.
Enjoy the weekend!!

Thursday, November 4

Today we worked with formulas, specifically the formulas for perimeter, distance = rate x time, and a crazy formula that calculates the temperature based on the number of cricket chirps in a minute. Tomorrow we have a quiz on sections 3-1 to 3-4. Remember doing your homework is the best way to study.
HW~#1-22 p. 147 & Checkpoint Quiz p. 148
STUDY FOR QUIZ!!!

Wednesday, November 3

Today we talked about mean, median, mode, and range. All of this was review. What we learned today was when to use mean, median, and mode and which measure of central tendency was better to use for certain situations. We also played a card game today to practice calculating mean, median, and mode.
HW~#1-25 p. 142

Tuesday, November 2

Today was our second lesson on estimation. This time we focused on estimating when finding products and quotients. When estimating products (multiplication problems), you round to the nearest whole number. When estimating quotients (division problems), you use compatible numbers which are numbers that you can easily divide mentally.
HW~#1-30 p. 136

Monday, November 1

Today we finished the Halloween coordinate grid drawings. The drawings turned out great so I owe everyone candy. I will pay up on Wednesday!

During the second half of class, we started Chapter 3. In the first lesson, we learned about 3 different estimation strategies, rounding (which is review), front-end estimation (a new strategy), and clustering (another new strategy).

If you would like to retake the Chapter 2, please talk to me tomorrow. You need to study with me and retake the test before Friday.

HW~#1-33 p. 132

Friday, October 29

Students got their tests back today. We went over the test before doing a Halloween graphing activity. For the activity, students had to create a Halloween themed drawing on a coordinate grid. Then, they had to write directions to draw the picture. They gave the directions to someone on the other side of the room. That person followed the directions and drew the picture. The pair that had the best match received a prize.

NO HOMEWORK for the weekend!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! Have fun & be safe.

Thursday, October 28

Test Day!!! Today the kids took the Chapter 2 test. I have graded the tests and will hand them back tomorrow. You can check edline to see your grade if you'd like. If you decide you want to retake, you will have to meet with me during Inspire or after school next week Tuesday, then you can retake the test next week Wednesday during Inspire or Thursday after school.
HW~NONE

Tuesday, October 26

With the excitement of the tornado warning today we didn't have much time to meet in Pre-Algebra. We were able to correct homework from last night and go over questions that students had on the homework assignment. Before we were dismissed for lunch students were able to start the review for the test. If you could finish #1-27 tonight, we will finish the rest in class tomorrow. We will also go over any questions that you have before taking the test on Thursday.
HW~#1-25 p. 122 & begin studying for the test!!

Monday, October 25

In the lesson today, we learned how to solve inequalities involving multiplication and division. Remember when the coefficient is negative, you need to reverse the inequality symbol. Tomorrow we start reviewing for the test on Thursday.
HW~#1-38 p. 115

Friday, October 22

Solving inequalities by adding and subtracting was the topic of today's lesson. Solving inequalities is very similar to solving equations except there is an inequality symbol. You also must graph your answer when solving inequalities, which is one difference than solving equations.
HW~#1-33(odds) p. 110....I hope everyone finished in class so you didn't have to take your math book home with you!

Have a great weekend!!

Thursday, October 21

QUIZ DAY!! Students took the quiz covering Sections 2-5 to 2-8. Everyone finished the quiz and had an opportunity to make corrections on his/her quiz. I have corrected quizzes and will hand them back tomorrow.
HW~NONE!

Wednesday, October 20

We reviewed for the quiz today. We tried to use the clickers but they are not working. I hope to figure it out by next week so we can start using them on a regular basis. Tomorrow we have a quiz covering sections 2.5 to 2.8.
HW~Study for quiz!!!

Tuesday, October 19

In class today we learned about writing and graphing inequalities. We talked about how we see inequalities in the real world, such as speed limit signs and height requirement signs at amusement parks.
Quiz coming up this week Thursday. We will review tomorrow.
HW~#1-30 p. 106

Monday, October 18

Today we learned how to solve equations by dividing and multiplying. Remember even if you can do the problem in your head, you must show the steps for solving the equation. We are trying to start good habits for math in the future.
HW~#1-36 p. 96

Friday, October 15

Today's lesson was about solving addition and subtraction equations. The students caught on very quickly and had 30 minutes of class time to work on their homework. We also celebrated that I am cancer free by eating Skittles...YUMMY!!
Have a great weekend!!
HW~#1-32 p. 91 (if not completed in class)

Thursday, October 14

Today we took a quiz covering sections 2-1 to 2-4. I will have quizzes and updated grades posted on Edline tomorrow. I also handed out progress reports to each student. The progress report has their current grade as well as any missing assignments highlighted.
HW ~ NONE

Wednesday, October 13

Today we review for the quiz tomorrow. The quiz will cover sections 2-1 to 2-3. We reviewed teh distributive property and adding like terms in preparation for the quiz. Remember to review your foldable so you know all the properties.
HW~Study for Quiz

Tuesday, October 12

Today's lesson covered Variables & Equations. We learned the difference between an open sentence and an equation. Quiz is on Thursday covering sections 2-1 to 2-3. We will review tomorrow.
HW~ #1-32 p. 84

Friday, October 8

Northview Black Out Pediatric Cancer Day!

I was not in class today but Ms. Bollaert taught the class about the distributive property. Remember from the video clip yesterday that distribute means to hand out. When using the distributive property, you multliply everything inside the parenthesis by the number outside of the parenthesis.

HW ~ #1-43 p. 76&77 (if not completed in class)

Thursday, October 7, 2010

In math class today we learned about the properties of addition and multiplication. To start class we watch a fun video clip on YouTube about the associative, commutative, identity, and distributive properties. The video will hopefully help kids remember the properties. We also made a foldable with the definitions and reminders to help us remember the property.
Tonight's homework is listed below.
HW~2-1 #1-38 p. 71

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

We went over the test today. Those students who wish to retake the test will have to stay after school tomorrow to study with Mr. Felver (Mrs. Liley's student teacher). You will be able to retake the test either after school next week Tuesday or next week Wednesday during Inspire.

We also did our first Type 3 writing in math. Students had to write a letter to a 6th grader explaining how to add positive and negative numbers. If it was not finished in class, it is homework tonight!

Tuesday, October 5

Test Day...Students took their first test. I will correct tonight and have scores for the kids tomorrow.
HW~NONE

Monday, October 4

Today we review for the test we are taking tomorrow. Students worked on the Practice Test in the book. I answered questions before the end of class. Students should study by DOING problems tonight. They can work on problems from the Chapter Review for practice. The answers are in the back of the book.
HW~Study for Test!!

Thursday, September 30 & Friday, October 1

Yesterday we learned about the coordinate plane. We made a foldable to help us remember the four quadrants as well as the x-axis, y-axis, and origin. Students can use these foldables while doing homework or studying for a test or quiz.

Speaking of tests we have our first test next week Tuesday. The test will cover Chapter 1, except for sections 1-8 & 1-9. Today we review for the test by doing practice tests on-line at phschool.com . We used the new mobile lab today. The students had fun taking their test on the computer.

HW~No homework this weekend. Have fun at homecoming. GO WILDCATS!!!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

I was not in school today but the students had a wonderful teacher, Ms. Bollaert, who is a math major! Students took their second quiz today and they were able to make corrections on the questions that were wrong. I will have quizzes graded hopefully by tomorrow. Reminder that there is a test covering Chapter 1 next week Tuesday.
HW~NONE

Tuesday, September 28

The second quiz is tomorrow covering adding and subtracting integers (Sections 1-5 & 1-6). Today we reviewed for the quiz by playing a heated game of Jeopardy. The orange team won by 200 points!! Don't forget to study for your quiz by DOING PROBLEMS!!
HW~Study for Quiz

Monday, September 27

In class today students learned about rules for multiplying and dividing integers. We learned that multiplying or dividing numbers with the same sign (both positive or both negative) results in a positive answer, and that multiplying or dividing numbers with different signs (one positive and one negative) results in a negative answer.
There is a quiz on Wednesday covering sections 1-5, 1-6, and 1-9
HW~#1-27 p. 47

Thursday, September 23

Today's lesson covered adding and subtracting integers. This again was review but was more of a challenge than the other lessons we have covered. Students were introduced to the clickers today and loved them. The clickers are a great way to assess students and get immediate feedback not only for the teacher but as for the student.
HW~#2-30(evens) p. 27 & #2-30 (evens) p. 32 (Due Monday)

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

I was not in class today because I was home with my daughter who is sick. Mrs. Rodriguez,the Spanish teacher, covered my class today. Because I wasn't there we had a little change in plan. Instead of reviewing for the quiz, students just took the quiz. I think that the kids were more than prepared for the quiz as everything has been very easy for them.

The procedure for quiz taking is the following. Students take the quiz, then turn it in to me when finished. I will then review the quiz and circle questions that are wrong. Students then have the opportunity to redo the incorrect questions. When finished correcting, they turn the quiz in to be corrected. I will typically have quizzes graded by the next class period. You can check Edline to see how your child did or you can ask to see your child's quiz.

Tuesday, September 21

In today's lesson we covered absolute value and integers. Again, the students are catching on easily. They all very good students. Most of them finished their assignment again. Tomorrow we will review for the quiz and we will have the first quiz on Thursday.
HW ~ #2-20 (evens) & 22-27 p. 20 & Checkpoint Quiz #1-10 p. 22

Monday, September 20

Today our lesson covered Evaluating Variable Expressions. Again the students caught on quite easily and finished their homework before leaving class. The students do have their first quiz this week Thursday. The quiz will cover sections 1-1 to 1-4. So if you have some spare time, you can always study for your quiz!!
HW~ #1-25(odds) & 34-37 p. 16 & 17

Friday, September 17

After two busy days at camp, we are back to work in math class. Today our lesson was on Order of Operations, review for many of the students. Students had about 30 minutes to work on their homework before leaving class. For those of you how were not here today, the homework is listed below. Have a wonderful weekend and see you Monday!
HW~ #1-21, 43, 45, 52-55 p. 11 & 12

Monday, September 13

Today we started working in the math book. The lesson covered numerical and variable expressions. This lesson was very easy for all the students and many students finished their homework before leaving class.
HW~ #1-39 p. 6 & 7 (due Tuesday)

Friday, September 10

Today we worked in groups to complete the Diagnostic Test. Students reviewed math topics that they learned last year. All students did very well on the test. Monday we will start working in the math book, and students will have their first homework assignment Monday night.

Have a great weekend. I look forward to getting to know you better at camp next week!

Thursday, September 9

Today we finished up a few things that we started this week. Students worked with their partner to finish their profile for the teambook. Students also finished the scavenger hunt for chapter 1. The scavenger hunt familiarized the students with the set up of their math text. If the scavenger hunt was not finished in class it is homework. Tomorrow students should turn in their signed syllabus as well as their completed scavenger hunt.

Wednesday, September 8

Because I wasn't able to get the pictures developed today, we had a change in plans. Instead of work on partner profiles for our team book, we went over the class syllabus, handed out books, and worked on a scavenger hunt to familiarize the students with the book.

Students should review the syllabus with their parents and return the syllabus to me by Friday signed by both the parent and the student. Please contact me if you have any questions regarding the syllabus.

syllabus

This is the syllabus that we will discuss on Thursday in class. Your assignment is to sign the syllabus, read it over with your parents, have one of your parents sign the syllabus, and return the syllabus to me on Friday. If you misplace the syllabus, you can print one out using the link below.
https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=1kO787Aumg0RqvO7gWX9iZ7Pq8DyDzTaMy2990liDw2p2pQZ0KFzAvlXR7KYr&hl=en&authkey=CKC51MUE

Welcome to Pre-Algebra

Welcome to Mrs. Slot's Pre-Algebra Class. If you are up for a challenge you are in the right class. This year we will learn many new math concepts. I am excited to be working with you in class this year. I hope that by the end of the year, you will LOVE math as much as I do!!