It's hard to believe the end of the school year is here. It went by too quickly and I'm not ready to say goodbye to my students. This is a group I wish I could loop up to seventh grade with. They are pretty wonderful. Thank you for sharing them with me.
I sent out a teacher survey form, through your child's homeroom teacher, that I would like you to complete. If you do not receive it, please let me know and I will send one directly to you. We collect data at the end of every year. I have learned a lot about myself through these surveys and they have helped me make changes to things that don't work and continue on with things that do. One of the questions is about this blog. This is my second year blogging about what's going on in math. I'm getting better but still have a long way to go. I'm interested in knowing if you even read it and if it is worth the time. What would you like to see?
Math. We are finishing up some of the goals we had for algebra and geometry. We started using a new math book for the algebra strand. Some of the kids like it and some don't. Pretty typical. There will be one more assessment this week and I will meet with kids who still aren't meeting standards for some reteaching and the opportunity to retake some assessments. I hope we can all meet the standard!
I am no longer assigning homework for the rest of the year. HOWEVER, I told the classes today that if they have missing work, they have homework. If they do not make good use of their time in class, they will need to finish classwork at home. My Block C class tested the limits today and found out they were the only kids to get homework. Let's hope tomorrow is a better day. I will continue to post homework on the homework website. Check out Infinite Campus to see if your child is meeting standards or owes math work.
Thank you for a terrific year. It's been a pleasure meeting all of you.
Wishing you all the best,
Bethany Billinger
Monday, June 6, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Goodbye Geometry, Hello Algebra!
We are wrapping up our two dimensional geometry unit and will begin our algebra and data analysis unit. In the upcoming unit we will work on the following skills and concepts:
Algebra
Algebra
- Identify patterns and relations ships between variables using information in a table
- Create coordinate graphs of data in a table
- Identify patterns and relationships between variables using information in a graph
- Compare patterns of change in a table and a graph
- Interpret narrative notes to make a table and a graph
- Collect experimental data and organize it in a table
- Create coordinate graphs of data in a table
- Compare table and graph representations of the same data
- Consider data values between plotted point
- Create a table from data in a coordinate graph
- Compare patterns of change in a table and graph
Monday, April 25, 2011
Grades On-line
Just a reminder that students and parents can check on grades, work completion, work habits and standards being assessed by going to the Infinite Campus link, https://ic.link75.org/campus/msad75.jsp
The login and password are the network credentials of the student. The 6West team had the students write these in their agendas. It looks something like this:
User name is year of graduation, last name, first inital.......... 17smithj
Password are student's initials and a random four digit number..... js3214
If you would like me to email this information to you, just let me know.
The login and password are the network credentials of the student. The 6West team had the students write these in their agendas. It looks something like this:
User name is year of graduation, last name, first inital.......... 17smithj
Password are student's initials and a random four digit number..... js3214
If you would like me to email this information to you, just let me know.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Geometry
We are currently studying geometry. In this unit we will be:
- Classifying polygons
- Finding area and perimeter of polygons
- Solving the area and circumference of circles
- Classify three dimensional shapes (faces, edges, bases, vertices)
- Describe the proportional effects on linear dimensions when polygons and circles are scaled up or down
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Decimals
Wow! Where does the time go? Here it is MARCH already!
Students have learned how to represent decimals using number lines and area models (hundredths grids). They have learned to compare and order decimals, add, subtract and multiply with them. Students are also practicing converting between fractions, decimals and percents. We are currently working on dividing with decimals, both in the divisor and dividend. We will continue to work on all of these skills and solve word problems before taking the unit test next week.
This decimal tutorial link can help! Scroll down until you see decimals and pick the skill you want to review. Also remember to visit the math portaportal where kids can practice skills on-line!
Students have learned how to represent decimals using number lines and area models (hundredths grids). They have learned to compare and order decimals, add, subtract and multiply with them. Students are also practicing converting between fractions, decimals and percents. We are currently working on dividing with decimals, both in the divisor and dividend. We will continue to work on all of these skills and solve word problems before taking the unit test next week.
This decimal tutorial link can help! Scroll down until you see decimals and pick the skill you want to review. Also remember to visit the math portaportal where kids can practice skills on-line!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Adding & Subtracting Fractions & Mixed Numbers
Adding and Subtracting Fractions
- Change fractions so they have the same denominator.
- Add or subtract numerators only, keep the denominator the same.
- Simplify (reduce to lowest terms).
- Change fractions so they have the same denominator.
- Solve the fraction part of the problem first. You may need to "borrow" or "carry" whole numbers so the fractions work.
- Then add or subtract the whole numbers.
- Simplify (reduce to lowest terms).
Multiplying Fractions and Mixed Numbers
Because you asked for it... How to multiply fractions and mixed numbers:
- If there are mixed numbers, change them to improper fractions.
- (Optional) You can reduce the fractions on the diagonal if you want to.
- Multiply numerator times numerator, denominator times denominator.
- Simplify (reduce to lowest terms).
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Dividing Fractions & Mixed Numbers
You asked for it, here it is! These are the steps for dividing fractions & mixed numbers.
1. Make all numbers fractions. If you have mixed numbers, change them to improper fractions (denominator * whole number + numerator).
2. Flip the second fraction.
3. Change the operation to multiplication.
4. Multiply numerators by numerators and denominators by denominators.
5. Simplify the fraction.
Good luck!
1. Make all numbers fractions. If you have mixed numbers, change them to improper fractions (denominator * whole number + numerator).
2. Flip the second fraction.
3. Change the operation to multiplication.
4. Multiply numerators by numerators and denominators by denominators.
5. Simplify the fraction.
Good luck!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Fractions
It seems like we've been working on fractions forever! The kids are complaining their math binders are getting too full which is a pretty good sign that we are almost done with this unit. Phew! The students just took a quiz on multiplying fractions and mixed numbers today and so far the results look great. Almost everyone has met the standard. Last week the kids were working on mastering adding and subtracting mixed numbers. This is a tough standard to master because there are so many steps in the process, but most of the kids actually exceeded this standard! Any students who did not meet the standard on either quiz will get time in school next week to meet with me or Ms. Graffam for some extra help and practice before trying a retake on Friday.
Over the next two weeks students will learn to divide fractions and mixed numbers as well as solve real life word problems involving fraction computation. I expect the unit to be complete on January 28, which happens to be the end of the second quarter.
Over the next two weeks students will learn to divide fractions and mixed numbers as well as solve real life word problems involving fraction computation. I expect the unit to be complete on January 28, which happens to be the end of the second quarter.