Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  

Blocking the Door on Hunger

I was blocked again this year!
Students brought enough food to block my door so I couldn't teach.

We had to be creative this year in stacking our food.
I made a replica of the door on the wall instead of the floor.

In an attempt to get enough food, students measured the area of food items to match them to the open spaces in our "door".
Thus, the Xs on the wall.

Since we didn't have math classes today, we passed the time by solving various logic problems.
One of the favorites was the Knight's Move.
Click here to play it online!  (This version is playing against the computer).
Related to the previous problem, is this awesome Christmas logic problem called, The Knight's Tour.

We also played a little Krypto.
Using only the numbers 13, 8, 8, 9, 13 and adding, subtracting, multiplying, and/or dividing, we had to arrive at the answer of 2.
It took quite a while but we finally got the answer!
I can't post the answer on here...that would make it too easy.
But if you've been working for a while, you can scan this QR code to find the answer.

Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing Christmas break.

See you in January!

Sign Up NOW for January Family Math!

Oh the weather outside is frightful

But inside it's so delightful

For we have a place to go

Family Math is calling soooo....

It does show signs of computing

There really is no disputing

January 10th will be so neat

So sign up to save a seat!

When we finally call it a night

And we hope there won't be a storm,

We'll have some hot chocolate

To keep us nice and warm.

I'm looking ahead to January 10th.  Please sign up before Christmas break if you are planning on attending.  

It's a Bird, It's a Plane....It's a Homework Assignment!

2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 7th hour eighth grade math classes have a homework assignment due Thursday.

Pg. 306, #1-12

Please note:  Not all assignments will get this much fanfare!  This is just the first one in a really long time and with the topic we're on, there will be more in the future.  Just wanted to make everyone aware.  :)

We're In the Textbook for 8th Grade Math!

Dear Parents,

Chapter 5 introduces linear relationships...where a change in one variable results in a fixed change in another variable.  In class, we will describe situations, make tables of data about the situations, grap the data, and write linear equations that describe the relationships.

We will also learn to predict which equations have graphs that are straight lines by looking at tables or algebraic rules.  Then, from a graph or table, we will be able to determine the slope and y-intercept.

Some of the vocabulary we will be using includes:
coefficient
constant term
linear relationship
proportional
rate
slope
speed
variable
velocity
y-intercept

Check out the online glossary that goes with our textbook to help define these new terms!

This online self check quiz might be a good study guide to make sure concepts are being learned and understood.

Predicting Colors

Using our skills with proportions and now with predicting probabilities, students are trying to predict how many of each color M&M is found in this big bag...

with only using the information from these fun-sized bags.

Who will be the closest?
What would make this experiment more accurate?

11:11 on 11/11/11

Just had to share a cool moment with numbers that just doesn't happen that often!
This is a math teacher's dream!
You can imagine how excited I was when our first born arrived on 03/02/01!  :)

Have a Happy Friday!

It's All in Proportion

Students used their skills of solving proportions today to solve for various real life questions.

Students were measuring shadows.

Researching famous landmark dimensions.

Finding measurements of various areas in the school.

Determining how much water they would drink in proportion to a dairy cow.

Calculating how long it would take them to run a marathon.

Then to show what they learned, students created a ScreenChomp explanation of how they solved their question.

Stay tuned for links of student examples!

Check it out!

Just posted pictures from Family Math last night!
Check out the Family Math tab to see families at work solving math problems to find the measurements for each ingredient for yummy chocolate zucchini bread!

If you weren't able to attend but would still like to make the delicious chocolate concoction...
here's the recipe!

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

3 eggs                                                  1/2 c cocoa
1 c vegatable oil                                   1 tsp salt
2 c sugar                                              1/4 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp vanilla                                      1 tsp cinnamon
2 c shredded zucchini                          1 tsp baking soda
2 1/2 c flour                                         2 handfuls of choc. chips (optional)

In large bowl, beat oil, sugar, eggs and vanilla.  Combine dry ingredients.  Add to first mixture and mix well.  Add the zucchini and again, mix well.  Pour into greased bundt pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.  Can make 2 bread pan loaves or 4 small pan loaves.

ALSO...

I have added a tab for a quick reference to our online textbooks!

Algebra - Lesson 3-2: Solving Multi-Step Equations

Dear Algebra Student,

Here is some extra help if you should need it for your homework assignment.  You can also go to our online "textbook" for more videos.

Sincerely,
Mrs. McCabe

Enlarging a Photo

Today's Problem:  A photo measures 6 inches along the base and is 8 inches high.  We need to enlarge the photo so that it fits in a frame that is 15 inches along the base.  What will the height of the new photo be?

The #1 most popular wrong answer...17.
So, students were back to the drawing board to figure it out correctly.

We used a variety of materials:  graph paper, unifix cubes, tiles, or just good ol' paper/pencil.

After teams found the correct answer, students shared their various methods.

Sometimes when we solve math problems, it helps if we break down the problem to an easier, or smaller, place to start.

When we solve math problems, we need to understand what the numbers stand for.
Ask your student what 2.5 means for this problem.

Or the problem can be set up so that the FISHY method can be used.
What is the FISHY method?

Today we found out that there isn't just one way to solve a problem.
With math, there are many paths that all get us to the same solution.

November Family Math

It's fun as we get cookin', 

Math problems we are lookin', 

Together we'll be puttin' , 

November Family Math. 

It really is a dream, 

As we work in a team, 

There is no need to scream,

November Family Math. 

(sing to the tune of...The Addams Family)

Sign up now to attend the next session of Family Math

Tuesday, November 1st

6:00-7:00 

Mrs. McCabe's room

To reserve your spot, please let me know by 

THIS Friday, October 28th!

Integer Dot-To-Dot

Students practiced their integer operations by creating dot-to-dot puzzles.  Check out the creativity!  We'll use these worksheets to review our skills and to check problems for accuracy.

Attention Algebra Students!!!

Needing some extra practice problems or help for the test on Monday?  Check out these great resources!

In your textbook:  pg. 109-111

Or check out these video tutors online.
Simply go to phschool.com and type in these web codes...
Independent Probability - Web Code:  ate-0207
Simply Probability - Web Code:  ate-0206
Properties - Web Code: ate-0205
Distributive Property - Web Code:  ate-0204
Multiplying & Dividing Rational Numbers - Web Code:  ate-0203
Subtracting Rational Numbers - Web Code:  ate-0202
Adding Rational Numbers - Web Code:  ate-0201

Check It Out! Students Published Online!

Ten 8th grade students got their ScreenChomp "How-To-Subtract-Integers" published into our online textbook!  Way to go!

Be sure to check it out!!!

Using ScreenChomp to Communicate How to Subtract Integers

How does one subtract positive and negative numbers?
It's harder to see and do than addition, that's for sure!
After learning several methods
(ask your student which method they prefer...positive and negative notation, driving along the number line, or adding the opposite),
Students focused on explaining the process to others using an iPad App...ScreenChomp.

Awareness Graphs on the iPads

Students looked at the True Color personality data that they collected in science class as they organized graphs for various groups at RVMS...4th hour math, the football team, the RVMS News group, band, or the entire 8th grade class just to name a few.  

Data was entered into the Numbers spreadsheet on the iPads and graphs were created to show the make-up of these various groups.  It was exciting to see how each group differed than the others and the information that could be drawn from the charts.  

It was also exciting to see the learning curve on the iPads!  As each class got familiar with the spreadsheet app, students were making discoveries about how to enhance their final presentation with the various spreadsheet tools.  

Ropes Day...A Day of Teamwork

Today we learned to work together...

 

to communicate...

to find a strategy...

to encourage each other...

to have fun...

to trust each other...

and to get to know each other better.