Two Divide or Not To Divide

This week in Algebra is not your typical week.
We set aside the textbook and notes,
And brought out the map and the list of league schools.
Two challenges were set before us and the kids divided themselves into groups based on their interest to the particular challenge they chose to focus on.

Challenge #1:  If the league expands to 16 schools, how should they be divided?  Mileage needs to be the considered in all cases.

Challenge #2:  Instead of dividing the current 11 schools into two divisions, could a schedule be created that limited the miles for all schools, yet created a more of a round robin approach to scheduling games?

Challenge #1

The discussions,
      the questions,
            the approaches,
                   the failures,
                        the restarts were all amazing to watch and listen to.

The justification,
     the counter claims,
          the communication,
               the perseverance,
                     were evident as our math practices were put into real life action!

Challenge #2

The math models,

      the tools used, (paper/pencil, iPads)

            the thought processes,

                  the various methods,

                       showcased the habits that problem solvers embrace.

Math Humor

At the beginning of the year, we talked about ways to interject fun.

Humor is always an easy way to do this.

Today we solved a proportion problem on a mole.

One student solved the problem using the multiplier method instead of cross products.

Which prompted another student to announce that she had use "mole"tipliers!

Lol!

City of Angles

Angles are found everywhere. 

All we have to do is look for them.

This last week, we found the missing angles made in 

     Stained glass windows,

           A patio deck, 

                   A stairway rail,

                             And streets.

Students put their vocabulary to work to create their own city of angles...

Complete with well known landmarks such as Target, McDonalds, a fire place, etc.

Check out some of the projects!

Supplementary, Vertical, Corresponding...OH MY!

Angles.  Angles.  Angles.
The 8th graders have been working on identifying and using the angle properties.
Corresponding Angles.
                 Supplementary Angles.
                                  Vertical Angles.
                                             Alternate Interior Angles.
                                                         Alternate Exterior Angles.

Today, to end the unit, we used our skills to solve real world type problems.
Angles created by 8 streets.
Angles created in construction projects.
The angles in a stained glass window.
Or the challenging problem...angles in a patio deck.

Students were moving their thinking together as they problem-solved their way through each missing angle.  

Swimming Circles

In class today we talked about the options we have when we don't know how to solve a problem.
Copying them from a friend gets the answer on paper but it doesn't move our thinking.
In fact, no thinking is even involved!
When I asked what happens to a student who chooses this method,
I loved the answer I got in one class...
"They just keep swimming in circles".  (in reference to my goldfish jumping out of their bowl).

It's frustrating to just keep swimming in circles.
Not to mention BORING!
It's better to ask questions and become an active participant in the learning process.
Yes, it takes time.
Yes, it takes focus to be in the moment.
Yes, it takes a positive attitude instead of jumping on board of the "I-Don't-Get-This" bandwagon.

The rewards of moving our thinking are much more beneficial than just swimming in circles.
You get to see new things!
You get to experience the exhilaration of understanding something and then applying it!
You get to help others.
You get good grades.
You increase your self esteem.
You have just helped yourself to maybe get the next concept a little easier.

This year let's "swim" to move our thinking.
It can get quite dull if we just stay in the same fish bowl all year long!

My Snips Aren't Working!

The "snipped" addresses for my online binders were working last week.
This weekend they quit working for reasons unbeknownst to me!

Sooooo....

I have linked the long, hard-to-communicate web address to the binder in the Online Textbook tab in this blog.

I apologize for this little glitch on a weekend when homework was due!

Here is the actual address if you would like to bookmark it, put it on your iPod/iPad's home screen, or if you get bored and need to memorize something.  :)

http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=454048&backurl=/shelf/my

"Fishy" Expectations

There is actually nothing fishy about it.

We take our "Fish!" philosophy in math class very seriously.

This year in math class to help us be successful,

We will be following four basic ideas...

1)  We will focus on our attitudes...aiming to bring in a positive attitude as we learn all the new 8th grade concepts!

2)  We will interject fun into our learning experiences.  Variety, humor, review games, hands-on discoveries, and technology just to name a few will be how we have fun with math.

3)  Serving others by helping them through rough patches, encouraging them to keep going, and handing out positive comments will not only make learning much easier but will help keep our attitudes positive.

4)  Being in the here and now...in other words...being in the moment.  It's tough.  Even for us adults to stay present in each and every situation.  However, by attending to all the details going on in class means less missed instruction time.

Move Your Thinking

Our goal this year is to move our thinking.

Whether its a little bit or a large chasm,

Everyday I am challenging my students to move their thinking.

To learn something new.

To change a misconception they've held on to over the years.

To understand a different method.

To explain a procedure or solution with precision and justification.

Learning is lifelong.

So lets Move Our Thinking this year!

Right Around the Corner!

Our new school year is literally right around the corner!

Tomorrow, I will get to meet all of our new 8th graders

And then the following day... the rest of you!

Are you excited?

I know I am!

This year we will focus on moving our thinking.
After all, if you think about it,
That's the only way we learn...when our thinking gets moved.
We may come into class thinking one way (or not thinking at all!)
And our goal is when we leave, our thoughts will be altered.
Either to accommodate new learning.
Or to change a misconception we had about how to do something,
Or maybe a new method to solve a problem...that might be easier than the first time we worked it.
The move may be small...
Or it could be gigantic.
That is what will make this year so great.
To measure our successes each step of the way!

Bring your positive attitude and a smile
(and a 3-ring notebook, dividers, notebook paper, a calculator and a pencil)

And we'll see ya soon!

BYOD...Bring Your Own Device

On Friday the students were allowed to bring their phones to class.
Not only could they have their phones,
But they could TEXT!
*gasp!*

We just started our last unit on bivariate data.
And we needed data.
So students texted away,
Counting the number of words for each text
And how long it took to type in each text.

By the end of the day,
We had more than enough data!!
These guys like their phones!

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It's State Testing Week

In honor of our state tests,
And our learning this year...

Cups, Kisses, and Counters...Oh My!

We broke out mini cups (think the variable y), Hershey kisses (think the variable x), and colored counters to represent our constant (whole number) to help us visualize how to solve an equation for y.

Solving Systems of Inequalities Video

Check out this video to answer your questions about solving systems of inequalities.

http://www.khanacademy.org/math/trigonometry/systems_eq_ineq/systems_inequalities_precalc/v/graphing-systems-of-inequalities-2

You can also review lesson 7-5 and 7-6.

Dear Absent Students,

We have missed you this week!  I hope you are getting around to feeling better so you can join us next week.  This weekend, if you feel up to it (or even if you don't), here is a list of things that we've done this week.  Our focus the entire week has been on volume still.

Monday - Complete #1-10 and this page.  (We also reviewed the formulas by singing a simple little song to the tune of "Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes")  :)

Tuesday/Wednesday - We handed in both worksheets from Monday (some of you may have this done already.  Just remember to turn it in when you return).

We also went over all the pieces for our project over the KS Wonders.  Notice they all represent the shapes we have been working with!!

TeePee Junction near Lawrence

Largest Ball of Twine in Cawker City

The Big Well in Greensburg

1.  Your FIRST TASK to complete - Find the volumes of each structure.

• What dimensions will you need for each?

If you go to our online textbook, you can find some links under the Volume tab to find the dimensions for these...or you can google them to find the measurements that you will need.

2.  You were paired up with a partner for the next part, but since you weren't with us, they have moved on without you.  Go back into the online textbook and click on the Volume tab again.  Read through the TASK so you can get an idea of what we've been doing.  You will need to pick ONLY ONE of the questions below to solve.

1.  What is the linear dimensions of this gigantic ball of twine?  

2.  How long would it take to fill up the hand dug well from a regular water hose?  

     What would the equation look like?

3.  What would a graph look like if we were able to fill the TeePee to the top at a 

     steady rate? 

In a subtab under the Volume Tab you will find the rubric for the project so you know how we will grade it.

Thursday - We worked again on the #1-10 worksheet from Monday.  Work on memorizing the formulas for the quiz.

Friday - We took the Volumes Quiz.  You will need to make this up when you return and after you have finished the above work.  

Looking ahead...

Monday - We will be working on finishing solving the TASK question and then creating our presentation.

Tuesday/Wednesday - We will be presenting our solutions.

I hope to see you back on Monday!  

Mrs. McCabe