This week in math, we will focus on the Pythagorean Theorem. Students will be participate in an activity through which they will discover the relationship between the squares made off of the legs and hypotenuse of a right triangle to give them a frame of reference for understanding the theorem. Once they learn the theorem, they will apply it to solve problems.
Advanced math students were introduced to the Pythagorean Theorem last week. They will use the theorem to solve problems this week. Advanced math students will also study multiplying and simplifying radical expressions and use these skills as they work with right triangles.
The link below provides an overview of the Pythagorean Theorem and several proofs to show students the relationship between the squares off of the legs and hypotenuse of a right triangle.
http://www.brainingcamp.com/resources/math/pythagorean-formula/lesson.php
The essence of mathematics is not to make simple things complicated, but to make complicated things simple. ~S. Gudder
Dobbins Middle School - 8th Grade Math
Welcome to my 8th grade math blog.
It will serve as my primary means of keeping you informed about your child's math class. I encourage you to visit often to stay abreast as we move through the 8th grade Common Core Georgia Performance Standards (CCGPS).
It will serve as my primary means of keeping you informed about your child's math class. I encourage you to visit often to stay abreast as we move through the 8th grade Common Core Georgia Performance Standards (CCGPS).
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Monday, November 26, 2012
Week at a Glance: November 26, 2012
This week in math, we focus on writing algebraic equations to represent situations and solving multi-step equations. Students will be encouraged to use verbal modeling to help them make sense of the word problems / situations so they can represent them algebraically.
Students will need to be able to solve multi-step equations in which they have to use the distributive property and/or combine like terms to simplify each side of the equation first. It is important that students are able to use algebra to solve equations as opposed to relying on "guess & check." Therefore, they must show work.
Grade Recovery Update:
Students who intend to complete grade recovery for the scientific notation unit must have test corrections and all PLATO modules completed by Wednesday, November 28. I have extended the deadline because some students have difficulty accessing the PLATO over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Students will need to be able to solve multi-step equations in which they have to use the distributive property and/or combine like terms to simplify each side of the equation first. It is important that students are able to use algebra to solve equations as opposed to relying on "guess & check." Therefore, they must show work.
Grade Recovery Update:
Students who intend to complete grade recovery for the scientific notation unit must have test corrections and all PLATO modules completed by Wednesday, November 28. I have extended the deadline because some students have difficulty accessing the PLATO over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Week at a Glance: November 5, 2012
This week in math, we will continue with the Expressions & Equations unit that we started lastweek. The focus for the week will be:
- translating between verbal and algebraic expressions and equations
- evaluating expressions
- writing equivalent expressions
- simplifying expressions (combining like terms and using the distributive property)
Thereafter, we will move into writing equations to represent situations and solving multi-step algebraic equations.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Week at a Glance: October 29, 2012
This week in math, we will complete the scientific notation unit. I decided to extend the unit because the students more practice with the concepts. The unit test will be on Thursday, November 1. Students need to be able to do the following:
Convert between standard form and scientific notation (back and forth)
Determine if numbers are correctly written in scientific notation.
Compare & order scientific notation expressions
Multiply & divide scientific notation expressions
Add & subtract scientific notation expressions
Adv Math: Scientific Notation w/powers.
On Friday, I will introduce the next unit, expressions & equations.
Convert between standard form and scientific notation (back and forth)
Determine if numbers are correctly written in scientific notation.
Compare & order scientific notation expressions
Multiply & divide scientific notation expressions
Add & subtract scientific notation expressions
Adv Math: Scientific Notation w/powers.
On Friday, I will introduce the next unit, expressions & equations.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Week at A Glance: October 22, 2012
This week in math, we will continue with the scientific notation mini unit. Students are now familiar with scientific notation and most of them are able to convert numbers to and from scientific notation. The learning goals for the unit are for students to be able to:
Students will take a test over scientific notation on Friday.
Thereafter, we will begin the equations unit in which students will learn to solve multi-step algebraic equations and write equations to represent situations from word problems.
- Express numbers in scientific notation (convert from standard form)
- Convert scientific notation expressions to standard form
- Recognize when expressions are / are not in proper scientific notation
- Compare and order scientific notation expressions
- Multiply & divide scientific notation expressions
- Add & subtract scientific notation expressions
- Powers with scientific notation (Adv Content)
Students will take a test over scientific notation on Friday.
Thereafter, we will begin the equations unit in which students will learn to solve multi-step algebraic equations and write equations to represent situations from word problems.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Week at a Glance: October 15, 2012
This week in math, we will finish the properties of exponents unit. I extended it into this week to allow time for a few more days of practice. The unit assessment has been re-scheduled for Tuesday, October 16. Students will need to know and be able to apply the following properties of exponents:
Product of Powers
Quotient of Powers
Power of Powers
Zero Exponents
Negative Exponents
This unit is loaded on Plato under "Exponent Properties" if additional support / practice is needed.
Students have also been assigned a performance task as a culminating activity for this unit. Students will complete a bubble map to show how the properties listed above could be used to write equivalent exponential expressions. Advanced math students also have to complete a tree map to summarize the properties. All thinking maps are due on Wednesday, October 17.
On Wednesday, students will take the District Benchmark Assessment (DBA) for the 1st nine weeks.
Our next unit, scientific notation will be introduced on Thursday. This unit will focus on students understanding the form and function of scientific notation. Students should be able to answer the following questions after the unit introduction.
What is scientific notation
When is it used (in what fields, to represent what)?
How do you express large numbers in scientific notation?
How do you express small numbers in scientific notation?
How do you convert between standard form and scientific notation?
The scientific notation unit will be accessible in Plato on Thursday.
Product of Powers
Quotient of Powers
Power of Powers
Zero Exponents
Negative Exponents
This unit is loaded on Plato under "Exponent Properties" if additional support / practice is needed.
Students have also been assigned a performance task as a culminating activity for this unit. Students will complete a bubble map to show how the properties listed above could be used to write equivalent exponential expressions. Advanced math students also have to complete a tree map to summarize the properties. All thinking maps are due on Wednesday, October 17.
On Wednesday, students will take the District Benchmark Assessment (DBA) for the 1st nine weeks.
Our next unit, scientific notation will be introduced on Thursday. This unit will focus on students understanding the form and function of scientific notation. Students should be able to answer the following questions after the unit introduction.
What is scientific notation
When is it used (in what fields, to represent what)?
How do you express large numbers in scientific notation?
How do you express small numbers in scientific notation?
How do you convert between standard form and scientific notation?
The scientific notation unit will be accessible in Plato on Thursday.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Week at a Glance: October 8, 2012
This week in math, students will continue to explore and apply the properties of exponents.
Product of Powers
Quotient of Powers
Power of Powers
Zero Exponents
Negative Exponents
Students will apply these properties to exponential expressions with a variety of bases: integers, rational numbers, variables (with and without coefficients). The properties of exponents unit will be available on Plato on Tuesday. Students may use this to review and practice the properties or for assistance with homework.
Students will take an exponents assessment on Thursday or Friday.
Thereafter, we will move onto square roots and cube roots. In preparation for this unit, students need to understand the following terms:
perfect square
perfect cube
Product of Powers
Quotient of Powers
Power of Powers
Zero Exponents
Negative Exponents
Students will apply these properties to exponential expressions with a variety of bases: integers, rational numbers, variables (with and without coefficients). The properties of exponents unit will be available on Plato on Tuesday. Students may use this to review and practice the properties or for assistance with homework.
Students will take an exponents assessment on Thursday or Friday.
Thereafter, we will move onto square roots and cube roots. In preparation for this unit, students need to understand the following terms:
perfect square
perfect cube
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Week at a Glance: October 1, 2012
This week in math, we will continue with Unit 2a: Introduction to Exponents. The focus of this mini-unit is for students to to learn about the form and function of exponents, be able to solve problems with exponents and learn the properties of exponents. They need to know what exponents are and how they are used. It is important that students understand the following terms in order to be successful with exponents:
- exponent
- base
- power
- exponential form
- expanded form
- simplify
- evaluate
We will begin the week by reviewing exponents and practicing evaluating expressions with exponents (applying the order of operations). Thereafter, we will move on to an exploration of the properties of exponents:
Product of Powers
Quotient of Powers
Power of Powers
Zero Exponent
Negative Exponents
Students will have a quiz over exponent basics and problem solving with exponents on Tuesday.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Week At A Glance: September 10, 2012
This week in math, we will continue with Unit 1B, the study of angle relationships. The students are becoming well-versed with the angle relationships. It is imperative that they also understand that the following angles are congruent when a transversal cuts through a set of parallel lines:
corresponding
alternate interior
alternate exterior
We will explore these angle relationships in further detail this week so students can understand that these angle relationships are only congruent when the lines that are intersected by the transversal are parallel. They will use this knowledge to prove whether lines are parallel.
We will also use angle relationships to solve problems. Specifically, students will write and solve algebraic equations to find the value of a missing angle measurement. Again, they will need to know the angle relationship to determine how to setup their equations.
To ensure that your child is prepared as move through unit, encourage them to continue to study the unit terms. They should use their flash cards to review the terms nightly. On Friday, we will have a quiz on which students will need to identify angle relationships and use them to solve problems.
corresponding
alternate interior
alternate exterior
We will explore these angle relationships in further detail this week so students can understand that these angle relationships are only congruent when the lines that are intersected by the transversal are parallel. They will use this knowledge to prove whether lines are parallel.
We will also use angle relationships to solve problems. Specifically, students will write and solve algebraic equations to find the value of a missing angle measurement. Again, they will need to know the angle relationship to determine how to setup their equations.
To ensure that your child is prepared as move through unit, encourage them to continue to study the unit terms. They should use their flash cards to review the terms nightly. On Friday, we will have a quiz on which students will need to identify angle relationships and use them to solve problems.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Week at A Glance: September 3, 2012
This week in math, we will begin the week with a pre-test on algebraic equations. The data from this pre-test will be used to determine the extent to which students have mastered solving one-step, two-step and multi-step algebraic equations and plan instruction accordingly.
We will move on to our second mini unit, Unit 1b: Angle Relationships. In this unit, students will study similar triangles and the following angle relationships:
complementary angles
supplementary angles
adjacent angles
vertical angles
alternate interior angles
alternate exterior angles
corresponding angles
consecutive interior angles
Students will use facts about these angle relationships to solve algebraic equations and other types of problems. Vocabulary is extremely important in this mini unit. Students will need to be able to define and identify all of the angle relationships listed above as well as be familiar with the following:
parallel lines
perpendicular lines
intersecting lines
triangle angle-sum theorem
angle-angle criterion
We will move on to our second mini unit, Unit 1b: Angle Relationships. In this unit, students will study similar triangles and the following angle relationships:
complementary angles
supplementary angles
adjacent angles
vertical angles
alternate interior angles
alternate exterior angles
corresponding angles
consecutive interior angles
Students will use facts about these angle relationships to solve algebraic equations and other types of problems. Vocabulary is extremely important in this mini unit. Students will need to be able to define and identify all of the angle relationships listed above as well as be familiar with the following:
parallel lines
perpendicular lines
intersecting lines
triangle angle-sum theorem
angle-angle criterion
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Week at a Glance: August 27, 2012
This week in math, we will continue with Unit 1a: Geometric Transformations. The focus of this week is dilations; however, we will continue to review translations, rotations and reflections as we compare these rigid transformations to non-rigid transformations. Students will use rigid transformations along with dilations to determine if figures are similar.
In addition, students will enhance their understanding of similarity and congruency through the analysis of figures and images. A major idea about that students need to understand is that congruency is a special case of similarity in which the scale factor = 1. Students will have homework nightly and they need to review their notes in preparation for the unit assessment, which is scheduled for Friday, August 31.
In addition, students will enhance their understanding of similarity and congruency through the analysis of figures and images. A major idea about that students need to understand is that congruency is a special case of similarity in which the scale factor = 1. Students will have homework nightly and they need to review their notes in preparation for the unit assessment, which is scheduled for Friday, August 31.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Week at A Glance: August 20, 2012
This week in math, we will wrap up the first part of Unit 1A Geometric Transformations. Students will take a test on rigid transformations (translations, rotations and reflections). They will need to be able to identify and perform indicated transformations and explain how they impact the coordinates of the original figure (pre-image). Students in advanced math will take the test on Monday and all other classes will take the test on Tuesday.
By midweek, we will move on to the second part of Unit 1A. In this portion of the unit, students will study dilations, which is another type of geometric transformation. Students will identify, create and analyze dilations of geometric figures. We will also study congruence and similarity in this part of the unit. Students will need to be able to differentiate between transformations that result in images that are congruent to the original and those that result in images that are similar to the original.
Students need to be familiar with the familiar with the following key terms for this unit:
By midweek, we will move on to the second part of Unit 1A. In this portion of the unit, students will study dilations, which is another type of geometric transformation. Students will identify, create and analyze dilations of geometric figures. We will also study congruence and similarity in this part of the unit. Students will need to be able to differentiate between transformations that result in images that are congruent to the original and those that result in images that are similar to the original.
Students need to be familiar with the familiar with the following key terms for this unit:
- dilation
- factor
- proportion
- ratio
- congruence
- similarity
- corresponding sides
- corresponding angles
- translation
- rotation
- reflection
- line of symmetry
- line of reflection
- point of rotation
- general form
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Week at a Glance: August 13, 2012
This week in math, we will continue with Unit 1A, Geometric Transformations. We will begin the week with a review of the translations quiz that students took on Friday.
We will pick up with rotations. Students will rotate figures (90, 180 and 270 degrees) about the origin (in a coordinate graph) to study the properties of rotations so they can recognize when a figure has been rotated. They will analyze the relationship between the coordinates of the original figure (pre-image) and the image to develop an understanding of the how rotations effect a figure.
*Advanced Content: Students in advanced math will also rotate figures at degrees other than 90, 180, and 270 and about points other than the origin.
Thereafter, we will explore reflections. Students will reflect figures across the x-axis and y-axis (in a coordinate grid) as well as other horizontal and vertical lines to examine the properties of reflections. They will also investigate reflected images to identify how a reflection effects a figure.
*Advanced Content: Students in advanced math will reflect figures across diagonal lines as well.
This unit utilizes the following pre-requisite skills:
Some students may require practice in some or all of the aforementioned pre-requisite skills to increase their success in this unit.
Students need to be familiar with the following key terms for this unit:
We will pick up with rotations. Students will rotate figures (90, 180 and 270 degrees) about the origin (in a coordinate graph) to study the properties of rotations so they can recognize when a figure has been rotated. They will analyze the relationship between the coordinates of the original figure (pre-image) and the image to develop an understanding of the how rotations effect a figure.
*Advanced Content: Students in advanced math will also rotate figures at degrees other than 90, 180, and 270 and about points other than the origin.
Thereafter, we will explore reflections. Students will reflect figures across the x-axis and y-axis (in a coordinate grid) as well as other horizontal and vertical lines to examine the properties of reflections. They will also investigate reflected images to identify how a reflection effects a figure.
*Advanced Content: Students in advanced math will reflect figures across diagonal lines as well.
This unit utilizes the following pre-requisite skills:
- integer operations
- graphing in the coordinate plane
- multiplying with fractions
Some students may require practice in some or all of the aforementioned pre-requisite skills to increase their success in this unit.
Students need to be familiar with the following key terms for this unit:
- translation
- rotation
- reflection
- x-axis
- y-axis
- horizontal
- vertical
- clockwise
- counterclockwise
- image
- pre-image
- point of rotation
- point of reflection
Monday, August 6, 2012
Week at a Glance: August 6, 2012
This week in math, we will study properties of geometric transformations. Students will perform transformations in the coordinate to analyze the effect of:
Translations
Reflections
Rotations
Students will have a quiz on Friday.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Welcome
Welcome Back 8th Graders!
I really enjoyed meeting so many of you at Open House. I look forward to getting to know you all as we start this school year. I am sure that this year will be filled with lots of learning, excitement and memories that will last a lifetime.
Enjoy your final day of summer vacation. I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, August 1.
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