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.
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).
Monday, November 26, 2012
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.
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