Algebra – We started the week reviewing for a Quiz on Halloween, with no homework (which was appreciated by all of the classes!) and had the quiz on Tuesday. On Wednesday we started using Generic Rectangles to multiply monomials/binomials and binomial/binomials. It went really well – the kids combined the like terms without even really thinking about it since they had just been building the rectangles with algebra tiles and were used to seeing the x tiles in 2 places. On Thursday we worked with some basic Absolute Value equations also. I don’t think all of the kids understood why there are 2 problems to solve…yet! Friday we began “rearranging” equations that have multiple variables…so “solve for t” in the equation d = rt types of equations.
Math 7CP – WooHoo! It’s Menu Math! We started teaching equations using Brad Fulton’s Menu Math Lessons. (This is on TPT, but it’s a free download.) These are wonderful lessons, the kids naturally add up the types of foods and can write an order from the variables so easily. The only issue we’re working on is when we “take away” more than one item. They’re fine when it says (2c + h + x) – c, but when it’s (2c + h + x) – (c + x) they aren’t subtracting the x (which is an extra large drink!). We’ll keep working on that. Go download that lesson! On Friday I gave them the “order” and they made up the “situation”.
Math 7 Accelerated – We started the week finishing the chapter and reviewing for a quiz on Halloween (sounds so familiar!). We had our Group Quiz on Tuesday, and the Individual Chapter 2 Test on Friday. Wednesday we started Chapter 3, which is extending patterns and finding rules. We did more of this on Thursday, using tables, graphs and rules to make predictions of what would happen next. I really like how CPM introduces their patterns – they start with words and shapes, then go to numbers.
Always interesting, and new to me. Your students are so lucky to have you! Love, Mom