Monday, December 19, 2011

TEST SCORES

Yes I did show 3rd block their test scores, but all the scores changed. All grades could have gone up from 3 to 13 points. I took 3 questions off and if they were already correct I gave a bonus point. So the score you saw on Thursday is not the accurate score.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

TEST TEST TEST TOMORROW TOMORROW TOMORROW

The end of unit test is tomorrow. I am feeling pretty confident in all of you. Please be prepared. If you need some extra practice you can look at the ODD problems on Pages 94-96, all the answers are in the back of the textbook.

Monday, December 12, 2011

MATH TEXTBOOK ONLINE

6th Grade Math
http://my.hrw.com/
username: bwhite1467
password: f5s8s

MONDAY IN CLASS.......

  • We are reviewing Independent & Dependent Variables as well as plotting their points on a coordinate grid. 4 questions will be answered in class for a daily grade.


  • Quickly review solving equations. We will apply this to solving inequalities and learn how to graph inequalities. All examples and homework assignment are on Page 90-91.
HOMEWORK
PAGE 91 5-24

Friday, December 9, 2011

FRIDAY CLASSWORK - HOMEWORK 12/9/11

Worksheet - Problems 1-15 (Homework if it did not get finished in class) The first 2 pages are examples if you need help.























Homework Assignment 1-15




Poster Project is Due on Monday (Scroll Down On The BLOG for Directions & Scoring Information)

LOTS & LOTS & LOTS & LOTS & LOTS & LOTS & LOTS & LOTS & LOTS & LOTS OF EXTRA PRACTICE!!!!!

Solve One-Variable Equations
Shodor - Algebra Four - Game
http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/AlgebraFour/


MathsNet - Unknowns on Both Sides
http://mathsnet.net/algebra/cu1.html


MathsNet - Equation Buster - Class Interactive
http://www.mathsnet.net/algebra/equation.html

Substitution of Variables
MathsNet - Substituting Values - Tutorial
http://mathsnet.net/algebra/a11.html


BBC - Late Delivery - Game
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/mathsfile/shockwave/games/postie.html


Write Expressions and Equations
MathsNet - Word Problems - Class Interactive
http://mathsnet.net/algebra/c11.html


LearnAlberta - Exploring Algebra Noodle - Game -
http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/mejhm/index.html?l=0&ID1=AB.MATH.JR.PATT&ID2=AB.MATH.JR.PATT.ALG&lesson=html/object_interactives/algebra/use_it.html

Balancing Equations
NLVM - Algebra Balance Scales - Student Interactive
http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_201_g_3_t_2.html?open=instructions&from=category_g_3_t_2.html 


Illuminations - Pan Balance - Numbers - Class Interactive
http://illuminations.nctm.org/ActivityDetail.aspx?ID=26


Illuminations - Pan Balance - Expressions - Class Interactive
http://illuminations.nctm.org/ActivityDetail.aspx?id=10


LearnAlberta - Balancing Equations - Video Lesson
http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/mesg/html/math6web/index.html?page=lessons&lesson=m6lessonshell11.swf


CORE Academy - 6th Grade, 2005 Participant Handbook - Balance or Tilt? Lesson - http://coreacademy.usu.edu/Materials/2005/Handbooks/SixthGrade.pdf

BBC - Equation Match Game -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/mathsfile/shockwave/games/equationmatch.html


Inequalities
Math is Fun - Teacher Tutorial
http://www.mathsisfun.com/equal-less-greater.html


SpeedMath - Inequalities - Game
http://education.jlab.org/sminequality/index.html


IXL Math - Comparing Integers - Student Interactive
http://www.ixl.com/math/practice/grade-5-compare-integers


MathsNet - Inequalities - Tutorial -
http://mathsnet.net/algebra/c31.html

INDEPENDENT & DEPENDENT VARIABLES & FUNCTIONS - PRACTICE GAMES

Cyberchase - Stop That Creature - Game
http://teams.lacoe.edu/documentation/classrooms/amy/algebra/5-6/activities/functionmachine/functionmachine5_6.html


Math Playground - What‟s the Function? - Game
http://mathwire.com/games/guessmyrulegame.pdf

Mathwire - Guess My Rule: The Function Machine - Game

http://www.mathplayground.com/functionmachine.html

Teams - Find the Function- Game http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/games/functions/functions.html

DEPENDENT AND INDEPENDENT VARIABLES

This topic can be very confusing, and now that 6th graders have to know this stuff, I am doing all I can to make it better and easier. So hopefully to help in the understanding of the 2 different types of variables I have assigned a Poster Project. The poster (8.5 x 11 paper is fine) is due on Monday, December 12.

READ THE DETAILS BELOW. (IT SAYS THE 15TH BUT IT IS DUE ON THE 12TH)



SCORING RUBRIC


























ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS


Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

EQUATIONS - CLASSROOM PRESENTATION











Teachers' Domain: Bianca the Spy

Teachers' Domain: Bianca the Spy

In this video segment from Cyberchase, Bianca daydreams about being a spy. In order to save the video games of the world from being totally eliminated, Bianca must replace a crystal in the video game eliminator. To do that safely she must follow a specific number of steps and then perform the inverse of those steps.

EQUATION - A MATHEMATICAL SENTENCE THAT CONTAINS AN = SIGN

2 + 7 = 9
10 - 6 = 4
14 = 2 x 7
 2 + x = 9
4 = k - 6
15 ÷ m = 3

Alot of the time we can find the solution to an equation with a variable without even working it out because we know our math facts. Though this isn't always true and it is extremely important that we know how to solve an equation.

You can use problem solving techniques as well as mental math to help you solve an equation, but sometimes the problems are too difficult to solve in our head so knowing the process is important, plus Mrs. White ALWAYS wants to see your work :).

So I guess I will tell you the most important things about solving an equation.
1.) What type of problem are you working (addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division)
2.) What is the opposite of the operation in the problem?
3.) Your goal is to get the variable alone on 1 side of the = sign, so you will need to move any numbers that are on the same side as the variable. To do this you will need to use the operation from step 2 to get the variable to the other side of the = sign.
4.) Remeber BALANCE - What you do to one side you must do to the other.
5.) Check to make sure your answer is the solution. Substitute your answer for the variable and work it out. If you get the same number of both sides of the equal sign then you were correct.

For example, x + 3 = 5 (notice how I use each step)
1. Addition Equation
2. Opposite of Addition is Subtraction
3. & 4.) x + 3 = 5
                   - 3   - 3
               x        = 2

Notice that I had to get the 3 away from the x so I did the opposite of addition to subtract 3 from both sides. When I subtracted 3 from 5, I got 2. To check and make sure 2 is the solution I will substitute it back into the original equation to check. When there is balance you know you were correct.

x + 3 = 5
2 + 3 = 5
5=5 When there is balance you know you were correct. J 

EQUATIONS

Algebra is all about BALANCE. So when I think about BALANCE I think about this..........



So technically a teeter totter isn't the greatest example but it is good because it proves that if the weight/value on one side is not the same as the weight/value on the other side then the teeter totter will not sit balanced, thus its appeal. In math however we do want balance at all times.

To show balance in math we use
=

Monday, December 5, 2011

FINALLY SOMETHING NEW

We have all completed the learning check with 85% of the 6th grade students passing. We are going to continue working with Algebra for the next 2 weeks. We will be learning how to solve equations and inequalities. There will be 1 more test before Christmas Break...

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

BREAKING NEWS - It's a fact that students that show their work are 90% more successful than those who do not.

We began working on the test today in class and I am seeing a very large number of students not showing any work and thus just guessing an answer. This is very careless and usually leads to a horrible grade. This test is a learning check for the last 6 weeks of school. If a 70% is not achieved then those students will be assigned mandatory tutoring for the remainder of the 9-weeks.

Because of the outbreak of carelessness I have made a new rule. STUDENTS MUST SHOW THEIR WORK ON SOME OF THE PROBLEMS. I HAVE PUT THAT LIST ON THE BOARD IN THE CLASSROOM. IF THIS IS NOT DONE, THEY WILL BE GIVEN A ZERO. I know this is harsh but I just cannot figure out why kids are ok with making bad grades.

GRADES ARE MADE NOT GIVEN, THEY ARE EARNED, SO WORK HARD FOR THEM!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Welcome Back, It's Been A Long Time

The 6-Week Exam is tomorrow. I hope you're ready! This grade will count as a Unit Test. If a 70% or above is not made on the test, students will have to attend mandatory tutoring for the remainder of the 9 weeks.

If more reviewing is needed please please please work the problems listed on the Study Guide Answer Sheet (you can find a copy on the blog). Also there are many games to help you with like terms and the mathematical properties.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

MATH TEXTBOOK ONLINE

FYI - JUST IN CASE YOU FORGET YOUR MATHBOOK THIS WEEKEND

6th Grade Math
username: bwhite1467
password: f5s

6-WEEK STUDY GUIDE ANSWERS & EXTRA PRACTICE

THE 6-WEEK EXAM IS TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29

Below you will find the answers to the study guide problems and some extra practice problems. If you work the practice problems all the answers are in the back of the textbook.

Monday, November 21, 2011

"So much time and so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it."

Bonus points to anyone who can tell me what movie this quote came from. Submit your answers to me on a 1/2 sheet of paper in class. :)

So its time again to gear up for the 6-week exam. Are you ready? I hope you are. Remeber if you don't make a 70% or higher you will be in mandatory tutoring until the end of the 9 weeks.

Today in class I have a study guide for you to complete. Everything on it is fair game for the exam. I will even being selecting 10 questions from the Study Guide for the test. Below you will find the study guide that will be given out in class today.







Wednesday, November 16, 2011

DISTRIBUTIVE PROPERTY

Of all the math properties we use it is EXTREMELY important that the 6th graders know how to use the distributive property correctly. At this time I don't believe we have had success reaching this goal. We are going to continue working on this so don't give up. Below are some activities that will help you get better at using the distributive property.

Distributive Property

Distributive Property

Distributive Property - along with like terms and simplifying expressions

LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE TERMS?

Last nights assignment was about simplifying expressions. To do this you first must know how to combine like terms. For example, in 5x, the term is x.

If I have:




I color coded the like terms. Like Terms means that the terms are the same (terms are the variables and/or exponents that are behind the numbers (coefficients)

In the following example I am going to show you how to combine like terms in order to simplify the expressions. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT SIMPLIFY DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN YOU WILL GET A FINAL ANSWER.


I color coded the like terms again just to show you what I combined. Notice that I did not get a final numeric answer. There is nothing else that can be done to this expression, this is as simplified as it can get.


FOR MORE PRACTICE ON IDENTIFYING LIKE TERMS CHECK OUT THIS GAME






Monday, November 14, 2011

MATH - A - THON

Every year the 6th grade participated in the St. Jude Children's Reasearch Hospital MATH-A-THON. In the past we have raised over $6000 for the Hospital. Participation is not required but I do encourage it, in the past years we have had BCMS students at St. Jude, so we are able to see how we are helping out.

How do you participate?
1. Get sponsors. (After you turn in a permission slip)
2. Do the math. (Complete all the math problems and puzzles in your Funbook)
3. Collect donations. (Collect the funds pledged by your sponsors)

Donations can be collected as flat donations if you choose not to complete the Funbook.

Permission slips will be sent home today.

HOPE EVERYONE HAD A GREAT WEEKEND!

Today we are going to go back and take a pre-test that I should have given at the beginning of our Algebra Unit. Please don't stress this will not count as a grade it will only show me what you know and do not know. Some of the material on this pre-test has already been covered in class and should be a review for everyone.

After the pre-test is finished, the students will be working on a Vocabulary Worksheet to learn about the Math Properties (Commutative, Associative, Distributive, Identity)
This worksheet will be homework

Thursday, November 10, 2011

BREAKING NEWS!

New York (CNN). At John F. Kennedy International Airport today, a Caucasian female (later discovered to be a middle school mathematics teacher) was arrested trying to board a flight while in possession of a large number of pencils, a ruler and a large notebook.

According to law enforcement officials, she is believed to have ties to the Al-Gebra network. She will be charged with carrying weapons of math instruction.

ARE YOU GOOD AT SOLVING RIDDLES?

TRY THIS:

A man wanted to get into his work building, but he had forgotten his code.
However, he did remember five clues. These are what those clues were:

- The fifth number plus the third number equals fourteen.
- The fourth number is one more than the second number.
- The first number is one less than twice the second number.
- The second number plus the third number equals ten.
- The sum of all five numbers is 30.

- What were the five numbers and in what order?

11/08/2011 HOMEWORK

Complete the following worksheet. Follow the directions carefully. I will be looking for all 4 steps. So don't forget to underline, circle, box, write.


YIKES!!!!!

It seems that everyone is struggling with writing expressions. So we are going to continue talking about them today in class. We are going reviewing some keywords for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division by playing a quick version of Family Feud.

Next we are going to review our steps for working word problems.
1.) Underline the question.
2.) Circle the important information.
3.) Box the keywords.
4.) Write the expression to be worked.

***In all the problems we are working with right now there is not enough information to solve the problems so please don't let this confuse you. We need practice finding the correct expression before we can apply that to solve major word problems.***

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

11/8/2011 HOMEWORK

PAGE 60 1-13
VOCABULARY CROSSWORD & WORD SEARCH WORKSHEET

IT REALLY IS WEDNESDAY

It really is Wednesday. I keep thinking its Monday and refer to Mondays homework assignment as if it were Friday's, even though I never assign homework in Fridays. I am all messed up.

With that out of the way, we are going to Jump right into Algebra Land. Today in class we are talking about Translating words into math. Which means we will be reading mathematical sentences and transforming them into mathematica expressions. All of the lecture information will be below including a homework assignement. I do apologize because I never give Wednesday homework but we are a day behind, so maybe we won't have homework tomorrow night. Fingers crossed.