End of the 1st Quarter

Wow! It's hard to believe just how fast the first 10 weeks went by. Fractions, Decimals, and Integers...Oh MY!!! I can't wait to put the names up on the homework stars bulletin board for the 1st Quarter. Will your name be on it???

Parents: We are working on unit price and comparison shopping. Please involve your 8th grader in your daily shopping decisions. Ask, "which one should we buy?" Soon we will be working with percent. There will be many opportunities for you to expose your 8th grader to sales tax and sale price while out shopping. Maybe if you are enjoying a meal at a restaurant you can discuss how you determine how much money to leave for the tip. Seeing how math is used in real life is helpful for students to connect the classroom topics to the real world.

Integers

Integers are the set of whole numbers and their opposites. These numbers are integers ...-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, ...

We are practicing comparing integers, finding absolute value, adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing integers (both in class and for homework). We have our first quiz on Wednesday so make sure to study!

Integers are used in many real life situations. We have worked with some in class. Can you name one way integers can be used in real life?

First Day

Welcome to the 8th Grade! Here are some of the new 8th-graders as they start their day:) I look forward to updating the class blog and hearing your comments.

Welcome Back!

I am ready for a fun and academically successful school year! Check back to the blog often to see updates and class information. Make sure to look at our class website for math resources.

When you are at a restaurant...

Parents, talk to your eighth grader about tipping. Tell them what you do to determine the tip for a meal. We have gone over a few strategies for finding the gratuity on the subtotal of a restaurant bill. Ask your child to find the tip on your next outing!Eighth-Graders, ask your parents how they determine the tip for a meal. Discuss the different ways that we practiced estimating tip. Impress your family or friends with your knowledge next time you are out to eat!

Post a comment that correctly explains just ONE way to figure out the tip for a meal for HW extra credit!

Wow! It's been so long since the last post!

So much has happened since Jan. 17th!

We studied and practiced more about different types of angles and how to use algebra to find missing angle measures.

We learned what polynomials are, and how to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and factor them.

We completed our state test in mathematics this week, except for those who were absent. Mack, I hope you are feeling better soon. The class isn't the same without your "Mack-isms."

Our Groton Middle School Team took 1st place at the Eckerd Drug Quiz Show this week. Way to Go!!!

My son is recovering nicely from his surgery today. He is relaxing, watching the latest edition of 101 Dalmations. I will see you on Monday!

Vertical Angles

Today students explored the relationship between the angles formed when two lines intersect. Students made their own pairs of vertical (opposites) angles with equal measures. We even had one lady bug!

Transformation Projects

Designing their names in block letters on a coordinate grid, students transformed their design doing a reflection in the x-axis, 90 degree counter-clockwise rotation, translation (x,y) -->(x-3,y-2), and a dilation with scale factor of 2. Here are the projects completed by Jason, Kaitlynn Hil., Felicia, Quin, Alex, and Levi G. I will add more soon! Keep checking back!

Transformations Project

Wow! I have seen some neat projects being created in our classroom. Very Creative:)

Here is a picture of Jon's project. His was the first turned in! It was great to see you working, Jon! It looks great!

All projects are due tomorrow. I can't wait to see the finished products!!!

Transformations

Reflections (flips), translations (slides), rotations (turns), and dilations (reductions and enlargements) are all examples of transformation (change).

Here are some examples of student work from our first transformation quiz. Thank you Shania V, Nick S, and Donovan W for sharing your great work with us!

Notice that each of them put arrows, numbered, and labeled the x-axis and y-axis! They also labeled each figure correctly using prime marks when necessary on the images after the transformations! Great work:)