Communicate!

While working on the "Light Me Up!" Activity, it was neat seeing how well eighth graders can show their work. Some of you are still learning how to work through the procedures solving algebra problems. Showing your work allows you to communicate to me what you were doing and thinking when solving a problem. If you have errors on a problem, we can easily see and correct where the mistake is. Showing your work also allows you to communicate what procedures you do very well. A few of you are still stuck saying "Augghh! Do we have to show our work?" The answer is YES!

The answer is just a small part of the problem. You need to work on all aspects of a problem to be a good problem solver. Not only should you strive to show ACCURATE and correct work, you want to show your REASONING and thinking for the problem, and COMMUNICATE that information to others.

Check out these papers that your classmates completed!

Logic Requirement

Many 8th graders are completing logic puzzles at a surprising rate. Keep up the good work. Remember that it is our goal that every 8th grader completes 10 each quarter of the school year. If you don't have yours done yet, there is still time.

Logic is a REQUIREMENT, not extra credit. Zero puzzles completed gives you a quiz grade of 50%. One puzzle is a 55%; Two is a 60%; Three is a 65%, and so on... Ten is a 100%. You do get extra credit for MORE puzzles.... Eleven is a 101%; Twelve is a 102%; Thirteen is a 103%; Fourteen is a 104%; Fifteen is a 105%. Above fifteen counts towards the next quarter's requirement.

Special recognition goes to Shania V. and Emily F. Both have completed 60 logic puzzles already this first six weeks! Yes, that's right, SIXTY logic puzzles each. The closest to that number in last year's class for a WHOLE quarter was in the 40's. Excellent Work!!!!

Which puzzles do you like the best? Remember to cast your vote for your favorite logic puzzle before time runs out!

Word Wall

You can thank Miss James for making the Word Wall available this week:)

The Word Wall has important terms discussed in this unit on Equations and Expressions. Today's Warm Up included the Word Wall! I hope that you all found it useful as you worked in class on your review packets (due tomorrow in class). The review packets will help you study for the Unit Test on Equations tomorrow. You will be able to use the Word Wall on the Test.

The Unit Test will give you an opportunity to show off how GREAT you eighth-graders are at SHOWING YOUR WORK!

5 Week Progress Reports

You received your 5-week report from me today in class. Take it home and have a parent/guardian sign the report. Comments/questions are welcome from parents and students. Return it to me no later than Monday, October 15th for homework credit. To help you understand how averages are determined in Math 8, please refer back to the course information handed out to you on the first day of school.

Parents, you can find a copy of this course information paper attached to the parent letter sent home with your eighth grader for you to sign the first week of school. I will try to scan it on to this post as soon as I can figure out how to do that!

My Grade Book

Your parents may have received a classword and password to access your grades for math class. My Grade Book is up and running. It is updated through Friday, September 28th---the same as the reports you received in class today. What a great way to show off the good work you are doing to the people at home who care about you!!! Grades will be updated frequently.

On to Equations...

Wow! I was very pleased to see how well you all did on the first test of the year. Some of the names of impressive work include...

Sierra K, Stephanie B, Keegan D, Kyle J, Steven S, Marissa N, Alen Q, Zach R, Courtney W, George M, Sierra E, Peter F, and Chris G.

Way to go Eighth Graders!

Parents, make sure to ask your eighth grader what integers are and what they are used for.

Integers

Today, we finished the week by making a "foldable." This helps organize the integer operation rules that we have practiced. Keep this handy in your homework folder or 3-ring binder to use any time you need a reminder of the adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing integer rules.