Homework for Thursday, January 30

Assignment:  Factors Choice
Today you chose an assignment based upon your comfort level with factoring.  Below each assignment is a note -
1) Lesson 2.1
Make sure you list ALL of the factors for a number, including 1 and the number.  We went over factors today (at the same time we discussed it as related to fractions) ... they are not decimals!  Then list the common factors between the two numbers, finally writing the greatest common factor (the largest number they both have as factors) in the last blank.  This is just good, solid practice that you should become quick at.
2) Factor Trees
This worksheet shows you how to make a factor tree for a number.  The factor tree contains factors for the original number, but in the end you have only the prime factors left.  Sometimes it takes awhile to build a tree and sometimes it happens quickly.  But always build the tree; I recommend circling the prime factors you end up with, but this is not required as long as I can read your tree.
*And yes, there is more than one way to build a tree!
3) Prime Factorization
Once you know how to create a factor tree, you can do lots of things with them.  One of those things is to create a prime factorization for the original number.  Every number has a prime factorization meaning that it can be built (through multiplication) using only prime numbers.
On this assignment, you should build your tree first, then circle the prime numbers as I did in red for you.  Rewrite those on the line (as in the example: 2 x 3 x 5.  The next step is to find GCFs and LCMs using prime factorizations ... it's pretty cool!
4) Quizlet 
Please complete the "factors" set!
Due Friday

Homework for Wednesday, January 29

Assignment:  Fraction Choice #1
*Those of you doing the Puzzle option, there is an error:  the answer of 5/11 should be 1/11.
There were 5 options to choose from, but unfortunately none of them are currently available here!  You have two choices essentially:
1) Wait until tomorrow and pick up another copy of what you want or
2) Go to Quizlet and do one of the fraction sets.
This unit is about figuring out what you know, what you don't know, how thinking differently might help, practicing what needs practicing, and extending yourself in new ways with fractions.
Due Thursday - (one of the choices)

Homework for Tuesday, January 28

Assignment:  Negative Ops Test Corrections & Take Home Quiz
Details -
Negative Ops Test Corrections are to be completed on the form.  Make sure that you provide more details as I went over in class today - it's not enough to say, "I did it wrong," you must say exactly what you did incorrectly.  It's time to take note of your mistakes and work to correct them, not just make excuses about being tired or brain dead.  Your explanations of why you missed a problem are worth 1/2 of your points today and the other half comes in getting the correct answer.  Do it well!
Take Home Pre-Quiz - see yesterdays blog entry for specific guidelines, but again, the front page is corrected (so ask someone how to do it) and the back side of the page is for letting me know how you feel about the different skills and what pace you would like to travel in this unit.  If you have any ideas for extensions, let me know and I will work with you on those!
I gave examples of "weak" answers yesterday, so it's worth rereading.  There is also a copy of the worksheet there in the title.
Both are DUE Wednesday; signed Ops Corrections are also worth one candy point!

Homework for Monday, January 27

Assignment:  Fractions Take Home Pre-Quiz and Self-Eval
This assignment is pretty hefty, actually.  It might take you awhile, so plan accordingly!
Side One:  Please complete the first side of the worksheet whether or not you have done any of these before.  GET HELP if you need it.  I want you to find someone who can help you with all of these so you can get a feel for where we're going.  YES, you do need to answer all of the problems on the first side. For many of you, one quick reminder or lesson will be a great jump start for you.  Some of you will want a lot more practice and that's what the other side of this is for ...
Side Two:  Please complete the second side of this worksheet elaborating on your FEELINGS on these skills.  I do NOT want definitions, I want to know what you know, kind of know, and don't know.  I want to know if you use different words for these skills and realize that you can adapt quickly or if they baffle you.  This is the part where you get to express to me what you're thinking ... what do you want your pace to be for this fraction unit?  Statements like, "I had no idea what a factor was, but after Mr. Jeff explained it they seem easy!" or "I had no idea what a factor was and after Mr. Jeff explained it I realized that I am still completely lost." are perfect.
Be honest, be thorough, and be clear.
Due Tuesday

Notes!

Hello everyone!  Having fully recovered ... I'm working on TeacherEase updates this weekend and have these announcements for you:
*Your Negative Ops test scores are in TeacherEase.  Interestingly, many of you did better on this difficult section than you did on the basics ... well done!
*NOVA's basketball team won their first game of the season quite handily.  Congratulations!
*NOVA's volleyball team won 1 of their 3 games.  This pretty much ties our winning total from last year, so we're off to a great start!
P.S.  Both team jerseys are orange ... show your NOVA team pride and let's wear them to school on Fridays!  
P.P.S.  Have you signed up for the NOVA spring soccer team yet? (see tab above)

Homework for Thursday, January 23

Assignment:  Fraction Questions
At first glance this assignment might look simple.  Indeed, it asks for your reflections on a few fraction topics ... how can that be complicated?  Well, I want to be able to see what you understand, how you are thinking about fractions, where you might struggle, and what you can discover.  If there are things you do not know or understand on this worksheet, please ask someone; use your resources.
*You CAN be too brief on this assignment; please err on the side of overexplaining or giving more than the number of examples asked for.
*You CAN type your responses; feel free to use additional paper, lined paper, or whatever paper works best for you.
*"I don't know," "In math class," and "A number," are examples of answers that show little to no effort.  Don't go there.  Share your thoughts.
The title of this blog is a copy of the assignment.
Abby, you will be unable to answer question #2 until you get back and I show you Ella's paper!
Due Friday

Assignment: Your Bingo Card
Get ready to become speedy with equivalent fractions!  
It's one thing to be able to name an equivalent fraction and it's quite another to do it quickly and with confidence.  Our Bingo games will help you achieve those goals while playing; practice builds skills.
This assignment is graded on effort and accurately following these guidelines:
*You must color ALL circles.
*You must list ALL equivalencies up to a denominator of 12 for the colored fraction.
*You may only color one whole twice (but it is not required to do it twice) and you do not need to list the equivalencies for the whole.
Due: Thursday 
You will not be eligible to play on Monday unless you have your card in by Thursday, January 23.

Differentiation for our fractions unit is huge.  Students should look for ways to stretch their understandings and use them in context while learning all of the conventions for using fractions.  The opportunity for enrichments are endless!

Did you see the new tab at the top of this blog regarding NOVA's soccer teams?  Check it out!

Homework for Tuesday, January 21

Assignment:  Choice: Order of Operations with Negatives 

Lots of options here!  These were available on the back table in room #4, but do not despair ... there are copies of all of them here for downloading:

*Order of Ops A - the basics

*Even More Ops - step 2

*Let's Practice More - new worksheet, good practice.

*Heckuva Ops - more complex

*Ops with Exponents - This worksheet is intended for those of you doing consistently well with your negative order of operations who are looking for the next challenge.  You can try this, but feel free to seek help if you need it.

Quizlet (negative order of ops) is also an option.

Due Wednesday

No Homework for Thursday, January 16

Isn't it great?  You can spend time redoing assignments or catching up.  A mathematician's work is never done.  ;-)

Please keep in mind:
I will post your test scores in TeacherEase tonight by 5:00; hopefully sooner.
You will receive your test corrections tomorrow.  Hopefully you won't have any.  
William WR and Rachel - you will test IN class on Friday ... if you're here!
Retests will be announced at a later date; it's going to depend on how many of you need to retest.  
The Order of Operations test will be next Friday, February 24 in class.  We will be reviewing all next week.

Have a great evening,
Mo ;-)

Homework for Wednesday, January 15

Pre-test Choice.
How do you get full credit for this assignment?
a) Complete it
b) Correct it
c) Make corrections
d) Turn it in on time
Question:  How do you know it's correct?
Answer: Well, if the answer to the riddle doesn't make sense, then you need to locate your errors.  Do the math, by the way, don't just figure out which letter fits in the box ... or the purpose of making the correction vanishes.  Keep in mind that "making sense" and "actually being funny" do not necessarily mean the same thing.
Due Thursday
*Note: the order of operations will NOT be on the test tomorrow, just basic computation and application problems.  The order of operations section will happen next week; most likely on Friday.
*Get plenty of sleep tonight and practice Quizlet with your extra time!  (John noted aloud in my presence that he didn't have other homework, so I'm guessing that you'll have time)

Homework for Tuesday, January 14

Assignment:  Choice #6
I am not going to relist options A - G from yesterday because you can look back at Monday's entry on your own.  So this list continues with H - K (and Q).
If there is a link to the assignment, it's the title of the assignment.  Otherwise, adapt and select something new!
H) Heckuva Negative Ops Heckuva Negative Ops
*continuing on with negatives in order of operations: critical skill!
*Sam!  This is the one you picked; hopefully you can download this copy.  Rachel, it's a great one for you too.
I) 1.7 Practice Worksheet
*practice with negative multiplication and division
J) Dividing Negatives
*this is just division, with a few applications of
K) 1.5 Practice Worksheet
*addition worksheet, but with replacing variables; includes a few applications
Q) Any of the Negative options
Due Wednesday

Homework for Monday, January 13

Assignment:  Choice #5
Hang in there, this entry has a lot of detail and you will need to scroll through it to find what applies to you individually.  In addition, I do NOT have copies of every option.  If you lost your copy, you will have to select from the options I DO have listed below OR wait until tomorrow to pick up another one in class.
So, as you selected in class today:
A) Letter Perfect (there is no copy of this worksheet)
 *focus on subtraction with negatives
B) Butterfly Worksheet (no copy)
 *focus on addition with negatives
C) Buttermilk Worksheet (no copy)
 *focus on basic order of ops with negatives
D) Order of Ops A (click title)
 *focus on order of operations with negatives
 *Rachel, this one is for you!
E) Even More Neg Ops (click title)
 *focus on more complex order of operations with negatives
F) One Day Project Options (click title)
 *creating negative problem sets for Quizlet; focus of your choice
G) Three Day Project Options ("Create your own" option is the only option available online here although both project are outlined; click title)
 *graphing coordinates and creating coordinate puzzles or developing your own project.
 *Jaden, you should select D, F, or G.  You can still do the graphing coordinates option of G, but you'll have to complete it in 2 days rather than 3.  You have already completed option E.  
Due Tuesday 
*note, all choices have an element "due"

Homework for Thursday, January 9

Assignment:  Pre-test Study Worksheet (this is the link to a copy)
Please complete this assignment by 1) circling one of the multiple choice answers then 2) briefly explaining the "rule" you used to come up with your answer.  For example ...
"I knew there were more blue cowboys than yellow."
"I collected my negatives and positives, then added them."
"I knew that two negatives = a positive in division problems."
Etc.
I don't need a novel unless you have a strong desire to write about math tonight.  Ha!
Due Friday

Assignment:  Real Life Negatives D
*Complete this assignment carefully ... there may be extra information or you may be starting equations from some place other than zero.  If you don't read the problems, you may miss a detail!
NOTE!!!!!  Question 4d has a typo and is impossible!

*Back to the median (to keep you on your toes!)

Please (even though I did not intend this problem this way) give an example of why you know it is impossible to get a median of 0 by adding only one number.*The title of the assignment is a direct link to a copy.
Due Thursday

Homework for Tuesday, January 7

Assignment:  Order of Ops or Comp Review A
Be careful to show your work as you complete these problem sets.  I want to be able to help you with anything you miss, but cannot look inside your head.  Besides, I will have you redo the problems if you don't show your steps the first time.  ;-)
Emma V, Elyse has your worksheet.
Rachel and Elinor, you should complete the Order of Ops A.
Copies of the worksheets:
*Order of Operations with Negs A
*Comprehensive Review of Negs A
Due Wednesday

Homework for Monday, January 6

Assignment: Choice #4
Today you chose from different assignments depending on what you need to practice first in preparation for the test next Thursday.  Remember, the prep is up to you now!  You know everything there is to know, you just need to keep practicing.
Assignments (the title of the assignment is a link if there is a link; otherwise pick a new one to complete)
A) Subtracting Integers
B) Adding & Subtracting 4
C) Adding & Subtracting Decimals
D) Order of Operations A
E) Even More Order of Operations  + + +
Due Tuesday!

A few things for 2014 ...

Happy New Year!
Here are a few items/links that you may need to begin the year:

Alley Oop Permission Form

Warehouse Rock Gym Permission Form

Basketball and Volleyball team information has been updated on the Mo'Sports tab.