Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays to all!

Below are the results for the Unit 3 Test.  When we return in January, everyone will have a fresh start!

Individual results are in Infinite Campus.  Test corrections completed in class will count in the grading period.

Below are some brief statistics by class period.

Period	# Students  >= 90%	# Total  students	Average  score
1	11	29	83%
5	6	21	85%
6	6	29	83%

Week 18 - End of Semester

End of Semester
This week marks the end of the first semester.  If 2 percentage points away from a grade (either up or down), this week's Unit Test could make that difference.  If you are more than 2 percentage points away from a grade, at this point there isn't much that you will be able to do to bump it up.  Your best bet is to study hard for the final test this week!

This Week
On Monday, we will learn about the relationship between distance, rate, and time.  On Tuesday, we will be making a percent booklet to showcase all of the different percentage problems (percent increase/decrease, discount, sales tax, mark-up, commission, and profit) we have studied in this unit.  On Wednesday, students will be taking a practice test.  On Thursday, we will take the test.  On Friday, I will pass out awards to students who achieve the Big Goal of 90% or more and students who improve from the previous unit test.  Students will also have a chance to correct their test mistakes for half credit.  There is no official homework over the break and no problem of the week.

Homework for the week is as follows:
Monday (12/12) - Distance Worksheet
Tuesday (12/13) - Percent Booklet
Wednesday (12/14) - Unit 3 Practice Test Corrections
Thursday (12/15) - Unit Test 3 today
Friday (12/16) - Play a board game or complete a puzzle

Week 17 - Last Lessons

Unit Test Next Thursday

Our final unit test of this semester will be next Thursday, December 15.  This will be the last grade entered for the semester.  Next week, we will spend one day on the relationship between distance, rate, and time and the next two reviewing for the test.  If you'd like to get a head start, the test will be on the material from chapters 5 and 6 from the book.

This Week

This week, we will round out our study on percents as seen in commission, sales tax, profit, and simple and compound interest.  Students will be expected to memorize the formula for simple interest (I=Prt where I = interest, P = principle, r = interest rate as a decimal, and t = time in years), but the formula for compound interest will be given.

Homework for the week is as follows:

Monday (12/5) - WB 6-6 # 3, 4, 5

Tuesday (12/6) - WB 6-6 # 6, 7, 8

Wednesday (12/7) - WB 6-7 # 1, 4, 10

Thursday (12/8) - Unit 3 Quiz 5 Practice Problems

Friday (12/9) - Problem of the Week 15: Geography Code

Week 16 - Contest Results

Math Contest Results
The results are in!  Mr. Mintz, the math contest coordinator, has the full results, but shared with me the top three winners of our school.  Remember, the test had 25 questions.

1st Place: Alex Broering (8th grade) with a score of 19
2nd Place: Rajan Lad (6th grade) with a score of 17
3rd Place: Riley Stokes (6th grade) with a score of 16

Congratulations!  In addition to ranking within the school, Riley and Rajan both earned Achievement Roll (15+ for 6th grade) and Rajan earned Honor Roll (17+ overall).  Again, congratulations!  Hopefully, I will have a full score report soon for every student that participated.

Friday Sub
This Friday, I will be on campus in an all day Intervention Collaboration Meeting.  I have requested Mr. Shannon (retired principal) and hopefully he will be available.  Students will be taking a quiz on this day and working either on their Problem of the Week, Algebra Tiles, or Balance Scales afterwards.

This Week
This week, we will be diving into more percent problems.  On Monday and Tuesday, we will work on percent increase/decrease problems and on Wednesday and Thursday, we will apply those to store mark-up and discount word problems.

Homework for this week is as follows:
Monday (11/28) - Bring an example of a discount (coupon, sale advertisement, etc.)
Tuesday (11/29) -  WB 6-5 #2, 4, 6, 18, 20
Wednesday (11/30) - Unit 3 Quiz 4 Practice Problems #1 - 3
Thursday (12/1) - Unit 3 Quiz 4 Practice Problems #4 - 7
Friday (12/2) - Problems of the Week #14: Number Riddles

Week 15 - Thanksgiving

Math Contest Participants
Thank you to all of the students who participated in the American Mathematics Contest.  This is John Muir's second entry year and we had an excellent turn out!  Out of the 47 students that entered, 23 came from my classes.  My students who participated each received a participation award, a pencil, and some Smarties.  They were Samuel Lim, Jacob Keselman, Allison Ngo, Jim Falcone, Joseph Monge, Alex Torres, Taylor Nittler, Anila Ebrahimi, William Dayton, Angelo Arriaga, Brittany Bastida, Jimmy Roe, Rajan Lad, Luke Trinh, Ryan Chi, Jacob Hernacki, Riley Stokes, Emily Cole, Sophia Nguyen, Amy Nguyen, Chloe Ross, Karanbir Sandhu, and Khush Amin.  Congratulations to all of our participants!

Monday Sub
I will be in training on Monday.  Mrs. Myers, a former math teacher, will be working with the students on the relationship between fractions, decimals, and percent.  Students should be prepared to take notes and copy their homework for the week.

Office Hour Change (for this week only)
Since I will be in training until 4pm on Monday and there is a minimum day on Wednesday, I will not be having my regular office hours.  Instead, I will have office hours on Tuesday until 3:15pm.

This Week
This week we will be working on the relationship between fractions, decimals, and percents, especially finding percents of numbers.

Homework for the week is as follows:
Monday (11/21) - WB 6-1 #2, 3, 10, 15, 20
Tuesday (11/22) - TB Pg. 315 #5, 8, 15, 16, 17
Wednesday (11/23) - Problem of the Week #13: Graphiti

Week 14 - Interim Assessments

Math Contest
On Tuesday, John Muir will be participating in the second annual middle school math contest.  Students of all grades are invited to participate.  This contest is a 25 question test and will be held in the cafeteria right after school on Tuesday.  Winners for each grade level will be announced and awarded.  The contest should end by 3:30pm.  Only the first 50 students to arrive at the cafeteria at 2:12pm will be allowed to participate, so come early!


Interim Assessments
On Thursday and Friday, we will be taking a district-wide interim assessment.  This is a cumulative test of the 6th grade math curriculum.  The purpose is to see if students are on track for the CST in May and project what score they would get if they were given the exam now.  Some of the material should be easy and some of the material has not been covered yet.  This test does not count for a grade, but is simply a good indicator.  Remember: these students are studying the Pre-Algebra curriculum, which is 7th grade math, but will be taking the 6th grade math CST and 6th grade math interim assessment.

This Week
This week we will continue our study of ratios, rates, and proportions through the lens of scale drawings and scale models.  Since we didn't have a quiz last week and Thursday and Friday are reserved for the interim assessments, we will have our quiz on Wednesday this week.  This Wednesday's quiz will cover 3 lessons in chapter 5 (5-5: Similar Figures, 5-6: Indirect Measurement, 5-7: Scale Drawings and Scale Models).

Homework for the week is as follows:
Monday (11/14): TB Pg. 254 #10, 14, 15
Tuesday (11/15): Unit 3 Quiz 3 Practice Problems
Wednesday (11/16): Problem of the Week #12
Thursday (11/17): No HW (Interim Assessments)
Friday (11/18): Now HW (Interim Assessments)

Week 13 - Veteran's Day

Veteran's Day

Not only is this Friday Veteran's Day, which means that there is no school for students, but there is also no school on Thursday for students because the teachers have a Staff Development day on Thursday.  There will be no quiz this week.  Instead, it will be on Wednesday next week (11/16).



Interim Assessments

Next Thursday and Friday (11/17 and 11/18) are reserved for interim assessments.  These tests are cumulative of the 6th grade math curriculum (not the 7th grade Pre-Algebra course that we are currently studying).  The reason for this assessment is to measure the progress of students on the CST exam they will take in the spring.  Since all sixth grade students, regardless of the math course they are enrolled in, will be taking the 6th grade math CST, all sixth grade students will take the 6th grade math interim assessment.  This assessment is more of a progress report for the teachers and will not be counted in student's grades.  It is an indicator of how well the student would do on the CST if it were administered today.  We will do this again once more in early spring before the CST.

This Week

This week, we will continue our study of proportions through investigation of similar figures and indirect measurement.  

Homework for the week is as follows:

Monday (11/7) - WB 5-5 # 1, 2, 5, 6

Tuesday (11/8) - TB Pg. 246 #4, 5, 6

Wednesday (11/9) - Problem of the Week #11 Pizza Palace

Week 12 - Proportion Problems

This Week
This week, we will be going in depth in our study of proportions.  We will be analyzing word problems and solving them by setting up proportions and solving using cross products.  On Wednesday, we will be doing dimensional analysis where we will be solving problems that involved converting units.  For example, how many inches are in 12 yards?


Homework for the week is as follows:
Monday (10/31) - TB Pg. 235 #14 - 16, 29.  Extra Credit: #30.
Tuesday (11/1) - Proportion Problem Solving Worksheet # 1 - 6
Wednesday (11/2) - TB Pg. 240 #10 - 13
Thursday (11/3) - Unit 3 Quiz 2 Practice Problems
Friday (11/4) - Problem of the Week #10 (Balanced Scales)

Week 11 - End of Grading Period 2

Wall-E
For students who chose the movie ticket prize, I will be showing Wall-E in my classroom during lunch.  Bring your lunch and I'll supply the popcorn!

End of Grading Period 2
This Friday marks the close of the second grading period.  All work must be submitted by Friday in order for me to grade the work and enter it by the Tuesday teacher grade submission deadline.

This Week
This week, we will be beginning our next unit of study: Ratios, Rates, Proportions, and Percents.  We will begin with simple ratios (e.g. 3 blue cars to 4 white cars can be written as 3 to 4, 3:4, or the fraction 3/4), rates (e.g. 60 miles per hour, 4 bananas for $2 = $0.50/banana), and proportions.

Homework for the week is as follows:
Monday (10/24) - WB 5-1 #1, 10, 18-20
Tuesday (10/25) - WB 5-2 #1, 7, 11
Wednesday (10/26) - WB 5-3 #1, 9, 13, 14
Thursday (10/27) - Unit 3 Quiz 1 Practice Problems
Friday (10/28) - Problem of the Week #9 (Game Show)

Week 10 - Poster Project & Data Week

Training on Tuesday
I will be at the Santa Clara County office on Tuesday with all of the other 8th grade math intervention teachers attending a training.  Mrs. Carol Myers, a retired math teacher and former board of education member, will be the substitute.  Students will be working on the second day of a project.

Unit 2 Test Results
Last Friday, students took their second unit test on Equations and Inequalities.  The results are in Infinite Campus and I will share individual scores with each student, but I will return the test booklets and answer documents on Wednesday (there are still a few students who were absent and still need to make up the test).

I offered incentives for 4 different categories:

• Scoring 100%
• Scoring an A (90%)
• Improving from the last test (any amount of improvement)
• Showing the most work (1 winner per class period)

Congratulations to all of our hard-working students.  Below are some class statistics that I have for the students who took the test.

Period	# Students > 90%	Total students	Average
1	14	28	86%
5	10	20	87%
6	18	29	89%

Students will have a chance to earn half credit back by completing test corrections on a separate sheet of binder paper (I do not need the original test back).  Students must copy the original problem and show all work for credit.

This Week
This week, we will be spending time on two-step equation word problem projects and analyzing data.  On Monday, students will work on solving various two-step equation word problems and on Tuesday, they will have time in class to work on putting them on posters.  On Wednesday, we will learn how to use plot data using Box-and-Whiskers.  This will involve new vocabulary including maximum, minimum, upper quartile, lower quartile, and range.  On Thursday, we will review Box-and-Whiskers as well as Stem-and-Leaf from the beginning of Unit 2.  Our quiz this week will be on the two data plots (Box-and-Whiskers and Stem-and-Leaf) as well as the two-step equation word problems.

Homework for the week is as follows:
Monday (10/17) - Two-Step Equation Word Problems (solve all)
Tuesday (10/18) - Two-Step Equations Poster (put 2 on a poster)
Wednesday (10/19) - WB 11-3 all
Thursday (10/20) - Data Quiz Practice Problems
Friday (10/21) - Problem of the Week #8 (Binary)

Week 8 - Multi-Step Equations

Next Week
Next week will be a little bit unusual because I will be out of the classroom for two days.  Additionally, the second unit test will be administered on Friday of next week.  Below is a schedule so that you and your child can know what to expect.

Monday (10/10) - I will be out of the classroom. Students will work on reviewing a worksheet that reviews Unit 2 skills.
Tuesday (10/11) - We will practice one-step and two-step inequalities together.
Wednesday (10/12) - All John Muir Pre-Algebra teachers will be in a planning workshop. Students will take the Unit 2 Practice Test. They may use the notes from their math journal.
Thursday (10/13) - We will review the Practice Test together and play a review game because...
Friday (10/14) - Students will take Unit Test #2.

Pre-Algebra Announcements & Homework

This week, we will be applying the lessons from the last two weeks on two-step equations (2x + 3 = 5), combining like terms (5x + 8x + 7 = 13x + 7), and the distributive property (3[x - 5] = 3x - 15) together in multi-step equations that involve combining like terms and applying the distributive property (7x - 4[x - 5] + 12 = 35).

Homework for the week is as follows:

Monday (10/3): TB Pg. 126 #12-18 even
Tuesday (10/4): Distributive Property Equations Practice
Wednesday (10/5): TB Pg. 132 #14-20 even
Thursday (10/6): Unit 2 Quiz 3 Practice Problems
Friday (10/7): Problem of the Week #7

Week 7 - Properties

Grades
As you know, Friday was the last day of the grading period.  Since many students had a bit of a wake-up call from the grade check that I sent home the week before, I received a great deal of make up work and quiz re-dos to grade.  Thank you for your patience as I tried to get those done as quickly as possible, while still doing my regular workload of preparing lessons.  The window for teachers to upload grades ends on Tuesday, so all of the work I have received by Friday will make it into the first progress report.

Pre-Algebra Announcements & Homework

This week, we will be studying the different properties of math (associative, commutative, distributive, and identities).  Additionally, we will be preparing for multi-step equations by introducing the concept of combining like terms (3x - 10 - 5x + 7 = -2x - 3).

Homework for the week is as follows:

Monday (9/25): TB Pg. 118 #30-33

Tuesday (9/26): TB Pg. 119 #52, 53, 54 - 60 even

Wednesday (9/27): WB 3-2 #1, 2, 11, 12, 15

Thursday (9/28): Unit 2 Quiz 2 Practice Problems

Friday (9/29): Problem of the Week #6

Week 6 - End of Grading Period

Unit Test Results

Last Thursday, students took their first unit test.  The results are in Infinite Campus and students have received both their answer documents and test booklets back with the correct answers.


Below are some brief statistics by class period.

Period	# Students  >= 90%	# Total  students	Average  score
1	16	30	87%
5	14	21	85%
6	10	30	86%

Students can earn half credit points back if they complete their test corrections, which we started in class on Friday.  Below are the directions:

• Test corrections must be completed on binder paper.
• The original question must be copied onto the binder paper.
• Work for each step must be shown.
• The correct answer must be boxed.
• Test corrections must be turned in to the Work Submission tray in the correct period.

Pre-Algebra Announcements & Homework

This week, we will be beginning the Equations and Inequalities Unit.  In the first unit, we learned about one-step equations.  In this unit, we will be doing two-step and multi-step equations and inequalities and graphing the solutions on a number line. 

Homework for the week is as follows:

Monday (9/19): TB Pg. 152 #9, 11, 15, 17, 21

Tuesday (9/20): WB 1-9 #1, 2, 14, 15

Wednesday (9/21): TB Pg. 46 #23, 24, 35, 37

Thursday (9/22): Unit 2 Quiz 1 Practice Problems

Friday (9/23): Problem of the Week #5

Week 5 - First Unit Test

Unit Test #1: Integers & Rational Numbers

Our first unit test will take place on Thursday, September 15.  The test will cover everything that we learned from the first day of school through Monday, September 12.  On Tuesday and Wednesday, we will be reviewing for the test.  The big goal is for each student to demonstrate at least 90% mastery of this unit.

Math Journal Check #1: Integers & Rational Numbers

While students are taking their test on Thursday, I will be checking their math journals.  This check is to ensure that students are taking their notes properly.  I will be awarding points for the following attributes:

• Name and Period written on the Table of Contents
• Table of Contents contains all topics and page numbers that correspond with the notes in the journal.
• Pages folded in the corner with the page number written on it.
• Completeness of written notes.

The rubric can be found here.  Remember that math journal checks are worth 10% of the overall grade.

New Seats

I change seats at the end of each unit.  Students will receive new seats on Friday.

Pre-Algebra Announcements & Homework

This week, we will be covering the final topic of one-step equations with rational numbers before reviewing for the test.  We have already practiced adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing rationals as well as one-step equations with integers, so this final lesson combines skills the students have seen already.  

Homework for the week is as follows:

Monday (9/12): WB 2-7 #4, 7, 11, 13

Tuesday (9/13): Unit 1 Practice Test #1-10

Wednesday (9/14): Unit 1 Practice Test #11-25

Thursday (9/15): No HW (Unit 1 Test today)

Friday (9/16): Problem of the Week #4

Week 4 - Short Week

Labor Day

Happy Labor Day!  Hope you enjoy your day off.

Substitute on Tuesday

On Tuesday, I will be at the Santa Clara County of Education attending a math training.  This is the first of 5 mandatory training days that I will attend.  The substitute teacher, Mr. Kauffman, is a John Muir alum.  The worksheet that he will give out requires colors (colored pencils, crayons, or markers).  Please make sure to bring your colors on Tuesday.  This worksheet will be due on Wednesday.

Pre-Algebra Announcements & Homework

This week, we will be covering the topics of adding and subtracting rational numbers.  This includes decimals, fractions, and mixed numbers with like and unlike denominators.  While this topic is something the students have seen previously, the Pre-Algebra twist is that the decimals, fractions, and mixed numbers are now positive and negative.  On Tuesday, students will be practicing the requisite review skills of adding and subtracting integers and adding and subtracting positive decimals, fractions, and mixed numbers of like and unlike denominators.  When I return on Wednesday and Thursday, we will put those skills together to add and subtract positive and negative fractions, decimals, and mixed numbers.  Friday is our final quiz for this unit.  Our first unit test will be next Thursday, September 15.

Homework for the week is as follows:

Monday (9/5): No School

Tuesday (9/6): Facing Math Worksheet (face + scratch paper)

Wednesday (9/7): WB 2-6 #11, 12, 21, 23

Thursday (9/8): Unit 1 Quiz 3 Practice Problems

Friday (9/9): Problem of the Week #3

Week 3 - Clubs Start & Back to School

Clubs

Clubs start this week!  I coach the Ballroom Dance Club, which meets on Thursdays in the cafeteria from 2:15pm to 4:00pm.  If you would like to join, but didn't get a chance to sign up, you can do so on Thursday after school.

Back to School

Back to School night is this Wednesday from 6pm - 8pm.  Please begin in the cafeteria with a special message from our principal, Ms. Marchant.  The bells will then ring to signal you to move from class to class, following your child's schedule.  Feel free to bring the family.  I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible!

Pre-Algebra Announcements & Homework

This week, we will be covering the topics of one-step equations, defining, identifying, and converting forms of rational numbers (i.e. between fractions and decimals), and multiplying rational numbers.  Since the students received their textbooks on Friday, this week's homework will be from the textbook (TB) and should be completed on binder paper; Thursday's homework is a worksheet.  The Unit 1 Quiz 2 will be on Friday.

Homework for the week is as follows:

Monday (8/29): TB pg. 39 #33, 36, 37, 38, 42

Tuesday (8/30): TB pg. 68 #30, 33, 37, 43, 44

Wednesday (8/31): TB pg. 80 #14, 15, 18, 20, 25

Thursday (9/1): Unit 1 Quiz 2 Practice Problems

Friday (9/2): Problem of the Week #2

Week 2 - The real work begins

This week, most schedules should be settled and we can really dive into the material!

Pre-Algebra Announcements & Homework

This week, we will be covering the topics of absolute value and adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing integers.  Homework will be from the workbook (to be distributed on Monday).  The way the the workbook is organized is that it has the Chapter and Lesson number at the top.  For example, 1-3 means Chapter 1, Lesson 3.  That is how the homework corresponds with the workbook.  The reason that I don't use the page numbers is because the page numbers in the workbook are different from the ones that are online, but the Chapter/Lesson numbers are the same.  The Unit 1 Quiz 1 will be on Friday.  (Thursday night's homework will be a worksheet of practice problems that will resemble the quiz).

Homework for the week is as follows:

Monday (8/22): WB 1-3 #5-13 odd

Tuesday (8/23): WB 1-4 #3-9 odd

Wednesday (8/24): WB 1-5 #5, 7, 12, 15, 17

Thursday (8/25): Unit 1 Quiz 1 Practice Problems

Friday (8/26): Problem of the Week #1

Algebra / Readiness Announcements & Homework

This week, we will be reviewing our goals for the year.  Additionally, we are finishing our first workbook!  Our first quiz will be during the first hour of Wednesday.  During the second hour, we will start the next workbook.  Below is a list of workbook pages that need to be completed each day.  If it is not completed during class, it becomes homework.

Monday (8/22): SP 11-13 (green workbook)

Tuesday (8/23): SP 18-21 (green workbook)

Wednesday (8/24): SP 1-3 (blue workbook)

Thursday (8/25): SP 5-12 (blue workbook)

Friday (8/26): Knowledge Check (blue workbook)

Week 1 - Welcome!

Welcome to the official website of Ms. Li's Room 504 Mathletes!  I am very excited to teach Pre-Algebra and Algebra Readiness / Algebra 1 this year.

I want to make sure that people that support my students (parents, older siblings, guardians, etc.) are kept up to date and have a place to see archived information regarding the classes.  On this website, I will be posting announcements, the topics being covered in class for the week, as well as homework for the week.  This year, I'm also trying something new: dropbox.  I'm planning to post worksheets and other important documents online so that you can have access to it to reprint if something gets lost.

Other important websites to bookmark:

John Muir School Website - http://www.sjusd.org/school/john_muir

This website has school-wide announcements and information

Infinite Campus- https://ic.sjusd.org/campus/portal/sanjose.jsp

This website allows you to check grades for each class, missing assignments, tardies, and absences.  You will need a user name and password, which should be distributed in the next two weeks.  If you lose that information, you can request it by coming to the Main Office at school.

Textbook Website: http://my.hrw.com

This website has all of the textbook and workbook pages available as pdf downloads.  There are also extra quizzes and other helpful tools.  You need a username and password.  

Pre-Algebra Username: prealgebra79

Algebra 1 Username: algebra460

Password (for both): johnmuir

Textbooks (TB) and workbooks (WB) will be distributed this week.  Homework will be assigned from these two sources.  

Below is my current schedule for the 2011-2012 school year:

1st period: Pre-Algebra
2nd period: Prep
3rd period: Algebra Readiness (1st semester) / Algebra 1 (2nd semester)
4th period: Algebra Readiness (1st semester) / Algebra 1 (2nd semester)
5th period: Pre-Algebra
6th period: Pre-Algebra

Please have all materials necessary for class every day.  The syllabus that was given on the first day (and is available online below) lists the items that are needed.

Pre-Algebra Announcements & Homework

Pre-Algebra is a 7th grade course, but the three sections that I teach are for 6th grade students only.  Students must score Advanced or Proficient on the 5th grade CST and pass the Pre-Algebra readiness test.  Students who are my Pre-Algebra class now scored Advanced on the 5th grade CST.  If your child attended Bridges and passed the test, nothing should change and there is no action needed.  All Proficient or Advanced 6th graders who did not attend Bridges will be pulled out to be tested and may have schedule changes as a result of the test.

Homework for the week is as follows:

Monday (8/15): Syllabus Signature

Tuesday (8/16): Student Interest Survey

Wednesday (8/17): TBD

Thursday (8/18): Chapter 1 Review WS

Friday (8/19): Quiz 0 

There will be assemblies during class on Friday, so 1st Period has a take-home quiz while Periods 5 and 6 will take the quiz in class.

Algebra / Readiness Announcements & Homework

This week, we will be going over necessary materials, classroom procedures, classroom expectations, and setting our goals for the year.  Students who are in this class have scored either Far Below Basic or Below Basic for at least 2 consecutive years.  As we have just received the CST scores, some schedules may change based on those results.  During first semester, we will be completing the UCLA intervention program for Algebra readiness in the double period (3 and 4).  During second semester, we will be completing the entire Algebra 1 curriculum in preparation for the CST and exit exam.  We will also be taking a diagnostic test on Tuesday.  Homework will be determined daily, depending on how much is covered during class.

Week 37 - Last Week of School

This school year has really flown by. It seems like just yesterday that I was learning names and showing students how to organize their math journals! But in the last 175 school days, everyone has made tremendous progress from where they began on August 16, 2010.  Students have worked hard and I hope they all feel better prepared for the next grade level.


Textbook Returns
If you have not returned your textbook yet, please bring them to the library during lunch.  The fee for lost textbooks is $68 for 6th grade math and $70 for Pre-Algebra.


Class Awards
Students have submitted their votes and nominations for class awards, which will be distributed on Wednesday.


Grades & Homework
Grades are mostly finalized.  There is no homework this week.  For students who are "on the bubble" and are within 1 percentage point of the next grade letter, please come see me and we can identify some assignments that you may do for credit.


Summer Workbooks
I believe that kids should have some fun this summer and play games where they can see math in action.  Sports and board games are great examples.  However, if you really want a summer math workbook to do skill review, please let me know and I can give you one.  Also, the textbook website has all kinds of great resources.

Week 36 - Field Trips and Final Submissions

Textbooks Past Due
Textbooks were due last week.  Please turn your textbook in to the library during lunch if you have not done so already.  Remember, it is a $68 fee for 6th grade and $70 fee for Pre-Algebra lost textbooks.

Final Submissions
The last day to turn in work is this Friday.  6th grade students should turn in work on Thursday, since I will not see them on Friday due to the field trip.  7th grade students should turn work in on Wednesday, if possible since their field trip is on Thursday.


Superlatives
I will be handing out awards for each class on the last day of school.  Nominations are due on Wednesday for 7th grade and Thursday for 6th grade.


6th Grade  Announcements & Homework
This week we will be adding, subtracting, and multiplying mixed numbers.  Our final quiz will be on Thursday.

Monday (5/23):  Adding Mixed Numbers W.S. (evens)
Tuesday (5/24):  Subtracting Mixed Numbers W.S. (evens)
Wednesday (5/25):  Multiplying Mixed Numbers W.S. (even)
Thursday (5/26):  No HW (Final Quiz today); Superlatives due today; Final submissions due today
Friday (5/27):  No HW (Beach Day)


Pre-Algebra  Announcements & Homework
This week we will be completing the Stations.  All worksheets are due by Wednesday.  Our final exam is on Wednesday.

Monday (5/23):  Stations W.S.
Tuesday (5/24):  Stations W.S.
Wednesday (5/25):  Final Exam; Superlatives due today
Thursday (5/26):  No HW (7th grade field trip)
Friday (5/27):  Final Submissions due today

Week 35 - Textbook Return

Textbooks due on Tuesday 5/17
Textbooks are due on Tuesday, May 17.  We will be going to the Library to check the books back in.  The replacement fee for lost textbooks is $68 for 6th grade and $70 for Pre-Algebra.

Career Day on Monday
Monday is Career Day.  During 1st period, we will hear the coach of Stanford's women's basketball address the school.  In period 2, 3, and 4, students will hear different local volunteers talk about their careers.  In my class, Mr. Robert (Bob) Garnero from IBM's Power Systems Software Technical Professionals division will be talking about different types of engineering.

Jog-A-Thon on Friday
To promote healthy living, John Muir is holding the second annual Jog-A-Thon.  Students are being asked to raise $1 in order to participate.  It will be a fun afternoon of walking, jogging, and/or running.

Extra Credit
There are two extra credit opportunities. Each one is to think reflectively and write a letter in response. The first letter is one to a new teacher (I will be training new teachers this summer and would like to give them letters from students giving them advice) and the second letter is to me on how improve (things to continue, things to try).  The letters are due on Friday.  Click here for the prompts.

6th Grade  Announcements & Homework
This week we will be applying our fraction, decimal, and percent skills to design a house plan (blueprint).  On Thursday and Friday, we will be exploring fractions using graphs (this principle leads into the 7th grade Pre-Algebra topic of slope).  Homework each day is simply the whatever is not completed during class.

Monday (5/16):  Bring textbook tomorrow
Tuesday (5/17):  House Plan (10 x 10)
Wednesday (5/18):  House Plan (12 x 12)
Thursday (5/19):  Fraction Graphs
Friday (5/20):  Extra Credit due today (Jog-A-Thon) 

Pre-Algebra  Announcements & Homework
Beginning on Tuesday, students will be working in different stations that review the Pre-Algebra topics that are most important for Algebra 1.  There are 6 stations and each one has a different worksheet or activity.  Every day, students will go to a different station and complete the work.  Any work that is not completed in a day's station is homework.  Students will have 6 days to complete the stations (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, next Monday, and next Tuesday). The final exam will be after the stations are completed. Upcoming important dates are listed below:

Wed. 5/25: Pre-Algebra Final Exam
Thu. 5/26: 7th Grade Field Trip
Fri. 5/27: 6th Grade Field Trip

The packet of stations worksheets will be due on Friday 5/27.  6th grade students will have Thursday to make up any missing worksheets and 7th grade students will have Friday to make up any missing worksheets.

Algebra Readiness (6th Grade Pre-Algebra only)
Pre-Algebra 6th grade students took the Algebra readiness on Friday. Results are in Infinite Campus (not counted in the grade, but published for your information). Students needed to earn at least 80% (or 36 out of 45 questions) correct in order to qualify for Algebra 1 HE (High School Equivalent) next year.

Next Steps:
Students who passed the test will take Algebra 1 HE (High School Equivalent) next year. They will be in a class of only 7th graders that is taught at an accelerated pace.

Students who did not pass the test will be individually examined. Based on data from this test, other unit tests, and overall grades, they will be placed into one of two classes.

• They may be placed in an 8th grade Algebra 1 class which is same material as the 7th grade Algebra 1 class, but is taught at the regular pace.
• Or they will repeat Pre-Algebra with other 7th graders next year.

After meeting with the other 6th grade Pre-Algebra teachers on Wednesday, I will contact the parents of each student who did not pass the test to discuss their child individually.

Week 34 - Readiness Testing

Readiness Testing
This Friday, all students will be taking a readiness test. Regular 6th grade students will take the Pre-Algebra readiness test. All Pre-Algebra students (advanced 6th and regular 7th) will take the Algebra readiness test. These exams do not count for a grade, but the results will tell students which areas they need to improve in order to be prepared for the next course.  Advanced 6th graders who do not pass the Algebra readiness test will repeat Pre-Algebra next year.

Substitute Teacher on Monday
There will be a substitute teacher on Monday, but I will return on Tuesday. Homework for all classes is to complete the Facing Math worksheet that should be started in class. Please show all work for credit.

6th Grade  Announcements & Homework
This week we will finishing our review of key standards.  Homework is out of the same packet as last week and is available below:

Monday (5/9):  Facing Math Worksheet
Tuesday (5/10):  Adding Integers W.S.
Wednesday (5/11):  Subtracting Integers W.S.
Thursday (5/12):  Multiplying and Dividing Integers W.S.
Friday (5/13):  none (Pre-Algebra readiness test today)

Pre-Algebra  Announcements & Homework
This week we will finishing our review of key standards.  Homework is out of the same packet as last week and is available below:

Monday (5/9):  Facing Math Worksheet
Tuesday (5/10):  Slope & Equations W.S.
Wednesday (5/11):  Tadpole (Factoring) W.S.
Thursday (5/12):  Double Cross (Factoring) W.S.
Friday (5/13):  none (Pre-Algebra readiness test today)

Week 33 - CST Week

This week is CST week. Every day this week (including Monday which has no testing) is a minimum day and students will be released at 12:30pm. There will be no homework (and no Homework Center or Math Lab) this week.

The students have worked very hard this year and I am excited for this opportunity to demonstrate how much they have learned! I hope you can help them get to bed early and eat healthy meals this week to fortify their minds and bodies.

For my 3rd period 6th grade Pre-Algebra class, we will be using the extra block of time each testing day to exercise our minds with different games and puzzles. I will be alternating the games and puzzles with preparation for the following week's Algebra readiness exam. The Algebra readiness exam will be administered on Friday, May 13. This is the entry exam for Algebra 1. In order to qualify for Algebra 1 next year, 6th grade students must have an A or B in Pre-Algebra and pass the exit exam. Please let me know if you have any questions (amy_li@sjusd.org).

Week 32 - One Week Until CSTs

Countdown to the CST: 8 days
The CST begins on Tuesday, May 3.  Parts 1 and 2 of Language Arts will be administered on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Parts 1 and 2 of Math will be administered on Thursday and Friday.  Students will be released at 12:30pm every day during CST week (even on Monday when there is no testing).  Thank you to the 33 students who came to the Practice CST on Saturday.  I hope you all gained confidence about the upcoming test and insight on your areas of improvement!

6th Grade (and 6th Grade Pre-Algebra) Announcements & Homework
This week we will finishing our review of key standards.  Homework is out of the same packet as last week and is available below:

Monday (4/25): CST Released Questions #49-60
Tuesday (4/26): CST Released Questions #61-72
Wednesday (4/27): CST Released Questions #73-84
Thursday (4/28): CST Released Questions #85-96
Friday (4/29): No HW (CST Review Quiz 1 today)

Pre-Algebra Announcements & Homework
This week we will finishing our review of key standards.  Homework is out of the same packet as last week and is available below:

Monday (4/25): CST Released Questions #49-60
Tuesday (4/26): CST Released Questions #61-72
Wednesday (4/27): CST Released Questions #73-84
Thursday (4/28): CST Released Questions #85-96
Friday (4/29): No HW (CST Review Quiz 1 today)

Week 31 - CST Preparations

Countdown to the CST: 15 days
In the next two weeks, we will be preparing for the CST.  On Saturday, April 23 from 9:30am - 11:30am, I will hold an extra Saturday study session for the CST.  I have a sample CST available for 6th grade and Pre-Algebra and will administer the exam at 9:30am in my classroom.  The test will be graded immediately and students will receive instant feedback on areas of improvement.


Unit 7 Test Results
Last week, all 6th grade students took the Unit 7 Test on Probability and Statistics.  Our Big Goal was for each student to demonstrate at least 80% mastery of the objectives.

The following students also achieved the Big Goal of 80% mastery: Daisy Adin, Ivon Aguilera, Matthew Canepa, Rafael Diaz, Emerald Doan, Brendan Flores, Mako Goldston, Angela Kurysh, Daniel Martinez, Nate McCauley, Nubia Mendoza, Adin Sabanovic, Catherine Salazar, Roman Sanchez, Adrianne Taylor and Anny Tran.

Congratulations to all of our hard-working students!

Below are some brief statistics by class period.

Period	# Students > 80%	# Total  students	Average  score
1	4	22	62%
2	5	23	63%
3	10	28	70%
6	11	26	67%

Students will receive their tests back on Monday and have the opportunity to correct their mistakes for half credit. If they would like to receive full credit, they must come after school on Wednesday to the Math Lab to retake the test.


6th Grade Announcements & Homework
This week we will begin preparing for the California Standards Test (CST).  The CST will take place in the first week of May (May 2 - 6).  Actual testing will only occur on Tuesday - Friday, but every day of that school week will be a minimum day.  Students will receive a packet of CST released questions that they will complete for homework.  During the week, we will review key standards and have a quiz at the end of the week.  Homework is below:

Monday (4/18): CST Released Questions #1-12
Tuesday (4/19): CST Released Questions #13-24
Wednesday (4/20): CST Released Questions #25-36
Thursday (4/21): CST Released Questions #37-48
Friday (4/22): No HW (CST Review Quiz 1 today)

Pre-Algebra (6th Grade) Announcements & HomeworkThis week we will begin preparing for the California Standards Test (CST).  The CST will take place in the first week of May (May 2 - 6).  Actual testing will only occur on Tuesday - Friday, but every day of that school week will be a minimum day.  Students will receive a packet of CST released questions that they will complete for homework.  During the week, we will review key standards and have a quiz at the end of the week.  Homework is below:

Monday (4/18): CST Released Questions #1-12
Tuesday (4/19): CST Released Questions #13-24
Wednesday (4/20): CST Released Questions #25-36
Thursday (4/21): CST Released Questions #37-48
Friday (4/22): No HW (CST Review Quiz 1 today)

Pre-Algebra (7th Grade) Announcements & Homework
This week we will be continuing to review the key standards that will be covered on the CST. Homework is below:

Monday (4/18): CST Released Questions #1-12
Tuesday (4/19): CST Released Questions #13-24
Wednesday (4/20): CST Released Questions #25-36
Thursday (4/21): CST Released Questions #37-48
Friday (4/22): No HW (CST Review Quiz 2 today)

Week 30 - Unit Test Results

Last week, the Pre-Algebra students took their Unit 5 Test on Exponents, Roots, and Geometry.  Our Big Goal was for each student to demonstrate at least 80% mastery of the objectives for 7th grade and 90% mastery for 6th grade.  There were several outstanding performances from students that I would like to recognize.

Emily Summers earned a perfect score!

Alex Black, Emerald Doan, Nikki Hunt, Carla Juarez, Mackenzie Meyer, Will Whitworth, and Ashlynne Yap only missed one question.

The following students also achieved the Big Goal of 80%/90% mastery: Grant Cooperman, Melissa Murphy, and Aaron Nguyen.

Congratulations to all of our hard-working students!

Below are some brief statistics by class period.

Period	# Students  on Dean's List	# Total  students	Average  score
3	9	28	81%
4	2	28	48%

Students will receive their tests back on Monday and have the opportunity to correct their mistakes for half credit. If they would like to receive full credit, they must come after school on Wednesday to the Math Lab to retake the test.


6th Grade Announcements & Homework
This week we will be finishing our unit on Probability and Statistics.  Our unit test and Math Journal Check will be this Friday.  Homework is below:

Monday (4/4): Problem Solving Worksheet
Tuesday (4/5): WB 7-7 all
Wednesday (4/6): Unit 7 Study Guide
Thursday (4/7): Unit 7 Study Guide
Friday (4/8): No HW (Unit 7 Test and Math Journal Check today)

Pre-Algebra (6th Grade) Announcements & Homework
Since all 6th grade students, regardless of which math class they are taking, will be taking the 6th grade CST, I will be using the remaining time between now and the CST to teach and review for the 6th grade CST.  This first week will be covering the Probability & Statistics unit that is taught in regular 6th grade and not in Pre-Algebra.  At the end of the week, there will be a 25-question unit test, but in fairness of the 4-day unit, it will be counted as a quiz grade.  Homework is below:

Monday (4/4): Introduction to Probability Worksheet
Tuesday (4/5): Sample Spaces, Disjoint, and Independent Events Worksheet
Wednesday (4/6): Analyzing Data Worksheet
Thursday (4/7): Bias Practice C Worksheet
Friday (4/8): No HW (Quiz today)

Pre-Algebra (7th Grade) Announcements & Homework
This week we will be reviewing the key standards that will be covered on the CST. Homework is below:

Monday (4/4): Number Sense 1.2 Practice #1-29 odd
Tuesday (4/5): Number Sense 2.5 Practice #2-20 even
Wednesday (4/6): Number Sense 1.7 odds
Thursday (4/7): Number Sense 2.3 #16-28 even
Friday (4/8): No HW (Quiz today)