Week 11

Math Center
Monday's and Wednesday's Math Center topic is Multiplying Decimals.  It will be located as usual in Room 802 from 3pm - 4pm.

Math Contest
John Muir Middle School will be participating in the American Mathematics Contest (AMC 8).  It will be held on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 from 3pm - 4pm in the Cafeteria.  There are only 50 spots for the entire school, so it will be first come first served (students must return a signed permission slip to Mrs. Tamura).  The AMC 8 is a 20 question, multiple choice test.  There is no penalty for guessing and is open to all middle school students (no question will require Algebra nor Geometry).

6th Accelerated (https://sjusd.app.box.com/s/4da00xgz3wfsxk92o874)
This week, we will be preparing for the second unit test.  Students will receive a study guide and a practice test.  The second unit test will be administered on Thursday, October 30.

7th Grade (https://sjusd.app.box.com/s/fvpzcxpzao0bdhrp86pg)
This week, we will further our understanding of solving equations and inequalities by looking at real world situations and writing equations and inequalities that represent the situation.  We will take our second unit test on Thursday, November 6.

Week 10

Math Survey

Math Department Goal
This year, one of the our department's overarching goals is to conform student mindsets about math.  As teachers, we believe that "intelligence" is malleable and that success in math is not fixed (so we are not born or naturally good at math).  The mindset that we are trying to convince students to discard is that they are either "good at math" or "bad at math" and instead embrace the idea that "I am good at match because I work hard" and "I can get better at math."  These ideas are important for all students because for those who believe that they are good at math because they born that way, the day will come (and it may be in Algebra 1, or Trigonometry, or Calculus) when math becomes difficult and if students believe that they used to be good at math because they were born that way without hard work, then when they face a challenge, they will give up.  For students who see themselves right now as "bad at math because they are born this way," there is no hope that things can get better.  We want to equip all of our students with the attitudes that will set them up for success.

This idea is the whole reason for our simplified in grading categories (Assessments + Effort) and why we allow students to retake assessments.  The message we are broadcasting is that maybe you didn't understand a concept at the time of the original quiz, but it's never too late to master it because WE BELIEVE YOU CAN.  We also want to reward students for making an effort, so all classwork/homework/warm ups etc. are graded only by completion.

You as parents can help us change the minds and attitudes of our students.  Below are some helpful things that you can use to encourage your child:

• "Great job!  I can tell your studying paid off!"
• "Amateurs practice until they get it right.  Professionals practice until they never get it wrong.  By practicing, you are becoming a professional student!"
• "It looks like you did well on Topic X, but not on Topic Y.  Why don't you talk to Mrs. Tamura about getting better at Topic Y?  I know that you can do it."
• "I wasn't always good at Skill A.  But I got here because I work hard and spent many hours honing that skill."

Please avoid remarks like the following:

• "I was never good at math," or "I don't like math, either."
• "Math is not your strong suit."

We'll be monitoring how students feel about math 3 times during the school year (this week, in January, and in May) to see how they perceive themselves and compare that with their grades/assessment scores.

Math Center
This week's Math Center topic on Monday and Wednesday is simplifying fractions.  There will be a special Math Center on Thursday on the 8th Grade topic of Rate of Change (a.k.a. slope).  Math Center is in room 802 from 3pm-4pm and all students are welcome to attend.

6th Accelerated (https://sjusd.app.box.com/s/4da00xgz3wfsxk92o874)
This week, we will continue our study comparing Greatest Common Factor and Least Common Multiple while spiraling review of fraction division with both pictures and the algorithm.  We will also begin our study of dividing decimals (specifically why moving the decimal allows us to still get the same answer).

7th Grade (https://sjusd.box.com/s/fvpzcxpzao0bdhrp86pg)
This week, we will be using manipulatives to solve equations and inequalities.

Week 9

Math Center - This week the Math Center will be focusing on the topic of subtracting integers.  All students are welcome.  Because of the large response, we are holding two workshops on subtracting integers this week: Monday and Wednesday after school.  You can choose which day is more convenient.  Unless otherwise posted, both workshops will be held in Room 802 from 3pm - 4pm.  My students will receive 5 points of extra credit if they attend.

6th Accelerated (https://sjusd.box.com/s/4da00xgz3wfsxk92o874)
This week, we will be investigating how the pictures for dividing fractions explain why the algorithm for dividing fractions work.  Students will be expected to be able to draw pictures to divide fractions, use the algorithm to divide fractions, and explain how the two are related.  We will also begin to see the mechanics and purposes of the Least Common Multiple and Greatest Common Factor.

7th Grade (https://sjusd.app.box.com/files/0/f/2360577781)
This week, we will continue our study of equivalent expressions (combining like terms and distributive property expressions that include negative constants/coefficients).  Additionally, we will look at taking real world situations and using equations to model and solve them.  There will be a quiz on Friday and their Equivalent Expressions project (which they may do in partners or groups of up to 4) will also be due on Friday.

Week 8

6th Accelerated (https://sjusd.box.com/s/4da00xgz3wfsxk92o874)

Project Presentations: Great job on the the project presentations last week.  I was able to video tape some of the presentations and they are posted below.  In some videos you can't hear the presenters because they spoke softly and didn't have a video microphone.  The password for each video is johnmuir.  I'm limited on the weekly upload bandwidth, so the final two videos will be available on Friday 10/10.

Joshua, James, Oswaldo
Erisela, Unaza, Olivia, Claire
Landon, Alondra, Julia
KC, Jonathan, Nathan, Ben P.
Allison, Jasleen
Maya, Valeria (no video available)
Julio, Alvaro (no video available)
Chris, Christian, Minhtri, Cortez (no video available)
Aria, Ryan, Tanner, Riley (no video available)
Raeven, Justin, Jasper
Mahalet, Lauren, Steven, Adrian
Isa
Noel, Angel, Ethan
Danielle, Kaelynn
Zach, Damen, Nathan, Connor
Sasha, Odette, Mekiah
Tyler, Ben T, Sean, Nolan (coming on Friday 10/10)
Kelani, Ella, Zoe, Alyssa (coming on Friday 10/10)

Unit 1 Test Results: The results are in the gradebook.  Students were able to see their tests along with examples of Level 5 responses for each question.  These tests are intellectual property of the school district and will be used for future iterations of unit tests.  Therefore, they do not leave the classroom.  Students and parents may see the tests in the classroom either before school (7:30am - 8:00am), during lunch (12:08pm - 12:38pm) or after school (2:42pm - 3:30pm Mondays or by appointment on Thursdays and Fridays).  Since I write a Version A and Version B for each quiz, students who earn less than 80% on a quiz may re-take that quiz and replace it with a higher score.  However, there is no second version of the Unit 1 Test at this time, so there is not an opportunity to re-take the test for a higher grade.

This week, we begin our study of Pictorial Division.  Students will be using mathematics to model real world situations and use pictures to represent division of whole numbers, mixed numbers, and fractions.  These pictures will explain why the algorithm of multiply by the reciprocal works.  Indeed, students will need to multiply the reciprocal as well as draw diagrams to model division.

7th Grade (https://sjusd.app.box.com/files/0/f/2360577781)

Unit 1 Test Results:  Since this is the first district assessment of the year, 7th grade teachers from all SJUSD middle schools will be meeting at the District Office in October 14 to grade the tests together and calibrate, so that all assessments no matter which site will be graded in the same way.  Students should expect to see the results on Infinite Campus and in class no later than Friday, October 17.

We are beginning our next unit of Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities.  Students should have some familiarity with the vocabulary (variables, constants, and coefficients) from 6th grade, but the problems and situations are more complex.  We will begin this week by writing expressions and follow it with combining like terms and the distributive property of negative terms.

Week 7

This is the last push before the first break.  Keep up the good work, everyone!

I will be working at the District Office on Wednesday 9/24 with other 6th grade teachers in the district grading the first unit test (the district wants all teachers of the same course to grade together, so that we can calibrate and ensure that assessments are being graded consistently).  I dislike being out of the classroom, but this is an important (and mandatory) absence.  The substitute teacher will be Mr. Ayala, a former Muir teacher of nearly 40 years whom I trust will be an excellent teacher in my absence.

6th Accelerated (https://sjusd.app.box.com/s/4da00xgz3wfsxk92o874)
As I will be grading the Unit 1 Tests on Wednesday 9/24, students will receive their scores when I return.

Since we had some technology issues on Friday, I have given everyone an extension: Presentation Materials will be due at the end of the day on Monday 9/22.  I have reserved the laptop cart for Monday.  Presentations will occur on Tuesday 9/23.

Our next unit will be on pictorial division.  This is a brand new topic, so your children might be coming home showing you something different from what you have learned in the past.  The common core standard for this topic is as follows:

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.NS.A.1
Interpret and compute quotients of fractions, and solve word problems involving division of fractions by fractions, e.g., by using visual fraction models and equations to represent the problem. 

While we all grew up dividing fractions by multiplying the reciprocal (and students definitely need to know how to do this fluently), the standard states that students must be able also to use visual fraction models.  Students need both.  They can use the algorithm to check their answer (and I recommend this).  But the visual model explains why the algorithm works.

If you want some help or extra videos (each one is about 5 minutes long) for yourself or your child, here is what I recommend (it's free to watch, but now you have to register an account):
Interpreting Remainders When Dividing
Dividing Fractions by Whole Numbers
Dividing Mixed Numbers by Fractions
Dividing Fractions by Fractions

7th Grade (https://sjusd.app.box.com/s/fvpzcxpzao0bdhrp86pg)
This week, we will be preparing for our first unit test, which is on Thursday, September 25.  Students will receive a Study Guide and Review on Monday and Practice Test on Wednesday.  If they want a head start, they can download and print their own from the Box.  Since I will be out on Wednesday, I would recommend students to come to Office Hours on Monday 9/22 after school in my room for a special review session.  I am also available during lunch on Monday and Tuesday.  We will begin our second unit (Equations, Expressions, and Inequalities) after the October break.  The Unit 1 Tests will be graded on October 14 after the break, so students will receive their results afterwards.

Below are the skills from Unit 1 with the corresponding practice WS and answer keys.

1. Add Integers (Sum It Up | Answers)
2. Subtract Integers (What Should You Do When you Can't Sleep | Answers)
3. Add/Subtract Positive Decimals (Decimal List Addition and Subtraction | Answers)
4. Add Positive/Negative Decimals (Hidden Message | Answers)
5. Subtract Positive/Negative Decimals (Subtracting Rational Numbers | Answers)
6. Multiply/Divide Integers (Multiplying and Dividing Integers | Answers)
7. Multiply Decimals (Multiplying and Dividing Decimals | Answers)
8. Divide Decimals (Multiplying and Dividing Decimals | Answers)
9. Multiply Fractions (Multiplying and Dividing Fractions | Answers)
10. Divide Fractions (Multiplying and Dividing Fractions | Answers)
11. Divide Integers with a Remainder (Division Fraction Answer Practice | Answers)
12. Integer Gard Game (Unit 1 Review page 4 | Answers)
13. Number Line Reasoning (Unit 1 Review page 1 | Answers)
14. Unit 1 Study Guide | Answers

Week 6

Math Center
Monday, September 15 is our first Math Center.  This is open to all students of all grade levels.  Invitations to select students went home on Friday and students who return the signed permission slip will earn a Muir Dollar.  Everyone who attends will receive 5 Extra Credit Points.  Monday's topic is adding and subtracting positive decimals.  It will be held in Room 802 from 3pm - 4pm and will be taught by Mrs. Tamura and Mrs. Maciel.  Hope to see you there!

Grading Period 1
This week marks the end of the first grading period.  Remember to turn in all assignments no later than Friday for it to count on the Progress Report.  Also, this Progress Report is simply an official courtesy: only semester grades are final and considered for GPA calculations and awards.  The Progress Report is to help parents and students have a snapshot checkpoint of grades at a point in time.  You can always see the most current grades on the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

6th Accelerated (https://sjusd.app.box.com/s/4da00xgz3wfsxk92o874)
This week, there are 3 big ticket items: a project, preparing for the the first unit test, and taking the first unit test.  On Monday, students will be given the project description (checkpoints due throughout the week and final submissions and presentations due on Monday, September 22), a Unit 1 Study Guide, a Unit 1 Practice Test, and an individual checklist of Unit 1 skills and whether or not the student has mastered it (data taken from performance on past assessments; maybe the skill was not mastered at the time of the assessment, but has now!).  Students will have Monday - Thursday in class to decide how they will use their time: working on the project or preparing for the test.  I will be available to help everyone as they work.  The Unit 1 Test will be administered on Friday, September 19.  I will be out of the classroom on Wednesday, September 24 at the District Office to calibrate grading the test with other 6th Accelerated teachers.  Students will receive their results when I return on Thursday 9/25.

Students may submit Powerpoint / Keynote presentations (or other digitals files) to their appropriate Work Submission Folder on Box.

https://sjusd.app.box.com
Username: s+ ID number @sjusd.org
Password: MMDDYY

7th Grade (https://sjusd.app.box.com/s/fvpzcxpzao0bdhrp86pg)
This week, we will extend our understanding of integers to multiply and divide positive and negative integers and rational numbers.  Our Unit 1 Test will be on Thursday, September 25.

Week 5

This week, we continue our studies regarding integer and rational number operations.  We will have some visitors (teachers, math coaches, and other district personnel) come in to observe math classrooms this week some time.  Don't be alarmed if/when adults come by.

This Friday marks the end of the first grading period, so all work to be counted must be submitted this Friday.  Friday is also our big school fundraiser - the Jog-A-Thon!  All classes will be a bit shorter so that all of them meet before lunch.  The time after lunch will be devoted to the Jog-A-Thon - running and walking outside to get some good exercise, have fun, and raise money.

6th Accelerated (Class documents available at https://sjusd.app.box.com/s/4da00xgz3wfsxk92o874)
Since we wrapped up adding and subtracting rational numbers, this week we move on to multiplying and dividing integers and rational numbers.  On Wednesday, we will begin graphing on the coordinate plane and identifying reflections across the x- and y- axes.  Although we are not dedicating significant time on remediating skills such as subtracting integers and rational numbers, students will see these problems in the daily warm ups.  If your child needs more practice, below are some resources from kuta:

Adding and Subtracting Positive and Negative Fractions
Adding and Subtracting Positive and Negative Decimals

We will have a quiz on Friday that includes review material (adding and subtracting rational numbers) as well as this week's new material of multiplying rational numbers and graphing points and their reflections on the coordinate plane.  It will be an individual quiz (not partner like last week).

7th Grade Common Core (Class documents available at https://sjusd.app.box.com/s/fvpzcxpzao0bdhrp86pg)
This week, we will extend our understanding of subtracting integers to subtracting rational numbers, including decimals and fractions.  We will be practicing all week and will have a quiz on Friday that includes review material (adding integers and rational numbers, subtracting integers) as well as the new material of subtracting rational numbers.