Preparing for MAP Testing
April is an extremely busy time in math class as eighth-graders prepare for MAP testing. We are reviewing by doing released items, practicing using whiteboards in class, and, hopefully, students are completing the study . . .
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Middle School Math March Update
In eighth-grade math class, we are doing a unit on exponents & scientific notation. When this unit is complete we will quickly cover the volume and surface area of three-dimensional figures and look at two-way . . .
February Update
In eighth-grade math class, we are beginning to review for the chapter 6 test which is next week covering linear functions. Students should be completing the assigned study islands to help them do better on these . . .
"Eating Our Vegetables" in 8th-Grade Math.
There are a lot of things we hate to do, but we do them because we know it is good for us. We have heard or we say, “Eat your vegetables. They are good for you.” Well, in eighth-grade math class I often hear . . .
Thankful for a Break
As the upcoming break nears, we are trying to stay focused in eighth-grade math class. We just finished a unit on angles this week and began a unit on linear equations where students graph and . . .
Transforming into the Next Quarter
As the first quarter comes to a close, we are in the middle of our third unit which is transformations. Students are translating, reflecting, and rotating figures on the coordinate plane and learning how to . . .
September Update
Things are finally beginning to normalize in eighth-grade math class. We are presently reviewing for our first test to be taken next week which comes after midterm grades. This means that the midterm grades will not truly . . .
April Update
We are reviewing for MAP testing in eighth-grade math class. I am doing some lessons reminding students what they have previously learned and students are practicing released items to help prepare. . . .
March Update
It is amazing how time feels like it speeds up as soon as we get to March. In eighth-grade math class, this week we are testing over chapter 7 which covers square and cube roots. We immediately jump into chapter 10 . . .
Educational Goals
Prior to this past week out of school, eighth-graders took a test over linear systems. For those who did not do well, we were going to review during study skills or outside of class and make arrangements to retest. This . . .
January Update
We continue to move forward in eighth-grade math. In the regular eighth-grade math class we started last week our unit on linear systems. We will learn to solve by graphing, solve using substitution, and solve using . . .
Stronger Students
I am occasionally asked, “Why do I need to learn this?”. My response is often “To graduate from high school so you can pursue your dreams”. I remind students that there is more to learning than . . .
More Thankful
From these crazy times, I am learning to be more thankful. Thankful when I have perfect attendance in a class, thankful to see the smiling faces of students who have been out of the class for many days, thankful for a . . .
The End of First Quarter
It is difficult to believe that we are actually finishing the first quarter already. In eighth-grade math class we are in the middle of our third unit, transformations. I think we would all agree that our . . .
A Little Extra Work
We have finally tested in all classes, so a student should have a really good idea on how he is doing. Any struggling student should seek out help in understanding the material. I am available before and after school if additional help is . . .
Mid-September Update
In the eighth-grade math classes we are finishing our first unit. Two of the three classes will test on Friday which will be reflected on the midterm grades. The other class is slightly behind because of the fair so the . . .
A Little More Normal
Being back in school makes life feel a little more normal than what it has been in the past six months. My students are accepting the added precautions to our day and are adjusting to their new classes. . . .
Unwanted Break
Students and teachers usually desire scheduled school breaks, but the break we are experiencing now is not wanted. Here at Putnam County, we are trying to adapt our learning to these undesirable circumstances. To . . .
February Update
In eighth-grade math class, we just finished a unit on systems of linear equations. Students wishing to retest over that unit are welcome to review with me and retake the test by the middle of next week. We have moved on . . .
Encouraging Lifelong Learners
We are moving right along in eighth-grade math class as students are challenged to learn new concepts or skills every day. This week students are formally demonstrating what they have learned about writing linear . . .
Hitting the Slopes in Math Class This Season!
In the eighth-grade math classes, we are trying to wrap up for Christmas break. All classes are taking the PCAP test to measure progress so far this year. The regular eighth-grade classes are testing over . . .
November Update
We are continuing to work hard in math class. Eighth-grade math class is finishing a unit on angles and similar triangles. The next unit will cover graphing and writing linear equations. Algebra students . . .
Transforming Eighth-Grade Students
Every day all of us take in information and are transformed in some way from that knowledge. In the eighth grade, students are growing in their knowledge of transformations. The pictures show students exploring with a partner . . .
Solving Equations Together
It is hard to believe a month has already passed in eighth-grade math class. Students took their first test over solving equations this week. Check out the photo gallery. The pictures show students helping students as . . .
First Week in Math Class
We are almost to the end of our first week in math class. All eighth-grade students are completing a two-day pretest for the course this week. As soon as this testing is done, we will begin our first unit on solving . . .
Ready or Not
In eighth grade math, we are working to be ready for the upcoming MAP testing in a week. We are spending our class time reviewing major concepts. Students are practicing released items and problems on study . . .
Learning More Than Math
The eighth-grade classes recently reviewed for a linear equations test. The pictures show a whiteboard review we did two days in preparation for the test. What struck me about the whiteboard reviews with these . . .
Hitting the Pause
In the eighth-grade math classes, we have not quite finished our unit on graphing and writing linear equations, so we will pause for the holidays and resume the same unit when we return. Concepts were assessed . . .
Believe It!
I am not sure which is harder to believe--snow on October 15 or that it is already time for parent-teacher conferences. I am looking forward to visiting with many parents of my students. It is . . .
Preparing for the Next Time
We have completed a couple of "firsts" in 8th grade math class. Students have had their notebooks graded for the first time so, hopefully, any misunderstandings have been cleared up . . .
Welcome to 8th Grade Math!
We have completed two days already in our eighth grade math classes. The goal has been to make sure everyone is informed on procedures for success. Yesterday I went over in all classes the tutorial aids which are . . .