7th MATH

We are finishing up Chapter 6 on rational numbers, properties, and the coordinate plane. They did so well with the distributive property which is always challenging. I will give a quiz on sections 6-5 to 6-8 on Wednesday and then proceed to Chapter 9 on percents. We will work on percents with 2 procedures using proportions and the percent equation. One will utilize fractions and the other decimals. I will be allowing calculator use for computation but at times we will compute to keep our skills sharp. This group is doing well and motivated to learn. I am happy with their progress and look forward to our Algebra path together next year.

7TH PRE-ALGEBRA

This week Monday we will take a quiz on the 2 procedures for solving percents and then move on to manny applications of percents including interest, commission, discounts, taxes, tips and percent of increase/decrease. That will take in sections 7-5 to 7-7 with a quiz on Monday next week covering those topics.  We will then move to Chapter 3 and solving equations. I am getting them ready for Accel Algebra and the packet I will send home over the summer. We will be balancing equations and simplifying algebraic terms.  The only chapters we did not explore this year were 8 and 12 both of which are covered extensively in Algebra next year. I feel our pace was excellent this year and the students who have been working daily have been so very successful. Those whose work ethic was not consisitent didn’t fair as well. I think they all understand what it takes to keep up now and I see lots of moments showing improvement. 

7th MATH

We have completed our Geometry study and are moving to operations with integers and percents. The students did a great job with all the geometry formulas and enjoyed working with the calculators, of course.  We will put the calculators aside for the work with integers, but then use them as a tool to solve percent problems.  I know some parents are concerned about the use of the calculator, but when I am testing their knowledge of geometry or percents I don’t want their weak computation in some instances to get in the way of their success on these new topics. If thier achievement is low due to computation errors, then I am not really assessing their skills on the new lessons.  I will be breaking up Chapter 6 into smaller quizzes rather than one Chapter test. Before Easter break we will test on addition and subtraction of negative and positive numbers. After break we take in multipying and dividing integers and close with rational numbers and points in the coordinate plane.  All of this is key work for Algebra next year.

PRE-ALGEBRA

This week we will finish solid geometry with a test on Monday for volume. Then we will proceed to the study of percents. I will continue to allow the students to use calculators for this chapter. I want to really know if they understand problem solving with percents so I want to take the human error element out of play with the calculators. Then I have a true picture of the comprehension on the percents. We will take a quiz on simple percents right before Easter break. Then complete Chapter 7 on percents after the vacation. The class is working hard and I look forward to our Algebra path together next year. Many of the students have matured so much this year both academically and personally. They are very service oriented and I will be happy to persue the Religion path with them next year as well.