System of Equations Review

I have not written on this blog in years.  I made a new year's resolution to blog at least once a month about something we are doing in the classroom.  I am starting a bit early on my resolution with a very simple review that I am going to do with my students when i return after winter break.  

Before break, my 8th graders were working on substitution method for solving equations.  They were struggling and I know will need a review.  So, I came up with this very simple review.

The three systems of equations have one solution, no solution, and infinitely many solutions. Students will work together in teams of three to inspect the systems of equations and decide which one has which solution. 

Students will then use the whiteboards around the classroom to work together and solve the the equations for the value of the heart and the square.

I realize that I could have used the traditional x and y instead of the heart and square. I am noticing that the variables are more problematic for many of the students. So I am hoping to remove that barrier.

We will see how this activity works. I have an extension activity for my advanced students that is still in draft form. My idea is to give them 12 random equations and ask them to create systems of equations that have one solution. Then ask if any equations could be put together to create a system with no solution or infinitely many solutions. I still need to work on my equations, but this is my mock up.

I am excited to see what they can do and how much they remember. Maybe their brains had enough time to process what they learned before winter break! :)

 

Fractions "Bug" Us!

I gave each of my students a clean sheet of white construction paper and asked them to draw a bug.  They could make a bug that lived on the earth or one that hadn't been found yet.  Most of them decided that the undiscovered bug was more fun to draw.  After 20 minutes of time, I put the pictures up and started asking some questions about the bugs on the board.

I started asking them questions like:

• How many bugs are on the board?  
• How many bugs make up one half? 
• How do we know that ____ number of bugs make 1/2?
• How many bugs make up 1/4? 3/4? (Followed by, how do we know?)
• What characteristic on the bug is on 1/2 of them?  
• What characteristic is on almost all?  
• What fraction represents almost all?
• What characteristics can we put together to equal 1/2? 3/4?

I kept asking questions and listening to their responses.  My purpose was to try and figure out how comfortable the class was with benchmark fractions and estimating with fractions.  There were some huge differences between my sixth grade groups.  Some groups argued with each other about how many bugs made up 3/4 and other groups there were crickets.  It was a good eye opener for me about how well they get benchmark fractions and how well they will be able to estimate with fractions.  

  

Exponent Task Cards/Stations

Well, hello everyone!  This has been a crazy summer of job hunting and decision making.  I have found myself back in the classroom teaching sixth and eighth grade math.  The first month of school is almost over and things are going well.

My eighth graders are studying exponents and their rules.  There have been learning so many rules that students are starting to mix them up.  To review the individual rules again, I wanted to have task cards and students moved from station to station.  I had a really hard time finding task cards that just focused on one rule at a time.  So, I made my own set of task cards.

I thought that I would share them in case anyone else was looking for the same.  I will also leave it as a PowerPoint in case any little tweaks need to be made.  I made theses for my students and where I think they are.  I wasn't thinking generically, so I understand that some tweaking may be involved.

Enjoy!

9-24-15: I make a couple of adjustments to the task cards.  I added numbers to keep them all straight and make the title separations into station signs.  An answer key will be coming!  I just have to finish making it!  I will also post my answer sheet for this set of task cards.

Where Have I Been?

Well, there have been some big changes in my life over this past year and adjusting to them has been interesting to say the least.  The biggest change is that I will not be returning to the classroom next year.  I am taking a break and trying something else for a bit.

I still want to blog about math!  I love developing and creating things to use in the classroom.  I also love having people with whom to share it.  I have cleaned out the classroom and as I dig through the mountain of boxes in my basement, I am sure that I will find some gems from this past year or years past.  I can't wait to get back to sharing with all of you!