20 November 2009 - We played Review Basketball today. Also, the Chapter 3 tests were passed back to periods 2, 3 and 6 (sorry, period 1 students!). Please review them, and bring them back signed on Monday, November 29 (after the break). Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, and I will see you in a week!

19 November 2009 - We finished section 4.3 today by covering the Greatest Common Factor. Homework tonight is Assignment 4.3(b) (p183, #29-44). Have a great night!

17 November 2009 - It was Hockey Day in math class today! Use your hockey math skills to do your homework tonight (Assignment 4.3(a) - p183, #1-10, #17-28). Have a great night!

16 November 2009 - After correcting homework, we went over lesson 4.4 on simplifying fractions. Homework tonight is Assignment 4.4 (p188 #12-36). Have a great night!

13 November 2009 - Don't miss the gorilla! We covered lesson 4.2 today, so homework tonight is Assignment #4.2 (p178, #13-29, 30-32, 35-36, 38-40). Have a great weekend!

12 November 2009 - We started Chapter 4 today. Homework tonight is Assignment #4.1 (p174 #20-42 (even), #52-53). I will not be passing back the Chapter 3 tests until next week (due to the fact that I am still waiting for several students to take the test), but scores will be posted by later tonight. Please check PowerSchool to see your score! Have a great night -

10 November 2009 - We took the Chapter 3 test today. It will be graded and returned to the students soon. There is no homework tonight. See everyone on Thursday!

9 November 2009 - Students worked on a Chapter 3 Test review page. Please finish it up tonight, if you did not finish it in class. Also, please use this page to help guide your studies as you prepare for tomorrow's Chapter 3 test! Have a great night.

MANY students have not yet turned in the Chapter 2 test with a parent signature...LAST day to get it turned in for full credit will be Monday (9 November 2009)! Please check PowerSchool...if it shows a "0 - Missing" for your "Signed Ch 2 Test", then please get it turned in ASAP. Thank you!

Chapter 2 Re-take Tests scores have been updated and entered into PowerSchool. Students will be getting their tests back on Monday. Have a great weekend!

6 November 2009 - We continued to practice with the metric system, working more with conversions between different units, as well as common items that can help to remember the various metric units. Homework over the weekend (it's short, don't worry!) is Assignment #3.7, p153, #1-11. Remember that we will be taking the Chapter 3 test on Tuesday...perhaps some study and review over the weekend would be a good idea?

4 November 2009 - We worked with solving equations using multiplication and division of decimal numbers. Homework tonight is assignment #3.6 (p148 #16-27, 32-34, 39-44). Have a great night!

3 November 2009 - Did you know that mathematical Kangaroos Hop Down Mountains, Grasslands, and Lakes Drinking Chocolate Milk? Your students do! Ask them about it! Homework tonight is to finish the drawing from class today - please make sure that it is colored! Have a great night -

2 November 2009 - We came back around today to the beginning of Chapter 3 today, and reviewed rounding and estimation in Lessons 3-1 and 3-2. Homework tonight is Assignments #3-1 and 3-2 (p125 #15-26, #47-49 and p129 #14-21, #36). The retake of the Chapter 2 test will still be given after school on Wednesday. Please see Thursday's post below (or the handout that students brought home last week) for more information. Have a great night!

29 October 2009 - Chapter 2 tests were passed back today, and discussed. ALL students will need to get their tests signed and returned to me by Wednesday, 4 November 2009. If you would like to take advantage of the Chapter 2 re-take test, please see the handout from class today:
1) The retake will be given after school on Wednesday, 4 November 2009
2) In order to qualify for the re-take, you must complete a full set of test corrections, including copying down each question you missed and showing your work on how to get the correct answer. Each test must also have a parent signature
3) If, after using your notes, your textbook, your classmates, and any help at home, you still need assistance on how to get the correct answer, I will be available after school on Thursday (10/29) and Tuesday (11/3) until 4:00 for extra help.
4) Your score on the re-take test and your score on the original test will be averaged together to get the new score which will be entered into PowerSchool.
5) Please feel free to email me with any questions.
Have a safe and happy Halloween weekend! Enjoy your three days off!

28 October 2009 - I apologize for the delay in getting the Chapter 2 tests back to the students, but we have been having scanner issues here at school. We transferred the answers one more time, and students will be getting their Chapter 2 tests back tomorrow. We will also be discussing the possibility of a make-up tomorrow in class, but please plan on reviewing these tests with your students over the weekend. Homework tonight is assignment 3-5 (p144, #16-30). Have a great night!

27 October 2009 - Homework tonight is Assignment 3-4 (p139 #7-17, and 23-27). Please make sure that you are writing down the formula you are using, showing how your are substituting in for the variables, and then solving the formula out. Have a great night!

26 October 2009 - Students had time to complete any test questions that they needed to finish up from last Friday. Tests will be graded and returned to the students very soon. We also started Chapter 3, but began with Lesson 3-3. We will be coming back to Lessons 3-1 and 3-2 soon. Homework tonight is Assignment #3.3 (p134, #5-19). Have a great night!

22 October 2009 - After correcting last night's homework, we reviewed for tomorrow's Chapter 2 test. A good section to study tonight is pages 114-116, which are the chapter review. All the answers to this section are shown on page 782. This is not homework, since it will not be checked tomorrow and will not count as a grade in PowerSchool, but responsible students who want to do well on tomorrow's test will practice these problems on their own! Have a good night, and come to school ready to take your Chapter 2 Test!

21 October 2009 - Last lesson of Chapter 2! Homework tonight is Assignment #2.10 (p111, #13-27 (odd) and #31-36 (all)). Review tomorrow, and test on Friday. Please be studying!

20 October 2009 - After correcting last night's homework, we went over how to solve inequalities using addition and subtraction...really, it is just like solving equations with addition and subtraction - only you also need to graph your answers! Homework tonight is assignment 2.9 (p106, #9-21 odd, #25-29 all). Don't forget to copy down the problem and show your work! It would also be a good idea to continue (or start) studying for Friday's Chapter 2 test. Have a great night!

19 October 2009 - After correcting homework from over the weekend, students had the chance to begin an additional review page on graphing inequalities (Practice & Re-teaching 2-8). Whatever was not finished in class needs to be completed for homework. Also, we will be taking the Chapter 2 test this Friday (23 October). Please start your studying now! Have a great night!

16 October 2009 - Students finished up notes and instruction on section 2.8 today in class on graphing inequalities. Homework over the weekend, which was started in class, is assignment #2.8 (p102, #10-20 (even), #21-36 (all) and #40-45 (all)). Have a fantastic weekend! Best of luck to the ESHS Eagles tonight at their Homecoming!

15 October 2009 - I apologize for not posting yesterday, but the power outage at the end of the day also knocked out our internet access. A great reason to use SchoolNotes as a backup only, and make sure your Binder Reminder is filled out each day! We started to go over inequalities and their graphs today, and will finish them up tomorrow. There is no homework tonight, so get lots of rest and come to class tomorrow ready to learn! Have a great night.

13 October 2009 - We corrected last night's homework, and went over some of the more challenging problems. Remember, even though these are easy problems mathematically, you still must SHOW YOUR WORK! You will have another chance to practice tonight, just using multiplication and division. Homework tonight is Assignment #2.6 (p91, #15-30, 39-40). Have a great night!

12 October 2009 - Last Friday's Properties quizzes were passed back, and we discussed Solving One-Step Equations. This is a challenging topic, since while getting the correct answer is preferable, I am stressing much more learning the "process" of solving the equations. Students MUST copy down the problem, show their work, and indicate their answer on this homework tonight (and every night). Homework tonight is Assignment #2.5 (p80 #11-19, p87 #13-30, 37-40). Have a great night!

9 October 2009 - After reviewing last night's homework on the distributive property and combining like terms, we took the quiz on Properties. It would be a good idea to continue to review the worksheet (that was homework last night) over the weekend, just to make sure everyone understands the concepts. Have a great weekend!

8 October 2009 - Today, we reviewed Lessons 2.2 and 2.3 - hopefully everyone has a better understanding of the Distributive Property, as well as Combining Like Terms. Homework tonight is to redo the worksheet from yesterday (Re-teaching 2.2 and Re-teaching 2.3), now that everyone has had a little more time with the material. Please, at the very least, take another look at the work you did yesterday, to make sure that you are 100% confident with it. Remember, we will also be taking a short matching quiz on the different Properties we have covered this week...study up! Have a great night -

6 October 2009 - Homework tonight is Assignment #2.2 (p72, #1-4, & 29-40). Also, please get your Chapter 1 tests signed, and returned to me by Thursday (so you can have a few nights to review the problems that were missed). As an additional reminder, we will be having a short quiz on the Properties discussed yesterday and today in class on Friday - start studying now! Have a good night!

5 October 2009 - Test grades for the Chapter 1 test were returned today - part of the homework tonight is to get a parent signature on the slips...I will be sending home another slip tomorrow with the grades on it for students/parents to keep and review at home, but I would like these slips returned tomorrow with the signatures. We also started Chapter 2 by going over Properties of Numbers. Homework tonight, in addition to getting the parent signature, is to complete assignment #2.1 (p67, #17-27 (all), #28-38 (even) and #40-46 (all)). Have a great night!

2 October 2009 - Student began a graphing project in class today, and need to finish it up over the weekend. This includes completing the graphing of their chosen figure, as well as making the completed character "visually interesting" by adding color, designs, etc. It will be due at the beginning of class on Monday. Have a great weekend!

1 October 2009 - Students took the Chapter 1 Test today, and have no homework tonight. I am looking forward to seeing all the parents at Back-To-School night tonight, starting at 6:00 PM! Please also plan on attending the 7th grade Parent Meeting, which begins at 5:00 PM in Bulldog Hall.

30 September 2009 - We corrected last night's Chapter 1 Review, and any problems the students needed help on were worked out. We then continued to review using the TurningPoint System (which parents will also get to use if they come to Back-To-School night Thursday evening starting at 6:00 PM). Tomorrow is the Chapter 1 test. Homework tonight is to study for the test, particularly rules for adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing integers (positive and negative numbers). Don't forget the 7th grade parent meeting tomorrow before Back-To-School night, starting at 5:00 PM in Bulldog Hall. Have a great night!

29 September 2009 - After correcting last night's homework, students began their textbook-based review of Chapter 1, in preparation for Thursday's Chapter 1 test. Whatever part of the review that wasn't finished in class is homework tonight: page 56, #1-48 (skip #24). Please be sure to copy down the question (you can skip copying down #35-36, though you still need to answer the questions), show your work, and indicate your answer. We will correct this tomorrow, so please bring any and all questions with you to class. Also, Back-to-School night is this Thursday, starting at 6:00 PM. Therewill also be a 7th grade parent meeting regarding high schoolgraduation requirements at 5:00 PM on Thursday. Both start in Bulldog Hall. Have a great night!

28 September 2009 - We finished up notes for section 1-10 today. Homework tonight is Assignment #1-10 (p52, #16-52 (evens only) and #53-55 (all)). Please do questions #38-46 (even) on one coordinate plane, and # 48 & 50 each on their own coordinate plane. We will be having the Chapter 1 test this Thursday, so please study up between now and then! Also, Back-to-School night is this Thursday, starting at 6:00 PM. There will also be a 7th grade parent meeting regarding high school graduation requirements at 5:00 PM on Thursday. Have a great night!

25 September 2009 - After correcting last night's homework, we began taking notes and discussing section 10 of Chapter 1 (the last section). However, much to the sadness of all the students, since I was unable to finish the notes, I was unable to assign homework over the weekend. There were many tears in class, but hopefully everyone will be able to get over their sadness by Monday! While there is no assigned homework, we still will be having our Chapter 1 test next Thursday (the day of Back-to-School night), so please study up over the weekend if you need to. See everyone on Monday - and be sure to cheer for the Trojans on Saturday!

24 September 2009 - Today was focused on Multiplying and Dividing Integers (positive and negative numbers). Homework tonight is assignment 1.9 (p47, #12-38, #44-49, and #54-58). As something to start thinking about, we will be having the Chapter 1 test next Thursday (1 October). This is also the day of Back-to-School night! Have a great evening!

23 September 2009 - Homework tonight is an adding/subtracting integers review page, titled "What should you do if you are surrounded by 20 lions, 15 tigers and 10 leopards"? Students need to solve each problem, find the answer at the bottom of the page, the write the letter of the problem in the box that matches the correct answer. The boxes at the bottom should spell out the answer to the title of the worksheet (it should be kind of silly). Have a great night! 2nd PERIOD STUDENTS - DON'T FORGET YOUR WAVE ARTIFACT FOR TOMORROW!!!

22 September 2009 - Homework tonight is p38 #9-14, 18-22, and 24-30. For students wanting a little extra challenge, try problems #15 and #16...they are tricky!

21 September: Today we reviewed adding and subtracting integers (sections 1.5 and 1.6 from the textbook). Hopefully students were not too offended by my singing voice (sorry, no song in Period 1...maybe tomorrow)! Homework tonight is p26 #21-32 (all) and p31 #20-37 (all). Have a great night!

18 September 2009 - After checking last night's homework, the class did a review/check-in activity using the TurningPoint "clickers"...very fun! Periods 1, 3, and 6 do not have homework over the weekend, but period 2 students need to complete the homework they missed due to yesterday's assembly...this is assignment #1.4 (p19, #11-16 (all) and #24-50 (just the even numbered questions)). See you on Monday!

17 September 2009 - Absolute Value was the topic in class today. Homework tonight is assignment 1.4 (p 19, #11-16 (all the problems) and #24-50 (just the even problems). Students in Period 2 do not have this homework assignment tonight, since 2nd period was completely filled with the fundraiser assembly. Period 2 will be covering this information tomorrow. Have a great night!

16 September 2009 - We started class today by correcting last night's homework, then discussed Evaluating Expressions. Students had time to begin their homework in class, which is assignment 1.3 (p15, #11-30, 33, 34, & 38-43). Have a good night!

15 September 2009 - After correcting last night's homework, we reviewed the Order of Operations. Homework tonight is assignment 1.2 (p 11, #10-35) for periods 2, 3, and 6. Period 1 students also need to complete the page 6, #16-35. Have a great night!

14 September 2009 - After checking the homework from Friday, we started the first lesson of Chapter 1 out of the textbook, discussing variables and different types of expressions. Period 1's homework is page 6, #10-15 (all), while the periods 2, 3, & 6 have homework from page 6, #10-35 (all). Period 1 is not getting off easier, we will make up the rest of these problems tomorrow...if period 1 students would like to get ahead, please give #16-35 a try, and we will review them in class on Tuesday. Have a great night! (And how 'bout them Trojans on Saturday?!?! Down to the wire, in a tough stadium. A great game!)

11 September 2009 - Happy Friday! Students corrected their homework from last night, and enjoyed a review lesson on Long Division. Homework is to finish the Long Division practice page which we began in class today. Have a great weekend!

10 September 2009 - A FANTASTIC day, even better than yesterday! A HUGE thank you to all the students...let's keep this up for the rest of the year! Students turned in Parent Contact Sheets, and we did a preview/review of the math textbook. We then quick review of multiple digit multiplication using both the traditional method (probably how most parents learned to multiply) as well as the lattice method (from the Everyday Math series). Personally, I do not have a preference as to which method students use, so long as they can regularly arrive at the correct answer. Homework tonight is a multiplication practice page, which the student began in class. Please finish it up tonight (showing your work), and bring back any questions you might have to class tomorrow. We will review correct answers and proper procedures in class tomorrow. Have a great night!

9 September 2009 - What a GREAT first day of school! Thank you to all the students who made the start to this new school year so wonderful! Homework for tonight is to have your parents fill out the "Parent Contact Sheet" and return it to me by this Friday, 11 September. Important sections to this sheet are the parent(s) signature(s) and the e-mail address(es) where parents can be reached. Also, by filling out this contact sheet, I am assuming that parents and students have reviewed the Math 7 Syllabus...we did not have a great deal of time to review the Syllabus in class today, so please bring questions back to class if you have them! Textbooks were also passed out today...these books are to remain AT HOME, and do not need to be brought back and forth to school each day - we have a full class set to use here. Have a great night!


8 September 2009 - Welcome back to El Segundo Middle School! I am looking forward to a fantastic school year! I will see everyone tomorrow morning for the first day of school!