As many of you know, I used to teach in Colorado before I moved back to Michigan. The last group of 6th graders I taught are now 8th graders. Several of them have made an impressive commitment to "Make a Difference" this holiday season. They are blogging their 25 days of efforts. If you have some extra time, check it out.
http://8thgradersmakeadifference.blogspot.com/
They have truly inspired me. Enjoy!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Happy Holidays to All!
Well, we were right! Snow day today! I know many of you are excited to start the vaction early and I hope you and your families all have a wonderful and safe holiday.
I realized this morning that Christmas and this time of year is always hectic, and it is a time of year I really rely on my math skills. Yes, I know you have a hard time believing it, but you are using math over vacation! How many of you are buying gifts this year? Well, I bet you have a budget on what to spend. As I finish up my shopping, I am constantly making mental and written lists of how much I have spent and how much money I have left. I am calculating percentages (you know I love a sale) and subtracting the differences.
I also like to bake during the holidays. Usually this means doubling or tripling recipes to make enough yummy cookies to give away. My fractions skills are always put to the test during this!
Last night I was watching the news anticipating the big storm. The weather reporters were talking about the "percentage" of chances of snow. The "rate" of snowfall per hour. The total "sum" of accumulation. Geez, math was everywhere! And you thought you could forget about it for two weeks :)
I hope you have a great vacation. Think about how you are using math over the break. Share some ways with us! Merry Christmas and see you next year!
I realized this morning that Christmas and this time of year is always hectic, and it is a time of year I really rely on my math skills. Yes, I know you have a hard time believing it, but you are using math over vacation! How many of you are buying gifts this year? Well, I bet you have a budget on what to spend. As I finish up my shopping, I am constantly making mental and written lists of how much I have spent and how much money I have left. I am calculating percentages (you know I love a sale) and subtracting the differences.
I also like to bake during the holidays. Usually this means doubling or tripling recipes to make enough yummy cookies to give away. My fractions skills are always put to the test during this!
Last night I was watching the news anticipating the big storm. The weather reporters were talking about the "percentage" of chances of snow. The "rate" of snowfall per hour. The total "sum" of accumulation. Geez, math was everywhere! And you thought you could forget about it for two weeks :)
I hope you have a great vacation. Think about how you are using math over the break. Share some ways with us! Merry Christmas and see you next year!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Guest Blogger!
I am so excited to have our first 'guest' blogger! Scotty M. wanted to share the following post with all of you:
'During the school year so far we have learned a lot of subjects but so far math is my favorite. Right now Mrs. Monhaut's class is learning how to simplify fractions and it's not easy. So if you are having trouble, every Wednesday Mrs. Monhaut has MASH which is Math After School Help. So if you are having trouble, take advantage of MASH. She helps you with whatever you are having trouble with and trust me-it will help you on your tests this year in math class.'
Posted by Scotty M., Block C
'During the school year so far we have learned a lot of subjects but so far math is my favorite. Right now Mrs. Monhaut's class is learning how to simplify fractions and it's not easy. So if you are having trouble, every Wednesday Mrs. Monhaut has MASH which is Math After School Help. So if you are having trouble, take advantage of MASH. She helps you with whatever you are having trouble with and trust me-it will help you on your tests this year in math class.'
Posted by Scotty M., Block C
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Turkeys, Fractions, OH MY!
Well, it is hard to believe it is almost Thanksgiving! We have been hard at work and are getting ready to head into Parent Teacher Conferences and Thanksgiving Break. I am really looking forward to meeting or seeing all of your parents again this year.
We have been working hard in math and are in the midst of our number sense unit. We just made ice cream cones to represent the steps in simplifying fractions. Here are a few:
We have been working hard in math and are in the midst of our number sense unit. We just made ice cream cones to represent the steps in simplifying fractions. Here are a few:
How many of you like fractions? When I was in middle school, fractions made me a little nervous, but the more I worked with them, the easier they became. I think I like fractions now because I can see how much I use them in real life. I love to bake and I am constantly changing recipes for different quantities, so converting fractions is a must! Fractions also come in handy when I am working in the house. When I decorate a room or hang up a picture, I need to make sure I am measuring correctly and very precisely to ensure it is straight!
I often have students ask me when we use GCF or LCM in real life. I will post two real life questions below. Can you tell which one you would find the GCF to solve? What about the LCM? Does anyone have the answers? I'll give you 5 bonus points for each one you solve correctly! Don't post the answer-bring it into class and turn it in to me!
Okay, now for the questions:
1. Jill wants to put 45 sunflower plants, 81 corn plants, and 63 tomato plants in her garden. If
she puts the same number of plants in each row and if each row has only one type of plant, what is the greatest number of plants Jill can put in one row? Explain.
2. Every 7 years the Lancaster family has a family reunion. Every 6 years they update their family tree. If they both had a photo taken and updated their family tree in 1997, in what year will both events occur again?
Good luck! See you in class!
We are working hard at adding and subtracting fractions, and we are about to use fractions with our geometry unit. We will also be watching some of the Olympics and gathering and analyzing scores from various events.