4mula Fun! :)

Moving on Up...

2014-12-08T20:06:00.001-06:00

Thank you all for taking time to view this classroom blog. While there are still a great many resources on this blog (and they aren't going anywhere), I would love for you to check out my full blog.

Check it out and let me know what you think! I don't approve the comments on this blog so please don't leave them here.

Blue Ribbon Bosses

2013-03-26T10:28:00.000-05:00

Each week in Study Island, it is a goal that each student receive one Blue Ribbon per subject. As we are drawing near the end of the year, you are working a lot more to complete Study Island and it's showing!

Every week, I take time to identify my Blue Ribbon Bosses to help motivate and encourage you to continue to do your best the following week.

This week my 7th grade Blue Ribbon Bosses are...

What an awesome week for the 7th graders! Lots of bosses!

and this week, my 8th graders kind of let me down. I only had 1 Blue Ribbon Boss in 8th grade this week. Hope that will change for next week!

Check your Kmail where I will be sending your individual certificate!

P.S. If you are a teacher and would like a blank copy of this certificate as well as the individual certificates, please feel free to leave a comment and I will email those off to you! :)

Sweet Spring Break

2013-03-13T17:19:00.004-05:00

Hope you are enjoying your Spring Break! That is if you are in my class.

If you are a fellow teacher, make sure to check out my Teacher Blog to see what else is going on!

Problem Solving in Pieces

2013-03-04T21:01:00.002-06:00

Over the past several weeks, we have really been working with our Problem Solving Strategies. Taking time to work through each strategy will guarantee success!

If you haven't already downloaded the Problem Solving Strategies poster above, feel free to grab it here for FREE!

Remember, take your time and prove your answer through checking and you will do great!

Teachers: Are you looking for other themes, feel free to check out the Super Hero, Owl or Camping Problem Solving Posters that are also available in my Teachers Pay Teachers Store

Central Tendency (Mean, Median, Mode and Range) Captains!

2013-02-28T12:07:00.000-06:00

We have been working hard on Central Tendency for the past week and a half! Understanding the vocabulary and what each word means is half the battle!

To start with we put together the anchor chart above so that we could have a reference of each of the terms and what they meant. I took time to make the "keywords" a bit different to pull their eye in on what to focus on when solving problems related to central tendency.

Next thing I brought in were my Middle School Teacher friend's, Miss Math Dork, St. Patty's Relay cards for Central Tendency!

These are beyond awesome! I had to alter them to work in our virtual setting and my students love working this way! One student even responded on his Exit Ticket to say, "This makes it so easy!"

Complete your math work sample in Study Island (5d) this week! Print out the anchor chart above and have it beside you as you work through the problems to earn that Blue Ribbon!

Fractions Are Fun!

2013-02-22T12:54:00.000-06:00

Another day, another trip! Today's trip was down Fraction Street!

Fraction Street is full of many different adventures. Finding common denominators, adding fractions, comparing fractions, multiplying by reciprocals, finding common factors, simplifying... and the list goes on!

Our focus today was reviewing the steps to solve fraction problems with all four operations. We started with notes in a Flippable for our Interactive Notebooks (best resources EVER).

Quick review in the beginning to refresh our minds on what the various parts of a fraction were and what each part meant. Quick, easy and too the point!

Each student got a copy of the blank Flippable above and was directed to have it ready as we went through notes for each operation. Our Flippables were soon filled with great amounts of notes and love!

Would you like a copy of the blank Flippable? Feel free to download it by clicking on the picture above! Leave me a comment if you plan on using it as well as I would love to see other interpretations of the Flippable!

And if using Flippables in class are your thing, then please take a look at my Flippable Template pack PACKED with 51 templates that you can edit and print for personal use!

**If you are interested in Commercial Use of my Flippable Templates, that is available as well.**

One Step Equations Anchor Chart

2013-02-16T19:49:00.002-06:00

This past week for Stumped in Pre-Algebra we covered One-Step Equations. As part of reviewing the process I created a mini anchor chart to put our Interactive Notebooks.

The chart started pretty simple with title and a sample problem for each of the four operations. Next, it was time to start working through the steps of each equation and take helpful notes as we went along.

First up was Addition! Pretty simple to find the missing addend in this problem. You have probably been doing this since Kindergarten and didn't know you were doing Algebra!

Time for some Subtraction! Again, just finding a missing value. Now a bit trickier with this one since it became a negative variable. Just remember, what you do to one side of the equation, you must do to the other!

Are you ready to Mulitply? Using those inverse operations is key! Don't forget to use another method to check your answer!

Last, but not least, it's time to Divide! Now, with division it was a bit trickier and you can see where we used our inverse operations to help us change up the problem before we checked it.

Simple as that but a great reference! Check back Monday for a Flippable on Multi-Step Equations! :)

Sample Spaces

2013-02-07T14:39:00.003-06:00

Today we started our unit on Probability by reviewing Sample Spaces and Outcomes. Lil' Stinker was there to make sure we were on track.

Yep, by the end of the Small Group lesson, you should be able to meet this learning goal! Need some extra help? Check out this probability video!

Important vocabulary to remember- A sample space includes all of the possible outcomes.

Don't forget to take care of your assignments this week so you can be the next Blue Ribbon Boss! Small Group Recording is available in the OLS for you to watch. Send me a Kmail with the answer to what you learned today and I will respond so you can get attendance credit.

Stumped in Pre-Algebra is being moved on Monday. Check the OLS for the new time! This week we will cover One-Step Equations!

Just remember...

2013-02-06T18:11:00.002-06:00

While you are working hard on getting benchmarks taken this week, just remember that I think You are The Bomb! You can do it and I know you will do great!

See you Thursday for Class Connect and Small Group! Let me know if you need a 1-on-1 Tutoring session!

Finding Nets to Construct 3D Shapes

2013-01-31T16:38:00.000-06:00

Today in class we covered a multitude of concepts involving 3D Shapes and our Learning Goals prove that!

To review what we learned, here are 3 simple activities that you can do to show what you know!

First, can you look at a 3D shape and draw what the shape would look like from the top, side or bottom? These are called perspectives.

Next up, we talked about taking 3D shapes apart and flattening them to create a net. Why would this help us?

Time for you to problem solve! Click on the picture above to make it larger. Read the question and take time to leave a comment with your answer. Make sure you leave your name so I can give you credit!

Ready for a little challenge? I'd love to see what you create and share it with the rest of the 7th Graders on the blog! Search for me in Kmail and send me your pics!

And of course, I couldn't forget to share a video on 3D Shapes with you...

Transformations Small Group

2013-01-30T15:32:00.000-06:00

Yesterday's small group lesson after Class Connect was a review over the three different types of Transformations.

First up, we had to review our definitions. As we were reviewing them, we talked about different key words that could help us remember which type of transformation was which! On our next slides, we underlined those keywords and made examples of each type of transformation of an object about a 4 Quadrant graph.

And of course we had to do a bit of practice. For this assignment, I put it up on the whiteboard and we went through the triangle together. After that it was time for each student to get a turn and so I gave whiteboard privileges to all 17 students who showed up and we had a blast!

Now, if you are wondering what it should look like, here is an example of Mrs. S' copy that she printed out and worked along with you. This would be a great resource for you to put in your Math Notebook! You can download it for FREE here!

And of course, I couldn't leave you without a silly video! Don't forget to finish your Geometry Unit in Study Island by Friday, February 1st!

Multiplying and Dividing Exponents

2013-01-28T23:36:00.001-06:00

What an awesome class we had today reviewing the rules of multiplying and dividing Exponents with the same base. Taking the time to work through our Flippable to add as a resource will definitely make the practice problems so much easier. Remember, it takes 28 days to make a habit so keep practicing.

We started with a basic three flap Flippable with our Exponent Rule Names written on each flap.

Next up it was time to start adding the information! First up was Multiplying Exponents with the Same Base. We all know that means to add the exponents!

Next up was Dividing Exponents with the Same Base. Well, if we added for multiplying we must subtract for dividing! You can also see the extra examples we added in from favorite numbers of the class.

Then of course we couldn't leave the Zero Power out. Lonely zero powers that make the number equal to 1.

Wouldn't be a lesson with Mrs. S unless we had an Exit Ticket of sorts. I really tried to stump you on this one but so many of you had this down and got it right! Good job! Don't forget to Kmail yours in by Friday so I can give you your 1 hour attendance credit!

Of course I couldn't leave you without a video! Check out Super Exponent Guy!

Next week's Stumped in Pre-Algebra will be over One-Step Equations! Several of you asked about them this week so I really think it will help us out! :)

Teachers: If you are interested in this Flippable with the components and Exit Ticket, I have the available in my Teachers Pay Teachers shop as well as my Teachers Notebook shop. Enjoy!

Coordinates, Coordinates, Coordinates...

2013-01-28T10:00:00.000-06:00

The big change from 6th grade to 7th grade is going from only reading a graph in Quadrant 1 where all numbers are positive and then moving into 4 Quadrants with positive and negative numbers both.

As we reviewed the various location of positive and negative numbers in each quadrant and the location of the x and y-axis and origin, feel free to use your Coordinate Plane Flippable (check your Kmail) as a reference when you are working on your practice problems in Study Island and beyond.

Also, feel free to enjoy Groundhog Graphing and send in your pictures if you use them at home! I'd love to see your work!

3D Prisms and Pyramids

2013-01-27T13:52:00.000-06:00

Are you having trouble distinguishing between prisms and pyramids? They are quite tricky so I'm here to help you out as you work through your practice problems and determine the differences between prisms and pyramids.

Recently we went over determining what various 3D Shapes were based on their characteristics. Based on what we worked on in class, quite a few of my students were having difficulty determining between prisms and pyramids.

To help make that a little easier when you are working on your Study Island I have created an Anchor Chart that you can print out and use when you are doing your practice problems.

Don't forget to complete your Study Island Geometry Assignments by February 1st! I'm looking forward to seeing those Blue Ribbons all across the board!

Stumped in Pre-Algebra?

2013-01-22T16:53:00.001-06:00

Please take a moment to fill out the form below so we will be able to target direct skills to teach during our Stumped sessions starting January 28, 2013 at 9 am. Loading...

Scientific Notation Got You Down?

2013-01-17T21:50:00.001-06:00

Need a little refresher? Take a moment and watch Professor Von Schmohawk as he reviews Scientific Notation with you!

To help remember those crucial steps, this Flippable is perfect to hold the notes on how to work converting from Standard Notation to Scientific Notation as well as converting from Scientific Notation to Standard Notation.

Each of the flaps contain information to remember what to do when converting but also clues and examples!

The Scientific Notation Flippable is available in my Teachers Pay Teachers store and includes Practice Problems to test your skills on converting back and forth between both notations.

**If you are one of my students (current or former) and would like to receive this Flippable and Practice, please feel free to leave me a comment or send me an email and I will send it right off to you!**

Inverse Operations Anchor Chart

2013-01-15T17:51:00.000-06:00

Inverse Operations are fundamental when learning about expressions and equations. To help my students in remembering the operations that "undo" each other, I have created an Inverse Operations Chart to use as a resource.

You can simply click on the image above to download the chart for FREE! It's already filled in for you and ready to use as a resource. Now, if you are looking for blank charts to use in the classroom, feel free to check out my Inverse Operations and One Step Equations Anchor Charts and Practice Problems in my Teachers Pay Teachers Store for only $2.00!

And if you need more practice on using Inverse Operation in Addition and Subtraction, here is a great video with examples that I found to share!

New Year, New View...

2013-01-15T17:11:00.002-06:00

With this new year, I am transitioning into a new position as a Special Education Teacher for 7th Grade. This blog will continue to serve as a resource for Middle School Math help in various areas and since I will be teaching in an online atmosphere, it will be here to benefit the students I will be servicing as well as those around the world.

If you are interested in my personal teaching blog, please feel free to subscribe to Live.Teach.Create as that will be regularly updated with new materials, creations, reflections and more while 4mulaFun will continue to be for resources as questions arise in our classrooms.

Indirect Measurement and "Corny" Proportions

2012-10-29T18:04:00.000-05:00

Friday we wrapped up our unit on Similar Figures by working on Indirect Measurement. First thing we did was fill out our mini book Flippable with an example of Indirect Measurement of a Truffala tree from the Lorax) and Max (from Where the Wild Things Are). We discussed how to determine the height of something if knew the height and shadow length of another thing as well as the shadow of the figure.

After we did that together, we moved on to filling our jar on the different ways that we could use indirect measurements and came up with some great ideas. After that, the students then had to solve word problem about basketball courts. All students who worked through the word problem and solved it correctly earned a sticker toward a Homework Pass!

Today was a review day since we have a quiz over our unit on Proportions tomorrow. As a review, each student had to come up with their own "Corny" Proportion. It had to be about them and include Candy!

After seeing my example of a proportional candy word problem, they got busy writing. Then after each student wrote their problem, they had to have it approved. Once approved, they went back to solve and decorate. Now, they got a bit of "inspiration" during this time as I passed around some Candy Corn to each student. What a fun way to finish up our unit on proportions.

I honestly can't wait to snap pics of the proportions tomorrow and Wednesday as my students are taking their Proportions Quiz. I know they are more than ready for this quiz and will do amazing!

Don't forget, Extra Credit is due on Wednesday by 4pm to receive a test grade replaced.

Also, this week's homework is a review from the first six weeks for all my classes.

Making Similar Figures

2012-10-25T17:52:00.000-05:00

This week we extended our unit on Proportionality to cover Similar Figures. On Tuesday/Wednesday we made a 3 page Mini Book covering all the various parts of Similar Figures. We also learned that NEW word that I've been teasing about.... SCALE FACTOR! (Remember, if someone emails me by Friday afternoon telling me something you taught them about scale factor, you will earn 3 stickers!)

The outside of our book contained our title as well as our "I Can" statement of what we would be able to do once we had mastered the knowledge behind Similar Figures.

When you open up the first flap, we began to discuss the definition of similar figures. We then drew examples and came up with the characteristics of similar figures showed us that both shapes can be similar if they are of different dimensions.
To explore that further we went on to create two models of similar figures that we were able to count and test the difference. Then we added in that to be similar BOTH DIMENSIONS must change!

But how do we know that we are right? We can check it using Ratios! So we created our ratios of our two new quadrilaterals and compared them using cross products. Okay, we have that down pat! Now let's bring in that new word, SCALE FACTOR! Yep, makes life so much easier if we are able to multiply our denominators and numerators by a number (the scale factor) to determine equivalent ratios!
Next up, it was time to try it out! Each group got a baggie of centimeter cubes and went to town creating some amazing models! Check them out below!

If you are a teacher looking for the resources used in this lesson, please check out my TpT Store and my Teacher Blog.

Extra Credit (7th Grade Math)

2012-10-24T16:57:00.003-05:00

Late extra credit will NOT be accepted. Time in class will not be given for this project. You must work on your own to create an interactive review game covering the concepts that we have learned or create a video that teaches the material that you have learned (enough that someone who knows nothing about the concept could easily learn).

Questions may be answered in tutorial times only, not in class.

Ratios and Proportions Introduction

2012-10-23T17:21:00.000-05:00

We have hit the ground running with our Proportionality Unit! I am so amazed by how well the class is taking to this unit as they have learned HOW IMPORTANT ratios are in the real world and how often we use them. Loved hearing today that they remembered using them in Science just a few weeks ago in a lab! How awesome they are seeing connections cross-curricular!

Day 1: All About Ratios, Simplifying Ratios and Comparing Ratios- pg. 40 in the INB

Day 2- Rates and Unit Rates- pg. 41 in the INB

Day 3- What are Proportions?- pg 42 in the INB

Day 4- Writing Proportions- pg 43 in the INB

Day 5- Solving Proportions from Word Problems- pg. 44 in the INB

All of this has provided some AMAZING conversation in class. We have started going into similar figures now to go along with our proportions and will be doing that the rest of this week. I will post more about that tomorrow.

The extra credit that I will be offering this six weeks involves ratios, proportions and similar figures. I will post the official information on it tomorrow but I will let you know, you will become the teacher and be creative in your project through one of two forms. Be on the lookout for more info.

Side Note: If you are a teacher reading this blog and are interested in the lessons above for Day 1-3, check out the All About Ratios Bundle in my TpT store! The Proportions Bundle will be coming soon as it has been revised from what is currently in my store that I taught with 8th graders. I will also have the entire unit available once completed.

These lessons can now be found in their updated form in my 6th Grade Ratios and Proportional Relationships bundle in my TpT Store as well as in my 6th Grade All Standards bundle.

Ratios and Central Tendency Homework

2012-10-22T09:00:00.000-05:00

Dividing Decimals Review

2012-10-17T15:55:00.001-05:00

Today I reviewed with 8th period how to divide with Decimals and we created a short but sweet video. Enjoy! :)

Rates and Unit Rates

2012-10-16T12:07:00.000-05:00

And to have some review for the math homework this week, here is an example lesson of the first problem for 7th Grade Math Homework.

Once the Proportions Unit is complete with my 7th Graders, I will have the new bundle available in my TpT Store. I have uploaded the Practice Sheets for Multiplying and Dividing Decimals and they are available for purchase by clicking here.