After taking our Unit 2 Test on Monday, February 8, we’ll move on to Chapter 7, beginning with Lesson 7.1.

Thus far we have covered 26 out of the 41 Critical Goals and 10 out of the 20 Significant Math goals, per the Archdiocesan plan.  So we have covered two thirds of the Critical goals prior to the close of the second trimester.

We have also worked, on several occasions, to hone our multiple choice test taking skills in preparation for the Terra Nova testing in March as well as for high school placement testing which will take place in January and June of Grade 8.  It is possible to use clever time saving strategies as a way of demonstrating solid knowledge of numerous math concepts.  I appreciate all the sharing that goes on between teacher and student during these discussions.  It is good for students to see a variety of ways to approach the same problem and apply the most efficient approach possible.

Many students enjoyed dabbling in some Grade 8 (Algebra 1) concepts as enrichment activities using the FOIL method (First, Outer, Inner, Last) when multiplying two mixed numbers.  I was pleased to see how quickly many of the students caught on to this more advanced process.

In Chapter 7 we’ll learn what key words indicate particular operations, i.e. “of” means multiply, “the difference of” means subtract as we move from verbal phrases to numerical expressions (a number increased by 5) = n + 5 or 3 more than twice a number = 2n + 3.  We will combine like terms that contain common variables (simplify expressions) 7c + 9 - 3c  =  4c + 9.  We will apply this skill along with the distributive property:

5(w-4) + w + 8

= 5w -20 + w + 8

= 6w - 12

We will go on to solving addition and subtraction equations containing variables in 7.3 using the algebraic process and will also use this approach for solving multiplication and division equations in 7.4

We will take a Half Chapter Quiz after 7.4 since much new material will be learned.

All of the goals covered in Chapter 7 are Significant and not Critical Goals according to the Archdiocese so this material will be gone over quickly, but it will be good for students to have exposure to these concepts which are the foundation of the more advanced math program that we offer in Grades 7 and 8.

Lastly, I continue to work through the grading of the Math games that the students developed in January.  Several of the games are quite well done, but some need to be returned for better accuracy.  I do not want students playing games that contain math errors.   It has taken longer than I thought to work through this grading because each game is so unique from the next.  I will have them completed before report cards go home.  This project is worth 100 pts.

Please continue to test your child’s mastery of the math facts while you’re in the car or have some idle moments.   They are never too old to practice.

Enjoy your two free Mondays on February 15 and 22!

Mrs. Sellinger