Monday, October 27, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Multiplying Workday
Today, after returning some aging papers, we worked individually and in groups on some problems practicing multiplying fractions... and using cross-canceling to help us.
It might have been slightly unclear to some kids what I want them to do following the work they did in class today. There were two sheets. Everyone should have completed the front and back of the first sheet. And everyone one should have completed at least THE FRONT of the second sheet. If they did not, they will need to complete up to this point over this long break.
See you next week!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Multiplying Mixed Numbers
We first checked our homework on multiplying fractions and then moved quickly to some notes on how to multiply two mixed numbers.
However, tonight's homework is on subtracting fractions -- at least the common denominator is fractions... HAHAHA! (I know, bad joke...)
Friday, October 17, 2008
More multiplying...
Today after our warm up we watched Part II of the Multiplying Fractions video we watched yesterday (I'll post them in a bit) AND the kids got a sheet covered in multiplication of fractions problems... where they will need to do some reducing/cross-canceling beforehand. They were asked to do only #s 1-9.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
"Four over one!"
The kids will get the reference of the title. ;) We did our warm up, checked our homework problem, and then watched a video online (posted below) of a professor explaining another way to think about multiplying fractions. I think the kids really enjoyed it and we'll watch part two tomorrow. :) No homework!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Multiplying Fractions :)
Remember weeks ago when I said we'd be on to multiplying fractions soon?
Well, that finally happened today with our long period. :D
After checking our work from yesterday on adding/subtracting mixed numbers (which we're still working on...), we moved ahead into multiplying fractions, took a WHOLE lot of notes with many examples, practiced some problems, and I even gave them the TOP SECRET about pre-reducing (you'll have to ask them about this one because I was censored from posting that picture below by the students!).
And, they only have ONE problem for homework. Two huge fractions that are multiplied together! This ONE problem is due Thursday (due to block schedule this week they will not see me tomorrow :( )
Monday, October 13, 2008
A little alone time...
After feeling the energy of the kids today and taking a look at where we are at, I decided that today needed to be a work by yourself day. We started with our warm up, checked our work from Thursday, and had some independent practice with adding and subtracting fractions (mixed numbers). The kids are getting there with this skill -- and I can see it in class. Those who did not finish will need to finish tonight for homework.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Taking a step back
Taking a step back today, we turned and shifted our focus to reducing/simplifying fractions. The kids got to work in class on some practice problems after taking notes, and a few kids will want to finish those problems for homework.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Breaking it down now...
Today we tried to break down the reality that is mixed numbers. How'd we do this? By plotting those bad boys on a number line, that's how!
Plus, we all decided that the best way to solve adding/subtracting mixed fraction problems is by far much easier to understand when you convert them to improper fractions. We'll worry about that borrowing stuff later in the year. :)
Monday, October 6, 2008
Mixed Numbers + First Period = Match Made in Heaven
Now, I do not know if your children would agree with the title of this post, but they will soon, dangit!
Today was another adding and subtracting mixed number/fractions day. The kids started with four on the board and were given another 8 afterwards -- any of which that didn't get completed should be completed tonight.
We've GOT to nail down this skill before we can move on, and right now we're kind of stuck. Any over the shoulder looking or helping would be welcomed. :) And calculators? Why not! (They still have to show their work and most calculators below $50 can't perform operations with fractions.)
I'll post answers to the eight problems later. :)
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Take 2 maybe isn't what we thought it was...
We spent much of our time together this morning going over our homework and me working out problems on the board. It seems that neither way of adding/subtracting mixed numbers agrees with the kids. :) (That's why you'll see the pictures of my boards covered in numbers!)
I think that we've isolated ONE of the issues: converting mixed numbers to improper fractions and vice versa. SO, homework over the long weekend (including Advisee Outing) is a sheet covered in those kinds of problems... EVEN. For Monday.
More soon!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
You mean there's another way to do this??
We talked today about an alternative way to add and subtract mixed numbers... without all that nasty borrowing from the whole number. :) What's this way, you ask? Just convert those mixed numbers to improper fractions and poof! Do the problem like normal!
So, with this new way on their minds, the kids embarked on some problems to practice this new way. :) They are to do #s 1-4 of the adding and #s 1-4 of the subtracting.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Work, work, work...
To solidify the basic skills we'll need before we dive into the harder fraction stuff, today was a work day to finish up the fraction packet #35. If they did not finish it, they'll need to do so for homework. We'll check this packet tomorrow in class. :)
Monday, September 29, 2008
Ahhhh! The Mixed Numbers!
You'll see posted below pictures of notes from today... all about adding and subtracting mixed numbers. As if just finding a common denominator wasn't hard enough, now we have to worry about those pesky whole numbers... AND what about borrowing from the whole number when subtracting mixed fractions/numbers? Hm?
So yes, today was quite the journey! No immediate work or practice on these skills, however. Tonight's homework comes from #35 -- a packet of mixed to improper, reducing, and simple adding and subtracting fractions. Homework is the last page, #s 9-16.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Fraction Work
Today was all about the fraction. :)
After some quick notes on converting fractions back and forth between mixed and improper, the kids got a packet to do some work on (tons of problems, but went really quickly).
They worked so hard? No HOMEWORK. ;)
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Tests back... On to Fractions!
Today the kids got their tests back... and I was very pleased with how they ALL did. Before we started on Tuesday I told them that I had a dream that they all did fabulously on this test... and they did! Now, that doesn't mean that we all didn't miss a few here and there, but overall, everyone proved they knew their stuff. YEAH!
So, test corrections are due tomorrow... Corrections should be completed on the back of the test and nothing should be erased from the original test.
Afterwards, we moved on to our next unit: Fractions. The pictures you'll see below are of the notes we took. The notes from today and tomorrow will all be REVIEW. Monday will be new stuff. Other than test corrections? No homework. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
