Weekly Class Summary: Apr. 26-30

SOLs Covered: SOL 6.14 & 7.9&10 (MSMI.17) Quadrilaterals

New Math Dictionary Sections: (28) Quadrilaterals

Upcoming Assessments: Geometry Test on Thurs. 5/6/10; "You Can Do It" SOL Review Quiz 4 on Fri. 5/7/10

The classification of quadrilaterals was covered this week, which entails an analysis of the quadrilaterals attributes. Students must look for parallel and/or non-parallel sides, compare side lengths, and compare angle measures in order to classify each type of quadrilateral. When they move onto higher level geometry classes, they will work with these attributes again along with several others. We viewed both the PowerPoint for this unit along with the presentation on the classification of triangles, both of which can be viewed here on the blog or downloaded in WMV format from EdLine. Again, the sum of the interior angles of a quadrilateral (360°) was covered, which includes finding a missing angle when given the other three.

There was a student-produced video found on YouTube that is both entertaining and educational. My students are reminded that if they would like to create something similar, they can receive extra credit and Stingray.

This week's review packet was Patterns, Functions & Algebra. The quiz for this section was given on Friday and will be returned next week. Next week's review packet will be Probability & Statistics. All sections can be found with the following link: SOL Homework Review Packets. If time permits, answer keys for everything will be posted after the sections are covered and all students have finished the quizzes.

Classifying Quadrilaterals by GeoGebra

Homework: April 26-30

For the week of April 26, 2010

Mon. 4/26
All Blocks: Pizzazz worksheet, "Polar Bear" side only
*Complete Patterns, Functions, & Algebra (PF&A) from SOL Homework Review Packet by Fri. 4/30

Tues. 4/27
All Blocks: Complete "9-4 Study Guide & Practice" C2 worksheet: #5-8 (SG) & #7-17 (Prac)

Wed. 4/28
All Blocks: "Angle Sum of Triangles & Quadrilaterals" worksheet; study for Quads & Polygons Quiz

Thurs. 4/29
All Blocks: Pizzazz worksheet, "Cinderella" side only; study for PF&A "You Can Do It" Quiz 3

Fri. 4/30
All Blocks: STUDY!!!
Next week: Probability & Statistics (P&S) SOL Homework Review Packet

Weekly Class Summary: Apr. 19-23

SOLs Covered: SOL 6.13&14 & 7.9&10 (MSMI.16&17) Triangles
New Math Dictionary Sections: (27) Triangles
Upcoming Assessments: Quadrilaterals & Polygons Quiz on Thurs. 4/29/10; "You Can Do It" SOL Review Quiz 3 on Fri. 4/30/10

Most students wrapped up the SOL simulation test on Monday. Students received a grade for their classwork, but at this time the actually test grade will not be averaged into their term grade since there are still topics that have not been covered yet nor have we been able to review. Their score will however be posted at the bottom of their grade reports with Fail, Pass, and Pass Advanced listed to indicate what students could expect to receive if the SOL was given at this time. Most students will improve these scores after the rest of our 6th grade curriculum is taught and the almost two weeks of review that will take place right before the test is given. At this time, it appears that 1st Block will test on May 27th, 2nd Block on May 28th, and 4th Block on June 1st.

Tuesday saw the introduction of the classification of triangles for those students that had completed their simulation test. Since several students needed to be sent back with the other 6th grade classes to complete testing, the PowerPoint for this unit will be shown next week when the classification of quadrilaterals is introduced. However, students that would like to view the presentation early or that simply would like to view it again after it is covered in class can watch it below or find it in WMV format on EdLine. In addition to classifying triangles (by angles: acute, right, obtuse; by sides: equilateral, isocesles, scalene), the sum of the interior angles of a triangle (180°) is also covered. Students must be able to find the missing angle when the other two are given. This will be connected with the sum of the interior angles of a quadrilateral next week.

This week's review packet was Computation & Estimation. This is one of the harder sections for students since they are not allowed to use a calculator for any of the work. All students are encouraged to practice basic multiplication and division in order to ease some of the difficulties they find with such problems. The quiz for this section was given on Friday and will be returned next week. Next week's review packet will be Patterns, Functions & Algebra. All sections can be found with the following link: SOL Homework Review Packets. If time permits, answer keys for everything will be posted after the sections are covered and all students have finished the quizzes.

Triangle Classification Game from Universidade Federal Fluminense

Homework: April 19-23

For the week of April 19, 2010

Mon. 4/19
All Blocks: Completed/signed Grade Reflection Letter; bring 2nd 3-prong folder
*Complete Computation & Estimation (C&E) from SOL Homework Review Packet by Fri. 4/23

Tues. 4/20
All Blocks: Complete Triangle Booklet worksheet (classify triangles by sides and angles)

Wed. 4/21
All Blocks: Classify the triangles (#1-9) from 10-2 Practice by their sides and angles

Thurs. 4/22
All Blocks: Complete "9-4 Study Guide & Practice" C2 worksheet: #1-4 (SG) & #1-6 (Prac)

Fri. 4/23
All Blocks: STUDY!!!
Next week: Patterns, Functions, & Algebra (PF&A) SOL Homework Review Packet

Weekly Class Summary: Apr. 12-16

SOLs Covered: SOL 6.13 (MSMI.16) Angles; SOL 6.14 & 7.9&10 (MSMI.17) Polygons
New Math Dictionary Sections: (25) Angles & (26) Polygons
Upcoming Assessments: "You Can Do It" SOL Review Quiz 2 on Fri. 4/23/10


We started the new term off with two new units this week: angles and polygons. Angles and polygons are both topics that are mainly review for sixth graders. However, angles can be tricky for some when it comes to measuring angles. The students are split almost in half with which tool (protractor vs. angle ruler) they were taught in fifth grade. Either tool can do the job, but since we test on the computers at the middle school level, I focus most of our work around using the protractor, which is the eTool available for such questions on the SOL. In addition to measuring angles, students must identify the types of angles (acute, right, obtuse, or straight) and be able to estimate an angle's measure using 45°, 90°, 135°, and 180° as reference points. For polygons this week, students were introduced (or reintroduced) to the basic types of polygons through ten-sided figures (triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons, heptagons, octagons, nonagons, and decagons). Polygons will be extended in the next few weeks with more work on triangles and quadrialaterals and an introduction to solids, which can be made from various polygons.


In addition to the new topics, we began working on our SOL review work. Most students received their SOL Homework Review Packets before Spring Break if they brought in a 3-prong folder to keep them stored safely. Those students that still have not brought a folder, need to do so to receive their packets in advance. Otherwise, they will only receive them one week at a time as they are covered. By Tuesday of next week, all students need to have their second folder in which to store their old Spiral Warm-Up Quizzes (#1-8), their mini-benchmark test, the five "You Can Do It" Quizzes (which started this week), and the released SOL tests (which will be worked on in our final weeks of review leading up to the BIG TEST!). Students completed the first homework review packet (Numbers & Number Sense) and the first "You Can Do It" Quiz this week as well as starting their SOL Simulation Test, which will be completed Monday. The "You Can Do It" Quizzes and the SOL Simulation Test will give us a good idea of what the students can hope to make on the real SOL at this moment and allow us to determine which areas each student needs to focus on in order to do better. Next week's review packet will be Computation & Estimation.

Protractor by Ambleside Primary

Homework: April 12-16

For the week of April 12, 2010

Mon. 4/12
All Blocks: 9-1 Study Guide, all (need protractor)
**Complete Numbers & Number Sense (N&NS) from SOL Homework Review Packet by Thurs. 4/15

Tues. 4/13
All Blocks: 9-2 Study Guide, all (need protractor)

Wed. 4/14
All Blocks: 9-4 Study Guide, all; study for N&NS Quiz ("You Can Do It" SOL Quiz 1)

Thurs. 4/15
All Blocks: 9-4 Practice, all; study for SOL Simulation Test (Fri. 4/16 & Mon. 4/19)

Fri. 4/16
All Blocks: STUDY!!!
Next Week: Computation & Estimation (C&E) SOL Homework Review Packet

Weekly Class Summary: Mar. 29-Apr. 2

SOLs Covered: SOL 6.18 & 7.17&18 (MSMI.22) Graphing Data & Data Analysis; SOL 6.21 & 7.19 (MSMI.26) Numerical & Geometric Patterns
New Math Dictionary Sections: (24) Patterns & Sequences
Upcoming Assessments: "You Can Do It" SOL Review Quiz on Fri. 4/16/10

The week began with our quiz on graphing. Grades for the quiz along with this week's homework and warm ups will be included in the fourth term. This is to allow students that scored a "Not Yet" grade on the quiz, failed to turn in the HW or WU assignments, or missed school this week a chance to bring up their grades, per the "Power of I" policy. These grades will be posted by the end of the week after we return once the next term offically begins.

Tuesday was spent in the computer lab exploring some of the sites bookmarked on the class Portaportal. Focus was given to several sites in particular (Cyberchase, Lure of the Labyrinth, Mangahigh, and JLab), however students are encouraged to explore the other sites along with these over spring break and throughout next term to help them improve their math skills and prepare for the SOL test.

The rest of the week was spent exploring patterns, both with numbers (numerical) and pictures/shapes (geometric). The differences in the various types of numerical sequences were discussed and explored. Emphasis was placed on the need to carefully read SOL questions that deal with patterns/sequences as they often ask students to find terms several places beyond where they were left of instead of simply asking for the next one as most students would expect. The week wrapped up with an activity revolving around the book Spaghetti and Meatballs for All!: A Mathematical Story by Marilyn Burns. After reading the book, we explored how different table arrangements (using toothpicks to illustrate) affect how many people can be seated.

The majority of students now have their SOL Homework Review packets. While they do not officially become an assignment until we return from Spring Break, students are encouraged to get a head start of the break. The few students that have not received the packets will need to bring their folders/binders in once we return or they will only receive each packet the week it is being covered, not in advance like everyone else.

While I would like for all students to spend part of break preparing for the last term, I do want everyone to enjoy the time off.

Lure of the Labyrinth from Thinkport