Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Lessons for 8/30

Watch these videos in class on Thursday, August 30th. 

Course 2

Lesson 1C: Algebraic Expressions


Pre-Algebra 

Lesson 1-4 Ordered Pairs and Relations 


Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Today's Lessons 8/28

Here's are helpful videos to go with lessons learned in class today.

 


Course 2: 1B Numerical Expressions


 

Pre-Algebra: 1-2 Variables & Expressions


Monday, August 27, 2012

Challenge Problem 8/27-8/31

Here's this week's challenge problem ! Solve this problem with family or friends and bring your answer to class. Remember to turn it in (with your NAME) to the clear box in the classroom. All answers are due by the end of the school day on Friday. Good Luck and Happy Solving!!


Michael and Luke have been hired by a farm to sow flower seeds. They’ve been assigned a 10-acre plot of land and split it in half so they can work independently. Luke starts from the east and Michael from the west.

Michael can plow the land at a rate of 20 minutes per acre. Luke takes 40 minutes to plow, but sows seeds at three times the speed Michael does.

If sowing seeds on the 10-acre plot pays $100, how much of that money should go to Luke?


Today's Lessons

Here are some helpful, insturctional videos from the lessons learned today in class. They are YouTube videos; please let me know if you have any questions or they are not working.

Course 2

Lesson 1A: Powers and Exponents

 

Pre-Algebra

Lesson 1-1: Words and Expressions



Friday, August 24, 2012

Homework Calendar 8/27-8/31

Monday, August 27

C2: 1A: Powers and Exponents
           HW: Pg 27 #14-26 even, 37, 41, 45, 46
           Enrichment Opportunity Given

PA: 1-1 Words and Expressions
           HW: Pg 8 #12-30 even, 35, 37, 38
           Enrichment Opportunity Given

Tuesday, August 28

C2: 1B Numerical Expressions
           HW: Pg 31 #10-34 even, 38
           Enrichment Opportunity Given

PA: 1-2 Variables and Expressions
           HW: Pg 14 #12-34 even, 40, 42

Wednesday, August 29

C2: 1C Algebraic Expressions
           HW: Pg 36 #10-26 even, 31, 35, 36

PA: Mid-Chapter Check
           HW: None!

Thursday, August 30 – Miss Dees Gone

C2: 2B Sequences
           HW: Pg 47 #6-18 even, 28, 41
           Enrichment Opportunity Given

PA: 1-4: Ordered Pairs and Relations
           HW: Pg 28 #12-34 even, 37, 40
           Enrichment Opportunity Given

Friday, August 31

C2: Mid Chapter Check
           HW: None!

PA: 1-5 Words, Equations, Tables Graphs
           HW: Pg 35 #4-10 even, 12-14
           Enrichment Opportunity Given

Monday, August 20, 2012

Challenge Problem 8/20-8/24

Here's our first challenge problem of the year! Solve this problem with family or friends and bring your answer to class. Remember to turn it in (with your NAME) to the clear box in the classroom. All answers are due by the end of the school day on Friday.  Good Luck and Happy Solving!!


Imagine a digital clock.  How many times will the clock display three or more of the same number in a row over the course of one day?

(In case you were wondering, the clock in this puzzle displays time on a 12-hour scale, not military time.)

Monday, August 13, 2012

Class Syllabus

Here's just about everything you need to know about math class this year. This is the same information that was given to you on the first day of class (that sheet you need to get signed and bring back!)


Supplies: Students will need these supplies no later than August 22, 2012.
1.       3 ring binder
2.       Loose-leaf paper
3.       Pencils (points will be deducted for homework completed in pen)

Students will be:
In class on time
A positive team player
Willing to try new things
Respectful of others and their property
Encouraging with their words

Grades: Grades are assessed as follows:
A     >90%
B      80-89%
C      70-79%
D     60-69%
F      <60 o:p="o:p">

Grades are comprised of:
        Exams and Quizzes: Students may choose to retake ONE test per quarter to try for a higher score.  Before a student may retake a test, he or she must study with me after school until a minimum of one hour of tutoring has been completed. 
        Homework: Each assignment is worth one point per question; all work must be shown in pencil on every assignment for students to receive credit.  Students will have the opportunity to correct any missed questions on homework assignments. Corrections are done on a separate sheet with all work shown and attached to the original assignment; students will earn full credit for all corrected questions.  Corrections and late work will be due do by the day of the chapter exam. 
        Class Activities and Projects: Throughout the year, there will be activities and projects to be completed by students individually and as a cooperative group.  Students will know exact expectations and have plenty of time to complete activities and projects on time.
Extra Credit: Each week there will be a challenge problem displayed (and posted on the blog) for each student to solve if wanted.  The problems will be worth extra credit; points will vary based on the problem.  Answers must be turned in by the end of the school day each Friday. 
        There will also be a few enrichment worksheets throughout each chapter for students to complete if they wish.  These will be available to students to pick up and complete by the assigned day.  Students may earn extra credit only if all assignments are turned in.
Tutoring: I offer tutoring most nights of the week.  I ask that students let me know when they plan to stay so I can plan to be there.  Tutoring can help struggling students or students wanting to adequately prepare themselves for an upcoming exam.
Detention: Students are expected to complete and turn in their assignments on time.  When a student does not have an assignment to turn in they will be assigned a detention for the next school day after school until 4:00. If an assignment is not completed and turned in by the end of the detention, the student will stay the next day until the assignment is complete. Students will be responsible for remembering their detentions.  Students have the opportunity to turn in their assignment before the detention; when an assignment is turned in, the student does not have to stay for the detention.
SAFE: When a student has a failing grade in math class they will be assigned SAFE. This is an after school program on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 5pm.  While at SAFE, students will work on missing assignments.  Students are in SAFE until their grade is satisfactory.  Parents will be notified when students are required to stay.  If the student is absent or fails to attend SAFE, they will have additional days required after school.
Classroom Supply Donations: If you have any extra packages of notebook paper or packages of pencils these would be greatly appreciated by the class throughout the year.
Weekly Email Updates: An email will be sent every Friday with an update on classroom activities; these will include a short summary of the week as well as a calendar of activities for the upcoming week.  There will also be emails sent before tests as a reminder to study.
I look forward to a wonderful year.  Feel free to contact me any time with questions or concerns.

Back to School!

Welcome to 7th grade math! I am very excited for our upcoming year!


I  graduated from Pittsburg State University with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Middle Level Mathematics in May 2009 and a Master's in Educational Technology and Library Media in December 2011. I began teaching in 2009 in the School District of Joplin, Missouri. I taught 7th and 8th grade math at South Middle School. This will be my third year at PCMS! 

I grew up in Prairie Village, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City. My family currently lives there. I have one younger sister, Ali, who is a sophomore at PSU.  My extended family is rather large. I have over 20 cousins and second cousins; the number just keeps growing. I live in town with my white Jack Russel terriers named Olive and Jack. They both keep me very busy when I'm not grading papers! They love going on walks around town! 
Other things I enjoy doing in my free time are bowling, watching Pitt State football, and sewing.  I enjoy watching all sports in person and on TV, my favorite teams to watch are the KC Royals, KU Basketball, and the KC Chiefs. A fun fact about me is that I absolutely love black and white spotted cows; I even have a few in my classroom!

Here are a few pictures I have to share!



My sister, Ali, and I on the Plaza in KC last winter.


Growing up in KC, I learned to love this skyline!

This is my Olive, I know you'll get to hear many stories about her!


Here's Jack, my other dog.

This is my favorite cow. Can you guess why? It has math AND it's  cow!  I even have a smaller version of this cow (see if you can find it in my classroom!). To see more awesome cows visit: www.cowparade.com

I can't wait to learn more about you as the  year goes on!
Miss Dees