This week's Vocab

There are some folks taking good notes in Mr. Catlin's class this year.  I've had some people request that I post the vocab on my blog, so here ya go!!

Test Results

I know that our Topic 4 Test results weren't as good as we would have hoped, but I think yesterday's test corrections will help boost your grades.  Hopefully after yesterday's session you guys have noticed the small mistakes you were making while adding and subtracting rational numbers.  READY QUESTIONS CAREFULLY!!!!!!  Today we will be moving on to multiplying rational numbers and believe it or not it's actually easier than adding and subtracting because you don't have to get like denominators. 

We have a vocabulary quiz this upcoming Friday.  The words to study for are as follows:

Common multiple
Common factor
Reciprocals
Mixed Number
Improper Fraction
Additive Inverses (again)

Good Luck!!!

TOPIC 4 TEST FRIDAY

Don't forget we have a topic 4 test this Friday that covers lessons 4.1 through 4.5.  Study hard and finish all the homework assignments.  Come tomorrow ready for a review.

Rational Number Personification

Hey guys,

I had several recommendations of writing pieces to post on the blog from our activity today.  So many good ones to choose from.  Considering it would take me forever to type them all out, I've decided to select just a few of the recommended writings.  Great job by everyone on this assignment though.

The class was asked to write a journal or diary entry through the perspective of a rational number.  

Alyssa Brookshire

Dear Journal,

It's me again, 6.  I've had a horrible day today.  :(  You know my BFF, 9?  Well he was subtracted from our equation this morning.  He and 7 got into a fight.  "Let's all just be rational number here!"  9 tried to tell her.  But then, guess what happened?!  7,8,9!!!! I felt so helpless seeing my friend being all gobbled up like that.  I'm so terrified of 7 now, but i still have to stand by him at school in the number line.  AHHH!!!!

Emily Goddard

Dear Diary,

Something weird is happening at school!  These "negatives" moved in , and my BFF's (and not so BFFs) are shrinking!  My friend, 16 shrunk when she was added to negative 8!  Now, instead of 16, she's only 8.  I'm 14, and I love being 14, so I hope I never EVER meet a negative.  Well, they may not be so bad.... 21 got bigger when he met -18!  Now, he's 39.  He said something about subtracting negatives, and hey, I just might give it a try!
-from, 14

James Carter

Well, today is the day I'm going to get subtracted.  I admit I'm a little nervous.  I mean I've been added, multiplied, and even divided by, but never subtracted.  Some of the guys have been subtracted.  They say it doesn't hurt.  While I'm wondering HOW!?  They are taking something away from you!!  Right now I'm so nervous I wish I was born a zero, I'd already be nothing, but be worth more in the long run.  Oh no it's time.  Here it comes..... Hey, that didn't hurt.  Oh well. 

1st 100 club members

Digits HW tutorial Online and CD

8-20 through 8-24

No Vocab quiz this week.  We will be replacing the Vocab quiz with a test over Topic 4.  Topic 4 covers adding and subtracting rational numbers.  Last week we focused on adding rational numbers.  We will conclude the topic by learning how to subtract all types of rational numbers this week and have a test to follow it up on this Friday.  Be preparing yourself for that test as Friday approaches.  There are only two homework assignments posted for his week's assignment.  Be sure to have it completed by next Monday at 8 AM.

In-Class Practice

Today in class we practiced adding integers.  Don't forget to complete the online assignments or the paper copies that are provided.  Also, remember that this Friday we have our first vocab quiz.  The 6 words are listed on the blog and we've defined them all in our math journal "notes" section. 

Homework and Vocab 8-13 through 8-17

Homework
H.W. 4.1 , 4.2, and 4.3 are posted in your "to do" list on digits.  Paper copies are in my room.  CDs will be distributed during class Tuesday for those without internet access.

Vocab
Rational Number
Absolute Value
Additive Inverse
Whole Number
Integer
Opposite

Quiz this Friday over these vocab words!!!!

Hope to have a great week.

We used this map of Kentucky today using only a pencil to estimate the square mileage of our state. Several classes came close to the actual square mileage which is 40,411 square miles. The closest class today was estimating it to be 40,625 square miles. Pretty impressive for some seventh graders with a map and some pencils!!!!

Browser for Digits

Be sure to use Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox web browser when accessing digits.  Here are some links to get the free downloads:

Internet Explorer

Mozilla Firefox

You can access Digits by going to:

www.successnetplus.com

Your username will be:  gcms.firstname.lastname

Password will be: gcms2012

We are learning how to log in today in the computer lab. 

You will need to allow pop-ups while working in Digits.

Getting to Know You

Here's a list of a few things I learned today:

2nd period

All of Jake Mills answers in his interview dealt with Symsonia.  I'm guessing that he's proud to come from that school.

3rd period

Dylan Knight LOVES basketball!!!.  Seriously.  No joke.  It's all he can talk about.

4th period

Christian Robinson enjoys some old school rock and roll and likes playing his xbox.

5th period

I've got like 1 million Paiton's (all spelled differently) Payton's.............Peyton's.......I'm so confused.  I also have two Landon's.....or is it Landann?  I'm even more confused. 

7th period

Keisha has a super strength ninja fish that can jump out of the fish bowl.  It's quite amazing to hear her tell the tale.  I also learned not to allow Mckayla Dotson handle your finances......she'll just spend it all!!!

First Day

Yesterday was our first day back after a nice summer break.  It's exciting to see so many new faces in the building filled with excitement, nerves, joy, and some straight up fear.  It's only natural to feel some of these things as you enter such a large and new place.  After speaking for about 8 hours straight yesterday my voice is in recovery mode and hopefully the students can do a little more of the teaching today as we get to know each other a little better.  I look forward to the new year with all my students.  I hope they can match my enthusiasm as we begin to learn math together.