6th Grade
Sixth graders have been working with ratios, unit rates and proportionality. We can find the unit rate for all sorts of situations, which is helpful in determining which is the best overall deal. We are also taking this data and plotting it on a coordinate grid in order to determine proportionality. Is it proportional and what is the constant of proportion are the two most common questions recently when looking at equations, tables, and graphs. This is leading us into a discussion of slope and equations of lines.
Which is the better deal?
7th Grade
In 7th grade, we are working with operations with rational numbers. Remembering how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions is enabling us to solve difficult problems for variables. GCF, LCM, Prime Factorization, and the “Jenna method” are all terms that have been used widely in class. Slowly but surely we are gaining confidence in our ability to solve problems, like the one below, for the value of x.
8th Grade
Students in 8th grade have finally begun using the quadratic formula. As we starting solving quadratics, we used factoring (which only works some of the time) and completing the square (which works all the time, but, with coefficients that are not one and keeping track of fractions, can be a bit labor intensive). Now that we know the quadratic formula, we are able to much more efficiently solve quadratic equations, especially if there is no or only one solution.
We are now moving into a study of creating quadratic equations using tables, graphs, and descriptions. And soon will be able to compare and solve real world problems related to throwing and dropping objects that are acted upon by gravity.
High School
High school students have been working with 2D and 3D shapes and solids. Determining area, surface area, volume, measures of interior and exterior angles, lengths of diagonals and edges, and missing measure of figures have defined our classes. In order to help us better visualize 3D figures we worked with an isometric grid to write words and determine their surface area and volume.
Soon we will move back into proofs involving figures, as well as drawing them in the coordinate grid.
