Today we refreshed our memory on how to create Equivalent Expressions by reviewing The Distributive Property and Combining Like Terms.

No homework tonight!

Students worked so hard today in class!!! We have continued our practice of Combining Like Terms, but we added a twist to it by bringing in some Distributive Property as well! Very challenging but I think everyone got the hang of it after working a fair amount of problems together!

I have attached their sheet of homework for tonight. Not gonna lie, it’s challenging. I will be grading #1-19 for accuracy. #20-24 will be graded for effort (but this is really good math!!!).

We will have a quiz at the beginning of the class on the Properties Chart! I have attached a copy of it below. We have worked on properties all week so this quiz should be easy! Review your chart!!!!

Our unit of study for the next two weeks is Creating Equivalent Expressions. There are three methods we will learn to do this:

1. The Distributive Property
2. Combining Like Terms
3. Factoring Out

On Monday, students learned how to use The Distributive Property to create Equivalent Expressions. Today, students learned how to utilize the Combining Like Terms method. I have attached a copy of the procedures students wrote down from the whiteboard. We worked a multitude of examples together to ensure everyone understood each step and also WHY we have to complete each step in the process. I assigned students a fairly easy homework sheet, just 10 problems, of which we worked the first 4 problems together.

This is GREAT math! I hope students enjoy learning these skills as much as I enjoy teaching them!!!!

The algebraic expressions we have been constructing got taken to a whole new level of difficulty today in class!!! Students had to construct algebraic expressions that contained TWO “tip off” phrases! After a few attempts, students seemed to pick up on this more complex skill. Some students are still a little shaky on exactly what to do, but they all kept on working like troopers! So proud of their perseverance!

I have attached the homework for tonight as well as the Words & Phrases Chart we created in our math notebook. WATCH FOR *SWITCH PHRASES!!!! Remember: *Switch phrases tell you to take what’s at the end of the phrase and bring it to the front AND what’s at the front of the phrase and take it to the back of the phrase!

You’ve got this!!! Work hard!!!

Students worked so diligently with me today and we practiced constructing algebraic expressions from our Words & Phrases chart! Today’s classes were quiet & everyone was putting in some concentrated effort as we discussed what different words mean and how the order of words in a phrase can affect the expression we construct! Awesome classes today!

I have attached a copy of the Words & Phrases Chart students have recorded in their math notebooks. I have also attached a copy of today’s classwork. We worked as a whole group on problems #1-19. I assigned #20-30 for homework and most classes had a few extra minutes (not many extra) to work on those items. We will check these problems for a grade tomorrow in class!

The focus of our lesson today was translating words & phrases into algebraic expressions. We created a word & phrases chart in our math notebooks to guide us as we constructed the actual algebraic expressions. Here is a copy of what students recorded in their notes today:

Once we got down the words/phrases we could use, we then began working on actually constructing the algebraic expression. Here are some of the examples we worked on together whole group during class:

No homework tonight! I want this information to “marinate” on your brain for the evening! We will continue with this skill in class on Wednesday!

Have a great Tuesday evening! Welcome back!

Parents:
Students worked diligently today completing and checking over their study guides! Please check with your student to ensure they have completed all four pages of the study guide! Ample time was given in class this week for the entire packet to be completed. Any incomplete items need to be taken care of over the weekend. Please see the attached exam schedule to see when your student will be taking their exam next week.

Students:
I have attached the answer key for the study guide as you study this weekend. I wanted you to have the answers in case you get stuck on any particular problem. Remember….I put some pointers/tips on your study guide to help you remember how to work certain types of problems. Also remember that your math notebook is an excellent resource as you prepare for the exam next week!

Enjoy your weekend! Rest well!

Pages 3 & 4 of our Final Exam Study Guide were given to students today in class! Lots & lots of good review skills in order to prepare students for the final exam! I have attached copies of Pages 3 & 4 below.

Students need to have all 4 pages of the study guide completed tomorrow for class. We will be checking over our answers, working various problems, answering questions, and clarifying any misconceptions as we work through the study guide tomorrow whole group! Please make sure you come to class prepared!

I have also attached a copy of the Final Exam Schedule below. This should make it convenient for you to see the day of your student’s final exam.

PREPARATION FOR FINAL EXAMS HAS BEGUN!!!!!!

The first two pages of the Final Exam Study Guide were given to students today in class. Students were encouraged to utilize their math notebook to help them review skills and complete the study guide. After our pop quiz on algebraic expressions, students were given the rest of time in class to begin working on the study guide. Any items not completed in class need to be completed at home tonight for homework.

I have attached the first two pages of the study guide below in case your student cannot find their copy. Pages three & four will be distributed in class on Thursday. Students should plan to have all four pages completed by Friday so we can review them in class and clear up any questions or misconceptions they may have before exams begin next week!

I have also attached a copy of the exam schedule for you & your student to determine when their exam is next week!

Only six more days until the holidays! We can do it! HMS is the BEST!!!!!

Students continued with their study of algebraic expressions today in class. We worked together as a whole group as we learned how to “substitute in the value of the variable” which is a phrase students will hear as they grow into Algebra I students in the coming years! Most all students grasped this concept with ease! We worked last Friday & today to ensure everyone picked up on this concept. I have attached the problems we worked together in class and a copy of the HW assignment as well.