Guess-timates for the Volume of Prisms and Cylinders!

Link to Submit Your Guesses

Happy December!

It is finally near the end of 2013, but the 7th graders at the Academy for Academic Enhancement Middle School are not stopping yet!  This week, we will be finding the area of prisms using V=Bh and we will be generating sequences and modeling equations in pre-algebra.

Upcoming events:
December 6 - Money for the field trip due to homeroom teacher.
December 13 - Field trip
December 10-11 - Writing District Benchmark
December 17 - Math District Benchmark
December 18 - Reading District Benchmark

Area Robots:

We used our designing skills to create the following robots.  Here is a sampling of some of the best.

Ac2E-IT seminars

This week, a group of 6th and 7th graders participated in the AC2E-Interdisciplinary Thinking seminars.  I want to thank each and every student who participated.  We learned about the 4 main types of angles; Wide-angle, Mid-range, Over-the-shoulder, and Close-up.  Here are some of the videos, enjoy!

Week of Nov.4-Nov.8

Six weeks testing is finally here!  It is now the students' chance to show how much they have learned during this short 6 weeks.  The Pre-Algebra six weeks exam is on Tuesday and the Honors Math six weeks exam will be on Thursday.  The students will have study guides for both exams so that they can do their best!

I would like to thank all students who brought a tape measure to school to help us measure the heights of objects using mirrors.  We learned how to use the properties of similar triangles to find indirect measurements.  You can find more information about indirect measurement here: Glencoe Practice on Indirect Measurement.

Next 6 weeks:
Properties of Numbers
Equations
Volume of Prisms
Ratios, proportions, and percents

Link to 6 Weeks Exams Forms:
Pre-Algebra

Pre-Algebra Quiz

Quiz for Friday

Perplexing Puzzle Project, HESTEC, Week of Oct. 14-18

Last week, Ac2E Middle School went to HESTEC at the University of Texas, Pan-American.  We went to various exhibits and had a great time.  Thank you to all AC2E teachers, staff, students, and parents that made this trip excellent!

Yesterday, 7th graders were given puzzle pieces and challenged to make them 1 1/2 times bigger.  They used the properties of similar figures and applied that to the activity.  Then, the group had to put the puzzle back together with the new pieces.

 

Tomorrow, we will graph coordinate pairs of the new and original side lengths and develop an equation from the graph.

In Pre-Algebra, we are focusing on adding integers.  You can play games about adding integers at Math Playground at the following link:

http://www.mathplayground.com/ASB_OrbitIntegers.html

Honors Math 1st 6 Weeks Exam - Friday

Honors Math 1st 6 Weeks Exam

1st 6 weeks exam

Pre Algebra 1st 6 Weeks

Fractions, decimals, and percents quiz

Equivalent fractions, decimals and percentages

This week we will be focusing on rational numbers in pre-algebra.  Rational numbers can be written as ratios.  Examples are fractions, whole numbers, and decimals that repeat or terminate.

This week's lifework:

MON: VP Additional Practice pg. 8/9

TUES: MSMWP E-19

WED: VP Additional Practice pg.14/15

THUR: Pre-Alg with Pizzazz pg 88

Collecting Experimental Data

Wheh!  Who knew that collecting experimental data could be such hard work?

Remember that a good graph compares two variables.  If one variable is dependent on another, it is called the dependent variable.  The other variable is called the independent variable.  The dependent variable will go on the y-axis and the independent variable will go on the x-axis.  Usually time is the independent variable.

All graphs should have the following (remember for your science fair data!):

1. A title
2. 2 variables, an independent and a dependent variable labeled on the x-axis and y-axis, respectively
3. A labeled scale
4. Graphed coordinate pairs (which come from your data table)

Reteach:  Here is a link to a website where you can practice solving fraction problems from last week:
http://www.mathplayground.com/wpdatabase/Fractions2_4.htm

Lifework for the week:

MON: VP Additional Practice pg.3

TUES: VP Additional Practice pg.1

WED: VP Additional Practice pg.7

THUR: MSMWP D-71, "Why did the elephant..."

Tonight's lifework

The assignment for today is an assignment on dividing decimals by a decimal.  The assignment is titled "How would you describe Wanda Farr after she met 3 lions deep in the jungle?" 

You can find more information on dividing decimals here:

http://www.coolmath.com/prealgebra/02-decimals/10-decimals-dividing-by-decimal-01.htm

Or at this video here:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CDYQtwIwAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DS0uuK7SQcA8&ei=6XYvUr6dCIreiAKGxYHIBA&usg=AFQjCNEqUxgqLMNiVKSj8XpfGIer1F_ZOg&sig2=PIjHWT9OFppsCdWm2OaGfA&bvm=bv.51773540,d.cGE

Welcome!

It is my pleasure to welcome all of the 7th grade students back for another year at the Academy for Academic Enhancement Middle School.  We have another great year ahead of us and I look forward to our corporal and individual accomplishments.  Here are some important pieces of information for our class:

Class Materials:
Honors Math/Pre-Algebra:
1 and ½ inch binder (or larger) with loose-leaf paper
1 inch binder
1 spiral notebook
1 composition notebook
2 packages of dividers (can be shared with another class or student)
Sharpened pencils (bring at least 2 every day)

OUR CLASS GOALS:

1. We will achieve at least 90% average score on each quiz and test.
2. 100% of Ac2E 7th graders will receive an “ADVANCED” (Level 3) score on the STAAR.
3. All students will create a digital portfolio to showcase his/her work.
4. The class will create and publish an e-book on 7th grade mathematics and Pre-Algebra topics.