8-2 Math Blog

End of Term Assignments

2009-06-02T14:41:00.001-07:00

1.) If you have not completed the following, it is due tomorrow at the latest:

***Page 662, #1-12 (Except #3, 5, 9 and 11)

***Final Review - Page 818, #1 - 70 (#24, 25, 28, 35, and 56 are extra credit) - Due TUESDAY!

2.) SELF-REFLECTION - DUE TOMORROW!

3.) Turn in your notebook with all missing work completed.

4.) Turn in the textbook that was originally assigned to you at the beginning of the year.

Final Stuff

2009-05-27T09:34:00.001-07:00

1.) If I did not receive your quadratic assignment, it is due tomorrow at the LATEST!

2.) Final Review - Page 818, #1 - 70 (#24, 25, 28, 35, and 56 are extra credit) - Due TUESDAY!

3.) Your group's handout for your chapter needs to be emailed to me by FRIDAY!

Quadratics Review

2009-05-26T13:52:00.001-07:00

Page 662, #1-10 EXCEPT #3 and 4B

Quadratic Formula

2009-05-21T14:02:00.001-07:00

page 642-643, #4-10

Completing the Square

2009-05-20T11:45:00.001-07:00

Page 636, #4-10

Intro to Quadratics

2009-05-19T15:04:00.000-07:00

1.) Page 618-619 - #4-6

2.) Page 625, #5-6

3.) Page 629, #4-5

+

Corrections from ch 12 set I review

Wrapping up Square Roots

2009-05-12T14:58:00.001-07:00

Set I Review - Pages 601 - 602. This will replace the test for this unit. Make sure you show work, and have this ready to be handed in next class.

More Square Roots

2009-05-11T14:28:00.000-07:00

1.) Page 585, #8
Page 561, #16

2.) homework from Thursday

3.) Test corrections

Adding and Subtracting Square Roots

2009-05-07T12:33:00.000-07:00

1.) Page 574, #8-10

2.) Page 579-580, #5-7

Square Roots

2009-05-06T11:50:00.001-07:00

Page 567-568, 4-10

Chapter 11 Test

2009-04-23T14:12:00.000-07:00

Fractions Test Due tomorrow. If it is not completed, you will have to stay in during park/lunch to take the test.

Dividing Fractions

2009-04-22T12:14:00.001-07:00

Page 542, #4-8

More Multiplying Fractions

2009-04-21T13:55:00.001-07:00

1.) Page 535-536, #1-8

Multiplying Fractions

2009-04-16T11:30:00.000-07:00

Option 1:

Page 529 - 530, #1-7

OR

Option 2:

Page 529 - 531, #4-7 and SET IV

Same assignment

2009-04-15T11:46:00.000-07:00

Page 523, #1-9 - due tomorrow, unless I've given you an extension.

Adding and Subtracting Fractions

2009-04-14T15:04:00.000-07:00

Page 523, #1-9

Due next Tuesday!

Adding and Subtracting Fractions

2009-04-02T15:18:00.000-07:00

1.) Read pages 513 - 515

2.) Complete pages 517-518, #1-6

Algebraic Fractions

2009-04-01T11:46:00.001-07:00

Page 509 - 511, #1-10

OR

Page 510-511, #4-10 and Page 512, SET IV

Algebraic Fractions

2009-04-01T11:46:00.000-07:00

Page 509 - 511, #1-10

OR

Page 510-511, #4-10 and Page 512, SET IV

Factoring Test

2009-03-27T14:16:00.001-07:00

1.) Chapter 10 Set I Review

2.) Study for Chapter 10 Exam

Factoring Review

2009-03-26T14:02:00.001-07:00

Chapter 10, Set II Review - page 495 - 496
Due tomorrow!

Factoring Higher Degree Polynomials

2009-03-25T09:46:00.000-07:00

Page 489-490, #1-8

OR

Page 490, #4-9 and Set IV on page 491

More Factoring

2009-03-24T13:51:00.001-07:00

HW:
Option 1:

page 484 - 485, #1-8

Option 2:

Page 484-485, #4 - 8 and SET IV on page 486

Factoring Trinomial Squares

2009-03-19T15:21:00.001-07:00

Page 478 - 479, # 5-10

Page 480, Set IV

Factoring Difference of Squares

2009-03-18T10:01:00.001-07:00

Page 473, # 5-9

Page 478, #4

Factoring Polynomials

2009-03-17T16:06:00.001-07:00

1.) Page 459, #8-11

2.) Page 466-467, #4-7

Factoring Monomials

2009-03-11T12:03:00.000-07:00

1.) Retake test on Monday!

2.) page 453-454, #4-9 (Set II)

Factoring

2009-03-10T13:49:00.001-07:00

1.) Read page 444-445

2.) Do all of Set II on page 448

Chapter 9 SET II REVIEW

2009-03-05T12:20:00.001-08:00

Page 440 - 441, #1-11

Conference Prep/Dividing Polynomials

2009-03-04T10:02:00.001-08:00

1.) Conference Prep Goals Sheet

2.) Dividing Polynomials Page 434-435, #3-9

Binomials

2009-03-03T10:44:00.000-08:00

HOMEWORK:

1.) Page 427 SET II (if you didn't do it already)

2.) Page 429 SET IV

3.) Conference Prep write -up
Conference Prep:
1.) Read through your report thoroughly.
2.) Look through all your work from this year.

Identify an example problem that demonstrates a STRENGTH.
For example: I have become really great at solving linear equations in one variable this year. I have a good understanding of inverse operations, and can undo operations to solve for x. Here is a problem that shows this:
4(x-11) = 6 - x.
First, I apply the distributive property to get 4x - 44 = 6 - x.
Then, I combine like terms to get 5x = 50
I know, thus that x = 10, because 5 * 10 =50

Identify an example problem that demonstrates an AREA OF GROWTH.
For example: I have improved a great deal on my knowledge of Exponents. I know that there are many rules and properties associated with Exponents, and I can apply them to different problems now. Here is a problem that shows this:
(-4x2)3 = (-4)3(x2)3= (-64)(x6) = -64x6. I know this because the fourth law of exponents says, if a is an integer, then (xy)a =xaya.

Identify an example problem that demonstrates a CHALLENGE.
For example: I still struggle with Simultaneous Equations. I have mastered the graphing method, but addition and subtraction continues to be difficult for me. I have looked at the examples and am working to master these problems. Here is a problem that is still difficult for me:
4x + y = 28
2x + 3y = 24

Identify an example problem that demonstrates a WEAKNESS.
For example: My greatest weakness in math is Word Problems. I struggle to apply the Algebraic concepts we learned to a word problem. Here is an example of a problem that is very hard for me:

4.) Begin studying for Polynomials Test, which is on Thursday

Multiplying Polynomials

2009-02-25T10:00:00.001-08:00

Page 420, #4-7

Polynomials

2009-02-24T15:06:00.000-08:00

page 397, #9-10

Page 403, #9-10

Page 410, #7-9

Midterm Review continued

2009-02-19T15:49:00.001-08:00

Finish the Midterm Review for Tuesday!

Midterm Review

2009-02-12T12:35:00.001-08:00

Finish the midterm review if you did not do so in class.

p. 389- 390 - Set II

Due Tuesday, February 24th.

Wrapping up Exponents

2009-02-11T10:49:00.000-08:00

1.) Page 385-386, #1-14

2.) Study for QUIZ!

Exponential Functions

2009-02-10T16:10:00.001-08:00

1.) Page 379, #4-9

2.) Test Corrections, if you did not turn them in yet.
I am available after school if you want to work on them with me.

3.) QUIZ on Thursday

Fourth and Fifth Law of Exponents

2009-02-05T14:01:00.001-08:00

1.) Page 368-369 #10-14

2.) Page 374 #5-8

More Exponents

2009-02-04T12:05:00.000-08:00

1.) Page 355 - #4-8 and Page 363, #4, 7 and 8

2.) Test corrections by the end of the week.

Exponents

2009-02-03T15:21:00.001-08:00

Page 343 #8-15

Page 249 #6-10

Study Study Study

2009-01-28T12:19:00.000-08:00

The test on Simultaneous Equations is tomorrow! Please study by reviewing notes, old assignments, worksheets and the Chapter 7 review. Go back and identify which areas you need work on and do more of those types of problems. Good luck!

Review of Simultaneous Equations

2009-01-27T11:15:00.001-08:00

Chapter 7 Review

1.) Read page 333-334

2.) on pages 336-337, complete #1-12

End of Term Assignments

2009-01-22T18:46:00.001-08:00

Due Tuesday:

1.) All Missing Work - Email me at skanchwala@bmsonline.org if you're not sure if you have any missing work.

2.) Self-Reflection, if you did not turn it in on Thursday

3.) Group Reflection - write a paragraph about your contribution and your group member's contributions towards the project

4.) Read 5.6 packet

5.) Complete 5.6 worksheet

PROJECT and SELF REFLECTION

2009-01-21T17:54:00.001-08:00

Both are due tomorrow!

End of Term Assignments

2009-01-20T16:40:00.000-08:00

Due WEDNESDAY:

1.) 5.5 Inequality Worksheet

Due THURSDAY:

1.) Final Project Presentation

2.) Self-Reflection for First Semester

Free Agent Almanac Project due

2009-01-15T15:17:00.001-08:00

FINISH PROJECT - Next week, your group should be practicing the presentation!

Inequalities

2009-01-14T11:50:00.001-08:00

1.) Complete 5.5 - Inequalities in One Variable Worksheet

2.) 4.1 and 4.2 on group project should be complete

Solving by Addition and Subtraction

2009-01-13T15:22:00.000-08:00

1.) Addition: pages 287 - 288, #9-14

2.) Subtraction: pages 293, #9-14

Simultaneous Equations

2009-01-08T11:57:00.001-08:00

1.) Page 308-309 #4-12, 7A and 8A only

2.) You should be completed with all Unit 3 tasks on Free Agent Almanac Project! Bring completed units 1-3 tasks on Tuesday.

Writing Linear Equations to fit Data

2009-01-07T13:35:00.001-08:00

4.2 Writing Linear Equations Worksheet Option 1 or 2 - due Wednesday

4.6 Modeling Linear Equations Worksheet: Option 1 or 2 - due Thursday

UNIT 3 tasks for PROJECT should be completed by the end of this week.

Wrapping up Equations in Two Variable

2008-12-04T14:27:00.000-08:00

Due December 11

1.) Read pages 271 - 272. Look at examples 1-3 on pages 272 and 273

2.) #4-10 (A, C, E) SHOW WORK

3.) Pages 279-280
#9 - 14

These should be in your notebook and your notebook should be handed to me by December 11th

The Free Agents Almanac Project is now due January 21st!

Test Review

2008-12-03T11:53:00.001-08:00

1.) Study for the Chapter 5 and 6 test. Concepts you should know include: Chapter 5 - Equations, Inverse Operations, Equivalent Equations, Equivalent Expressions, Solving Equations, Length and Area; Chapter 6 – Equations in two variables, Formulas, Graphing Linear Equations (Slope problems will be extra credit since these are new)

2.) Page 235-236, #1-12 (A,C,E) and #15-16 (all) and Page 278-279, #1-8 (A,C,E)

Slope

2008-12-02T15:44:00.000-08:00

1.) Read Chapter 6, Lesson 5 on pages 265-266

2.) Complete Pages 269-270, #10-15 (A, C, E, etc)

Formulas and Graphing Equations

2008-11-25T11:28:00.000-08:00

I highly recommend finishing this assignment tonight, so that you don't have to worry about it over the holiday!

Homework: 6.2 and 6.3 (Formulas and Graphing Linear Equations)

Option 1:
Page 249 - 250, # 12 - 16 (A, C, E, etc) AND page 256, # 11- 14 (A, C, E, etc)

Option 2:
Page 249 - 250, #12 (D, E, and F) #17 - 19 all, AND page 256 - 257 #11, 14, 15, 17 (A, C, E, etc)

Due Tuesday, December 2nd.

Announcements

2008-11-24T10:06:00.000-08:00

You will have a test on Equations in One and Two variables on Thursday, December 4th. Please note that you will have an assignment over Thanksgiving Holiday, so my advice is to finish it Tuesday night so that you won't have to worry about it over the holiday!

Free Agent Almanac Project due date

2008-11-23T00:27:00.001-08:00

Attention all 8th graders: The Free Agent Almanac Project (originally due in December) will now be due in January. I realize that we have yet to cover some of the concepts for unit 3 tasks and all of the concepts for unit 4 tasks. Please note that at this point, you should be into unit 3 tasks. I would like an update from each group asap!

algebra help

2008-11-21T14:36:00.001-08:00

For those of you who want some extra help with equations, check out this site:

algebrahelp.com

Linear Equation and Rate of Change

2008-11-20T13:59:00.000-08:00

Finish the packet and see me tomorrow (friday) for your math notebook.

This is due on Tuesday...

Wrapping up Equations with One Variable

2008-11-19T11:50:00.000-08:00

1.) page 217, #8-9

2.) Page 222, #7-9

3.) Page 229, #4-6

If you have done all of those problems already, please complete Set II Review of Chapter 5 (pages 235-237).

Chapter 5.4 and 5.5

2008-11-18T14:11:00.000-08:00

1.) Does (7x+9)/2 = 3.5x + 4.5
If not, what does it equal?
2. Does (92x-73)/8 = 11.125x – 9.125
If not, what does it equal?
3. Does (3x+27)/.87 = 3.4x + 31

2.) Set IV - on page 212

Hw Options

2008-11-14T10:49:00.000-08:00

Depending on how comfortable you feel with solving equations in one variable, choose option 1, option 2, or option 3:

Option 1: LENGTH AND AREA Read pages 213-215 - Complete #7 and #8 in SET II

Option 2: DISTANCE, RATE AND TIME - Read pages 220-221, Complete set II on page 222

Option 3: RATE PROBLEMS - Read pages 225- 227 - Complete Set II or Set III depending on what you have not yet completed in class

Solving Equations with One variable

2008-11-13T17:18:00.001-08:00

Option 1: #4-6 from class AND #11-13 Set III on page 210

Option 2: Rate Problems, from Chapter 5 lesson 8 - Set II

Solving Equations with One variable

2008-11-12T11:47:00.001-08:00

1.) Read pages 206-209

Do: page 210 - #6-8

AND page 211 - #11

2.) Read the CREDIT CRISIS Play (see link below) and have questions ready for Rex Evans!)

Linear Equation and Rate of Change

2008-11-11T16:49:00.000-08:00

In 3.5 Packet

Option 1: #1b, 2, 5, 6 and 12

Option 2: #1b, 6, 8, 9 and 12

For students who were working on HSPT: #1, 2 and 5

Credit Crisis Play

2008-11-11T11:05:00.000-08:00

Please read the following Play before Thursday. Our guest speaker, Rex Evans, will be covering these topics:

http://faculty.fuqua.duke.edu/~charvey/Crisis/Credit_Crisis_Play.pdf

Record at least two questions that you have from this play or about the current financial situation that you would like to ask him.

3.4 Linear Equations

2008-11-10T15:53:00.002-08:00

Try worksheet on solving equations.

Bring 3.4 packet on linear equations.

3.4 Linear Equations

2008-11-10T15:53:00.001-08:00

Self Reflection and Quiz Corrections

2008-10-30T16:59:00.000-07:00

1.) Quiz Corrections - due Tomorrow (Friday)

2.) Math Self Reflection (conference prep) - due Tomorrow (Friday)

3.) Finish Linear Equations Packet #6-11 due Tuesday

same assignment

2008-10-29T14:53:00.001-07:00

Same assignment as last night:

1.) Complete the self reflection (written and checklist)

2.) Make quiz corrections. If you aren't sure what you missed, please see me during office hours or make an appointment.

Conference Preparation and Test Corrections

2008-10-28T14:23:00.000-07:00

1.) Complete the conference preparation document (checklist and written responses). Write at least one paragraph for questions 1-3 on a separate sheet of paper.

2.) Test corrections - if you have no idea what you did wrong, come see me during office hours and I will help you. Otherwise, you may use your notes and book to do the corrections. Also, make sure corrections are completed in pen or on a separate sheet of paper.

DUE WEDNESDAY!

Equations!

2008-10-23T14:03:00.000-07:00

1. Chapter 5, Lesson 1 - page 185 # 5-7 ALL

2. Continue working on your Free Agent Almanac Projects!

More Rational Numbers

2008-10-21T16:16:00.001-07:00

Due Wednesday

1.) 4.3 p 164 #12-15

2.) 4.4 p 167-168 #4, 5, 7 and 8

3.) Study for Quiz on Integers and Rational Numbers - which is Thursday

Rational Numbers

2008-10-16T15:01:00.000-07:00

4.1 - Set II All

4.2 - #5

Recursive Formulas

2008-10-15T15:23:00.001-07:00

1.) Complete the Recursion worksheet on the back of the Do Now.

2.) Figure out the missing terms in the following sequences:

7, 12, 17, ______, 27, _____, ______, 42, _________, 52

5, 1, -3, ____, -11, -15, _______, _______, -27, ______

-7, ____, -29, _____, -51, -62, _____, -84, _____

2, -4, 8, -16, 32, _____, 128, -256, _______, _____

Computing with Integers

2008-10-14T18:36:00.001-07:00

Chapter 3, Set I Review ALL (will be checked for accuracy)

Integers and Group Project

2008-10-09T15:37:00.000-07:00

1.) Chapter 3, lesson 3 #12 and SET IV (which is optional, but highly encouraged)

2.) Chapter 3, lesson 4 #14 and SET IV (which is optional, but highly encouraged)

3.) Free Agents Almanac Project

Integers

2008-10-08T12:38:00.000-07:00

1.) Finish Proportion Worksheet

2.) Ch 3, lesson 1 - #9, 10 Page 112

3.) Chapter 3, Lesson 2 - #4, 7 Set IV page 117-118

Proportion Review

2008-10-07T14:38:00.000-07:00

1.) Side 1 of the proportion worksheet - due tomorrow.

2.) Group project unit 1 tasks - due October 14. Each group needs to schedule a meeting time of 15 minutes with me before October 14th.

Inverse Variations

2008-10-02T15:45:00.001-07:00

1.) Finish 4, 5, 7, and 8 - in the lesson on Inverse Variation (chapter 2, lesson 6)

2.) Complete SET II of Chapter 2 Review (pages 106-108)

3.) Prepare for functions Quiz (Tuesday)

4.) Free Agents Almanac Project - First deadline of Unit 1 tasks - due Tues, Oct 14th

Special Functions

2008-10-02T15:44:00.001-07:00

1.) Direct Variations - page 87, #5, 7 and 8

2.) Linear Functions - page 93, #4-7

Project and Functions

2008-09-30T15:55:00.000-07:00

1.) Read project description and contact group members. Set up a meeting time (either face to face, conference call or on-line)

2.) In book, complete chapter 2, lesson 3. Complete #2, 4, 6, and 7 c and g

Due Wednesday!

Functions and Estimation

2008-09-26T11:20:00.000-07:00

1.) In BOOK, Chapter 2, Lesson 1 - Set II (All numbers, a, c, e, etc)

2.) In PACKET, Page 79 #2, 3, 4

Scatter Plots

2008-09-24T15:35:00.000-07:00

In packet (page 73), complete #1 G-J, #7, #8, #10 and #12

Vocabulary Word List

2008-09-23T16:15:00.001-07:00

1.) Finish the homework assignment from the weekend if you have not already. Play with your calculator and make sure you know how to make box plots and histograms on it. Remember to change the WINDOW values to fit with the data.

2.) In your vocabulary section at the back of your math notebook, create a vocabulary chart with 3 categories: Word, Definition, and Example.

Start the list with the following words, and try to define them to the best of your ability. You may need to look in your notes or the packet for help. You can also use other resources (i.e. parents, Internet, friends to help you). Then, draw an example of the word. It can be a picture, or numerical representation.

Words

1.) Data
2.) Pictograph
3.) Bar Graph
4.) Dot Plot
5.) Spread
6.) Range
7.) Box Plot
8.) Histogram
9.) Stem & Leaf Plot
10.) Key
11.) Scatter Plot

The Free Agents Almanac PROJECT

2008-09-22T19:01:00.000-07:00

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p5pYYge9_OTC2BvV02K2gbg

This has each basketball player's data in a spreadsheet. There are some blank spaces for you to do the math and fill out.

Rubrics will be posted soon!

Histograms

2008-09-18T16:50:00.000-07:00

1.) Read pages 59-61

2.) Do #6-9 on page 64 of your packet

3.) Try making a histogram on your calculator for a data set in your homework.

4.) Catch up with all missing homework! It's too early in the school year to fall behind...

Data!

2008-09-17T11:58:00.001-07:00

Complete this in your math notebook.
1.) Page 55 in packet #1 c and d, #3-5
2.) Page 56 #7
3.) Page 57 #8 (optional)

POW due tomorrow! Notebook collection tomorrow!

Review

2008-09-16T15:56:00.001-07:00

Review of Arithmetic

Page 61 #5-14 Due Tomorrow (and I am checking for accuracy!)

Pow due Thursday!

POW for Sept 15

2008-09-15T09:26:00.000-07:00

Name ___________________________ Date ________________
Problem of the Week
September 15 – 19, 2008
The chart below shows the number of “mentions” we’ve seen of each issue by each candidate during this campaign season as of the afternoon of Thursday, September 4 (before McCain’s Convention Speech.) Use this data to answer the following questions.

Obama McCain
Iraq War 3571 2234
Economy/Budget 1827 1503
Abortion 790 505
Health Care 642 509
Environment 424 317
Immigration 350 324
Globalization 208 151
Education 115 47
Civil Rights 7 3

“Issue Coverage Tracker”. Washington Post. http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008-presidential-candidates September 4, 2008.
According to the table, what percent of the total number of “mentions” between the two candidates have related to education? Express your answer to the nearest tenth.

Which candidate has devoted a higher percentage of their issue “mentions” to the issue of health care?

What is the positive difference in the percent of total “mentions” devoted to the Iraq War and total “mentions” devoted to the Economy/Budget? Express your answer to the nearest tenth.

More Review

2008-09-10T11:59:00.000-07:00

Chapter 1, Lesson 5 - #5-11, 16, 17, 23

Chapter 1, Lesson 6 - #9 and 17

Chapter 1, Lesson 7 - #14 and 15

Chapter 1, Lesson 8 - Set IV on page 52

Review of ... Arithmetic!

2008-09-09T16:22:00.000-07:00

1.1 Addition - #6-10, 21, and 22

1.2 Subtraction - #6-10, 18, 22-24

1.3 Multiplication - #6-10, 21-24

1.4 Division - #1-8, 15-16, 19-20

Notes:
Please show your work where necessary.
No Calculators for this assignment!

First Week's Assignment

2008-09-04T17:34:00.001-07:00

1.) Share the letters below and new blogspot address with your parents/guardians.

2.) Write at least one full paragraph about yourself as math learner, and your goals for the year. Think about yourself as a math learner, and how you want to grow. What habits will you keep from last year? What would you like to do differently? What would help you grow as a math learner?

3.) Read the following problem and answer questions below:

Because few people have the time (or a paper and pencil) to do arithmetic problems when they're on the go, pocket calculators have become very popular. Although they are easy to use, getting the correct answer to a problem that requires more than one operation is not as simple as it might seem.
Consider the problem:

12 x 5 - 8/4 + 7 x 2

If you push the keys for these numbers and operations in order, a calculator will give the wrong answer.

a. What is the correct answer to the problem?
b. What answer do you think the calculator might give instead?
c. Why would it give that answer?
d. What would you do if you wanted to use such a calculator to get the correct answer to the problem?

Please answer all of the above in your Math Composition Notebook (the quad ruled one with graph paper inside).

Due Tuesday

Introduction to Math and Technology

2008-09-04T17:33:00.000-07:00

Dear 8th grade families,

I know most of you from last year, but to those who are new, welcome! I look forward to meeting you and working with your child in math.

This will be an exciting class, and your child will be engaging in math in a variety of ways. The curriculums I will mostly draw from are called Discovering Algebra and Elementary Algebra. These curriculums are both very rich in teaching skills for abstract thinking. I will also be providing handouts from other sources.

In the first semester, students will learn to set up and solve linear equations. We will begin with an intensive review of fundamental operations that will lead to our study of functions and graphs. This unit is called Data Exploration in which students will use graphs and statistical measures to organize and make sense of data.

This year, students will also be working on a semester long Algebra project called The Free Agents Almanac Project, and along with the Algebra skills, it will focus on three 21st century skills: Collaboration, Project Management and Presentation. The objective of this project is for students to design a proposal that would convince the coach of a professional sports team to pick the players that each group selects based on statistical analysis. More information on this will be given in class.

Please refer to the blog http://bms8-2math.blogspot.com for any ongoing announcements and for daily assignments. Should you have any questions feel free to email me at Skanchwala@bmsonline.org or call me at BMS, extension 257.

I look forward to a great year!

Sincerely,
Sheila Kanchwala
BMS Middle School Math Teacher

Dear Families,

The year is off to a great start, and with it are some new technology developments that I am excited to share with you. Over the summer, the school has purchased a brand new lap top cart with 28 transportable MacBooks. These laptops will be a shared resource across the middle and upper grades and will be integrated into the curriculum at each level. The school has also purchased two Smart Boards, which are interactive white boards that can be connected to computers to display the screen and can be written on similarly to a white board. The concept is similar to an LCD project that displays what is on the computer, however, with a Smart Board, we can also write digitally onto the screen. More information about Smart Technology can be found at: http://education.smarttech.com/ste/en-us/.

As we move towards using more technology in the classroom, we are asking students to create Google email accounts. The purpose of this is to be able to use Google’s collaboration tools for project management and documentation. Email accounts can be created at www.gmail.com. The format of their email address should be first name.last name, for example, Sheila.Kanchwala@gmail.com. Throughout the course of the year, we will be asking students to think about how technology can enhance or simplify our work. In math this year, students will be working on group projects that call for online collaboration and documentation. I will then be able to review their work and provide feedback on the same document. This will eliminate a great deal of paper waste and promote the school’s value of being green. More information on the projects and their use of technology will be provided in the upcoming weeks, and worry not, the technology skills necessary will be taught in class.

Related to media literacy, students will explore ways in which technology can be used effectively, but also misused, leading to potentially dangerous activity. Students will learn about safety on the Internet and how to dissect the messages of media on the Internet and elsewhere.

Technology is ever changing and we as adults are digital immigrants. It is okay to find that your child knows more than you. They are the digital natives in this field. Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Sheila Kanchwala and the MS Team