8th Graders: How to Study for Unit 2 Test

Happy Sunday Everyone,

Do not forget we are taking Unit 2 Test this week!

The best way to study for a test is to study a little each night before the test. Below I have listed some helpful tips, that can prepare you for the upcoming test.

1. Read over your notes in your notebook. Cover up the answers to the problems and rework them out.

2. Watch any of the following helpful videos. Work through each problem as the instructor works through the problem.

















3. Complete extra practice problems where you know the answer. Below I have listed some worksheets and sites you can use to practice.

Solving Equations Worksheet with Answers

Khan Academy Practice Problems: Variables on Both Sides

Khan Academy Distributive Property Practice

Word Problems Using Equations Practice Problems

Remember it is spirit week! Wear your pink tomorrow!

Have a Great Day,
Mrs. Gilliam

PS
One point on class dojo for any one that comments with the correct answer: 5(3x + 2) = 70

8th Grade: Patterns Practice

We have been looking at using patterns to write equations.

Below is the pattern we used last week. (All patterns from visualpatterns.org)

We start by thinking about what the next pattern will look like. 

Several students noticed each time it added 4 new blocks.

We then filled out the table like the one below.

You are then asked: What do you notice? What do you wonder?

On this table, you should notice you are adding 4 each stage.

You may wonder could my equation be y = n + 4

If you are wondering that, test out the equation. ALWAYS test out your equation.

Step 1:  y = 1 + 4  

             y = 5   (Correct amount of blocks for step 1)

Step 2: y = 2 + 4

            y = 6  (Not correct amount of blocks)

You should notice at step 2, this equation does not work.

Remember: We talked about the constant change being 4. Another way to think of adding 4 over and over again is to multiply by 4. 

Now I am wondering, could the equation be y = 4n. Let's test it out.

Step 1:  y = 4(1) 

             y = 4       (Not the correct amount of blocks)

Back to the drawing board.... or can we add on to this equation???

I would stop and think about how can I get the above equation to work for stage 1.

If I added a 1 to 4, that would give me the 5 I need.

y = 4n + 1   Lets, test it out............

Step 1: y = 4(1) + 1

            y = 5   (correct amount of blocks)

Step 2: y = 4(2) + 1

            y = 9 (correct amount of blocks)

Step 3: y = 4(3) + 1

            y = 13  (correct amount of blocks)

Now, we can find step 27.

Step 27: y = 4(27) + 1

              y = 109 blocks

Is this pattern proportional? How do we know? What would the graph look like?

Have a Great Night,

Mrs. Gilliam

8th Graders: Introduction to Variables on Both Sides of the Equation

On Wednesday and Thursday, we discussed the problem below:

Amber and Blake bought the same amount candy.

They both received the candy in a different way.

• Amber received 2 boxes with an unknown amount plus 4 candies in a bag.

• Blake received 1 box of an unknown amount plus 10 candies in a bag.

Write an equation and solve how many pieces of candy are in each box?

Several students started out by creating two expressions, one for Amber and one for Blake.

2x + 4       and 1x + 10

A few students decided to make an equation for each student.

C= 2x + 4              and            C= 1x + 10

C= the amount of candy in one box

We then discussed one of the most important words in the problem, SAME.

Everyone remembered, same meant an equal quantity.

We also decided if C=C then,

2x + 4 = 1x + 10

Next, we decided we needed to combine like terms but this time we had to take into account the equal sign being in between the variables.

We remembered the golden rule for equations, when crossing the equal sign we must complete the inverse operation. Below is how we finished solving it.

Finally, we discussed how do we know if this makes sense. Several students suggested plugging in 6 to each of the expressions/equations above to see if the students received the same amount of candy.

They both received 16 candies. We can say x = 6 is correct because Amber received 16 and Blake received 16 or you can say because 16=16

We will continue working on solving real world problems and equations with variables on both sides of the equal sign tomorrow. We are testing on Unit 2, next Monday and Tuesday.

Have a Great Night,

Mrs. Gilliam

GO LJHS Volleyball! Beat WJHS!

7th Graders: How to Study for the Unit 2 Test

Good Morning Parents and Students,

I have decided to start a blog for the class to help the parents that are struggling with Edline. My goal is to use this blog as a one-stop spot to get a better idea of what we are doing in class and how you can support your child. I want my classroom to be transparent as if you were sitting in the classroom with your child. If I make grammatical errors or misspell words, it is more than likely due to me rushing.

How to Study for the Unit 2 Test:

1. Review your notes from your math notebook.

2. Work extra practice problems like the ones found here (multiplying and dividing integers), and here (lots of worksheets with answers to check) On the second link, you can also click dividing fractions and decimals or any of the links on the side that is fractions and decimals.

3. Watch tutorial videos online and work through the problems with them:

Multiplying Fractions: https://www.khanacademy.org/math/cc-seventh-grade-math/cc-7th-fractions-decimals/cc-7th-mult-div-frac/v/multiplying-negative-and-positive-fractions

Multiplying Mixed Numbers: https://www.khanacademy.org/math/pre-algebra/fractions-pre-alg/mixed-number-mult-div-pre-alg/v/multiplying-mixed-numbers

Dividing Fractions: https://www.khanacademy.org/math/cc-seventh-grade-math/cc-7th-fractions-decimals/cc-7th-mult-div-frac/v/examples-of-dividing-negative-fractions

Converting Fractions to Decimals: https://www.khanacademy.org/math/cc-seventh-grade-math/cc-7th-fractions-decimals/cc-7th-fracs-to-decimals/v/converting-fractions-to-decimals-example

Multiplying Decimals: https://www.khanacademy.org/math/cc-sixth-grade-math/cc-6th-arithmetic-operations/cc-6th-multiplying-decimals/v/multiplying-decimals

Dividing Decimals: https://www.khanacademy.org/math/cc-sixth-grade-math/cc-6th-arithmetic-operations/cc-6th-div-decimals/v/dividing-decimals

Multiplying Decimal WP: https://www.khanacademy.org/math/cc-sixth-grade-math/cc-6th-arithmetic-operations/cc-6th-multiplying-decimals/v/mulitplyling-decimals-3

Great Resource for Extra Practice: https://www.khanacademy.org/math/cc-sixth-grade-math/cc-6th-arithmetic-operations

Reminder: We are only looking at rational numbers (no exponents).

As you can tell I used Khan Academy for all of these. Khan Academy is a great resource to give students the ability to practice problems with a saftey net (the hints).

4. Come in for a last minute study session Monday morning at 7:30.

The students have been working really hard on this unit. If they take their time and remember the rules, they will do great on this test.


Have a Great Day,
Mrs. Gilliam