Tuesday November 22, 2011

Today students will continue working on their graphs in class. I will be putting the questions I posted yesterday on the board and students will analyze their graphs to answer these questions. It is important that they use this time to answer these questions so when they return to class next monday, they will have all the necessary information for their written assignment. The questions will be on the board all class, but students will be required to stop drawing/ coloring their graphs 20 minutes before class ends so they will have time to answer each question.

I will be out of town next monday so students will have a sub all day in my class. The sub will return the graphs to students so they can use their graphs and the answer to their questions to complete their written assignment in class. If they do not complete their writing in class, they will be able to take it home for homework and turn it in on Tuesday.

REMEMBER - this assignment is counted as a test grade. This is a great opportunity for all students to raise their grade. There were quite a few students that were not satisfied with their performance on the last test, so I am encouraging them to put their best effort in to this assignment

Monday November 21, 2011

Today students will begin their 3 day graphing assignment. They will be using data that I have collected to create a graph. They will also have the option to use weather data for any city in the world that they can gather from weatherbase.com and use for their graph. They will have monday and tuesday this week to construct their graph and answer the provided questions. When they return to school on Monday they will complete their writing assignment in class based on their graph and the answers to their questions. Below are instructions and grading scale for the assignment

Analyzing data, graphing, and writing assignment

Assignment will be divided into two parts. Total score will count as a test grade

Students will be given a set of data in which they will create a bar graph. There should be at least 9 pieces of data used in the graph. Each student will be given construction paper, a ruler, colored pencils or markers, and a data set. Graphs should include all necessary labels, units, and a key (if necessary). Students should use different colors to create contrast so that the graph is easily read. Students will be given 2 days in class to analyze their data and create their graph. They will be given 1 day in class to write their paper. When the graph is complete, students should be able to answer the following.

What does this graph demonstrate?

What are the range, median, mean (estimated and actual), and mode of your data?

Are there any outliers in your data set?

Is there any way that your graph could be misleading?

Part 1 - Graph (50 points)

45-50    Graph is presented clearly and accurately and includes all correct labels including a title, vertical and horizontal axis labels, units, and key (if necessary). Graph is organized in a manner that is easily interpreted. Graph includes 9 or more pieces of data.

40-45    Graph has minor flaws including missing labels, inaccurate information, or cannot be easily interpreted. Graph includes 7-8 pieces of data.

0-40    Graph has major flaws in labels, inaccurate information, and cannot be easily interpreted. Graph includes less than 7 pieces of data. Student did not use class time effectively to complete assignment.

Part 2 - Written (50 points)

45-50    Paper is grammatically sound and organized in paragraph form. Paper is at least 1 page long. Student uses at least 4 graphing terms, gives definitions of these terms, and uses these terms to answer the given questions about interpreting their graph. Paper is turned by due date.

40-45    Paper has multiple grammatical flaws and is not organized in paragraphs. Paper does not reach 1 page minimum requirement. Student uses 3 graphing terms and their definitions and uses terms to answer questions about interpreting their graph.

0-40    Paper has major grammatical flaws and is unorganized. Paper is not required length. Student uses less than 3 graphing terms and does not clearly answer the questions about their graph. Paper is not turned in on time.

Friday November 18, 2011

Today students will be given an outline of the important terms and types of graphs that they will be using during our unit on data (Core 3 and 4 have already received the outline). They will use their classtime to research the definitions and give examples of the different styles of graphs.

The last 10-15 minutes of class will be used for students to examine data that I will present to them. They will be given graph paper to create their own graph and answer the following questions...

Which temperature represents the mode?

What is the range?

What is the median temperature?

Just by looking at the graph, can you find a mean temperature?

Thursday November 17, 2011

Today students will receive their graded Unit 3 tests. Students had 2 entire days to complete their test. I checked every test after day 1 and marked every incorrect answer. Students were given the opportunity to correct their answers and received half credit for any answer they changed. Overall the scores were ok, but I still believe that there is little taking place the night before the test. Many students still seem surprised when they receive their test.


After reviewing test grades, we will begin our next unit: data and graphing

Friday- students will be introduced to different types of graphs and different terms associated with data

Monday- Students will begin an in-class project where they will be given data to graph

Tuesday- Students will complete their graphs

Wednesday - No school

Thursday - No school

Friday - No school

Monday - Students will write a paper using the terms they learned to interperate the meanings of their graphs. Their graph and paper will be graded as a test grade

Test results....

I was able to grade half of the Unit 3 tests, and have not been overly happy with the results. Students have known for over a week that we were testing today. I made a study guide for them last week and used an entire class period to work problems that came directly from the test and ask questions if they needed help.
Some students were unable to finish in the class period, so I told them they were welcome to stay in from our recess before lunch to finish up. A few students stayed, finished, and went outside. Many did not take advantage of this time.

I do not want to see students fail. Unfortunately, if I gave them their grades from their test results today, many of them would, again, be digging themselves into a hole early in the quarter.

I am going to give students the class period tomorrow (Wednesday) to look at their test and fix their mistakes. They will see which questions they missed, and hopefully have enough time to realize why they missed it and make a correction. There were some students that performed really well on the test, and they will be rewarded in some form or another.

Tuesday November 15, 2011

UNIT 3 TEST TODAY!

Test includes

-Comparing and Ordering decimals
-Estimating decimals
-Adding and subtracting decimals
-Multiplying and dividing decimals
-Scientific notation
-Word Problems

Monday November 14, 2011

Today we practiced our adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing decimals skills by using a Harris Teeter ad to find products and their prices. I gave students a "shopping list" that included 10 items they were to find, and multiply by the requested quantity. The complete assignment is below...

Item	Quantity	Price/ each	Total
Harris Teeter Premium Turkey	10 pounds	$	$
Chicken Breast	4 pounds	$	$
Gallon Harris Teeter Milk	3	$	$
Sargento String Cheese	3	$	$
Fresh Green Asparagus	2 pounds	$	$
Harris Teeter Self Rising Flour (5lb bag)	2	$	$
Seedless Grapes	4 pounds	$	$
Minute Maid Orange Juice	2	$	$
Harris Teeter Butter (16 oz)	2	$	$
Bridgford Monkey Bread	4	$	$

                                                                                                   Subtotal          $______________

                                                                            Grand Total          $______________

                                                                          Monthly Payment          $______________

                                                                                                                    

Your assignment is to use the Harris Teeter ad to find the following products, their price, and specified quantity. Multiply price x quantity to come up with a total dollar amount spent on each item.

When you have calculated each total, add each total together for a subtotal.

 Then, multiply the subtotal by 1.03 to find the grand total cost including 3% sales tax. Remember, when dealing with money, round to the nearest hundredth.

Finally, pretend you use a credit card that allows you to pay for groceries over eight months, so divide your grand total by eight to find out your monthly payment for this shopping trip