There will be a long lay-off between our Thursday classes and during that time we will be electing a NEW PRESIDENT -- how exciting! In keeping with this event, we will be discussing the Electoral College system. I will be giving out an optional assignment that involves some data collection. I have listed some good sources for finding these data to help in your research.
http://illuminations.nctm.org/ActivityDetail.aspx?ID=151
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Electoral_College
http://www.nationalpopularvote.com/pages/electoralcollege.php
I hope you will all use this activity as an opportunity to discuss the election with your families.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Rounding Numbers Practice
I've found another website that has an excellent array of skills practice. Through the activity we begun in class on Tuesday I uncovered a skills weakness that all the students have: rounding. We are going to spend some time in class on Thursday discussing rounding numbers. If you want to follow up at home, you may find this website quite useful:
http://www.dadsworksheets.com/v1/Worksheets/Rounding%20Numbers.html
http://www.dadsworksheets.com/v1/Worksheets/Rounding%20Numbers.html
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Mean, Median & Mode Practice Website
For those of you who want a little more practice with mean, median & mode, try out this website for a slightly different practice experience:
http://www.algebralab.org/lessons/lesson.aspx?file=Algebra_StatMeanMedianMode.xml
http://www.algebralab.org/lessons/lesson.aspx?file=Algebra_StatMeanMedianMode.xml
Topics for the Week of October 28, 2008
On Tuesday we will be discussing the measurements of central tendency (mean, median, mode & range). We'll work on these skills through fun, in-class activities. We'll use the data we collect to reinforce how to make bar graphs and we'll also talk about other types of charts that help to make sense out of data.
On Thursday we'll continue to gather data and calculate mean, median, mode and range and we'll discuss what is the "right" number to describe a set of data. We'll also discuss what outliers are and how they affect our data sets.
We will also investigate the Electoral College and how we choose a president, and begin to answer the question, "Why is California So Important?"
Most of the follow-up assignments/activities will center around real-world data and situations. We will begin collecting survey data to see if we can draw conclusions.
Optional Extra Skill Work:
1) Research the actual distribution of colors in the "average" bag of M & Ms.
2) Research the history of the M & M -- have the colors you see in your bag always been there? If not, why and when did they change?
3) When was the M & M invented and why?
4) Did all your bags of M & Ms have the same percentage of each color? If not, then why would the actual number of each color be different in different bags?
5) Choose a different type of M & M (dark chocolate, peanut, peanut butter, etc) and calculate the frequency of each color, the fraction of each color, decimal equivalent & percent of each color. Are these percentages equal to the actual distribution of colors? If not, why not?
On Thursday we'll continue to gather data and calculate mean, median, mode and range and we'll discuss what is the "right" number to describe a set of data. We'll also discuss what outliers are and how they affect our data sets.
We will also investigate the Electoral College and how we choose a president, and begin to answer the question, "Why is California So Important?"
Most of the follow-up assignments/activities will center around real-world data and situations. We will begin collecting survey data to see if we can draw conclusions.
Optional Extra Skill Work:
- Mean
Pages 105-106 #'s 10-20 all, 27, 28 - Median, Mode & Range
Pages 111-112 #'s 6-9 all, 11, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21
1) Research the actual distribution of colors in the "average" bag of M & Ms.
2) Research the history of the M & M -- have the colors you see in your bag always been there? If not, why and when did they change?
3) When was the M & M invented and why?
4) Did all your bags of M & Ms have the same percentage of each color? If not, then why would the actual number of each color be different in different bags?
5) Choose a different type of M & M (dark chocolate, peanut, peanut butter, etc) and calculate the frequency of each color, the fraction of each color, decimal equivalent & percent of each color. Are these percentages equal to the actual distribution of colors? If not, why not?
Monday, October 20, 2008
Math 6 Topics for Week of October 21, 2008
We will continue our work on charts and graphs, and visually displaying and interpreting data.
On Tuesday, we'll learn about making and interpreting line graphs. We'll use that vocabulary we learned last week (scale, interval, horizontal axis, vertical axis) to create new line graphs and read ones that are already made.
On Thursday, we'll talk about stem-and-leaf plots. We'll learn what they are, how to create them and how to read them as well. Thursday's homework will include some review of reading line graphs.
I will assign the following homework by section:
Section 2-2 Bar & Line Graphs (continued from Thursday)
Pages 84-85 #'s 5, 6, 15
Section 2-3 Interpreting Line Graphs
Pages 90-91 #'s 7,8, 12-19 all, 23, 24
Section 2-4 Stem-and-Leaf Plots
Pages 94-95 #'s 6-16 all, 20-26 all
*Worksheet Skills Practice 2-3 Problems 1-8 all
On Tuesday, we'll learn about making and interpreting line graphs. We'll use that vocabulary we learned last week (scale, interval, horizontal axis, vertical axis) to create new line graphs and read ones that are already made.
On Thursday, we'll talk about stem-and-leaf plots. We'll learn what they are, how to create them and how to read them as well. Thursday's homework will include some review of reading line graphs.
I will assign the following homework by section:
Section 2-2 Bar & Line Graphs (continued from Thursday)
Pages 84-85 #'s 5, 6, 15
Section 2-3 Interpreting Line Graphs
Pages 90-91 #'s 7,8, 12-19 all, 23, 24
Section 2-4 Stem-and-Leaf Plots
Pages 94-95 #'s 6-16 all, 20-26 all
*Worksheet Skills Practice 2-3 Problems 1-8 all
Monday, October 13, 2008
Week of 10/14/08
On Tuesday, we'll be going over the Chapter 1 Review and answering any questions that students have on the material we've discussed so far this school year. Students will be asked to complete the Chapter 1 test independently.
On Thursday, we'll begin our work on Chapter 2. First, we'll discuss problem solving using frequency tables, then we'll work on bar graphs.
I will assign the following for Homework:
Chapter 1 Test
2-1: Problem Solving
Page 79 #'s 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 14
2-2: Bar & Line Graphs
Pages 84-85 #'s 3, 4, 14, 16, 17
On Thursday, we'll begin our work on Chapter 2. First, we'll discuss problem solving using frequency tables, then we'll work on bar graphs.
I will assign the following for Homework:
Chapter 1 Test
2-1: Problem Solving
Page 79 #'s 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 14
2-2: Bar & Line Graphs
Pages 84-85 #'s 3, 4, 14, 16, 17
Chapter 1 Test -- Due 10/16/08
Now that we have completed our work on Chapter 1, it is time to assess how well students are learning the material. I will be sending a test home with the students on Tuesday. I am asking that all students work on these by him or herself, and that parents not help their children with the test. This exercise is designed to gauge how well students are mastering material taught in class and to see where there are any holes in instruction.
Students should "study" these sections before sitting down to take the test, and the test should be completed during one block of time. I am asking that students not use a calculator. So that they have the best chance of success, students should find a distraction-free environment in which to take the test. Use as much paper as you need and show all your work!!
I will be collecting the test on Thursday, October 16th and will check it and provide feedback to students.
Students should "study" these sections before sitting down to take the test, and the test should be completed during one block of time. I am asking that students not use a calculator. So that they have the best chance of success, students should find a distraction-free environment in which to take the test. Use as much paper as you need and show all your work!!
I will be collecting the test on Thursday, October 16th and will check it and provide feedback to students.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
A Cool Website
If you are in need of something to do, or just like to be on the web playing around with math, check out this website: http://www.coolmath.com
There are all kinds of fun things to do on this site including a fun way to get extra practice, games and other goodies. Thanks to Nina for finding it! Have a nice weekend!
There are all kinds of fun things to do on this site including a fun way to get extra practice, games and other goodies. Thanks to Nina for finding it! Have a nice weekend!
Monday, October 6, 2008
This Week in Math 6
We will be finishing up our studies of Chapter 1.
Topics will include
Topics will include
- Problem Solving -- Guess & Check Strategy
- An introduction to Equations
- Area Formulas
I will assign the following homework problems by section:
1-7: Problem Solving
Page 55 #'s 3-7 all, 9, 11, 13
1-8: Algebra - Equations
Pages 59-60 #'s 9-31 odd, 39, 42, 43, 44
1-9: Area Formulas
Pages 65-67 #'s 7-19 odd, 20-22 all, 28, 29, 31, 32
CHAPTER 1 REVIEW
Pages 68-72 #'s 1-49 all
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