math tasks

• 7th Grade Proportional and Non-Proportional

Relationships   Tables and graphs are representations we can use to determine proportionality.   The proportionality constant (k)/ unit rate is needed to show proportionality.  We finished the first segment of this unit with a Gallery Walk where students create posters, display them and review each other’s work as we worked through Lesson 6.  For  Lessons 7 - 10 we will be investigating the proportionality constant more closely.

7.RP.A.2b, 7RP.A.2c, 7RP.A.2d, and 7.EE.4b are the specific standards we will be using.  If you search these standards and Khan Academy you can find more information about those standards.

• 8th Grade: Writing and Solving Linear Equations

The property of equality means do the action on both sides of the equal sign and it will remain balanced.  Variables representing unknowns are being used as we solve for them.  Like terms, substitution, and simplify are vocabulary words that are being used more frequently. The distributive property is appearing often also.We have completed Lesson 4 Solving a Linear Equation and are moving to Lesson 5 Writing and Solving Linear Equations where problem solving is involved.

8.EE.C.7 is the focus standard. If you search this standard and Khan Academy you can find more information about the standard.

math tasks

Grade 7
Lesson 5 Identifying Proportional and Non-Proportional  Relationships in Graphs
Students have been working on this lesson.  Tomorrow we will be in groups creating poster and reviewing the various groups presentations.

Grade 8
Lesson 3 Linear Equations in x has been reviewed as substitution has been a challenging concept for many.   There are many patterns that have come into play such as fractions, integers, and the distributive property coupling these with variables presents the need for detail.  We will be in groups tomorrow and Solving a Linear Equation with Lesson 4.

Air Trolleys

Today in science, we investigated motion by flying air trolleys.  Here is a great slow motion video taken by one group.

9/25 Team Sterling Weekly Newsletter

Click this link for our team's weekly newsletter.

math tasks

Grade 7
Proportions are the focus of our work.  We have completed tables, found equivalent rates, established the relationship between x and y variables.  The value of the proportionality constant (k) provides evidence or not as to whether the relationship is proportional.  Lessons 3 & 4 Identifying Proportional and Non-Proportional Relationships in Graphs and Tables are almost complete.
7.RP.A.2a is the Common Core Standard  - it can be used in a search along with Khan Academy for more information on the content.
Grade 8
Writing and Solving Equations is the focus of our lessons.  We have moved from simply writing symbolic notation for words to checking to see if a proposed solution is in fact true and to solving equations by using properties of equity ( doing the same thing to both sides of an equation).  We  are working through Lesson 4 & 5 in their packets.
8.EE.C.7 is the  Common Core Standard -  it can be used in a search along with Khan Academy for more information on the content.

math tasks

Grade 7
This week we are building tables, identifying the variables as y and x, and looking to find a value k that is the same for all values in the table and thus demonstrate there are equivalent rates.  Lesson 3 Identifying Proportional and Non Proportional Relationships in Tables and Lesson 4 another lesson with the same goal and there is work with area and perimeter.
Grade 8
We are moving from writing symbols for words to making equations and identifying them as linear or non-linear. Lesson 3 is finding if given values are in fact solutions to the equation given.  The patterns for fractions, intergers (signed numbers), along with the distributive property are all being used.

Middle School Musical

Announcing the 2018 Middle School Musical!  Following up on the success of last years show we are proud to announce the MS Musical for this year -  Annie!

We are looking for actors, singers, dancers, painters, builders, or anyone just interested in learning how to put on a show.  Sign ups will take place outside of the Performing Arts room (118 - the room by the cafeteria) starting today.  There will be a list for students who want to be in the cast and students who want to help with the sets and behind the scenes. Both rehearsals and set building/painting time will take place during classes in the second trimester. The show will take place February 15 in the evening and February 16 during the day.  

If anyone has any questions, please see myself, Andrew Rosacker, or Jessie Baldwin.  We look forward to another fantastic year!

Paul Curtis

math tasks

Grade 7
 We are continuing our work with proportional relationships by building tables, identifying the variables in the rates (x and y) along with the proportionality constant (k).  The goal is to realize the x value multiplied by k is equal to y for every instance in a proportional relationship. We are currently working in Lesson 3 Relationships in Tables.  They are to do the Example and #4.  For Exercises 1-3 they only need to do one.

Grade 8
We are still transcribing words into symbolic notation and have added the characteristics of linear relationships.  Linear expressions contain exponent of only one and/or zero. The presence of any other exponent means it is nonlinear.  Many have figured out that if you can see an exponent it is nonlinear.  There can not be a variable in the denominator of the expression as that represents a negative exponent thus not a zero or one.  We are working in Lesson 2 Linear and Nonlinear Expressions in x

math tasks

Grade 7
We are working on Lesson 2 Proportional Relationships using vocabulary such as proportion, and proportionality constant (y = k x) where y and x are determined by the wording in the problems and k is the value of y divided by the corresponding value of x.  It is also called the unit rate.

Grade 8
We are continuing our work with words and symbols and expanding it to linear and none linear relationships.  Exponential relationships for powers of 0, -1, and one are especially important in determining if an expression is linear. Lesson 2 Linear and Nonlinear Expressions in x is the current focus.

Pre-assessing Science Skills

Picture Day

Hello Sterling Families,

Picture day will happen on Friday, September, 22nd.  Students will be coming home with forms next week, if not already.  If you have any questions or have not received a form by Wednesday of next week and would like one, please contact rdecicco@mymtsd-vt.org

Cordially,
Team Sterling Teachers

math tasks

Grade 7
7.RP.A.2a: Recognize and represent proportional relationships eg. by testing equivalent ratios in a table or graphing on a co_ordinate plane and observing whether the graph is a straight line through the origin
Vocab: ratio, rate (units & division), unit rate
We used ratios today and had an exit ticket about Tillman the skateboarding dog and his competitions. We are continuing the work as we look at the best value for buying pencils.

Grade 8
8.EE.C.7a: Transcribing written statements using symbolic notation
Vocab: variable, exponent,  base of an exponent, and negative exponents
There were 2 handout today: 1) An explanation of Exponent Rules (negative exponent rule & zero exponent rule)   2) Powers and Roots
We continued our notes from yesterday so there are two problems we are analyzing.
1) A whole number has the property that when half the number is added to 15, we get the number itself.
2) A whole number has the property that when the square of half the number is subtracted from five times the number, we get the number itself.
Students are writing symbolic notation for each of the above.

Building a sense of team

We spent our first week building a sense of team, encouraging creative thinking and outlining basic expectations that will set up our classrooms as places of learning!  Here is just a quick snapshot.