Ellie's (Grade 7) Math Blog

YAYAYAYA

2006-09-25T18:06:00.000-05:00

i know its a little later but i got HONOR ROLL!!! Away

JAI FINI!

2006-06-28T08:01:00.000-05:00

friday is the last day of school and i am done exams.
there all done out of my life (for now) FINI!
well anyway i am almost done school and id just like to say thank you (again) to every one for helping me pass the school year.

THANK YOU!!!

thanks alot

Ellie

EXAMS

2006-06-18T19:43:00.000-05:00

My exams have started and my math exam is on Monday (tomorrow) I have been doing as much studying as possible and all that stuff so im trying and thank you to all of you who have helped me and given me great advise!

THANK YOU
Ellie

Round and Round We Go! -- Circles

2006-05-13T23:49:00.000-05:00

Hi Ellie,

Here are some links to help with the circle test you have on Monday:

Area of a Circle (Lesson)

Finding Circumference (Lesson)

Geometry Tutorial Site (Lots of cool stuff.)

Calculating Circumference

Calculating Area

Solve Problems by Working Backward

Love ya!

Exam Practice: Short Answer Problems #1 of 3

2006-05-11T21:33:00.000-05:00

Hi Ellie,

I've got a copy of a grade 7 exam from another school in Manitoba. Beginning with this post I will publish several questions from the exam each day. Your job is to solve the questions on the blog. For each post of "problems" I make you will make a post, in reply, with the solutions. Show all your work where possible. Use the same titles for your posts as I do but replace the word Problems with the word Solutions. If you want to do your work on paper you can scan it and save it as a jpeg file and post it to the blog. If you do this, your dad can help.

If you have trouble solving any problems that's OK. This doesn't count for marks. We're using this space for learning and we learn best from making mistakes and talking about them. Other people reading your blog may also pop in to help. So if you have trouble with one or more questions write your "best guess." A mistake is a wonderful thing when you learn from it.

When you have trouble with a problem look through the previous posts in the blog. If you don't find any help there look in your text book. If you still can't find the help you need post a comment to the blog telling me which question is giving you a hard time and I'll help.

The exam has three parts:

Part 1 has 25 short answer questions.

Part 2 has 25 multiple choice questions.

Part 3 has 14 word problems.

You can use a calculator on all three parts except where it says you can't.

Here we go:

Short Answer Questions #1-9

(1) Find the sum of 476 + 83 + 8 (no calculator)

(2) What is the LCM of 2, 4 and 9?

(3) Evaluate: 3.2 + 3 x 6 - 2 (no calculator)

(4) Simplify: 6 x (6 + 2)² (no calculator)

(5) Write as a power of 10: 10 000 000

(6) Compare the following fractions by inserting the correct symbol in the box: <, > or =

(7) The numerator of the second fraction is:

(8) Solve for m: 3m + 2 = 14

(9) If y = 5 and z = 3, evaluate: 3y - 5z

That's it for tonight. Remember:

Use the comments of this post to ask for help if you have no idea how to do one of these questions. Include the question number.

Create a new post titled: Exam Practice: Short Answer Solutions #1 of 3. Solve each question showing all work where possible. It's GOOD to make mistakes here because this is where you're going to get the help you need to learn.

Love ya!

PowerPoint Help

2006-04-18T23:47:00.000-05:00

Hi Ellie,

I found two PowerPoint presenations on Problem solving using algebra and drawing a diagram that might be helpful getting ready for your test and exam. Open them in PowerPoint and start the show by going to the [View]menu > [Slideshow]. The lesson will run all by itself.

Problem Solving I
Problem Solving II

Let me know if these help. Keep taking those quizzes and you'll keep getting better ... Learn Hard! ;-)

Exams

2006-04-18T20:00:00.000-05:00

Yes it almost time and i'm getting worried! Exams have come up faster then me and even my teacher expected and me well I don't feel ready for them maybe its just butterfly or maybe I really am not ready none the less I need help yes its hard for me to say but I do my uncle is helping 100% and I am very VERY thankful because I don't know what id do if he wasn't here (there) to help me :):):):):):)

Ellie

Learn Hard!

2006-04-16T21:08:00.000-05:00

Hi Ellie,

Everything you need to know for your test this week can be found in Algebra and Popcorn ;-), 3 posts back. Review all the material you feel you need to but spend most of your time taking the quizzes at the bottom of the post; those are the types of questions you're likely to get on your quiz. You get good at running by doing lots of running -- you get good at taking quizzes by taking lots of quizzes. ;-)

Also, starting this week, I'd like you to write at least one post a week. Your post should answer one or all of the following:

Tell me about a particular class that you had. The good, the bad, the ugly. ;-)

Describe how you feel about your progress in math. What's going well? What's getting better? What do you feel you still need to work on? Be sure to mention any "old" material that you may have "left behind" in class.

Tell me something that you've learned that you thought was "cool".

Tell me about something that you found very hard to understand but now you get it! Describe what sparked that "moment of clarity." What did it feel like?

Tell me about something the you found very hard and still don't understand. Be very specific about what part of it you do and don't understand. (The do part is just as important as the don't part.) Give me examples. Take good notes in class so you can copy them exactly on to the blog.

Have you come across something we learned together, or that you've discussed in class, out there in the "real world" or another class? Describe the connection you made.

You don't have to answer all of them, but try to answer at least one of them once each week. I don't want this to seem like "work" but it will really help me help you; especially if you include LOTS of details. ;-)

Learn hard for your test. Maybe your first post can be about how the test went -- the good, the bad and the ugly. ;-)

Mathematics is the Science of Patterns ...

2006-04-02T21:39:00.000-05:00

Hi Ellie,

I keep telling all my students this over and over again: Mathematics is the science of patterns!

I keep saying it because it's true. Not only that, but everything, and I mean everything is math. ;-) Everything that you learn or even the stuff that happens in your life over the course of a day has patterns to it. Good math isn't knowing the answer to a problem, good math is knowing what to do when you don't know the answer. Good math is looking for patterns. In all the games below you'll be looking for a pattern. Keep your eyes open and your thinking hat on. When you get stuck (and you will get stuck) don't give up. Go get a snack, come back and try again. You will figure it out if you keep trying. But then, you already knew that. ;-)

Here we go ...

Spy Guys Interactive - Summarizing/Extending Patterns - Click Skip Intro, then select Lessons, and then click on Lesson 8 (Although it says it's grade 6 stuff, we do it in grade 7 too.)

Mystery Operations - In this activity the computer makes up a mystery operation, and you have to figure out what the operation is. You give the computer two numbers to calculate, and it tells you the answer.

Number Cracker - Help Mr. Cracker obtain the secret code before the insidious Prof. Soup catches him by guessing what number comes next in a series of numbers. Start with the easy level and work your way up. The Super Brain level is really hard!

Let me know what page of your textbook your on and whether or not these activities are helpful for what you're learning. Also, remember that I've asked you to write something on the blog that describes what you're learning at least once each week. I'll write a blog post about it tomorrow to help you figure out what you're supposed to write.

Love ya!

Bloglines - More Algebra Help

2006-03-13T00:27:00.000-06:00

Hi Ellie,

This is a post from a grade 8 blog here in Winnipeg. (The teacher is a friend of mine.) His class is learning some of the same stuff you are. I thought these links might be helpful. ;-)

Love ya!

More Algebra Help

By Mr. H

This week we are finishing up the algebra equation unit. We are studying transposing.

Click here for extra notes on transposing.
Take a quiz with transposing
Click here for extra notes on the distributive property
Take a quiz with the distributive property and transposing

Watch a movie that explains the distributive property. You will need to click on the proper link on this page.

I welcome any suggestions and links to these topics. Please if you find any sites that are helpful add a comment and I will add them to the links on this page.

Work Hard

Harbeck

Algebra and Popcorn ;-)

2006-03-07T21:55:00.000-06:00

Hi Ellie,

You've got a test on algebra so I've got a few review lessons for you and them some practice quizzes. I had a chance to look at your tests and this weekend I'll post some review material that will help you improve on some of the things you've already learned; look for it during the day on Sunday. Now on to the lessons ....

Spy Guys Interactive - Balancing Equations
You can watch the intro or skip it. Although it says it's for grade 6 it's also a grade 7 topic in this province. Click on [Lessons] then on [Lesson 11]. You may also want to watch the lesson on integers; [Lesson 6].)

Subtraction vrs. Addition
This lesson is about how to solve equations using addition and subtraction.

Division vrs. Multiplication
This lesson is about how to solve equations using division and multiplication.

Solving Linear Equations Part 1
This is a VERY good explanation of how to solve one-step equations. Although there's a lot of reading to do there are several examples and each one is explained step-by-step.

Solving Linear Equations Part 2
This is a continuation of the link above; solving multi-step (more than one) equations.

Now for some BrainPops, you might want to get some popcorn first then sit back and watch the movies (take the quizzes when you're done) ... ;0)

Solving Equations

Two Step Equations

Equations with Variables
(This last one might be a little advanced -- let me know if you've done any work like this before.)

And now for some practice quizzes. Each one has 5 questions. If you finish all 5 and click the [refresh] button in your web browser you'll ger 5 new questions. Keep taking each quiz until you get 100%. You CAN do it! Don't give up and you'll get there. ;0)

Solving Addition and Subtraction Equations

Solving Multiplication Equations

Solving Two-Step Equations

Writing Expressions and Equations

Do your best on Thursday! Remember, luck has nothing to do with it -- it's always about doing your best. A mistake is wonderful thing if you learn from it. ;-)

Love ya!

This week

2006-02-27T20:05:00.000-06:00

This week we started a=1 and stuff like that well we just just started that so I don't know much about it yet

Integer Lessons Review

2006-02-16T22:04:00.000-06:00

Hi Ellie,

I've collected a few different links to lessons on how to add, subtract, multiply and divide integers. They're all pretty much the same, so try them all and stick with the one you like best. ;-)

MATHguide's Operations on Integers Lessons
(There is a quiz after each lesson, refresh the page for new quiz questions.)

Multiplying and Dividing Integers Lesson
(Lots of pictures! Interactive quizzes follow each lesson. Lots more good stuff on integers at the bottom of this long page.)

Subtracting Integers Powerpoint Lesson

Dividing Integers Powerpoint Lesson

Integer Games

2006-02-15T20:49:00.000-06:00

Hi Ellie,

I suspect you haven't worked your way through ALL the links I've left you recently. Most of them are the same sort of questions you'll have to write on your class tests. Take advantage of that. The best way to practice for a running race is to do a lot of running. The best way to practice for a math test is to take a lot of math tests. ;-)

But, it can get a little boring only taking tests. So, to make it a little more interesting I've put together a list of links to integer games. You'll still have to remember how to add, subtract (we don't really subtract anymore, smart kids like you add the opposite), multiply and divide. Also, don't forget PEDMAS.

Anyway, let's get to the games ....

Mystery Picture Game

Math Car Racing (You've done this one before -- it's got integers now!)

Guess The Number

Guess The Number (harder)

Integer Multiplication Game/Quiz

Integer Division Game/Quiz

Review All Integer Operations
(Make sure you read The Party in Mathland then try the Practice Exercises at the end.)

Have Fun!

WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW

2006-02-13T19:07:00.000-06:00

WOW THAT IS ALOT OF PEOPLE!!

The Last 100 ...

2006-02-12T10:35:00.000-06:00

Hi Ellie,

I thought this might interest you ... where did the last 100 visitors to your blog come from? (The "unlisted 8" came from Spain.) ;-)

There and Back Again

2006-02-10T15:38:00.000-06:00

Hi Ellie!

This time I've got some quizzes that take us all the way back to multiplication, factors and fractions and then back to where we are now; integers.

I'm also throwing in some movies so you can take the occasional break and see how things are done as many times as you like. ;-)

Remember, every time you refresh the quiz page or click on one of these links you'll get a new quiz to practice with! Here we go ......

Order of Operations

Multiplying Decimals by Whole Numbers

Multiplying Decimals

Dividing Decimals by Whole Numbers

Divisibility Patterns

Prime Factorization

Greatest Common Factor

Simplifying Fractions and Ratios

Mixed Numbers and Improper Fractions

Least Common Multiple

Comparing and Ordering Fractions

Writing Decimals as Fractions

Writing Fractions as Decimals

Integers

Comparing and Ordering Integers

Adding Integers

Subtracting Integers

Multiplying Integers

Dividing Integers

So that's a lot of review and little bit on integers. I'm not sure if you started multiplying and dividing integers in class yet. If not, I've got a couple of movies below that help explain how it works. You can get a head start on the rest of your class!!

In future posts I'll continue to include review material from stuff we've already covered to help you improve and stay sharp. ;-)

Now, let's see what's on in the math theatre today .....

Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Multiplying and Dividing Fractions

Prime Factorization (Don't worry about the variables (letter) section just yet.)

Adding and Subtracting Integers

Factors (Game at the end!)

Fractions

Fraction Arithmetic

Common Denominators

Integers

There's a lot here ... hmm .... maybe too much ... maybe I went a little overboard!?! ;-) Take it at whatever pace is good for you. Most of it is review. Spend most of your time on stuff that you most need to practice. A ... B ... C ya! ;-)

Adding and Subtracting Integers

2006-02-05T20:16:00.000-06:00

Hi Ellie,

First I've got three "leesons" I want you to read. Then you'll practice your skills using the online quizzes below.

Integers (les nombres entiers) is a VERY important topic. You're going to use them in every math class from now on. The good news is, you probably already know a lot about them. Living in Winnipeg you know the difference between positive and negative temperatures. If it's -5 degrees celcius outside, how much does the temperature have to go up to get to +5 degrees? If you know the answer to that question (I put it at the end of this blog post) then you know two really important math facts:

(1) -5 and +5 are two completely different numbers and
(2) when you figured out the answer YOU WERE DOING ALGEBRA! (See, I told you you're smart. You can do algebra without even realizing it!)

OK, here are the lessons:

Inroduction to Integers

Adding Integers

Subtracting Integers

The quizzes have 5 questions each. If you refresh the page you'll get a new set of 5 questions, so you can do as many as you like. Also, there is a [Hint] button you can click, if you need it, for each question. Here they are:

Comparing and Ordering Integers

Adding Integers

Subtracting Integers

Let me know how you do with these quizzes. Are they too hard, too easy, too much? (The answer to the question at the top of this post is +10 (positive 10), "positive" because it went up.)

More Quizzes Than You Can Shake a Stick At!

2006-01-29T20:14:00.000-06:00

Here are a bunch of practice quizzes to help you get ready for your test. You may not need to do all of them. Stick to the ones that are most like the questions you'll be getting on your test. Each quiz has 5 questions. If you want more practice for one of the topics, just click the [refresh] button in your web browser and you'll get a new set of 5 questions. Also, each question has a [hint] link in case you get stuck and just don't know how to begin a particular problem. If you need it, click it. ;-)

Prime Factorization

Greatest Common Factor (GCF)

Simplifying Fractions

Fractions and Decimals

Fractions and Percents

Percents and Decimals

Least Common Multiple (LCM)

Comparing and Ordering Rational Numbers

Study hard for the test and let me know how it went when you're done. ;-)

Love ya!

Les Nombres Entiers - The Integers go to the Movies!

2006-01-25T21:41:00.001-06:00

Hi Ellie,

We're beginning your study of integers: "positive and negative whole numbers including zero." It would be a good idea to add this definition to Ellie's Math Dictionary. Take a minute to go over there --> in the sidebar and look up the word "integer" in the math dictionaries. I'll wait . . . . . .

Did you find it? Yes? Good! Is there anything else you want to add to your Math Dictionary now? If yes, go ahead and do it, I'll wait . . . . . .

Done? Excellent! Since we're just getting started I thought it might be fun to go to the movies! ;-)

Remember this: Mathematics is the Science of Patterns!

As you watch the movies and try to answer the questions before the answer is given, remember that Mathematics is the Science of Patterns! Look for the patterns. ;-)

Our Feature Presentations!

Why We Need Integers

Integers and the Number Line Part 1

Integers and the Number Line Part 2

Three Ways to Teach Opposites

Answer this question in the comments to this post:
The last movie talks about numbers that are "opposites." I call them "zero pairs." Why do I do that? -- Watch the movie before you answer this question. ;-)

I'll have more for you here soon.

Love ya!

test

2006-01-22T17:35:00.000-06:00

i dont know how i did yet.

Fractions to Decimals & Fractions to Percents

2006-01-18T22:45:00.000-06:00

Hi Ellie,

You're going to do really well on your test. It may not feel like it right now but you will. Sometimes taking tests can be scary. It can feel like a LOT of pressure on you to do well. When you get anxious and scared it's hard to think clearly and then you don't do as well as you are able. Imagine a kitten chasing its tail -- that's kind of what it's like. Stay calm and Don't Panic. You'll be able to do your best that way.

Another way to make sure you can stay calm is to prepare well. I think these are the last two topics you're still feeling uncertain about so lets take care of that right now. :-)

First, read this. Scroll down to the middle of the page to find the sections on Fraction to Decimal and Fraction to Percent. I know that's not your favourite way to study but it's really well written. There are lots of examples, solved step-by-step, and each step is explained in words and numbers.

Now to practice your skills:

(1) Go here. You type in a fraction, first the numerator (top number) then the denominator (bottom number).

(2) To change the fraction to a decimal do the long division on scrap paper going to as many decimal places as your teacher usually asks for in class.

(3) When you're done, or if you get stuck, type in the number of decimal places you want and click [Convert it]. The computer will show you all the steps in the long division. If you got it right, GREAT! Try another one. If you got it wrong look CAREFULLY at where you made the mistake and compare what you did to the right answer on the computer. Then try another one.

(4) Go ahead and "make up" your own questions. Keep doing this until you feel good about it. Don't give yourself a time limit. Keep at it until you feel you've got it or you get "that bad feeling in the pit of your stomach." If that happens, take a break and come back again later.

Fractions to Percents
First change the fraction to a decimal, like you did above. Then, multiply by 100 and put a % at the end. Multiplying by 100 is the same thing as "moving the decimal two places to the right."

To practice, you can use the same link as above to change the fraction to a decimal. To see if you changed it to a percent correctly go here.

Enter the fraction (you can even do mixed numbers here). From the popup menu below it select "Display result as [a percent]" then click the [simplify] button. (It's a good idea to uncheck the "Results on a new page" box.)

Don't email me, CALL ME as soon as you hit a snag. I KNOW you can do this Ellie. Yes, it can be hard, very hard, but don't give up! You're going to conquer this stuff!

Love ya!

Mixing Fractions is Delicious!

2006-01-16T22:34:00.000-06:00

Here's another game for you, it's called Clara Fraction's Ice Cream Shop.

In this game your work in an ice cream shop. You make money by scooping the right number of scoops into each cone the customers ask for. But the customers ask for a weird number of scoops, they're all mixed numbers.

When you start the game click on the scoop size you want, then the flavour, then the ice cream cone to put it in the cone. Every time you fill the order correctly you earn money. If you make a mistake the customer gets upset and you lose money.

Here's another mixed numbers game — Find Grampy. Grampa is hiding in the hedge. Find him using mixed numbers in reduced form. The instructions are written on the bottom of the page.

Gearing Up For The Test!

2006-01-15T10:43:00.000-06:00

To start off we've got two videos to watch that will review your lessons on fractions and decimals. Watch this one first and this one second.

If you want extra practice, there's a link underneath each video to a worksheet that you can download.

When you write a test you only have a limited time to answer all the questions. So when you practice for tests you should also practice answering timed questions. In all the exercises below you'll find a little tutorial explaining how to "do the math" followed by an unlimited number of test questions. There's also a clock running but it wont stop you from answering the questions. Give yourself two minutes for each exercise. Then come back and do them again, only 2 minutes each, and see if you can:

(1) answer more questions, and
(2) get more answers right (get a higher score -- it's calculated automatically as you go).

OK, here's the test practice:

Fractions and Equivalent Decimals

Equivalent Decimals and Fractions

Comparing Decimals and Fractions

Converting a Fraction to a Decimal

Converting a Decimal to a Percent

Converting a Fraction to a Percent

Converting a Percent to a Fraction

If you need different types of questions to practice let me know ASAP, and remember, luck has nothing to do with it; it's all about doing your best!
(And your best is going to be great!)

Love ya!

Fractions to Decimals and Back Again

2006-01-09T23:31:00.000-06:00

Hi Ellie,

You're working on fractions and decimals so I've got a bunch of links to help. ;-)

First, here are 6 Fact Sheets. Read through them all. You might even want to print them up and keep a copy in your note book or Ellie's Math Dictionary. That should be a very thorough review!

Next play this game. Start with Level A. Keep playing until you get it perfect without making any mistakes. Then move on to Level B and finally Level C.

When you're finished winning you're ready to take the quizzes. Like you did with the games, start with Level A. Keep at it until you get 100%. It may take a few tries but a smart young lady like you will get it -- just don't give up! ;-) Once you've concurred the Level A quiz move on the Level B and then Level C.

If you feel you need even more practice you can print out and work your way through these worksheets. Check your answers using the answer keys provided when you're done.

Email me, call, or leave a comment on the blog and let me know how you're doing with all this.

Love Ya!

By the way, you're starting to get visitors from across North America (maybe the world) so I put a "Visitor Map" on your blog for you to see where your visitors are coming from. It tracks the last 20 people who came to visit. Check it out every few days and watch where people come from who like to read and use your blog. ;-)

Decimal Fractions

2005-12-19T23:07:00.000-06:00

Hi Ellie,

I was SO happy to hear your good news!! You've been working really hard and it shows -- way to go!! I'm SO proud of you!

Now we're working on "decimal fractions." Decimal fractions are fractions that have denominators of 10, 100, 1000, 10 000, etc. In "mathspeak" we say "the denominators are powers of 10." This is also a review of "place value."

Use the math dictionaries in the links list over there --> to look up the words:

decimal fraction

place value

Add these words to Ellie's Math Dictionary and copy the definitions that you found.

Lots of people don't know this: You know we use this symbol for division: ÷ Do you know why?

It's to remind us that a division question is the same thing as a fraction. For example, means 1 ÷ 4. The dot on top is a "place holder" for the 1 and the dot on the bottom is a "place holder" for the 4. So 1 ÷ 2 means and means 1 ÷ 2.

One way to turn a fraction into a decimal is to rewrite it as a division problem. There are certain fractions you should be so familiar with that you can write them as decimals without even thinking about it. This takes some memorization and practice. Here are a few games to help you remember ...

Flashcard Practice

Decimal - Fraction Matching Game

Fraction & Decimal Concentration

More Matching

More Concentration

Decimal Switch (if you figure out the fractions out of 100 first, this will be easier to do ;-))

Let me know if any of them are too hard or confusing and we'll find some that work better for you.

Love ya!

The (Fraction) Fun Never Stops!

2005-12-04T15:13:00.000-06:00

Hi Ellie!

Alright!! I'm so happy to hear how much progress you're making. I always knew a smart girl like you would end up being good at math. ;-)

Since you're doing so well with the Fishy Fraction Fun you're also probably getting better at adding and subtracting fractions too. Now we'll look at multiplication and division word problems, and multiplying and dividing fractions.

These games come from a website in Britain. They don't use dollars there ($) they use money called pounds (£). Don't be confused by this symbol £, it just means money from England. ;-)

Multiplication Word Problems

Division Word Problems

Multiply Fractions

Divide Fractions

We'll also continue to strengthen your multiplication and division skills. Play Multichamp. This game uses this symbol "x" for multiplication and this symbol ":" for division. Go slow enough not to make mistakes but also as quickly as you can. Play it as many times as you can in 5 minutes then take a break.

Let me know how these links work out for you -- I'll have some new links posted on Wednesday or Thursday night.

Love Ya!

More Fraction Fun!

2005-11-29T21:28:00.000-06:00

Hi Ellie,

I just have one link for you tonight but there are 13 different Fishy Fraction Games you can play here.

Work your way down the left-hand column of games and then down the right-hand column of games -- they get harder as you go along. But that's OK, you're also getting better at math as we go along!!

Click on a game then click on [Begin Game], you'll be asked to register -- don't do that, just click on the button that says [Maybe Later].

Let me know how you're doing in the comments to this post, email me or call me. ;-)

And Have fun!!

Love ya!

Fractions Are Our Friends ;-)

2005-11-21T21:23:00.000-06:00

I always say that in my classes. ;-) My students don't always believe me at first, but it's true. Working with fractions is heaps a lot easier than working with decimals. ;-)

Anyway, let's see what's on the menu for today:

Fresh Baked Fractions; play the easy game and see how you do. If you feel good about it try the medium game. It would be a real good idea to have "Ellie's Math Dictionary" open next to you as you work through this game. The divisability rules you wrote down will help you reduce the fractions and solve the problems.

Play the Multiples and Factors Game against, mom, dad or the computer. It works like Jeopardy -- have fun! (You remember what prime factors are right? ;-)

Tic-Tac-Toe; play all the medium level games except for the "cubes" game.

Math Car Racing; you're going to play the hard level; you're ready for it! This game is a little tricky -- I lost the first time I played it -- read the instructions very carefully. Play until you win!

We'll do some more work on fractions next time. If you get that bad feeling in the pit of your stomach while doing any of these games -- STOP PLAYING; try again later. You can also email me, call me or leave me a message on the blog -- I like hearing from you! And don't worry, before this school year ends you'll be at the top of your class in math! ;-)

Love ya!

Let's Play

2005-11-19T12:50:00.000-06:00

Hi Ellie,

You're right! Doing the same thing over and over again can get tired real fast. ;-) Let's try some new games where we can practice some of the same skills and some new ones. Here we go ...

Play MultipliACTION ; a game where you practice multiplying 4 digit numbers by two digit numbers. Don't forget to carry! (you might want to have a piece of paper next to you for scratch work as you do this one.)

Play the Grid Game; start with level 1 and work your way up to level 3. If you have trouble or don't understand something first try clicking on [Tips]. If you need more help click on [Key Ideas]. This one is a lot of fun!

Play Stop That Creature; stop the little green meannies by figuring out mathematical relationships and save Poddleville. Click on the ? ? to pick the rule.

And finally try this FunBrain Order of Operations game. No time limit. Play until you've answered enough questions that you feel you're getting most of them right.

If you come across a word you don't know look it up in one of the dictionary links in the sidebar on the right. -->

Let me know if any of these are too hard, too easy or too confusing. ;-)

Love ya!

Primes and Divisability Rules

2005-11-13T21:39:00.000-06:00

Hi Ellie,

That was great news! I'm glad to hear this blog is helping you in your math class. You asked for some stuff about prime numbers and I've got it for you. Before we get to that could you let me know how you're doing with the things I've already posted here for you. In particular I'd like to know how many of the addition and subtraction and multiplication practice you're getting right in one minute. If you don't want to post it here that's OK, you can email me. It will be really helpful to me to know this so I can give you exactly the kind of help you need. ;-) Here is another multiplication game. If you get 20 right in 60 seconds or less you get a prize!

The last link I left you in the first post below had this link which is a really good lesson on prime numbers. If you haven't worked through it yet now would be a good time to do so. ;-)

One of the reasons we need to know about primes is to find the prime factors of a number. Over there --> in the links list on the sidebar you'll find a couple of links to math dictionaries. Look for the definition of:

factor

prime number

composite number

prime factor

Copy them and email them to me. It might be a good idea to get a notebook to use for our work together. Let's keep track of all the definitions we learn (like the four above) in that notebook OK? We'll call it "Ellie's Math Dictionary."

Your teacher has also probably talked to you about Divisability Rules. These are little "tricks" we can use to test which numbers divide another number evenly. Read this list of divisability rules and copy them into your math dictionary. The ones for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 are really important to memorize. We'll put the others (7, 11, 12 and 13) in our dictionary too just in case you ever need to look them up. ;-)

If you come across any words you don't understand, look them up in the dictionary links and copy the new words into "Ellie's Math Dictionary" -- please let me know about any new words you add to your dictionary.

When you're done with your dictionary (keep it open next to you) go here and scroll down the page to the examples. Read through them all carefully and then you'll find a five question quiz to see how well you understand what you've learned -- let me know how you did.

If you haven't already you're probably getting ready to learn about the G.C.F. (Greatest Common Factor) and the L.C.M. (Least Common Multiple). Don't worry if you don't know what those things are just yet -- we'll get there. ;-) Play with a factor tree game at this site. Scroll down the page until you see the Factor Tree link and click it.

Again, please email me and let me know how you're doing with the stuff I talked about way back in that first paragraph up there ^.

Order of Operations - PEDMAS

2005-10-30T20:19:00.000-06:00

Hi Ellie!

Thanks for letting me know what you're working on. I've got some stuff here to help.

Before we get to that though I want to make sure that you've conquered the stuff I posted for you previously. Knowing your addition and multiplication facts is really important. We have to work on those until you're an expert! Have you won the races I left for you? If you haven't yet keep at it until you do -- and let me know how it's going -- how many are you getting right when the time runs out?

PEDMAS is a memory trick (mnemonic is a $10.00 word for memory trick) to help you remember the "order of operations." In other words, when you have a bunch of different operations in an expression all mixed together which one should you do first? PEDMAS stands for

Parentheses

Exponents

Division
Multiplication (first come, first served)

Addition
Subtraction (first come, first served)

Some people call it PEMDAS or BEDMAS, B for Brackets instead of Parentheses. It's all the same thing.

Watch this slide show. If you want more review, click on the tutorial, if you think you've got it try the pre-test. Keep taking the pre-test until you get it perfect. (10 questions)

You can find another review of this stuff here. There are several examples worked out step-by-step and 5 examples (including one word problem) you can try. The computer will tell you right away if you got it right. ;-) If you keep getting it wrong and can't figure out why look back over the lesson. If that still doesn't make sense, email me. Keep at it until you get all five right.

Let's Begin!

2005-10-23T17:22:00.000-05:00

Some parts of learning math can be boring! Like your times tables. So we're going to try to make a game of it on the internet. If you have trouble at first, that's OK, it takes practice. Just don't give up; you'll get it in time. Here are the first set of games we're going to play ....

Addition and subtraction mixed practice -- get 20 right in one minute -- it's a race!

Multiplication practice -- get 20 right in one minute.

Here is a mutiplication mystery game -- have fun with it!

When you get a chance, look over this lesson on Prime Numbers. We'll be looking at primes, factors and multiples next time.

PS, please leave me a comment and let me know if you find this stuff too hard, too easy or just plain too much! We'll find a good balance that works for you. ;-)