Walton Middle School

First Full Week of Math Classes

Wow – what an exciting start to the year!  I’m fortunate enough to teach 6^th, 7^th and 8^th graders this year.  As you know, middle school is a time of great change both academically and socially, and I get to see a cross section of grade levels daily! 

          My goal with all of my classes is problem solving.  I want my students to see the relevance of the math they’re using in my class to real world situations.  I want them to see math in situations that don’t always scream “Use your math here!” 

 

 

 

 

         With that in mind, the 8^th graders completed a task last week that had them use the order of operations to “shop” for a Thanksgiving dinner.   They used a shopping list, store advertisement, and coupons to create a mathematical expression, solved their expression to see if they had enough money, and made well-thought out recommendations about what to do when they found themselves short of money.  

 

My 7^th graders are in Integer Operations World!  Using a variety of models, they are in the process of looking for patterns and developing the rules for adding and subtracting signed numbers.  It’s so exciting for me when I hear their “Aha!” moments as they are working and talking within their groups.

 

Lastly, my 6^th graders are beginning their study of fractions, decimals and percents.  The students have an upcoming project that has them design a store or a restaurant complete with a catalogue or a menu.  These stores and restaurants will have “shoppers” visit and place orders, and our “merchants” will create accurate sales tickets for the shoppers.  I can’t wait to see their creations!

Each day is a whirlwind of activity, but I have so many great moments to reflect on each evening!  I find myself constantly recreating ways for my learners to learn using the great tools with which they’ve been provided.  It’s a terrific learning experience for me as well.  In the words of Albert Einstein:    “Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.”

Debbi Skolnick

Math 6^th, 7^th and 8^th J