Monday 8/31

Today we spent the class period working with the MATHia software. Your goal for the end of the week is 50 problems complete or more. A rubric for MATHia assessment has been uploaded to the Document Locker (link available in the toolbar above); we'll be applying this rubric every other week to assess two weeks worth of work at a time.

Having a hard time getting MATHia working at home? Be sure to check our Carnegie Learning's Getting Started guide!

Homework: MATHia practice (30 minutes or more each week)

Friday 8/28

Week 3 is in the books and August is all but over!

Next week we'll dive into Chapter 2 which will focus on sequences and functions.

Parents: Thank you for coming to Back to School Night last evening! It was great to get to see so many parents in attendance, and I really cherished the opportunity to share some of the details of this year with you. 

Thursday HW Solutions: Chapter 2 Pre-Test answer key

Here is this week's extra credit:

Thursday 8/27

We took our Chapter 1 test today in class.

Parents: I look forward to seeing you tonight at Back to School Night! Classroom presentations begin at 6:30. Please ask your students for the schedule they wrote for you on Wednesday; it's a goldenrod sheet. 

Homework: Chapter 2 Pre-Test

Wednesday HW Solutions: Student Assignments workbook 1.3 answer key

Wednesday 8/26

Today we wrapped up Lesson 1.3 with another look at writing and solving multi-step linear equations.

We'll be taking our Chapter 1 test tomorrow. Be sure to go back and study Lessons 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 to get yourself fully prepared! Doing math is always better thank looking at math. :-)

I'll be online in the Honors Community tonight from 7:30 to 8:30 to answer any test questions anyone has. Come by and say hi!

Homework: Student Assignments workbook 1.3

Tuesday 8/25

We tackled the first half of Lesson 1.3 in class today, which was additional work with writing equations and solving equations. We worked through Problem 1 in class today and the first three parts of Problem 2. Be sure to double-check your class work with the lesson linked in the first sentence.

Homework: Textbook page 28 (#4-5)

Monday 8/24

We spent today working with MATHia software in class. We're all now familiar with the basics, and prepared to begin working on our own at our own pace.

Homework: Spend some time at home working with the MATHia software. It may take a little bit of time to get it configured at home, so be sure to do that today. Students are required to complete 30 minutes of MATHia work outside the classroom each week.

MATHia Student Orientation Guide
MATHia Tech Support
MATHia System Requirements

Note: Java needs to be enabled and allowed to run in order to use MATHia, so please set your permissions to "yes" and disable your popup blocker for Carnegie's websites.

Friday 8/21

Congratulations on successfully navigating your second week of math 8. It was new, tough, different, and challenging - but you made it!

If you didn't finish today's classwork, make sure you complete it over the weekend.

Thursday's HW Solutions: Student Assignments workbook 1.2 answer key

Have a great weekend, and here's this week's extra credit:

Thursday 8/20

We wrapped up Lesson 1.2 on equations with infinite solutions and no solutions today.

Homework: Student Assignments workbook 1.2

Wednesday 8/19

Today we tackled the first half of Lesson 1.2, specifically concentrating on equations with infinite solutions. We'll complete the second half of the lesson tomorrow.

Be sure to double-check your class work each day with the solutions provided here. If you're feeling a bit confused or overwhelmed at times (which is natural when you learn new things!), thoroughly reviewing the class work each day is a great way to help improve your understanding. It takes work, but it's worth it!

Homework: Textbook pages 22-23, "Talk the Talk" 1a, 1c, 2a, and 2c.

Tuesday HW Solutions: Student Assignments workbook 1.1 answer key

Tuesday 8/18

We completed Lesson 1.1 today and wrapped up our intro to writing and solving two-step equations. Be sure to check your classwork with the solutions provided at the Lesson 1.1 link.

Also, don't forget to study key concepts for at least 10 minutes every day.

Parents: Our textbook has far more problems and tasks than can be completed in a normal class period. It's designed to be modular and adaptable to the needs to the class. We'll only be completing key portions of the lesson each day. You're welcome to work additional sections at home with your child if they need extra help or practice. Solutions are always available here. There are additional practice problems available for download for those that have setup a Carnegie Resource Center Student Account.

Homework: Student Assignments workbook 1.1

Monday 8/17

Today in class we began Lesson 1.1 and will complete the second half of it tomorrow. Make sure to double check your class work answers each day with the solutions linked here (click on the "Lesson 1.1" link to see the solutions). We completed problem 1, parts 1 & 2 in class; please check it!

We spent a lot of the class period learning how this new textbook will work, collaborating with partners to solve problems, and sharing our thoughts together as a class.

Homework: Textbook pages 7-9, Problem 2

Friday 8/14

Congrats on completing your first week of 8th grade! The real work will begin on Monday. 

Great job on the straw tower project and our reflection activity today, everyone! You should definitely check out the slideshow below. :-D

Here is this week's extra credit:

Thursday 8/13

We took the straw tower challenge in class today. Students worked in groups to build a freestanding tower using only 30 straws, one yard of masking tape, and one rubber band.

Awards were presented to the groups with the "Best Design" as voted on by each class, and "Tallest Tower" in each class.

I was really impressed with the teamwork, innovation, and perseverance I saw today. I think that bodes well for a great year!

Homework: None

Wednesday 8/12

Welcome to Mr. Rothe's Math 8 Honors class. Please be sure to bookmark this page and check back for daily updates! While you're poking around, feel free to check out many of the links at the side of the blog to begin investigating different resources that may be of benefit this year.

Today in class we talked about my expectations for the school year, daily and weekly routines, and many other nuts and bolts that will set us up for a successful year together. Tonight's homework is to review the curriculum paper with parents and fill out the signature slip at the bottom, share the Carnegie resource guide with your parents, and review / fill out the Google+ permission slip with your parents. For a copy of those documents, please click the links below.

Math 8 Honors Curriculum Paper
Carnegie Parent Welcome Letter
Google+ Permission Slip

Parents, we know there's a lot of paperwork on the first few days of school. I apologize for the heavy workload, but do appreciate you taking the time to review these with your child as I consider them all essential to helping them get off to a great start this year.

I'm looking forward to a great year with everyone!

Back to School

Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year and my Math 8 Honors class website. I hope you're ready for a great year together!

I look forward to meeting you on our first day together: Wednesday, August 12th.