It has been a busy week at Spearfish Middle School!! We traveled to Ft. Meade on Wednesday and had an amazing "Day in the Life of a Soldier". We also honored veterans at today's assembly. We thank student council, the band, the choir, and all others who made that assembly possible. In math class, we have also been very busy!
First period math wrapped up a section about unit rates. They used strategies such as division, equivalent ratios, and rate tables to determine unit rates (price per one unit, amount per one unit, etc.). We then began to look at positive and negative numbers on a number line. We even threw some fractions in the mix. Next week, we will continue with negative numbers and the idea of absolute value before we move on to comparing fractions and mixed numbers. If you are in first period math and reading this, please share your thoughts on ratios, rates, and unit rates. How are ratios, rates, and unit rates different? How are they the same?
Second and third period math classes have been working really hard on equivalent fractions, equivalent ratios, and fractional parts of a whole. We looked at amounts of money raised in a fundraiser. We used strategies such as equivalent fractions, division, and multiplication to determine how much money was raised based on the fraction of an original goal. Students in second and third period, comment below if you want to share what you know about equivalent fractions or equivalent ratios. How do we find/calculate equivalent fractions and equivalent ratios? Why do we have to do the same to the top of a fraction as we do to the bottom (do the same thing to the numerator and the denominator)?
Students are expanding their mathematical understanding daily. It is such a joy to see students taking positive mathematical risks and sharing their thinking in class.
