Welcome to Miss K's Blog!!!

Welcome to my blog! I hope that you enjoy checking out all of the information, links, videos, notes and STUFF that I put on here. Please visit this page frequently and PARTICIPATE in the blog by leaving a comment! Thanks! -Miss K :)

Reminder: Comments should be appropriate, kind, thoughtful and grammatically correct. I will DELETE comments that I think are inappropriate!

If you need to talk to me, please contact me via my school e-mail. Thank you.

Please note that all elements of this page are intended for educational purposes. All items included on this page are intended to be used within Fair Use guidelines. Please contact me if you have any concerns regarding any material included on this site. Thanks

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas!

To those of you celebrating Christmas today, I hope that you had a wonderful time with your families and friends!  Be well!

-Miss K  :)

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Vacation Starts Today!

That's all!  Have a good one!  See you next year!

-Miss K  :)

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Math Test today!

Hello my little lovelies!

Finally the test is here,
then we're done for the year!

We've had to subtract and add,
I am sure that you won't do bad.

You worked hard, you had to try,
you learned to divide and multiply.

Cross cancelling made problems easy,
so the test wouldn't make you queasy.

Miss K will release a sad little sigh,
if you forgot to SIMPLIFY!

You will get your grades back after vacation,
as long as I don't succumb to procrastination.

I hope you do well and get great scores,
since skills in math will open doors!

You've had the chance to prove you're a smarty,
now enjoy vacation and go to a party.

I will see you tomorrow at the Geo Bee.
Just under 4 hours and then we're FREEEEEEEEE!

-Miss K  :)

Monday, December 21, 2009

Fraction Test tomorrow!

Hello everyone! 

Tomorrow is the fraction test!  In class today, we worked on some word problems to help prepare ourselves for the test tomorrow and you got another packet of study problems to help you practice for the test.  Your homework for tonight is to Study for tomorrow's test.  You can use the optional study packet to help you prepare.  I have given you the answer key to that packet to help you review your work.

The big things to remember for tomorrow are cross cancelling to make your work easier to do and simplifying so I don't have to take points off!  You should also be finishing your index cards this evening if you aren't already done...

What should the card say???

Addition and Subtraction:  Convert fractions to equivalent fractions with common denominators, add or subtract the fractions borrowing or regrouping as needed, add or subtract the whole numbers as needed, simplify your answer.

Multiplication:  Make everything a fraction, cross cancel if possible to make the problem easier, multiply numerators, multiply denominators, simplify your answer.

Division:  Make everything a fraction, rewrite the problem using the reciprocal of the second fraction, cross cancel if possible, multiply, simplify your answer.

You will need to have the card checked at the beginning of class, but then will be able to use it for the test.  You may also use your pink sheet during the test.

Best of luck everyone!  Study, study, study!!!

-Miss K  :)

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Miss K loves to sleep in!!!

I just got word that we have a 90 minute delay tomorrow!  I hope that you all enjoy some extra sleep!  The math test will still be on Tuesday, so make sure that you complete your study guide packet for tomorrow!

Enjoy the snow!

-Miss K  :)

19 inches of snow.... Off to take pics!


19 inches!!! Measured in no drift on a flat area! Holy Canoli!!!

Quarter to one. 13 inches!!!

Saturday, December 19, 2009


11pm. The snow is here!!!

Snowstorm?

Hello everyone! I write to you with eager anticipation of the snowstorm/blizzard that everyone has been talking about... So far, NUTHIN'! I am all prepared with DVDs, wii games and my dog! Just waiting for the snow to begin so I can go outside and take some photographs while I freeze my fingertips. What are your snowstorm plans? -Miss K :)

Friday, December 18, 2009

Finally Friday!

Hey Crew!

Well we made it to Friday!  The weeks always seem longer when we get closer to vacation!  As you know we have the Math Test on Tuesday.  Today in class you received your Study Guide and you know that it is due on Monday.  The answers are included on the back page, so you can check your work.  Please come with questions on Monday if you have any trouble with the study guide that the answer sheet can't answer for you.  You can also bring your index card on Monday for me to check.  Remember, you may write on the card, but cannot type your information.  If you have concerns about your handwriting, you may ask someone else to help you or speak with me privately about your concerns.  We can work something out!  Also remember that you must use an idex card the size of the one I gave out.  If you need another one, please let me know.  I can give you another, but you are only allowed to bring 1 (one) card on the day of the test.

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the snow if it comes...  and remember, you can wish for a delay on Monday, but we don't want to have school cancelled since we will still have the test on Tuesday even if there is no school on Monday!

Enjoy your weekend and good luck on the study guide!

-Miss K  :)

Thursday, December 17, 2009

FWD:

My pup and me at the beach a few weeks ago... just testing to see if I can post photos from my phone!!! -Miss K :)

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.

A little more division...

Hello one and all!

Today we corrected our first divison worksheet.  I think that overall, everyone did pretty well.  The majority of the mistakes were made due to flipping errors or simple calculation mistakes.  Remember, 1.  Make everything a fraction.  2.  Rewrite the problem using the reciprocal of the SECOND fraction.  3. Multiply.  4. Simplify.

The second fraction should be flipped upside down.  Not the first, not both, not remain the same.  I know that it is hard to remember, but do what you can to hold onto that information.  It will help!

Tonight's homework is to complete the Multiplication and Division Worksheet, All problems.  Please do not forget that we only flip for division; multiplication involves not flippage.  :)

You were also given your index card for Tuesday's test.  You will be permitted to write notes on the card to help you with the content of the test.  Basically, you should take notes on how to add, subtract, multiple and divide with fractions.  Remember you must use the card I give you or one of the same size.  If there is typing or the card is the wrong size, you will not be allowed to use the card during the test.  Check with me if you have a concern or question about this.  I can certainly work with you if you feel you need special consideration, but you must speak to me about your concerns prior to Tuesday!



Best of luck with tonight's homework and check in with me if you have any questions!

-Miss K  :)

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Wiki Challenge

Hello again ladies and gentlemen!  I have a bit of a task for those of you that are willing to put forth a bit of extra effort in math and want to share your knowledge with each other and beyond!

I have set up a wiki page on wikispaces entitled KahrimanisWiki.  For those of you that don't know, a wiki page is like a webpage crossed with an encyclopedia and a blog.  Basically, it is a webpage filled with information to which you can add, correct or remove content.  I hope that you will be willing to use your knowledge and skills to help me create wiki pages on the stuff that we have been doing in class.

The directions are on the actual page, but here's a quick description of what I hope to see on the page.

I want you to create online "notes" for the topics in this chapter.  I set up a template for fractions and I was hoping that you will fill in the information.  You can work independently or together, but ultimately the page should reflect the efforts of everyone that helped. 

Check it out and see if you want to participate.  This is my first time trying to use a wiki in school, so there are bound to be glitches.  Please do let me know if you have any problems or questions and I will do what I can to figure things out!!!

Thank you in advance for your help!

-Miss K  :)

Dividing Fractions

Dividing Fractions Tutorial



Tonight's Homework is Worksheet 7-4, #'s 1-12, Worksheet 7-5, #'s 1-12.

I hope that the assignment is easy!  Please use scrap paper to show your work if you would like!

Good Luck!

-Miss K  :)

Monday, December 14, 2009

Multiplying Fractions

Video tutorial on Multiplying Fractions.



Remember that this evening's homework is #1-9 on the front of the worksheet, #1-12 on the second worksheet.  Be sure to cross cancel when you are working to make the problems easier.  Web help: HERE  (step 4 shows cross canceling).  Another cross canceling video example is HERE.

Good luck on the homework this evening!!! 

Friday, December 11, 2009

Quiz on Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Today everyone took the adding and subtracting fractions Quiz.  We had quite a few 100's and many A's.  You should get your score back on Monday!

My post will be short today because it is a Friday for me too!

To those of you celebrating Hanukkah this evening, I hope that you have a wonderful time with your families and/or friends!  I will be celebrating with many friends this evening at my synagogue!

See you on Monday!  Have a fun weekend and stay warm!

-Miss K  :)


Thursday, December 10, 2009

What an awesome day for Team 6-3!

As you know, we have a math Quiz tomorrow.  Be sure to complete this evening's homework: Complete the Study Guide.  If you know how to convert to common denominators, borrow when subtracting and simplifying to mixed numbers, you should be fine!!!  Practice, practice, practice.  Please use the information and videos in the last few posts to help you study if you need a little bit more help!

Today was a super fun day for team 6-3!!!  We had two super cool things happen!

#1 We saw Rob Surette this morning!  He describes himself as a hero artist and the world's fastest portrait artist.  You can check out his website at amazingheroart.com.

Today Rob painted many pictures including a backlit Statue of Liberty, Abraham Lincoln, Mother Teresa, Ludwig van Beethoven, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Albert Einstein.  Go to his website to see what these and some of his other artwork looks like!

Here's a video of Rob painting Einstein on TV...



There are also many videos on Rob's site if you click HERE!

#2 We met with Dr. Kent, Danny's mom, to look at BONES!  Dr. Kent is a Radiologist at Yale Hospital.  She brought in models of various bones including a hand, a foot, a pelvis and even half of a real skull.  We were also able to see X-rays, MRIs and/or Ultrasounds of the skull, hands, arms, neck, spine, chest, ribs, pelvis, legs, feet and even a few babies before they were born.  Everyone had big reactions to the fractures and other injuries, but I think that everyone's favorite story was about the woman that swallowed her rings so that a mugger couldn't steal them!!!  (Sorry, no picture of that one!)

All in all, today was a really fun and exciting day at school!  I hope that you enjoyed!  Study for the Quiz this evening!  I am hoping for lots of really great grades!

-Miss K  :)

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

More mixed number addition and subtraction.

We had a 90 minute delay today and I was more than happy to sleep in for an extra hour on this dreary, cold, yucky, rainy day!  It seemed that everyone came in a little more awake than usual and we got over our horrible case of the Mondays from earlier this week.

Today we continued with our work on mixed number addition and subtraction.  After correcting last night's homework, we did a small class activity on regrouping for subtraction.  Everyone did a really nice job on both last night's homework and the class assignment!  So good in fact that we finished layer 2 on the 100% Club bulletin board and started on the third layer of 100's!  Keep 'em coming!!!!

Tonight's homework is once again on two different sheets of paper.  Worksheet 6-5, problems #1-9 and Worksheet 6-6, problems #1-12.  Please do not go beyond the assigned problems tonight as we will be doing the other problems in class tomorrow.  You were able to start your work in class and I saw that quite a few of you were able to come close to finishing!  Once again, I think that the extra sleep this morning really helped! 

We will have our quiz on Friday and the quiz will cover adding and subtracting with simple fractions with common denominators, fractions with uncommon denominators, and mixed numbers.  We will also do very simple solving equations and a few word problems.  Your study packet will totally prepare you!  Remember that is due Friday.  Please bring it to class on Thursday so that we can go over any material that you are having difficulty with.

Well, I don't have too much to add to this post.  Please check out the posts from the last two days for the fun stuff and videos that will help you with our current topic. 

Happy Wednesday everyone!!!

-Miss K :)

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Adding and Subtracting MIXED numbers

Hello kiddos!

Today we started adding and subtracting mixed numbers.  The videos I posted yesterday can be a big help in reminding you how to complete these types of problems.  The notes on the back sides of the two homework papers should be helpful as well.

As you know, tonight's assignment is to complete 8 problems on each homework paper, but I want to give you a hint to help you get on the 100% Club bulletin board...  If you do more than eight problems on tonight's homework, you can still get on the board as long as you have at least eight problems correct on the paper.  Remember that each paper is eligible for the 100% club, so you could have TWO papers on the board tomorrow!  I was so excited that we started on the second layer already!  (Thanks White class for putting us over!)

So subtracting with mixed numbers can get a little tricky, so I have found a few websites to help you improve your skills.  Feel free to play around with some of these to help you!

Good luck tonight!

-Miss K  :)

AAA Math Game  This game allows you to work with the numbers and solve a few subtraction problems.  Change the problems while you work by clicking in the boxes and typing in the new values.

Interactive Practice  This really cool site will show you with animation how to change the problems.  Then it let's you do a few by dragging the correct numbers into the problem.  Good practice and very clear demonstrations.

Cliffs Notes  Notes to help you understand the process.  Not very interactive, but good to help you review.  Very similar to the notes on the back of your homework.

Jamit Game  A game using subtraction of mixed numbers.  A little challenging.  Make sure that you have pencil and paper nearby to do your work.  (I needed it!)

Good Luck!!!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Take a look at this video to help you with adding and subtracting fractions.  The first four minutes will be helpful to you.  You don't need to worry about the variable problems after that point.



Here is another example of adding and subtracting fractions.  I think that this guy is doing math grafitti, but he explains things well.  Hopefully it will help you as well!



We will continue to work on adding and subtracting fractions all week and hopefully have a quiz on Friday or Monday.  I will probably decide on Wednesday...

Have a good one!

-Miss K  :)

Thursday, December 3, 2009

This kid is AWESOME!!!!

I just found this and I loved it!...

Ch, ch, check it out!

The Face

In class today we watched part of the BBC production, The Human Face, with John Cleese.  We decided to focus on the Beauty Mask created by Dr. Stephen Marquardt.  This mask was constructed through the use of mathematics and the "Golden Proportion" to determine ideal beauty.  We were able to go online and fit the mask to various beuatiful celebrities after watching the video and also view short online segments that talked about the math behind the concept of the golden proportion, phi, and the fibbonacci sequence.

My challenge for you today is to see if you can add to the fibbonacci sequence.  First I will explain how it works and start you off.  Then I hope that each additional comment added to this post will add the next number in the sequence.  (No being greedy, just put one down and then let someone do the next one...  If a mistake is made, feel free to addyour correction and then we can go from there.)

The fibbonacci sequence is a list of numbers in which the next number is determined by adding the two previous values.

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, etc....

1 + 1 = 2
      1 + 2 = 3
            2 + 3 = 5
                  3 + 5 = 8
                        5 + 8 = 13
                               8 + 13 = 21
                                      13 + 21 = 34
                                              21 + 34 = ?

When you comment, please show the equation that you used to determine the next value.  Let's see how far we can get with these numbers.

Thanks for a great class today!  I was happy to see that you were into the movie and the math background.  We have the mini-assessment tomorrow.  Be sure to complete the practice paper so that you come in prepared and ready!  I will take questions at the beginning of class before we do our class assignment!

-Miss K


Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Wishing for visitors!!!!

Hey there everyone!


I had hoped that I would have had some visitors over Thanksgiving break, but I didn't get any comments! One person did tell me that he made it to my blog, but didn't leave a comment. That got me thinking that maybe you weren't sure how to leave a comment...


What you need to do is go to the bottom of this post (similar to a journal entry) and click on the link that says, "X Comments." (I used the variable X to represent the number because I don't know what number it will be when you see this posting.  A variable is a letter used in math to represent an unknown value.)  Once you click on that link a comment box will appear.  You can then write a short response to me.  When you sign it, feel free to use your first name and last initial.

A few rules:
  • Keep it clean: Just because this isn't the classroom doesn't mean that anything goes.  You know what is appropriate and what isn't.
  • Use your grammar and spelling rules: Your responses don't need to be formal essays, but I expect that you do your best to be correct.  Remember, everyone can see this!  Put your best forward!
  • Keep private information private:  Do not include private information like phone numbers, e-mails or addresses.  This is a public site and I want you to remain safe.
  • Not sure about something?  Hold Off:  If you are sure that what you are writing is appropriate or safe, wait until you talk to me about it.  
  • Be Nice:  I want to use this as a way for us to communicate outside of school and bring some fun and interesting math concepts to you.  Be sure that what you write is kind to me, your classmates and their ideas.  We need to work together kindly for this to work.
I might add more rules and suggestions in the future, but I think that this is a good start for now.  Be sure to check in regularly as I plan on posting often.  I will also have survey questions and other items for which I want some feedback, so come to this site prepared to share your thoughts.

Good luck on your proportion homework tonight!  Need some extra help or a reminder of what we talked about?  Click this link for some notes:  Proportions

Have a good night everyone!

-Miss K