Today I will be sharing the resources from our fourth Unit, which covers functions, slope, linear equations and linear systems.

The class that I teach is aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) but it is an 7th grade Math Honors course that contains all of the 7th grade standards and the majority of the 8th grade standards.  My goal is to prepare them for Integrated I in their 8th grade year.  It is a lot and it can be a tough transition for some of the 7th grade students at the beginning of the year, since many of the students are used to one teacher and a class where it may be easy for them to “skate” along.  These students are truly gifted and benefit from the challenge of this Honors course, but it tends to be the year where they learn that they are not perfect and might have to work harder than they have in previous grades.  Personally, one of my favorite parts of the school year for my 7th grade students is the end of the first semester.  At the end of the first semester, the 7th graders are now comfortable with middle school, their classes, and the pace of the Honors class.  It is so exciting when they start to realize the benefits of a more challenging class!

If you would like to see how I create these Flipped Classroom lessons, please view THIS video on YouTube.

Below are a list of resources that I sharing with you from our Linear Functions & Equations Unit.  Feel free to use, copy, and modify!

4.1 – Identifying Functions (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)

4.2 – Evaluating Functions (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)

4.3 – Slope (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)

4.4 – Rate of Change (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)

4.5 – Graphing Linear Equations (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)

4.6 – Writing in Slope-Intercept Form (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)

4.7 – Parallel & Perpendicular Lines (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)

4.8 – Graphing Systems of Equations (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)

4.9 – Solving Systems of Equations (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)

As a reminder, I have a flipped classroom so I have create my notes by using Google Slides and Screencastify.  From there, I add the video to EdPuzzle and create questions to check for understanding.  If I see the students struggling, I pull them into small groups to reteach during our “Choice Time” the next day.

If you would like to access the resources from the other Units, you can find them below:

Unit 1: The Number System

Unit 2: Expressions & Equations

Unit 3: Exponents & Roots

How to Flip Your Classroom

YouTube Channel

Feel free to leave any questions and/or comments in the comment section below!

Today I will be sharing the resources from our third Unit, which covers square roots, exponents, and scientific notation!

The class that I teach is aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) but it is an 7th grade Math Honors course that contains all of the 7th grade standards and the majority of the 8th grade standards.  My goal is to prepare them for Integrated I in their 8th grade year.  It is a lot and it can be a tough transition for some of the 7th grade students at the beginning of the year, since many of the students are used to one teacher and a class where it may be easy for them to “skate” along.  These students are truly gifted and benefit from the challenge of this Honors course, but it tends to be the year where they learn that they are not perfect and might have to work harder than they have in previous grades.  Personally, one of my favorite parts of the school year for my 7th grade students is the end of the first semester.  At the end of the first semester, the 7th graders are now comfortable with middle school, their classes, and the pace of the Honors class.  It is so exciting when they start to realize the benefits of a more challenging class!

Below are a list of resources that I sharing with you from our Expressions & Equations Unit.  Feel free to use, copy, and modify!

• 3.1 – Square & Cube Roots (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)
• 3.2 – Estimating Irrational Roots (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle) – Beware of the Number Line foldable, I need to find a new copy of it…Read more about it HERE.
• 3.3  – The Pythagorean Theorem (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)
• 3.4 – Product & Power Rule of Exponents (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)
• 3.5 – The Quotient Rule of Exponents (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)
• 3.6 – Negative Exponents (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)
• 3.7 – Converting between Standard and Scientific Notation (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)
• 3.8 – Operations with Scientific Notation (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)

As a reminder, I have a flipped classroom so I have create my notes by using Google Slides and Screencastify.  From there, I add the video to EdPuzzle and create questions to check for understanding.  If I see the students struggling, I pull them into small groups to reteach during our “Choice Time” the next day.

If you would like to access the resources from Unit 1: The Number System, click HERE and Unit 2: Expressions & Equations, click HERE.

Feel free to leave any questions and/or comments in the comment section below!

My students are currently finishing our Unit 2: Expressions & Equations Unit.  I was really thrilled will my students progress with equations this year.  In the past, it has been very common for this to be one of the more difficult units, but my students have really understood the material this year.  On one hand, I am super excited because – well, duh – we want to see our students be successful!  On the other hand, I am excited because my students are excited and they feel confident about Math.  Win-win!

Below are a list of resources that I sharing with you from our Expressions & Equations Unit.  Feel free to use, copy, and modify!

• 2.1 – Math Properties (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)
• 2.2 – The Distributive Property (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)
• 2.3 – Simplifying & Evaluating Expressions (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)
• 2.4 – Equations vs. Inequalities (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)
• 2.5 – One-Step Equations & Inequalities (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)
• 2.6 – Two-Step Equations & Inequalities (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)
• 2.7 – Multi-Step Equations & Inequalities (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)

As a reminder, I have a flipped classroom so I have create my notes by using Google Slides and Screencastify.  From there, I add the video to EdPuzzle and create questions to check for understanding.  If I see the students struggling, I pull them into small groups to reteach during our “Choice Time” the next.

If you would like to access the resources from Unit 1: The Number System, click HERE.

Feel free to leave any questions and/or comments in the comment section below!

Now, the students complete the notes at home and the majority of the practice in class.  By completing the notes on EdPuzzle, I am able to check that they have watched the entire video and create questions to check for understanding.  By completing the practice in class via Google Forms, the students are able to receive real time feedback on their results and quickly receive help from the teacher.  On top of this, the students can finish the practice at home, after they have received support from their teacher, and resubmit the practice that they did in class for a higher score.

There will never be a perfect system but I found that this works well in my classroom.  After all, I always say: When students are taking notes, that is when they need me the least.  When they are working on practice, that is when they need me the most.  So, why not allow more practice in class and the direct teaching at home?  Why not leave more time in class for practice, project-based learning, and fun activities that will excite and engage students?

If you are a Math teacher and looking to get started on flipping your classroom, I am going to share my Math 7 Honors – Unit 1: The Real Number System Google Slides with you.  Every lesson, I create a Google Slide, record over it with Screencastify, and upload it to EdPuzzle.

Unit 1: The Real Number System

• 1.1 – The Number System (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)
• 1.2 – Operations with Decimals (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)
• 1.3 – Fractions, Decimals, and Percents (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)
• 1.4 – Adding & Subtracting Integers (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)
• 1.5 – Adding & Subtracting Fractions (Google Slide) (EdPuzzle)
• 1.6 – Multiplying & Dividing Integers (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)
• 1.7 – Multiplying & Dividing Fractions (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)
• 1.8 – Order of Operations (Google Slide) (Foldable) (EdPuzzle)

Feel free to make a copy, modify, use, steal, etc. I’m pretty sure there are quite a few things on these resources that I have “borrowed” throughout the years.  That’s just what educators do!

In the presentation, you will see an overview of Interactive Notebooks – the setup, the notes, the grading, and much more!

Initially, it may seem a bit intimidating to start Interactive Notebooks, but the benefits are amazing!  In the two years that I have been implementing Interactive Notebooks, I have not had only handful of students damage and/or lose their notebook.  Students use their Interactive Notebooks more frequently and the binding on the notebooks keeps pages from falling out.  Overall, it has been a great resource in the classroom!

I created this “Math About Me” activity as a beginning of the school year and INB set up activity.

In my classroom, I will print this front to back so that it is on one paper. I will have the students complete the questions on the first day of class. They will then use the grid on the back to create a graphic organizer of some of the questions.

One reason I wanted to do this activity is to help set up the Interactive Notebooks. My students will create a “Math About Me” cover and this activity will give them some of the information they need before we begin setting up our notebooks.

You can get this activity in my TPT store HERE.

Enjoy!

This is a LONG post so I have broken it into two sections:

– The Things You Need

– How To Set It Up

How to Set it Up:

Here is how to set it up:

1.) Have the students trace the paper that they will need for the inside and outside of the notebook.  For the top and back and back-inside, I just laid the paper inside of the notebook, lined it with the black edge, and traced around it.  For the front-inside, I traced around the cover and cut it diagonally to make it a pocket.

Front:      Back:       Front Inside:       Back Inside:  

2.) The students will create a “Math About Me” page.  My students will do a front and back side, but I know a lot of people have only done it on the front.  I got the idea from Everybody is a Genius blog.  It is good to have them do this at the beginning, since will be “laminating” the notebooks by covering them with packing tape.

3.) Glue the paper onto the INB.  I glued it along one edge because I didn’t want it to look wrinkled underneath.  If you use the white Elmer’s glue, it will glue fast and stick there really well!  I did this so that it would hold onto the notebook as we begin taping.

4.) Use the packing tape to “laminate” the INB.  You do not need to cover the spine, just the area that you have added the paper.  If you look at the pictures above, I added enough tape to hold the front cover, as well as the inside cover.  I did the same with the back side.  You will notice that the notebook is really sturdy now!

5.) Print out all of the necessary paper that you will need to input into the notebook.  I will go through each of these handouts.

6.) Calendar – I downloaded my calendar from HERE.  I widened the margins and stretched out the calendar to fit the page.  Print out the calendar two to a page.  Fold the pages in half and cut along the line.  Staple all ten calendars together and insert into the pocket in your INB.

7. Table of Contents – Make sure to print on the front and back side.  The back side should be blank when folded.  When gluing, you only need an “anchor” tab so only glue along the edge of the back side.  This will be on Page 1.  I got my current Table of Contents from THIS blog.  I just modified it slightly.  You can download it HERE for free!

To be honest, I am not 100% positive that I will be keeping this Table of Contents.  It is really need and organized, but I don’t like the “left column, right column” thing.

8.) Syllabus & Grading Rubric – Definitely print out a half sheet version of your syllabus.  I wanted my students to be able to keep three pages from the syllabus, so I made it into a pamphlet to glued into their INB.  Also, the students will have a Grading Rubric specifically for their Grading Rubric.  The Syllabus will go on Page 2 and the Grading Rubric will be on Page 3.  Download Grading Rubric HERE.

9.) Table of Contents per Unit – This may seem redundant, but I wanted my students to have a Table of Contents per each unit.  These will be glued to the designated pages, which should be the beginning of each unit.  You can download it HERE.

10.) Glossary – The glossary, which consists of over 100 terms and definitions, will be glued onto the last page of the INB.  It will be folded into a pamphlet and glued in with an anchor tab along the blank page.  You can buy it HERE.

11.) Math Reference Sheet – I printed these out, two per page, on card stock, cut it out, and stapled it across the top.  I know it seems heavy, but if you glue it with Elmer’s glue, it should hold onto the back-inside of your INB.  By doing it this way, the students should be able to flip through the reference pages.  I would not suggest gluing these pages onto a regular paper.  It is too heavy and may not hold well.  Read about it HERE.

12.) Tabs – I LOVE my tabs!  I printed them out on card stock, cut them out, and glued them onto the designated pages.  I put glue on each side of the tab and glued it to the front and back side of the paper.  WARNING: Let the glue dry before closing the book or it might get stuck to other pages.  The template for the tabs is HERE.

Wow!  I know that it seems like a lot, but it is worth it!

Please let me know if you have any questions…Thanks!

My goal is to have my students set up their entire INB during the first week of school.  In this way, they (and I) will be organized once we begin taking notes in class.

This is a LONG post so I have broken it into two sections:

– The Things You Need

– How To Set It Up

Here are the things that you will need:

1.) A composition notebook.  It is easier if students get composition notebooks with a hard cover and, if possible, get a notebook that is college ruled, rather than wide ruled.  College ruled allows you SO much more writing space, but they are very difficult to find.

2.) Colored paper – Paper will be used to cover the inside and outside cover of the notebook.  You could use white paper, but colored is so much more fun!  Construction paper is easy probably the easiest.  Each student would need 4 pieces of paper, however, I am also contemplating taking large strips of paper from the teacher workroom and just putting them in the groups.

3.) Packing Tape – Packing tap will be needed to cover the interactive notebook.  Something like THIS.

4.) Glue – Okay, this is a biggie.  DO NOT, and I repeat, DO NOT buy stick glue.  It is not worth your time.  Buy the white Elmer’s glue (that we all hate) but sticks really well.  I used stick glue for the first half of the year and my student’s foldables and notes were falling out by February.

5.) Scissors – You’re students will need scissors to cut out many, many things.  If you are beginning to use INB’s, purchase a class set of scissors.  It’s worth it!  Check THESE out.

6.) Table of Contents – I got my current Table of Contents from THIS blog.  I just modified it slightly.  You can download it HERE for free!

7.) Calendar – I downloaded my calendar from HERE.  I widened the margins and stretched out the calendar to fit the page.  When I printed it, I printed it two per page to use less paper and to allow it to fit in the notebook.

8.) Syllabus – I am printing off an extra copy of the first three pages of my syllabus.  The students tend to lose the one I give them, but they can’t if it is glued into their notebook! (I hope!)

9.) INB Grading Rubric – I got the INB Grading Rubric from the same blog as the Table of Contents.  However, I modified it a bit to fit my students and myself.  You can download it HERE.

10.) Table of Contents – Per Unit – I decided to create a Table of Contents per Unit.  The students will log the assignments in their Table of Contents, but also on the Table of Contents that appears at the beginning of each unit.  You can download it HERE.

11.) Glossary – This year, I decided to create a pre-made glossary for my students.  The only thing that they have to do is add in the corresponding page numbers.  You can buy it HERE.

12.) Math Reference Pages – This is something I am so excited about!  Mostly because it is so pretty.  Read about it HERE.

13.) Tabs – Tabs!  Do I seem to excited about that?  They just look so nice in the notebook.  The template for the tabs is HERE.  I printed them out on cardstock, cut them out, and glued them onto the beginning of each section.

Phew!  That is a lot of stuff, right?  If you want to read about putting it together, go How to Set it Up to get all of the details!

– Homework
– Homework
– Classwork, Notebook, & Participation
– Quizzes and Tests

Homework seems to have more assignments, which is why the students will have to copies of that. This is just what I am doing but you can do it however you want!

Also, you may notice that there is a graph attached to this Assignment Tracker. My goal is for students to label, date, and write the percentage grade of their assignment. Then, they will graph the data to have a visual representation of their progress.

The assignment tracker includes:

– Assignment Title
– Date
– Percentage
– Graph
– Room for 15 Assignments

The assignment tracker can be purchased at my TPT store HERE.
Please let me know if you have an questions!