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Exponents & Roots: Google Slides & Resources for Flipping!

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!

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!

6 thoughts on “Exponents & Roots: Google Slides & Resources for Flipping!

  1. Megan,
    What math book are you using in your class? I have CPM and trying to figure out how to attempt a “no homework” using CPM. Do you assign homework? New to Twitter and have come across “no homework” statements.
    I would appreciate any advice.
    Thanks
    Kristi

    1. Hi Kristi,

      Great questions!

      Honestly, I created much of these resources by going through the 7th and 8th grade standards for Math. At the time I started this program, I did not have a textbook to use. Instead, I spent time studying the standards, reading articles, and viewing what others had shared online.

      Last year, our district adopted Springboard. There are many aspects of Springboard that I like, but it is not perfect. I approach it as a “resource” rather than my Math Bible. Springboard has amazing performance task and higher level questions. I love to use these in my classroom but I do come up with a lot of my own material.

      Homework…This is quite the debate right now! In my seven years of teaching, I have changed my mind on this topic numerous times but I feel I have finally come to a happy medium. Personally, I think some homework is good for students in middle school. However, it has to be purposeful and attainable. It has to be something that students can complete on their own but is not simply busy work. Therefore, I decided to start flipping my classroom and having the students take the notes from home, which allows more time for practice, activities, and projects in class. My motto is, “Notes are when the students need me the least, it is in everything else that they will need my support.” By having them take notes at home, it gets them in the habit of some homework, which is good preparation for high school. It also gives them a task that is easily accomplished and prepares them for the next day of class. I add a couple of questions to check for understanding and, if they struggle with these, I pull them out into small groups to reteach the next day.

      I feel like I have a million more things to say, but I worry that this response is already extremely long winded! Feel free to reach out to me on Twitter at @meagan_e_kelly or we can even schedule a GHO and talk face to face.

      Thanks for sharing!

  2. I am loving your website! You have such great ideas. I would love to flip my classroom, but most of my students do not have internet at home. What do you do for those students?

    Also, do you happen to have the Google slides for 3.6 – Negative Exponents? I am looking over my “notes” from this year and comparing it to yours. I am enjoying being able to see the difference between yours and mine. Thanks so much!

    1. I just added the link for 3.6!

      For the students that do not have internet, I would have them download the file to their device so they could watch it from home. Then, at the beginning of class the next day, they could input their answers into EdPuzzle.

      Hope this helps!

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