ImagineIT Spring Update I

One of my ongoing projects for ImagineIT is to continue to build the basics for those students
who are struggling with the four basic operations. I have always started class with Warm-Ups to
reinforce the basics on a daily basis. I have added an element of small group instruction for
these warm-ups. Each student will meet with me as a small group, four to six students, once a
week. A copy of a sample warm-up follows. I believe this extra support will be very beneficial
for all my students.

Name: _________________________________________Room # : __________

Warm-Ups February 8, 2016 to February 12, 2016
Monday
2/8/16

Tuesday
2/9/16

Wednesday
2/10/16

Thursday
2/11/16

Friday
2/12/16

1. Find the
product.
892 x 67 =
___________

1. Find the
product.
53 x 917 =
___________

1. Find the
product.
28 x 650 =
_____________

1. Find the
product.
907 x 60 =
____________

1. Find the
product.
45 x 832 =
_____________

2. Find the
product.
7.6 x 0.45 =
____________

2. Find the
product.
8.6 x 4.3 =
____________

2. Find the
product.
92 x 8.67 =
_____________

2. Find the
product.
358 x 6.4 =
___________

2. Find the
product.
9.47 x 8.5 =
____________

3. Find the
quotient.

3. Find the
quotient.

3. Find the
quotient.

3. Find the
quotient.

3. Find the
quotient.

276 9.5 =
_____________
Show work on
back of page.

6.02 32 =
_____________
Show work on
back of page.

624 0.19 =
___________
Show work on
back of page.

1.20 3 =
___________
Show work on
back of page.

2.78 2.4 =
___________
Show work on
back of page.

_____/3

_____/3

_____/3

_____/3

_____/3

Total Score: _____/15

The Tree Project, where students will be creating mathematical questions and problems about a
tree or trees. These questions can consist of anything that has to do with any branch of
mathematics. The first phase of this project will be displayed starting the week of February 29th.

Math Problems from the world around will be delayed and kick-off the week of February 29th.
This will be on-going like the Math is FUN project until all my students have submitted a
mathematical problem from the world around them. Each day a student from each class will
present their mathematical view of the world.
First monthly MARS task posters have been completed, are posted in the hallway outside our
classroom and a photo will be tweeted this week. I expect to complete one MARS task per
month.
The Math Journal Rubric to strengthen mathematical communication follows. I have reviewed
all my students math journals based on this rubric and will continue to do so once every five
weeks. I was very pleased with the level of mathematical communications as students write
about what they learned in the journal. Students write a journal entry for each lesson. I will
tweet or post some samples on my website.
Finally, our first Blowout on Topic 7 will be in about two weeks. Get ready!

Name:

Date:
Middle School Math Journal Rubric

Organizatio
n and
Structure

WHITE
BELT
(2 points)

GREEN
BELT
(3 point)

BROWN
BELT
(4 points)

BLACK
BELT
(5 points)

Less than half

of the journal
entries
include a
proper
heading.
Less than a
half of the
entries are
dated and in
sequential
order. Less
than half of
the entries are
written using
complete
sentences.

More than half

of the journal
entries include
a proper
heading. A
majority of
entries are
dated and in
sequential
order. More
than half of
the entries are
written using
complete
sentences.

Most journal
entries include
a proper
heading.
Most entries
are dated and
in sequential
order. Most
entries are
written using
complete
sentences.

All journal
entries include
a proper
heading. All
entries are
dated and in
sequential
order. All
entries are
written using
complete
sentences.

Mathematic
al Thinking

Vocabulary

Less than half

of the journal
entries
include
complete
explanations
that include
evidence of
thorough
mathematical
reasoning.
Less than
half of the
entries
include
supporting
examples or
mathematical
models.

More than half

of the journal
entries include
complete
explanations
that include
evidence of
thorough
mathematical
reasoning.
More than
half of the
entries include
supporting
examples or
mathematical
models.

Most journal
entries
include
complete
explanations
that include
evidence of
thorough
mathematical
reasoning.
Most entries
include
supporting
examples or
mathematical
models.

All journal
entries include
complete
explanations
that include
evidence of
thorough
mathematical
reasoning.
Every entry
includes
supporting
examples or
mathematical
models.

Less than half

of the journal
entries
include
important
mathematical
vocabulary.

More than half

of the journal
entries include
important
mathematical
vocabulary.

Most journal
entries include
important
mathematical
vocabulary.

All journal
entries include
important
mathematical
vocabulary.

Comments:
Total Score:
/15