Class Topics: 02.10.12

In EDM, students worked with Order of Operations (Parenthesis, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction) in Lesson 6.6: Order of Operations in our EDM curriculum.  Class started by calculating the answers to several review problems from earlier lessons in the week.  Students then viewed a music video to help prepare them mentally for the task of Order of Operations/PEMDAS.
In class, students...

• completed a Quick Check by calculating answers to several problems dealing with integer computations, dividing fractions and multiplying mixed numbers.
• viewed the PEMDAS video posted below.
• collaborated with a peer to complete MJ222 and 223.

For homework, students SHOULD...

• complete the following skills on Khan Academy - LOGIN BEFORE YOU START
• Adding Negative Numbers
• Multiplying/Dividing Integers

Why does PEMDAS work?  Here is an explanation from someone much smarter than Mr. Giomini:
The order of operations in which one is to interpret mathematical expressions such as "2 + 8/2 x 5" is a convention.  This means that a long time ago, even before Mr. Giomini was born, people who didn't have iPhones, iPods, iPads, PS3's or even radios hung out doing a lot of mathematics and decided that PEMDAS should be performed in a specific way.  There is no magic or illusion.  People adopted this approach to solving order of operation problems using PEMDAS and it has stuck.  It is like language, it makes it easier for people to communicate with each other, only instead of words, it uses numbers.

If only I could sing more often 

to you students.

Look at how the solution forms
an ice cream cone
when done
correct.

In Pre-Algebra,  we began to prepare for our Unit Six Summative Assessment by revisiting our formative pretest for the unit.  Students collaborated with a small group of peers to make the necessary corrections to their formative pretest.  Answer key were placed in different locations within the room to assist students in self-correcting their work.  

In class, students...

• corrected their Unit Six Formative Pretest.

For homework, students SHOULD...

• analyze the type of questions that were asked on the formative pretest in attempt to infer what questions are posed on the summative assessment.
• update your Formula Card if needed and begin know the formulas.