Mrs. Serpas' Math

Week of January 30th

2012-01-29T09:04:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone,

I hope that y'all are enjoying this beautiful weekend! Just a few reminders about the week ahead.

6th grade: Signed integer quiz due Monday 1/30. Many people turned this in Friday.
No spiral due this week. Next spiral due Tuesday 2/7.
We are continuing in Chapter 6 with properties and coordinate system, test at the end of the week- date TBA.

7th grade: Spiral due Tuesday 1/31.
No quizzes or tests this week. We are continuing in Chapter 7. Several people need to take the test that was given Friday, so tests will not go home until all make-ups have been completed. I will show test grades as soon as they are graded. I have finished 1 1/2 sections of tests and the grades have been very good! Vocabulary did trip a few of you up... :)

Have a great week!

Mrs. Serpas

Spiral due TOMORROW Tues. 1/17

2012-01-16T18:33:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone,

Hope y'all had a great three-day weekend.

Reminder- both grades have a spiral due tomorrow, Tuesday, January 17th.

6th grade- excellent job on Integer quiz Friday! I will share grades tomorrow, but these will not go home until all make-ups have been taken. We will continue with integers this week. Expect a quiz later on the week....details TBA....

7th grade- I am still grading tests, most likely won't be ready before Thursday or Friday. I'll keep you posted. We are done with Chapter 5 and are moving on to Chapter 7. No quizzes this week.

Have a great week!

Mrs. Serpas

Update on tests/note about spiral

2012-01-11T16:06:00.002-06:00

Hello all,

6th grade quiz- subtracting integers will be for bonus credit ONLY! Test will cover first two sections only.

7th grade quiz- will cover sections 5 - 8

Spirals, both grades- due Tuesday of next week. This is the day we return from the weekend as we are off Monday due to Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Don't forget about it over the weekend!

Championship Day

2012-01-09T07:14:00.001-06:00

GEAUX TIGERS!!!!!

week of January 9th

2012-01-08T16:21:00.000-06:00

WHO DAT! I hope y'all watched that very exciting game last night! Looking forward to a Tiger victory Monday night.

The week ahead:

6th grade: This is the most important concept we will cover this year...INTEGERS...pay attention! These rules must be memorized. We started with this last week and will continue in coming weeks with these skills. Even after we go onto other concepts we will continue to review and work with integers. Spiral will go home this Tuesday and is due the following Tuesday, 1/17. Quiz Friday 1/13 on Ch. 6 sections 1 - 3.

7th grade: Spiral goes home this Tuesday, due the following Tuesday, 1/17. Quiz Friday 1/13 on Ch. 5 sections TBA (begins with 5 and will end with 7 or 8). I will let you know sections by Tuesday as well as pass out a review sheet.

Have a great week everyone!

Mrs. Serpas

Spring semester notes

2012-01-08T16:17:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone and Happy New Year!

The fall semester really flew by for me! I know the spring semester will go by quickly as well. We are halfway through the school year now and everyone should be very familiar with class policies and procedures, which will not change this semester.

Spirals will still go home on Tuesdays and are due the following Tuesday. Occasionally this will change due to "no homework nights," holidays, etc. but this will be always be communicated in class, written on homework board, and posted on website.

Spirals really caught some students off guard this past nine week. A few reminders: They are worth 10 points and may NOT be turned in for late credit as per school policy of assignments that are worth 10 or less points. Work must be shown, calculators may be used to check answers but not arrive at answers. Partial credit is not given. I encourage parents, siblings, tutors, etc. to check over these prior to turning them in. Spirals may be turned in early! These are grade-boosters or grade-busters as many people have seen.

Homework is very important. Homework is checked every time it is assigned, and is worth 3 points, no partial credit on this. I check for completion, not accuracy. If a student does not know how to work a problem, his or her parent must initial the problem. All problems should be attempted. Each nine weeks students receive a "freebie" or homework pass. This applies to homework only (not spirals), and students will receive a 0/0 on that assignment. That is used the first time a student misses homework. If a student misses homework after using a freebie, they will earn a 0/3.

Quizzes and Tests: I pass out a review sheet prior to major quizzes and tests. This lets everyone know what the quiz/test will cover, and the format. These are very important and should be used as a guide for working problems which is the best way to prepare for a math test.

The best way to contact me is through email, lserpas@aloysius.org. If you would like me to call you, please send a note with your child or email me and I'll be happy to talk with you.

I'm looking forward to another great semester! I hope that 2012 has wonderful things in store for us all.

WHO DAT & GEAUX TIGERS!

Mrs. Serpas

Reminders!

2011-12-06T17:32:00.000-06:00

6th grade: test Friday! Chapter 5 Sections 1 - 4, review sheet goes home Wednesday. No more spirals this year!

7th grade: Spiral due Wednesday. Quiz this Thursday, Ch. 5 sections 1 - 4. Quiz is 25 points. Study guide answers will be given Wednesday. Friday and Monday are exam review days.

Have a great week!

Mrs. Serpas

Note about test corrections

2011-11-30T18:31:00.000-06:00

Hi,

Just a quick note about a change in policy effective Friday (when 7th grade test corrections are due).

Test corrections are still optional, and still worth up to two bonus points. I am now requiring that in addition to re-working all missed problems, students write a complete sentence explaining why they missed the problem.

Example:
*I made a mistake in math fact: 8 x 5 = 40 not 45.
*I did not follow directions and did not list P for prime number.
*I divided instead of multiplying to solve.

I hope this will take students one step further (at least!) in critical thinking, and will help them understand what they missed.

This will be a requirement for both 6th and 7th graders and will continue through the next semester.

Thanks!

Mrs. Serpas

Attention 7th grade:

2011-11-29T17:04:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone,

Big typo on study guide- one of the days listed as a due date is wrong. Correct study guide due dates (which are listed correctly to the right of this page)
Part I: this Friday (12/2)
Part II: Monday (12/5)
Part III: Tuesday (12/6)
Spiral due Wednesday 12/7

I am well aware that you have a lot going on in your other classes as well, therefore I will not assign homework to you the night before your math things are due (Study guide and spirals).

Keep working hard!

Mrs. Serpas

Week of November 28th

2011-11-27T09:02:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone,

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! Both grades will start in Chapter 5 this Monday. No quizzes or tests this week.

Have a great week!

Mrs. Serpas

7th grade mid-term study guide

2011-11-19T10:14:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone,

Mid-term study guides were passed out in class Friday. Please take note that all problems must be re-written on looseleaf paper and worked. I told the students to think of the study guide as their textbook- they don't write in the textbook and must copy their problems, same goes for the study guide. Due dates are printed on the study guide.

The study guide is broken up into 3 sections, each section is worth 5 points (for a total of 15 points for the study guide). Part I is due Friday, December 2nd, Part II is due Monday, December 5th and Part III is due Tuesday, December 6th.

Students are welcome to complete the entire study guide over Thanksgiving, or in advance. We have not covered the last section of problems on the last page (fractions) which are different from years past because students will use integer rules for these.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving! I feel very blessed to teach at St. Aloysius :)

Mrs. Serpas

Answers to Chapter Review- 6th and 7th grade

2011-11-16T19:20:00.001-06:00

Hello all,

Please use the gold review sheets that I gave you to prepare for the test! I am posting the answers to the problems assigned in class today. If you did not finish them, it would be a great review to finish tonight- then check your answers here.

Review session tomorrow at 8:10 in my room- both grades.

6th grade: pg. 198 - 199 (selected problems)
7.) Composite: 1, 3, 9, 27 9.) Prime: 1, 43 15.) GCF = 6
21.) GCF = 48 24.) answers will vary, 30/50, 6/10, 9/15, etc. 25.) answers will vary, 2/3, 4/6, 60/90, etc. 29.) LCM = 40
33.) LCM = 405 38.) 1/2, 8/15, 2/3, 7/10 41.)< 42.) >
43.) > 44.) =
46.) 3/4 48.) 5 and 1/8 50.) 1.83 (bar over the 3)
52.) 0.48

7th grade: pg. 212- 213 (selected problems) *** This sign ^ means the number after it is an exponent. Example 5m^2 means 5m squared

18.) GCF = 28 22.) 2st^3 24.) -2/5 26.) 8/3 or 3 and 2/3 33.) LCM = 25m^2n^4
34.) 42p^2q^3r^4 36.) > 37.)< 38.) = 39.) > 41.) 8^4 42.) 2^7 43.) 7^2
44.) 5^3 45.) 7/x^4 46.) 1/a^2 47.) 1/3w^8 48.) 4/r^5

Ch. 4 Test Thursday 11/17

2011-11-11T17:56:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone,

Just one more week before Thanksgiving! It will be a busy one. Ch. 4 tests (6th grade and 7th grade) are Thursday, November 17th. These tests are 100 points.

I passed out very detailed review sheets today in class. Please pay close attention to these- the test overs a lot of information, but I also let you know how many GCF and LCM problems there will be (don't spend all your time on these!).

General Reminder: All tests must be signed regardless of grade- that is my class policy and has been and will be in effect all year. Work deficiencies are issued if tests are not signed/returned as directed regardless of grade. The students are well-aware of this policy.

6th grade: Spiral due Tuesday. Test Thursday. Several students need to return work deficiencies Monday.

7th grade: Spiral due Tuesday. Make sure you have written change in problem 5: change division sign to addition sign. Test Thursday.

Mid-term study guides for 7th grade will go home Friday, 10/18.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Mrs. Serpas

2011-11-06T06:57:00.002-06:00

Week of November 7th

2011-11-06T06:56:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone,

WOW what an LSU game! A great win. Hoping the Saints will follow with a win of their own today!!

6th grade: No quizzes or tests this week. We are continuing work in chapter 4. Spiral due Tuesday.

7th grade: No quizzes or tests this week. We are continuing in in chapter 4. Spiral due Tuesday. Ch. 3 test must be signed by Wednesday, 11/9. Test corrections are due this day also.

Have a great week everyone!

Mrs. Serpas

P.S. Help session Thursday and Friday this week- 8:10 in my room. No help session Wednesday due to faculty meeting.

Answers to OPTIONAL class reviews

2011-11-02T18:52:00.001-05:00

Be sure to check the top of the page for the right grade!

Good luck tomorrow!

Mrs. Serpas

2011-11-02T18:49:00.000-05:00

7th grade Ch. 3 tests

2011-11-02T06:51:00.000-05:00

Attention 7th grade students and parents:

Your tests are graded! I will share grades today- but they will not go home until Friday. I want everyone concentrating on test review today for tomorrow's test.

Overall the grades are EXCELLENT- out of 92 students, there are 44 A's and 27 B's! Way to go! :)

Mrs. Serpas

Whoops!

2011-10-31T15:43:00.001-05:00

It's no trick- your tests really are this THURSDAY not Friday. Sorry for any confusion- date was listed wrong in message below- I have now fixed that.

Happy Halloween!

Mrs. Serpas

Week of Halloween! (10/31)

2011-10-30T08:42:00.001-05:00

Hi everyone,

Hope you are enjoying this beautiful weekend at the fair!

A few reminders of what we have coming up for the week:

6th grade: Spiral due Wednesday (due to a no-homework night Monday night). Test THURSDAY- Ch. 4 Sections 1 - 4. Review sheets went home Friday. Monday- notes on the last section- LCM.

7th grade: Spiral due Wednesday (due to a no-homework night Monday night). Test THURSDAY- Ch. 4 Sections 1 - 4. Review sheets went home Friday. Monday- notes on the last two sections- Simplifying Fractions and LCM.

Both grades: Reminder- I will not be at school Tuesday, I will be out with Julia. Ms. Nancy Hardin will be your substitute- she is an excellent math teacher- so ask her any questions!

I will be back Wednesday, test review on that day (both grades) and test Thursday.

Have a great week!

Mrs. Serpas

Week of October 24th

2011-10-23T11:08:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone,

Hope you are enjoying this beautiful weekend! Just a few reminders for the week.

6th grade: Spiral due this Tuesday. New spiral will go out Tuesday as well. Be prepared for a pop quiz towards the end of the week on factoring numbers and finding the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) of two or more numbers!!!

7th grade: Spiral due this Tuesday. New Spiral will go out Tuesday as well. We are continuing in Chapter 4 this week- as of now I plan to cover every section. No quizzes or tests this week. Wednesday is the FACES Lab field trip, we will not meet for math class, but you will have an in-class assignment in your workbook that afternoon.

I have not yet finished grading the Ch. 3 tests, they will definitely not be ready before Tuesday (at the earliest) to go home. I'll keep you posted.

Have a great week everyone!

Mrs. Serpas

Conferences/ Schedule rest of week

2011-10-18T21:17:00.000-05:00

Hello-
Just a few reminders about the rest of the week.

Students in 5th through 8th grade will be dismissed at 12:30 on Thursday (no buses or extension that day). 5th through 8th grade students do not have school on Friday due to conferences.

If you are scheduled for a conference and do not remember the time/day, please email me or your child's homeroom teacher. If you are unable to attend your child's conference as scheduled, please send an email as well.

Thanks so much!

Mrs. Serpas

commas, calculators, and headings, oh my!

2011-10-16T21:13:00.000-05:00

2nd nine weeks everyone.... enough warning!

*Commas- use them! We have been over this in class. You should know how to write a number with commas, whether you are in 6th or 7th grade. Points off if commas are not used correctly.

*Calculators- you need them! When? Every day that you are in class. I will do spot checks. If you do not have them in class- pink slip for "LOM" (lack of materials).

*Heading- use it! All middle school teachers should be using the same heading. You need to use this heading for your homework. When I give you a typed page (spiral, quiz, test, etc.), I have done most of the work for you already. You need to write your first and last name, correct math number, and circle 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th hour depending on your class. That's it. You have been reminded to do this for the first 7 spirals without penalty. Starting with the next spiral, one point off if heading is not correct (and I will still remind you).

Week of October 17th

2011-10-16T08:19:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone- short week ahead for students! Reminder- students get out of school at 12:30 on Thursday, and do not go to school on Friday. Conferences have been scheduled on Thursday and Friday.

A note about spirals--- students are NOT permitted to use calculators to work the spirals. They may use calculators to check spirals, and may then correct any problems by reworking them. I was very surprised in grading these last spirals that several students did not show their multiplication and addition work. No work = no credit, this is always my policy on spirals.

Students have been/are allowed to use calculators on some tests- this is mainly a time-saving device. Spirals are different however as there are fewer problems, and students have a week to complete these.

Bottom line- students must show all work- including the multiplication, addition, subtraction and division, on their spirals. If work is not shown, they will not receive credit- even if answers are correct.

6th grade: We will finish up graphing and start Chapter 4 this week: Prime factorization, Greatest Common Factor, Least Common Multiple, Fractions and Decimals. You do not have a quiz or test this week. You will have a quiz on the first part of the chapter followed by a chapter test. Dates TBA.

7th grade: Major Chapter Test this Wednesday- review sheets went home last week. We will finish up 3.7 (Solving inequalities using mult. and div.) Monday, review Tuesday.

Both grades: Spirals will be passed out this Tuesday- 10/18, they are due Tuesday 10/25.

Have a great week!

Mrs. Serpas

2011-10-12T21:39:00.001-05:00

YAY! I have access to my website again! :)

2011-10-12T21:37:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone,

Sorry for the delay in posting- as I have told my students- I have been locked out of this account. Long story- switched email addresses- forgot which I was using for this now- and here we are, it is figured out (and I am writing it down this time).

:)

Wow- the first nine weeks surely did fly by for me. I hope that the second nine weeks go by as quickly as the first!

The grades were great in all the classes- those who didn't earn what they had hoped- make sure all spirals are turned in on time (and are checked before-hand), complete your assignments, prepare for tests by working problems, come in for help sessions, and do your homework.

Some reminders: the 2nd nine weeks has begun so that means everyone has a new "freebie." A freebie is a homework pass that can be used at anytime, and you are exempt from that check (0/0 instead of 0/3). Please remember that they may not be used for spirals. If a student goes through the end of the nine weeks without using their freebie, they will earn 2 bonus points.

Spirals- typically assigned on Tuesday and due the following Tuesday. These are not accepted late per handbook policy- any assignment 10 points or less is not accepted late. These are grade-boosters or grade-busters. Remember that these can be turned in early!

Homework- checked EVERY TIME it is assigned- 3 points. All or nothing, no partial credit. Students must write in pencil only, have proper middle school heading, and write out every problem, showing all work and steps. Students must attempt every problem, and if they are completely lost, a parent must initial that problem.

Tests- I pass out a yellow sheet of paper before every major test. This is very important and includes all information that will be on the test. If it isn't on the sheet, it isn't on the test!

Now to what we are working on! We are taking a break- we all need one- from spirals for a week. First spiral of the nine weeks will go out Tuesday, October 18th, and will be due the following Tuesday, October 25th.

6th grade: We are still working on graphing in chapter 3. We will move on to Chapter 4 next week, no tests on graphing.

7th grade: We are finishing up Chapter 3. Test Wednesday, 10/19. This is a major test worth 100 points. Review sheets will go home Thursday 10/13.

As always, please email if you have any questions.
lserpas@aloysius.org

Thanks and have a great week!

Mrs. Serpas

6th grade quiz Thursday

2011-10-04T17:31:00.000-05:00

6th grade quiz Thursday:

Students must know definitions of mean, median, mode and range (matching).

Students must find the mean, median, mode and range of sets of numbers. Calculators are allowed.

2011-10-04T06:05:00.001-05:00

Calculators

2011-10-04T06:02:00.001-05:00

Reminder- All students (both 6th and 7th graders) must bring a calculator to class DAILY. Beginning this Wednesday, I will check daily for calculators. Students who do not have a calculator with them in class will be issued a pink slip for "Lack of Materials" (LOM). If you need to purchase a calculator, we still have several available at school. Students are also able to use a sibling's calculator, etc. Please label calculators with last name at least.

Thanks!

6th grade quiz

2011-10-03T10:17:00.001-05:00

6th grade Quiz is this Thursday, 10/6, on 3.1 (Mean, Median Mode)

Week of October 3rd

2011-10-02T07:27:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone-

October already! I hope everyone enjoyed this beautiful weekend and didn't get too sunburned at the game.

I am so proud of all of my classes- everyone is working hard and it is showing! The first nine weeks is almost at and end. 7th grade has taken their last major test, and 6th grade has one more brief quiz to be included (in addition to two more spirals and some homework checks in each grade).

6th grade: We are starting Chapter 3 this week. You will be tested only on Chapter 3 section 1 (Mean, Median and Mode). Quiz date TBA, but will be at the end of this week. We will cover all other sections of chapter 3 doing some group work and classroom activities. Students will be graded on these as well. Spiral due Wednesday (as Monday is a no homework night this week).

7th grade: Ch. 3 Quizzes will not be ready to go home before Wednesday. Several students need to take a make-up test, and these are a little more time-consuming to grade. I will get them back to you as soon as I can.

We are continuing in Chapter 3, solving and graphing inequalities. This is very similar to solving equations. You will be tested on this the week of October 10th, date is TBA.
Spiral due Wednesday (as Monday is a no-homework night).

Have a wonderful week everyone!

Mrs. Serpas

Week of 9/19

2011-09-18T20:05:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone,

WHO DAT! Wow, what an awesome game! I hope that y'all had a wonderful weekend and enjoyed whatever it is that you did :) I had a great time at the Saints game (and graded 7th grade tests on the way there).

6th grade: Spiral 5 due Tuesday, test Thursday. Review sheets will go home tomorrow (Monday). The test will cover Chapter 2, with the exception of sections 5 and 7 (scientific notation and converting metric units). We will cover those sections after the test, but they will not be included on the test.

7th grade: Spiral 5 due Tuesday. No tests this week. I have been working hard at grading your tests, but they will not be ready to go home before Tuesday or Wednesday, also several people need to complete a make-up test before tests go home. We are starting Chapter 3 this week- one and two-step equations.

Have a great week everyone!

Mrs. Serpas

Week of 9/12

2011-09-11T07:20:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone- quick update.

Both grades: Spiral due Tuesday.

6th grade: no quizzes or tests this week. We are continuing in Chapter 2 (Decimals).

7th grade: Test this Friday. Review sheets went home last Friday. If it isn't on the sheet, it isn't on the test.

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Serpas

Week of 9/6

2011-09-06T17:11:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone,

Hope that you had a wonderful Labor Day weekend! Short week ahead- but a lot to do.

FYI: Spiral grades are really hurting some overall averages. Remember--- these are grade boosters or grade busters. Some students aren't turning these in, or are not having someone check them over before turning them in, or working only a few problems. Progress reports go home next week, and several students' grades have been significantly impacted by failure to turn in spirals.
      Spirals are passed out on Tuesdays and are due back the next Tuesday. Students may turn these in early!

6th grade: Quiz this Friday- review sheets went home today (Tuesday). Quiz will cover 1.5, 1.6 and 2.1.
*Spiral 4 due Tuesday 9/13

7th grade: Overall I am VERY PLEASED with the Ch. 2 test grades! 1/3 of you made an A, and a very close number made a B! Way to go!
   Please remember that I require parents to sign all tests, regardless of grade. Signed tests are due Thursday 9/8 (once I check for signature they are yours to keep). Test corrections, the only form of bonus that I offer, are due Friday, 9/9.

Some reminders about test corrections:
*Pencil only
*Work all missed problems on loose-leaf, then staple this to the front of the test page.
*If you missed a property, write the property along with the definition and an example of that property (you may use the exampes from the test).
*Test corrections are worth up to 3 bonus points -- these are added in at the end of the nine weeks.

I offer help sessions Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings in my classroom (M-15) from 8:10 - 8:30. Stop by to ask a question or two, work problems, get ahead, etc.

I will not be able to meet Wed. 9/7 due to a faculty meeting. I will have help session Thursday and Friday though.

Please email me if you have any questions.

Thanks and have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Serpas

Reminder- spirals due Tuesday 9/6

2011-09-02T08:44:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone,

Just a reminder that spirals are due the day we get back to school- Tuesday, September 6th. Hopefully you have already turned yours in!

Have a wonderful weekend, GEAUX TIGERS!

Mrs. Serpas

Week of August 29th

2011-08-28T20:30:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone,

Hope you enjoyed the weekend!

Remember- spiral 2 is due this Tuesday, 8/3o. I think there was a mistake on the 7th grade spiral, I do not have a copy at home, so I will correct in class tomorrow.

6th grade- tests will be passed back as soon as make-up tests are completed. We are finishing up a few things from Chapter 1 this week and starting Chapter 2. No quizzes or tests this week, spiral due Tuesday.

7th grade- Major test this Wednesday 8/31. Though I said you would not have a chapter 2 test, now that I have looked at the material, it is pretty close to being a major chapter test (coordinate plane will not be on the test). The review sheet for this week's test went home last week. Remember- if it isn't on the sheet, it isn't on the test. If it is on the sheet- better be prepared!!! This is a 100-point test.

Spiral due Tuesday.

6th and 7th grade: Spiral 3 will be passed out this Tuesday. It is due the day we return from Labor Day holiday, on Tuesday 9/6. Make plans now! Might be best to get it turned in Friday before the break. :)

Have an awesome week everyone!

Mrs. Serpas

6th grade test tomorrow!

2011-08-24T15:34:00.000-05:00

Hi- 6th grade- don't forget- no written homework tonight but I do recommend you work Review Quiz 1 on pg. 25. Work that and study vocabulary words and you will be in great shape! I am posting the answers below.

One more thing!

2011-08-21T08:49:00.000-05:00

One more thing! Really important!

Please remember that I require parents to sign ALL math tests- regardless of grade- even the 100's! This keeps everyone in "the know."

7th grade quizzes must be signed/returned by this Wednesday 8/25. If quizzes are not returned on this day- students will receive a work deficiency (regardless of grade).

Once I have checked for parent signature, students will keep the quizzes/tests in their binder or exam folder.

Week of August 22nd

2011-08-21T08:42:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone,

I hope you are enjoying the weekend!

6th grade: *Spiral due this Tuesday.
*Test this Thursday 8/25- Ch. 1 Sections 1- 5, review sheets will go home Monday.

7th grade: *Spiral due this Tuesday. No quizzes or tests this week.
*Quizzes will go home Monday- overall y'all did a GREAT job! I am attaching review sheets to some quizzes- these need to be completed and turned in by Monday, August 29th. I can't stress enough how important it is for every student to master integer operations/integer rules.
*We will start with the last few sections of Ch. 2 this week- Properties. Next quiz date is TBA- remember- there will not be a chapter 2 test.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

Mrs. Serpas

7th grade- Quiz tomorrow

2011-08-18T10:58:00.000-05:00

Reminder- 7th grade has a quiz tomorrow. I did not send home yellow review sheets as this is not a major test. Quiz format was listed in class:
1.) Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, Dividing two or more integers
2.) Evaluating Integer Expressions (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division).

How can you/your child review? WORK PROBLEMS! Work odd problems from the sections the quiz covers (Ch. 2 sections 2 - 5) and check the answers in the back of the book.

You can also look on this site underneath the fish, click on printable worksheets, find integers, then print some worksheets with integers (all operations). This is a great resource as the key is also printed.

Remember- I am available for help Wednesday through Friday mornings in my room (M-15) 8:10 - 8:30.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Mrs. Serpas

Open House/First full week of school

2011-08-14T21:34:00.000-05:00

Hello,

Thanks to all of the many parents who came to Open House tonight! I hope that many of your questions were answered either in person or through the handout. If you have any other questions, or were unable to attend, please email me, lserpas@aloysius.org. We also have many handouts left and will be happy to send them home with your child.

Week of 8/15:

*6th grade- We are continuing in Chapter 1. No quizzes or tests this week. We will cover sections 1 - 7 in the next week and a half, test TBA. Spiral 1 will go home this Tuesday and is due the following Tuesday, 8/23.

*7th grade- We will continue with Chapter 2 this week, quiz this Friday, 8/19 on integer operations (Chapter 2 sections 2 - 5). This should all be a review for you! This will be a simple 20-25 question test- no partial credit on this one. No review sheet for this- look for those for the major tests. This chapter is a little different- you will not be tested on the chapter as a whole. Your second quiz will cover Chapter 2 sections 6 and 7 (number properties). When we complete Chapter 2, we will go back to Chapter 1.
Spiral 1 will go home this Tuesday and is due the following Tuesday, 8/3.

Have a great week everyone!

Mrs. Serpas

First week of School

2011-08-11T21:59:00.000-05:00

Hi,

I hope that everyone is having a great first week of school! Just a reminder to check this site at least once a week for information on spiral due dates, upcoming quizzes and tests, etc. I will not post daily assignments on this- you need to copy them from the board in the classroom.

All students must turn in their homework letters - signed by a parent/your parents- tomorrow (Friday). If these are not turned in, a work deficiency will be issued. Please get these turned in.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Mrs. Serpas

August 3rd

2011-08-03T08:54:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone!

School starts a week from today! I am so excited to get back to school and work. I hope you will be excited too.

We will be starting in Chapter 1 in each grade! If you want to get ahead and refresh your memory, click on the textbook links to the right side of the page, and follow the steps until you reach Chapter 1.

See you soon! Have a great last week.

Mrs. Serpas :)

July!

2011-07-20T21:25:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone,

I hope you are having a great summer! Mine is going by so quickly - hard to believe that we will start school again in a few weeks.

I hope you have worked some math problems this summer, or thought about some math problems...if not....work just a few- it won't hurt! :)

Click on my links to the textbooks and work a few problems from any section in Chapter 1- either the 6th grade book or the 7th grade book- it doesn't matter which.

See y'all soon!

Mrs. Serpas

6th grade info

2011-05-05T07:56:00.000-05:00

6th grade: signed tests, test corrections due Friday! Many points were lost on vocabulary--the words and definitions were posted well in advance- easy points!

Remember- 1/2 size WHITE poster board due Monday 5/9

Date changes!

2011-05-03T09:11:00.000-05:00

7th grade: 2 date changes!

*Last spiral, which goes home today, is due this FRIDAY, 5/6
*Study guide is now due TUESDAY 5/10 (not Monday 5/9). I am trying to spread things around some for you. SG answers will be given Tuesday 5/10.

Week of May 2nd

2011-05-01T08:56:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone,

Wow- May 1st already! I hope that each and every one of you had a wonderful Easter and break with your families.

LOTS going on this week- especially for 7th grade- here we go!

7th grade:
*Spiral due Tuesday 5/3
*Signed tests and test corrections due Tuesday 5/3
*Last spiral of the nine weeks (and year!) goes home Tuesday 5/3 and is Due MONDAY 5/9 per school policy. Please turn it in this Friday so you won't forget about it.
*Exam study guides will go home Monday or Tuesday.
*Your math exam is Monday, May 16th
*I am planning on holding an OPTIONAL exam review session on Friday, May 13th after school. More information on that soon.

6th grade:
*All 6th graders have until Monday, May 9th to bring in a white half-size poster board for a project.
*Spiral due Tuesday 5/3
*New spiral will go home Tuesday 5/3 (due Tuesday 5/10)
*We are continuing in Chapter 10, next test is TBA

Have a great week everyone!

Mrs. Serpas

Week of April 18th

2011-04-20T07:18:00.000-05:00

Hello,

6th grade- test Wednesday on Ch. 8 sections 1, 2, 4
Spiral 26 goes home Wednesday and is due Tuesday, May 3rd

7th grade- Spiral 26 due Tuesday, May 3rd
Last test of the year is Monday, May 9th- info TBA (will post over Easter break).
We are moving on to the first 3 sections of Ch. 9 (Square roots, rational/irrational numbers, Pyth. Theorem), then moving on to Ch. 10 Measurement, Area & Volume.

Exam study guides will go home after Easter.

Have a wonderful Easter holiday!

Mrs. Serpas

Week of April 11th

2011-04-11T21:33:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone,

Hope you had a great weekend. It's hard to believe we are mid-way through May already! A few reminders- I will not be at school Tuesday, I will be attending the 1st grade field trip with my son. Help session Wednesday of this week. I will be on the Avery Island trip Thursday with 7th grade (6th grade also has a field trip that day).

6th grade - Signed tests due Wednesday 4/13---remember, ALL TESTS, regardless of grade, must be signed. I am giving you until Friday 4/15 to work test corrections. PLEASE come in during help session with your test if you are stuck and need help with working those! Spiral due Wednesday as well. Test Wednesday 4/20 on Ch. 8, sections TBA.

7th grade- Spiral due Wednesday 4/13. Don't forget about the test Monday 4/18, (which is your second to last test this nine weeks). Please use the review sheet to prepare! It is so important to complete homework assignments, don't slip now!

Have a great week!

Mrs. Serpas

Week of April 4th

2011-04-03T07:11:00.000-05:00

Hello,

I hope you are enjoying the weekeend!

Reminder- spirals (both classes) due this Tuesday. Yes, that is a Terra Nova test day, but you will have class and spirals are still due. :)

No quizzes or tests this week this week. 6th grade- we need to work on a few "left over" things that were not on Friday's test- two-step equations, writing inequalities and solving inequalities with multiplication and division.

7th grade- we will continue in chapter 8.

See you tomorrow, I know each and every one of you is well-prepared for the Terra Nova. Do a great job!

Mrs. Serpas

7th grade math

2011-03-30T09:12:00.000-05:00

7th grade math- there is a lot of vocabulary/memorization on the next test (which I have not yet scheduled, it will be after Terra Nova testing).

If you want to get a head start on vocabulary -you need to know the terms from 8.1 - 8.4, some are easy to confuse.

8.1: straight, right, compl., supp. angles, parallel, perpendicular lines, corresponding angles, vertical angles

8.2: acute, right, obtuse angles and triangles
euqilateral, isosceles, scalene triangles

8.3: quadrilateral, trapezoid, parallelogram, rhombus, rectangle, square

8.4: polygon, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, decagon, 12-gon

Try http://www.quizlet.com/ to make notecards!

Week of March 28th

2011-03-29T08:28:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone,

I hope you enjoyed this beautiful weekend and that you spent lots of time outside.

Spirals are due today for both grades, new spirals go home today, due next Tuesday.

6th grade: Signed tests and test corrections due today (Tuesday). Test this Friday, 4/1 on one-step equations, solving inequalities. Review sheet goes home today.

7th grade: GREAT JOB on your tests! Wow I am super-impressed. :) I hope to get them back to you today, they will go home Wednesday at the latest. No quizzes or tests this week, we will start Chapter 8 Wednesday (angles, triangles, quadrilaterals, etc.)

Have a great week everyone!

Mrs. Serpas

6th grade- last warning!

2011-03-23T20:50:00.000-05:00

6th grade- this is your last warning! You must know your integer rules. Starting tomorrow and ending May 25th- I will be giving you pop quizzes on integers! Yes, they will count for a grade.

Be prepared! :)

Tuesday, March 22nd

2011-03-22T20:27:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone,

I hope this sunshine and beautiful weather isn't causing brain-drain...I'm concerned about my students! Lots of students have already used their freebies this nine weeks (which means another missed homework is 0/3) and several people haven't been doing homework. We are now seven days into the nine weeks----not good people!

6th grade---I can't stress enough that you need to know the integer rules backwards and forwards. We're moving on in class, and not knowing these sign rules will really hurt you in equations!

7th grade--- you have a MAJOR test THIS FRIDAY and many of you didn't seem to know what was going on today when you did the warm-up. Please, please start working problems at home and asking questions in class. No one came in for help session today, I will offer another one Thursday at recess in Ms. Michael's room.

The fourth nine weeks flies by, and before you know it, it will be time for progress reports. So please make every point count, I have faith in each and every one of you! :)

Mrs. Serpas

Week of March 21st

2011-03-20T09:47:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone,

I hope you are enjoying this beautiful weather as much as my family and I are!

The week ahead: Spirals will go home Tuesday 3/22, and are due Tuesday 3/29.

6th grade: We are continuing in Chapter 7 this week. No quizzes or tests.

7th grade: Ch. 7 test Friday 3/25 sections 1 - 7. Review sheets will go home Monday.

Remember, keep up with your homework and spirals! As a reminder, spirals are not accepted late (unless student has an excused absence). Get them turned in early if you finish early. These points really add up and can mean the difference of a letter grade.

Have a great week everyone!

Mrs. Serpas

6th grade math practice test key

2011-03-17T17:26:00.000-05:00

Attention 6th grade students and parents----make sure you complete the practice test tonight! The key is below. Tomorrow's test will be just like this one.

Good luck! I know you can do well.

Mrs. Serpas

Week of March 14th

2011-03-17T12:57:00.000-05:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!

Sorry to just now post, it has been a busy week with transition to 4th nine weeks (!) and finishing up grades. Spirals were not due/passed out this week. The first spiral of the nine weeks for both grades will be passed out Tuesday, March 22nd, and will be due Tuesday, March 29th.

6th grade has a test Friday (tomorrow, 3/18), review sheets went home Wednesday. Please work problems from each section on listed on the sheet as test practice.

7th grade has a test Friday, March 25th on Chapter 7 Sections 1 - 7. This is a MAJOR TEST- 100 point grade. Review sheets will go home next week.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Have a great week and weekend!

Mrs. Serpas

Week of February 28th (whoops! Not at the end of March yet)

2011-02-27T16:08:00.001-06:00

Hello,

I hope the weather is as beautiful in Baton Rouge as it is right now in Water Valley, MS! I am here with my family visiting my grandmother and extended family and am having a wonderful time!

I will be back as promised on Tuesday. I will check homework assignments then. Reminder: spirals are due Tuesday (that is the last one of the nine weeks!). Both grades have quizzes this week, 6th grade- quiz on the first few sections of Ch. 7 Friday 3/4. 7th grade- quiz Thursday 3/3, review sheets went home Friday.

Please email me if you have any questions.

See you Tuesday and have a great rest of the weekend!

Mrs. Serpas :)

Week of 2/21

2011-02-22T09:55:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone,

Hope you had a great weekend and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

My husband's grandfather, Alfred Guerra, passed away this weekend. Thank you for all of your prayers and concern, it means so much to my family and me. I will be out Thursday for the funeral in Picayune, Mississippi.

6th grade- All signed tests/test corrections due Tuesday. GREAT JOB on integers! Y'all are doing just an outstanding job! I'm so proud of your hard work, keep it up. Test Wednesday 2/23 on 6.6 - 6.8, study sheets went home last week. We are continuning in Chapter 7 this week. Spiral 19 due Tuesday 2/22, last spiral of the nine weeks will go home 2/22 also.

7th grade- GREAT JOB on solving inequalities! Y'all did such an awesome job on your test, I am very proud of you! Keep up your hard work. Test Thursday March 3rd (3/3!) Chapter 7, sections 1 - at least 4. Review sheets will go home this Friday. Spiral 19 due Tuesday 2/22, last spiral of nine weeks goes home 2/22 also.

Have a great week!

Mrs. Serpas

7th grade- answers to review

2011-02-14T15:22:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone,

I was out today with Joseph who was sick. I will be back tomorrow, and you will have your quiz as scheduled. Don't forget to bring your calculator and free reading book!

Work some problems! Remember only 4 problems from last section (writing inequalities).

Answers to review (assigned in class):

pg. 304 # 6 - 14 all
6.) x + 2 < 6; x < 4          7.) 9 < x + 1; x > 8

8.) x - 7 > 14; x > 21        9.) 8x > 40; x > 5

10.) A    11.) C      12.) D     13.) B

pg. 307 # 1 -6 all
1.) C = 88 in        2) r = 23.9 cm        3) a < -3      4) z < 7

5) b > 1.5 (or 1 and 1/2)         6.) 6x - 2 > 40;    x > 7

pg. 309 # 20 - 25 all, #31, #32
20.) c = 132 ft         21.) C = 25.1 mm          22.) d = 20 mm

23.) r = 1.91 in         24.) 279 ft       25.) x > -7   graph, open circle above -7, arrow pointing towards right

31.) 14 - 3x < 11; x > 1          graph, closed circle above 1, arrow pointing towards right

32.) 9 + 4x < 21; x < 3    graph, open circle above 3, arrow pointing towards left

Week of 2/14

2011-02-13T21:21:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone,

Hope you enjoyed the weekend. I was so happy to see the sun!

6th grade- we are finishing up chapter 6 this week and moving on to Chapter 7. You will have a small quiz (date TBA) covering coordinate plane and commutative & associative properties. Do not forget about integers! I will continue to put several integer problems on your quizzes and tests through the end of the year.

Spiral due Tuesday.

7th grade: Spiral due Tuesday. Quiz Thursday. Prepare by working problems from handout that was given last week. You will probably only have one other major grade for the nine weeks after this test. Do your best! You have all been working so hard in class and I think it will show on the test if you keep it up. :)

Have a great week!

Mrs. Serpas

Week of February 7th

2011-02-06T15:06:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone,

I hope you are enjoying this beautiful day, it is great to see the sun out!

Afew changes of plans as we were out of school Friday (too bad we didn't get any snow).

As a reminder, progress reports will go home this week. I do not include bonus points (test corrections) on progress reports, these are added in at the end of the nine weeks. Looking to raise your grade? Make sure you do all your homework, get someone to check over your spirals (you can always ask me for help on them!) and TURN THEM IN ON TIME! To better prepare for tests- work problems from each section on the review sheet.

6th grade: test will be Thursday 2/10 instead of Tuesday 2/8. All of chapter 6 EXCEPT coordinate plane which I will quiz you on separately (on a later date, TBA). Spiral due Tuesday. Signed tests and test corrections due Monday 2/7- remember--all tests, regarldless of grade, must be signed.

7th grade: Spiral due Tuesday. We are continuing in Chapter 6. No test this week...I'll let you know when that will be, I have a few ideas in mind for a grade for the rest of this chapter that is not a test idea...I'll let you know as soon as I have made a decision! Keep up the hard work!

Have a great week everyone! Hope you enjoy the Super Bowl and all the commercials.

For a few more hours the Saints are Super Bowl champs....I'm enjoying it while it lasts. :)

Mrs. Serpas

January 31st - Feb. 4th

2011-02-03T09:40:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone,

Sorry I am just posting for the week! I have been keeping the students informed of what is going on.

A word about progress report grades (which go home Monday 2/7). Math grades tend to be LOWER on progress reports. I do not add in bonus (test correction points) until the end of the nine weeks, and in the case of 7th grade- only 1 major test has been graded/recorded.

Something that hurts grades on progress reports-- zeros on homework and zeros/low grades on spirals. I can't stress how important it is for students to complete their homework and check over spirals (and get them turned in!). Many spirals involve decimals and fractions which may be checked with a calculator. Please check over these and get them turned in.

6th grade: We are continuing in Chapter 6. Test Tuesday, 2/8 on all of Chapter 6, review sheets go out Thursday. Students must know integer rules backwards and forwards!

Ch. 6 quizzes went home Wednesday, must be signed/shown at school by Friday of this week. Test corrections are due this day as well.

Something a little different for test corrections for this quiz: If students miss any integer problems, they must not only re-work those problems (even if they had correct digits but wrong sign), but must also write that integer rule five times.

Integer rules for that quiz:

1.) Addition: same sign: add, sign stays the same.
2.) Addition: different sign: subtract, take the sign of the larger number.
3.) Subtraction: change all subtraction to adding the opposite, then follow addition rules.

I will send home some extra practice sheets before the weekend for those who are interested.

7th grade: We are moving ahead in Chapter 6. Make sure you have a calcualtor in class every day!

Both grades: Spirals are due Tuesday 2/8. Get them turned in early if you tend to forget those!

Stay warm, and have a great weekend!

Mrs. Serpas

7th grade review problems for Monday's quiz

2011-01-28T12:30:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone,

I encourage EVERY 7th grade student to work these problems as a review for Monday's quiz! These are from the texbook, and I am writing the answers below.

1.) pg. 287 # 1 - 6 all
2.) pg. 310 # 1 - 9 all

pg. 287       1) x = 7    2) x = 6     3) x = 4     4) n = 1/2
5) m = -3.85        6) v = 1 7/9 (mixed number)

pg. 310      1) z = (-2/3)     2) m = -22     3) r = 24      4) b = (- 4)
5) a = (-15)     6) x = 21       7) n = 25     8) r = 3       9) w = (-1/5)

Use the review sheet! Remember, I am out of yellow paper, so it is regular white paper. You will also have several problems from the last test (no more than 6), writing decimals as fractions, fractions as decimals, and adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing mixed numbers and decimals.

How can you prepare for this test? Working problems!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Week of 1/24

2011-01-25T20:45:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone,

Busy next couple of weeks!

6th grade: Ch. 5 tests must be signed (regardless of grade) and returned by Thursday 1/27. Test corrections due by Friday 1/28.
Spiral 17 due 2/1

Quiz Friday 1/28 on comparing, adding, subtracting, multiplying & dividing integers (Ch. 6 Sec. 1 - 5)
You must, must, MUST, MUST memorize the integer rules!

7th grade- Ch. 5 test signed (regardless of grade) by Wed. 1/26. Test corrections due Thurs. 1/27.
Quiz Monday 1/31 on Ch. 6 Sec. 1 - 3. You may use a calcuator for these problems if you show your steps. I will also include no more than 5 problems from last test---fraction operations, writing fractions as decimals and writing decimals as fractions.
Spiral 17 due 2/1

Have a great week!

week of January 18th

2011-01-18T10:24:00.002-06:00

Hi everyone,

I hope you enjoyed the long weekend!

Spirals are due today (Tuesday 1/18) and new spirals will be passed out today as well- due next Tuesday.

No quizzes or tests this week.

6th grade- starting chapter 6- Integers

7th grade- starting chapter 6- multi-step equations

Have a great week!

Mrs. Serpas

Week of January 10th

2011-01-10T10:16:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone,

I hope you had a great weekend! What a TERRIFIC win for LSU! Great game.

This is a big week- first full week of school since December- make it count! Lots going on this week.

6th grade: Remember you should log on at least one hour a week to http://www.firstinmath.com/. The week runs Sunday to Sunday.

*Ch. 5 quizzes will be returned today. All must be signed & returned by Wednesday. Test Corrections due Thursday.
*Ch. 5 TEST this Friday, 1/14/11. Review sheets will go home Tuesday. It will cover all sections.
*Spiral will go home Tuesday, due the following Tuesday 1/18/11 which is the day we get back from school!

7th grade:
*Test this Friday, 1/14/11 on Chapter 5 (all sections). Review sheets will go home Tuesday.
*Spiral will go home Tuesday, due the following Tuesday 1/18/11.

Have a great week everyone!

Mrs. Serpas

Information on Jacob Meek

2011-01-06T07:13:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone,

I am posting information below on Jacob Meek's care page (with permission from his mom). Please take a minute to sign up to view his page if you are interested, and take a monment to leave him a message. Of course get your parents' permission first!

You've been invited to visit Jacob Meek's CarePages website.

CarePages websites are free patient blogs that connect family and friends during a health challenge. Jacob Meek has created a website and needs your support now more than ever.

To visit Jacob Meek's CarePages website, follow these steps:

Click on the link below

Become a CarePages member (it's free) or sign in

Visit Jacob Meek's CarePages website to read the blog, view photos and share messages of support

Visit this CarePages website now

Having trouble with the link above? Copy and paste the following link in your web browser:

http://www.carepages.com/carepages/226052/invitations/1291061/54d252de69cfba05c9cd90fa1c5dc73ad151e0b0?client_code=lebonheur&ipc=miv

Reminder- class materials

2011-01-05T07:43:00.000-06:00

Just a reminder: ALL STUDENTS should bring these items to class daily:

1.) workbook (should remain in binder. It's a pink slip if students do not have this in class).
2.) loose-leaf paper
3.) any homework assignments, spirals, etc.
**Spirals should remain in folder as well. If someone checks them over before you turn them in, that is great (and encouraged!), but they should be left in your binder so you can work on them during any free time.
4.) calculator
5.) sharpened pencils

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T10:34:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone,

Happy New Year! I hope that each and every one of you has a fantastic 2011! :)

I have had a wonderful Christmas--I'm sure likea all of you---have spent lots of time with my family, seen movies, eaten too much, stayed up way too late, and not gotten much rest, but is has been awesome!

7th grade exam grades will be shown on Wednesday 1/5. There were some really awesome grades! One person made over a 100....and they are in 5th hour. Congrats!

The first spiral of the nine weeks will go home Tuesday, January 11th.

Happy 2011 everyone! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone back at school on Wednesday!

Mrs. Serpas :)

Exam!

2010-12-15T19:15:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone,

Way to go 7th graders! A little over half of the students that I teach came to help session today, I am so proud! I hope that it helped clear up a few more things for you.

Your exam is Friday morning, you will take it by section. Signs will be posted on the doors of the classroom. Please have a sharpened pencil and loose-leaf, I will have everyone's test folders. Remember, you must show your work either on the exam or loose-leaf AND it must be numbered. All final answers will be written on the answer sheet.

Good luck! I know you will do well. Please let me know if you have any questions, and have a wonderful Christmas!

Mrs. Serpas :)

Week of December 13th

2010-12-12T06:22:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone,

What a cold and windy morning! Looks like a yucky day ahead. A great day to stay in and study. :)

I'm sorry the last week has been so crazy- Julia sick, test dates changing, computer issues/study guide key problems, you name it. We just have to make it all work!

6th grade: Ch. 5 Quiz (Sec. 1 - 4, adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing fractions) is Tuesday, 12/14. There will be only be a few division problems as we have just started that.

7th grade: Change in plans, again. Instead of posting study guide answers, I will give each student a copy of the (CORRECT) key in class on Monday. That will save us time, and we can get started reviewing.

Permission slips will go home tomorrow for the optional review session which will be Wednesday after your English exam. You may eat a quick snack/drink before we get started (you must provide this, I'm not!) if you would like. No food or drink in the media center.

Math exam is Friday morning. You will need sharpened pencils and looseleaf. That's it!

Have a wonderful week everyone!!!!

Mrs. Serpas

2010-12-07T12:50:00.000-06:00

7th grade Math:

I will hold an OPTIONAL mid-term review session at school in the media center on Wednesday, December 15th from 10:15 - 11:15. Ms. Boudreaux has graciously agreed to help me with this. Students are dimissed at 10:05 Wednesday (immediately following their English exam). Students who wish to stay must submit a permission slip with parent contact information.

Pick-up will be at 11:15 in "big carpool" by the church office. If students need to be checked out earlier, please pick them up in the media center.

This session is not required in any way and is strictly optional. Students will work problems and ask questions. This is not a time to visit with friends and hang out. Any misbehaviors will result in a referral and the student will be sent to the office.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Slips will be sent home later this week.

Thank you!

Mrs. Serpas
lserpas@aloysius.org

2010-12-04T08:24:00.000-06:00

Martin Morris (assisted by Matthew Morales) demonstrates a "reciprocal" or inverse of a number. Remember that any number times its reciprocal equals 1 ! This is very important in multiplication and divison of fractions and mixed numbers.

The number does a handstand. The reciprocal of 4/5 is 5/4. Get it? The number does a handstand! :)

Good job guys, thanks!

week of December 6th

2010-12-04T07:53:00.000-06:00

Hello all,

We're almost there...keep up the hard work! Lots of into to give you today!

6th grade: I am so excited about the program we have started! My class will be visiting the website http://www.firstinmath.com/ to access math games. Each time they complete a game, they will be rewarded with (virtual) "stickers." I will require a certain amount of log-on time a week for a grade, but this will be a participation grade, not a grade based on results. It is my hope that students will have fun doing something different, and also brush up on some basic facts as we move along. We started this Friday, and by Monday students must complete the four basic operation tests (addition, subtration, multiplication and division). Most students completed at least two of these in the computer lab on Friday. They are welcome to do as much as they would like!

Each student was issued a username and password. I will have access to their times, stickers, etc. and everyone will be able to view the sticker count of the class.

If students do not have internet access at home, I will need a note stating this (signed by a parent).

Optional Ch. 4 retest is Wednesday 12/8. Students will be tested on same material and grades will be averaged. I need to know by Tuesday 12/7 who plans to take the test.

Ch. 5 Quiz (sections 1 - 4) is Friday 12/10. All students will take this.

7th grade:
Study Guide part I due Monday 12/6
Study Guide part II due Tuesday 12/7
Spiral 14 due Tuesday 12/7
Study Guide part III due Wednesday 12/8
Ch. 5 Quiz Wedensday 12/8
*Study Guide answers will be given Friday 12/10

Yes, a busy week! Hopefully you have been preparing for this and not waiting to do this all at once---I do realize you have other classes. :) Study guides went home before Thanksgiving!!

Have a wonderful week everyone! Please email me if you have any questions.

Mrs. Serpas

Week of November 29th!

2010-11-28T17:42:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone,

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends, and that you enjoyed your break as much as I did! :)

More to come---

first things first......

NO TESTS THIS WEEK!
6th grade- Spiral due this Tuesday. We are starting Ch. 5 this week (Fractions)

7th grade- you do NOT have a spiral due this week. We are continuing in Ch. 5 (Fractions) this week.

I will post more later tonight or tomorrow morning, so stay tuned!

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Serpas :)

6th grade info

2010-11-17T18:03:00.000-06:00

6th graders now have until THURSDAY to get test corrections turned in (up to 3 bonus points!).

A great review for tomorrow's test is the chapter 4 Review pg. 198

Answers to review:

7.) Com.: 1, 3, 9, 27        8.) Comp. 1, 2, 4, 17, 34, 68
9.) prime: 1, 43             10.) comp. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 72           11) 2^2 29          12) 5^2 x 17       13) 3^3 x 17
14) 2 x 3 x 11^2           15) 6       16) 7          17) 2      18) 4
19) 8        20) 33       21) 48           22) 31          23) 40 bracelets, 7 green beads, 5 yellow beads and 6 blue beads
*****#24 - 27 many answers possible!!! examples are given 24) 6/10; 9/15     25) 2/3, 4/6         26) 1/2, 5/10
27) 4/14; 10/35       28) 23/25; 9/10- no        29) 40
30) 60          31) 30       32) 42               33) 405         34) 300
35) 1,872         36) 225       37) 3/4, 11/13, 49/52, 25/26
38) 1/2, 8/15, 2/3, 7/10           39) 2/8, 5/21, 1/2, 3/7
40) 6/13, 25/39, 1/26, 5/6        41) <       42) >         43) >
44) =      45) 26 1/3, 26 2/5, 187/7, 59/2, 121/4
46) 3/4          47) 3/50          48) 5 1/8        49) 3 5/16
50) 1.83 (bar over the 3)    51) 5.875     52) 0.48     53.) 4.7 (bar over 7)

Last week before Thanksgiving!

2010-11-14T17:22:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone,

I hope you have had a wonderful weekend!

I wanted to give you a heads up about the week, more to come later!

6th grade: *Spiral due this Tuesday
*Ch. 4 test this Thursday

7th grade: *Spiral due this Tuesday
*No tests this week!

*Study Guides will go home Friday (remember they will not be due the week we get back to school---some of you might want to get a head start on them. If not- that's ok, just keep them in a safe place!!!!).

Have a great week, I'm back to grading!

Mrs. Serpas :)

7th grade answers to textbook review

2010-11-11T17:02:00.000-06:00

Answers to pg. 210 - 211

pg. 210 Notebook Review:2.) >     3.) >   4.) < 5.) =    6.) n^13
( ^ means raise to the power of ___, ex. n ^ 13 means n to the 13th power)
7.) y ^ 16   8.) x^2      9.) c ^ 4    10.) 12/a^5     11.) 1/n^3
12.) 1/m^11    13.) 1/c^13     (#14 - 17 not on test)

pg. 211 Review Quiz 2
1.) =      2.) >     3.) >       4.) =      5.) 5/12, 1/2, 2/3, 5/6
6.) 5/4, 1 5/14, 1 4/7,           7.) b^6      8.) c^3      9.) a^5
10.) 1/n^5
(#11 not on test)

***This is ONLY the material that we have covered since last quiz...use your yellow sheet to find other problem types and use your last quiz to help study.

You know this---do a great job!

:)

week of November 8th

2010-11-08T09:41:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone,

I hope you enjoyed this beautiful fall weekend--and what AWESOME football games! Go Lions, Tigers and Saints! WOW! :)

Remember- ALL math tests, regardless of grade, must be signed and returned to school in two test days.

As a reminder- I will not be at school this Friday as Joseph is having tubes put in his ears that day.

6th grade: We took a week off from spirals, next spiral goes home tomorrow (Tues. 11/9) and will be due following Tuesday. We are finishing up in chapter 4 this week, will cover all sections,ch. 4 test next week date TBA.

7th grade: Spiral 12 due tomorrow (Tuesday 11/9), Spiral 13 will go home tomorrow and is due next Tuesday 11/16. We are finishing up in Chapter 4, chapter 4 test this Friday. Review sheets are going home today and we are covering the last section today that will be on Friday's test. Remember- you will have a sub Friday and you will still have a test on Friday! You will be well-prepared for this test!

Have a great week everyone! Just two more weeks until Thanksgiving holiday- let's make them count!

Mrs. Serpas

6th grade math IS meeting Wednesday!

2010-11-02T16:38:00.000-05:00

Attention parents of 6th graders:

We WILL have class tomorrow afternoon! Students have been told multiple times that they will attend math classes tomorrow afternoon after the field trip. My class has a test on Friday! I have told students that if they miss math after attending the field trip they will be held accountable for work done in class.

The homework that is due tomorrow is pg. 171 # 2 - 26 even.

Thank you!

The week ahead

2010-11-01T16:06:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone,

I know everyone is tired after a very busy weekend! Just a reminder that spirals are due tomorrow.

6th grade test this week, Chapter 4 Sec. 1 - 4, Greatest Common Factor, Prime Factorization, Least Common Multiple and Equivalent Fractions.

7th grade no test this week. We are continuing in Chapter 4, chapter test in two weeks, date TBA. We will cover all sections in Chapter 4 (4.8 is scientific notation which we have covered, but we will briefly review again).

Have a great week!

Mrs. Serpas

Fair weekend

2010-10-29T16:50:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone,

Hope that y'all have a great weekend at the fair/Hallowen! Just a reminder---I will also be at the fair all weekend and trick-or-treating with my kiddos....so please do not ask me about your tests on Monday. No, they will not be graded. :)

I promise I will get them back ot you as soon as I get them graded.

See you at the fair!

Mrs. Serpas :)

7th grade inequality quizzes

2010-10-24T20:38:00.000-05:00

Just a reminder that 7th grade inequality quizzes must be signed/returned by Tuesday 10/26. Test corrections are also due Tuesday.

If you watched the Saints game today...I can assure you it was more painful in person.

:(

7th grade test moved!!!

2010-10-24T08:34:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone,

Spirals due Tuesday, new spirals will go home Tuesday.

6th grade- no quizzes or tests this week. We will continue in Chapter 4. Quiz the following week on prime factorization, gcf, lcm.

7th grade your quiz has been moved from Wednesday to Friday 10/29, it will cover the same material.

Tough loss for the Tigers. Go Saints! :)

See you tomorrow!

updated important dates

2010-10-20T20:47:00.000-05:00

Hello,

Just a reminder that spirals are due Tuesday of next week.

7th grade- quiz is Wednesday, October 27th covering Chapter 4 sections 1- 4. Prime factorization, Greatest Common Factor, Least Common Multiple and equivalent fractions.

Don't forget help sessions on Tuesday/Thursday (in Ms. Michael's room) 1:05 - 1:30!

Mrs. Serpas

Week ahead

2010-10-18T10:22:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone,

I hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend! I enjoyed the beautiful weather and lots of family time this weekend--which means not much grading time. I do have 6th grade quizzes graded and will show students the grades today, but quizzes will not go home. 7th grade tests are not ready yet.

Looks like the Saints are back on track, and how bout dem Tigers! :)

6th grade- Spirals are due tomorrow. I apologize for not working problems first as I typically do, I took the problems from a workbook and two problems need to be changed. These are written on board in the classroom, and I will post that information to the site later today. Please make a note of those changes.

We will spend the next two days finishing up Chapter 3, then will move on to Chapter 4: Prime Factorization, Greatest Common Factor, etc. No quizzes or tests this week.

7th grade- Spiral due tomorrow. No quizzes or tests this week. We are also starting Chapter 4- Prime Factorization, GCF, LCM, etc. Most of this is a review, but this year we will tackle monomials as well.

Remember that help sessions are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Ms. Michael's room from 1:05-1:25. 7th graders need to see me first, then eat. 6th graders eat first, then ask duty teacher for a pass to see me in the classroom. You can stay as little or as long as you would like. A great time to ask questions about spirals, homework, test, etc. etc. Please come! Remember I am not at school in the mornings.

Have a great week everyone!

Mrs. Serpas

whoops-forgot one

2010-10-13T18:27:00.000-05:00

Pictures of graphs

2010-10-13T18:23:00.002-05:00

7th grade review answers

2010-10-13T18:10:00.000-05:00

Answers to 7th grade review work in workbook

WB pg. 41 - 42 #1) B 2) D 3) C 4) A
9) x > 1           10) 13 > m or m < 13           11) p < -2          12) f < 8
13) 16 < a or a > 16     14) y > -2        15) q > - 13         16) v < -22
17) -3 > j or j < -3         18.) 4.2 < k       19)m > 3 and 2/3
20) t < 15.5       21.) No     22.)       Yes         23.) Yes      24.) Yes

WB pg. 43
1.) m > 12          2.) h < -72         3.) y > - 145         4.) p < -51
5.) g < 6            6.) -4 < n or n > -4      7.) k < -11       8.) q > - 8
9.) -108 < u    10.) c < -8       11.) b > -427      12.) 4 > j

Fall clean-out

2010-10-12T08:07:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone,

Just a reminder to clean out those binders! Anything we did first nine weeks may be recyled (6th graders) or put in your exam folder (7th graders).This inclues homework, notes, spirals, tests, etc.

Stock up on sharepened pencils, looseleaf (to keep in your binder) and make sure your math notebook is in your binder! Don't get a pink slip because you don't have your workbook, it should always stay in your binder.

I was out Monday because Julia has been sick, but I will see you today. Quizzes Thursday as scheduled!

Mrs. Serpas

Week ahead

2010-10-10T07:29:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone,

GEAUX TIGERS! What a win! I hope the Saints will win as well today!!

Remember that conferences are being held this week. Wednesday- early dismissal at 12:30 (no busses!) due to conferences. Regular school day Thursday, no school Friday. If you cannot attend your scheduled conference, please email one of your child's teachers.

6th grade- Quiz Thursday 10/14 on 3.1 (Mean, Median, Mode, Range). Review sheets will go home Monday. Spiral 9 will go home this Tuesday, due Tuesday 10/19.

7th grade- Test Thursday 10/14 on 3.6 & 3.7 (Solving and graphing inequalities). Review sheets will go home Monday. Spiral 9 will go home this Tuesday, due Tuesday 10/19.

I will give out new ledger sheets this week. It is very important to keep these up-to-date. Students are given class-time to fill these out. Remember- you can do the calculataions at home if you run out of time, but there is always time in class to record the assignment, points earned, and points possible. It is important to record the assingment rather than just "hw" (for example, record "pg. 18 # 2 - 24 even").

All students will start off the nine weeks with a homework "freebie" which does not count on spirals. A student may use the freebie at any time of the nine weeks and will not receive points for that particular homework assignment. Any other missed homework after that will be recorded as a 0/3. One of my students suggested that I give a bonus point to students who have not used their freebie over the nine weeks- and I agree with this! New policy this nine weeks.

Spiral reminder- they are worth 5 points and are checked for accuracy, not completion as homeworks are checked. Per SAS handbook policy, 5 point or less assignments are not accepted late (unless student has an excused absence on that day). You may always turn in spirals early. If you are struggling to get these turned in on time, tell yourself they are due on Mondays (or better yet, Fridays!) to get them turned in on time.

This nine weeks I will begin deducting points for students who do not write their full first and last name and student number.

Remember- please get those spirals checked before you turn them in!

Have a wonderful week everyone, and let's go Saints!!

Mrs. Serpas

Test Date/Second Nine weeks

2010-10-06T09:46:00.000-05:00

7th grade quiz covering 3.6 & 3.7 will be Thursday, October 14th. This is the day in between parent/teacher conferences (middle school).

Grade sheets are going home today. I cannot stress enough how important it is for students to complete homework assignments and do well on spirals! These grades have caused nine weeks averages for some students to go down despite higher test scores. In some cases these grades have raised nine week averages for students who have lower test scores.

Homework & spirals are super important! First nine weeks averages:

6th & 7th grade: 11 homework checks, 8 spirals, and 5 quizzes/tests.

19 grades that could have been 3/3 or 5/5. Get those completed and checked please!!!

Week ahead

2010-10-05T09:57:00.000-05:00

Hello all,

Sorry to post on Tuesday, our home internet was down yesterday (which did cause me a small amount of stress!).

We are just about done with the first nine weeks! Both grades have completed their last tests....and their last grade is due today (spiral).

We are taking a break from spirals this week- I think we can ALL use one! :) Next spiral will go home a week from today, Tues. 10/12 and is due Tues. 10/19.

I will send home grade verification slips when all grades are entered.

6th grade- We are starting Chapter 3 this week- data and statistics. Students will have a graded quiz (date TBA) on mean, median, mode (3. 1). We will cover the rest of sections in class and will not have a test on those, some in-class graded activities.

7th grade- We are moving on to solving and graphing inequalities. Quiz on those two sections (3.6 & 3.7) next week, date TBA. Then on to Chapter 4, fractions.

Great job first nine weeks everyone! Keep working hard.

As for weekend football---two wins---great. No further comments. :)

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Serpas :)

6th grade review answers

2010-09-30T16:15:00.000-05:00

6th grade review answers:
1.) <      2.) <       3.) <        4.) 1.019, 1.119, 1.109, 1.910
5.) 19.84    6.) 5.6      7.) 112.775     8.) 14.41
9.) 48.4692     10.) 0.04212     11.) 8.086     12.) 5
13.) 2.5             14.) 90              15.) 5.125 x 10^3
16.) 1.68 x 10^3           17.) 3.605 x 10^2        18.) 380,000
19.) 4, 245         20.) 80,000
21.) cm     22.) g       23.) L       24.) m         25.) Kg
26.) mL    27.) 2,560       28.) 50          29.) 394,000
30.) 41.25      31.) 7,140        32.) 549 rounds to 500
33.) 0.743 rounds to 0.7        34.) 0.9523 rounds to 1.0
35.) 0.4593 rounds to 0.459

Test is TOMORROW!!!! Complete the review sheet! Good luck!

7th grade: Signed tests and test corrections due TOMORROW!

Correction- 7th grade study guide

2010-09-27T21:38:00.000-05:00

Whoops---typo on study guide! Information is correct, page number is not.
IV.) 3.1 Solving Equations Using Addition or Subtraction is correct but can be found on page 109 (not pg. 199)
Sorry for any confusion!!

P.S. 7th grade tests

2010-09-27T08:58:00.002-05:00

I am so proud of my 7th graders! They ROCKED the last test! Way to go! :) As soon as the make-ups are completed I will send the tests home (hopefully Tuesday). Students saw their grades on Friday.

The week ahead

2010-09-27T08:56:00.000-05:00

Hello all,

I hope you had a great weekend! Win for the Tigers and....a really tough game for the Saints. :(

Reminder about spirals- please have someone check over them before you turn them in! I would love everyone to make a 5/5 each and every time! Also--no work shown/turned in = no credit.

6th grade: Ch. 2 Test this Friday. Review sheets will go home today. Last major grade of the nine weeks- make it count!!! Spiral due tomorrow! Please have someone check over it.

7th grade: Unit 2 Test a week from today (Mon. 10/4). Review sheets will go home today. Last major grade of the nine weeks-make it count!
Spiral due tomorrow, you may use a calculator to check the work.

Both grades: What's next?
6th grade: We will begin Ch. 3 Data and Statistics
7th grade: Solving and Graphing Inequalities (Ch. 3)

Have a great week!

Mrs. Serpas

7th grade worksheet answer

2010-09-22T12:58:00.000-05:00

These are the answers to the 7th grade worksheet, 2.7 DP/Like Terms Extra Practice
1.) 4z     2.) 5d + -10      3.) 4h + 2     4.) 10d + -9        5.) 4b + 8
6.) -3a + 42 + -6b      7.) 8s + -35       8.) 5c + -36       9.) 15m + 1m^2 + 12         10.) 22b + 42       11.) 66 + 31a
12.) 1x + 31a        13.) 11x + 9y + 40      14.) 30m + 10m^2
15.) -4m^2 + 16     16.) 5m + 10m^2 + 15
17.) 29y + -8y2 + -10   18.) 5x + -6      19.) 116
20.) 50x + -20y + -9x^2

2010-09-22T07:12:00.000-05:00

Hello all,

6th grade- We are contiuning in Chapter 2- decimals. Quizzes were returned yesterday, all must be signed and returned to school by Thursday. Reminder- students keep quizzes and tests once I have checked for parent signature. Test corrections are due Friday. Chapter test next week, date TBA.

7th grade- Quiz tomorrow! Review sheets went home yesterday. Everyone seems well-prepared!

Spirals both grades, due Tuesday, September 28th

Have a great week!

Mrs. Serpas