3D shape creation

We have been exploring how to recognise and identify 3 D shapes...a quick revisit to our kindy days, creating with play dough had us all producing a range of shapes and practicing some very 'transformer' type vocabulary- a favourite new words are 'tetrahedron' and 'polyhedron'. Try putting us on the spot!

Mean, median and mode

We are spending the remainder of the term exploring statistics..this video might help as we learn to use Mean, Median, Mode and Range to make sense of data. It's very catchy!!

Real life challenges: Probability

LI: To apply our understanding of scales, charts and timetables to find possible outcomes/combinations.

We have been approached by the Havelock North Rugby Club to organise a round robin tournament for the six 7th grade teams that they have competing.

The six teams are called:

Anacondas

Bears

Cats

Dingos

Eagles

Falcons

The instructions we have been given are that;

• Each team plays each other team only once.
• There are two fields available for the games. North and South Fields.
• There is to be a half hour break for lunch to rest the referees.
• Each game is played for 30 minutes, with a 10 minute break between games.
• No team will play more than two consecutive games.
• Kick off is 9am.

Check out our individual blog posts- students used either tables, list diagrams or network diagrams to determine that there needed to be 15 games in total, before applying themselves to creating a timetable. We have a whole new appreciation for the people who organise round robins for our own sports events!

Mathletics at HNI

We all competed in a Year 8 Mathletics competition this morning- Lots of fantastic maths talk and collaboration and problem solving.

Applying Algebra

In maths so far this term we have been learning about expressions and formulae in algebra. This week we applied our learning to creating spreadsheets. Students were required to use formula to create their spreadsheets rather than manually entering their data. This was a challenge for many, but once we had completed a few, most were impressed with the convenience and ease that calculations and tables can be created. Early finishers also explored how tables of data can be transformed into informational graphs.
We used real life problems and dilemmas as a basis for our spreadsheet creations.
Here is an example of one Lucy created- she was solving the problem of which saving behaviour would be the most successful when analysed over a period of time, and if slight chances were made in individual saving choices, the impact this would have on achieving their personal targets.  .

week	bill	mandy
0	86	47
1	95	58
2	104	69
3	113	80
4	122	91
5	131	102
6	140	113
7	149	124
8	158	135
9	167	146
10	176	157
11	185	168
12	194	179
13	203	190
14		201

Geometry: position and location

We've been learning to communicate and interpret locations and directions in maths this week. We applied our grid reference skills to a quick game of battleships today...maths can be fun!

Orienteering in Keirunga Gardens

Over the past three weeks Room 15 has had two opportunities (ducking the weather and fitting in camp!) to take part in, and experience some orienteering. This has taken place both at school and at the Keirunga Gardens.  Our sessions have been organised and run by Jane Herries of KiwiOrienteering. Thanks very much Jane! It has been a great chance for many in Room 15 to experience what is for them, a new sport. Thankfully we didn't loose any and returned back to school all in good time! Phew!

Geometry: Position and orientation

We have begun a new maths unit in class this week: Today we focused on identifying angles and measuring them. Check out this youtube clip...a catchy tune may help the memory! (Thanks Clay for the suggestion!)

Maths Websites

Here is a handy link to some of the maths sites we use in class. A great resource to use if practice or clarification is what you are after.

Line, angle, line...triangles

In maths for the past couple of weeks, we have been covering Geometry. We spent some time at the end of our unit learning to construct triangles using a compass, ruler and protractor. We were good enough at it that explaining and demonstrating was a natural next step...check out this film made by Finn and Tyrin, or otherwise check out individual blogs.

Smarties Party....maths can be fun!

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Investigating probability was fun today. After creating a table to show the fraction and percentage of each colour in a packet of smarties. We determined the probability of finding certain colours...it was pretty tricky determining the probability of selecting the same colour, if given the opportunity to blind select twice...but we did it. Ratios are also more fun when you get to eat the materials!

How to multiply: Maths fun

Just had to post this interesting method of working out multiplication equations...we had fun in maths today exploring this approach. Very clever!

Applying algebraic formulae to real life

In maths at the moment we are working on algebra, we applied the use of algebra into a daily life situation. We used the scenario of running a cafe to produce these spreadsheets. Big thanks to the two students from Room 13 who shared their knowledge with us. We will be extending this tomorrow with a mini project. 

Here is Charlotte's... 

Name...	Soup...	Meal...	Dessert...	Drink...	Total...
Bob	4	6	4	3	$77.00
Greg	2	4	6	7	$77.00
Bella	12	30	16	7	$313.00
Caitlin	7	20	13	6	$218.00
Chloe	30	50	20	10	$530.00
Ally	3	7	3	2	$72.00
Jack	34	23	5	3	$303.00
Finn	12	27	9	9	$273.00
Emma	19	33	11	11	$351.00
Teddy	9	11	12	13	$189.00
Adam	5	8	18	7.5	$162.50
Willow	17	37	17	2.5	$365.50
Mia	16	34	26	3.333	$382.00
Sophie	1	2	7	5	$59.00
Total	171	292	167	89.333	$3,372.00

Algebra equations

Following on from our Algebra lessons of last week we are exploring algebraic expressions. Found this youtube clip as a backup reminder...remember methodical steps, one at a time!

Courtenay's Showme

In Room 15 we have been learning how to add and subtract fractions. Here is Courtenay's show me, where she explains the process she follows when solving a word problem. Check out individual 'show me' maths learning by clicking on the individual blog links.  

Transformation in maths with style!

Our focus in maths over the past couple of weeks has been Transformation. Found this fun way to remember the properties for reflection, rotation, translation and enlargement!

Statistics..Analysing Data Rap!

We are developing our statistical skills in Room 15. I found this fun rap to help us remember the different "M's"- Mean, Median and Mode...the catchy tune might just work!?

Maths websites