Math Update!

Hello Everyone,

We are finishing up our financial literacy math unit, and we have talked about a lot of concepts!

Given we are in the MACC setting, I have extended our learning in math, and we have discussed content from a range of levels, grades 4-8. All students are invited to participate in this learning, as it provides challenge for those with higher skills, and exposure for those who haven’t had the opportunity to talk about applied math such as economics! 

However, when I do assessments, I take into mind each student’s level and abilities, and our math quiz will represent that, as I did the last time.

We are reviewing the following concepts, and I have provided some extra worksheet practice today for those who chose to do it, per students’ request!

  • Adding and Subtracting of decimals
  • Proper money notation, and having cents represented to the hundredths place
  • Multiplying decimals (Varying levels: 2.5 x 8, 3.45 x 4.2, and 5670 x .24)
  • Dividing decimals (Varying levels: 8.5/4, 24.5/3.2, 34.56/.25)
  • Finding the per unit cost and the “better deal”
  • Finding the tip on a restaurant bill  (15% = .15, and then multiplying that by the bill amount)
  • Finding tax on a purchase  (12% = .12, and then multiplying that by the purchase amount)
  • Finding the cost of an item after a discount (25% discount = .25, and then multiply this by the cost of the item)
  • Finding interest  (2% annual interest = .02, and then multiplying that by the amount of a loan, and adding it to the loan to find the total that needs to be paid back)

We practiced using these skills:

  • during discussions about Economics (supply and demand, inflation, interest, mortgages, tax, profit, etc.)
  • during our MACC Mall activity
  • within EXCEL and GOOGLE SHEETS as we learned to use the software and create a budget
  • and through a “job simulation” where everyone received a salary, found an apartment, bought a car, etc.

We will have our quiz either on Friday or as soon as the students feel they are ready, as some students have asked for a bit more time to review.

Our next unit will involve math about rockets (decimals, geometry, word problems, charts, and more), math and artistic representation (such as fractals), and NASA space math for those who would like the extra challenge!

Ms. D