DATA, DATA, DATA

Our 7th and 8th graders are preparing for the Science Fair on February 21, 2014.  To help with the communication of the results of their experiment, we will be learning how data can be summarized (mean, median, range, outliers, box and whisker plot) and the best way it can be displayed (bar graph, line graph, scatterplot, etc). The students will also learn how to make a graph on the computer so their data will be displayed neatly and with precision.

Conferences, February 11 and 13

Conferences are quickly approaching.  You can sign up for conferences with the teacher of your choice at the following website:

ELMS Scheduler - https://www.myschoolsystems.com/s-winneshiek/elemms

100 Day Challenge

8th Grade D.C. Trip

Just a reminder for 8th grade families:

A Washington D.C. payment is due the end of January.  See the e-mail from Lynn Franzen with details.

 The packing meeting for the D.C. trip will be:  

              •  Wednesday, April 30    This date will need to be changed because Mrs. Downs will be out of town.  We will let you know the change when it is decided.

              •  5:30 p.m.

              •  South Winneshiek Middle School library. 

All students on the trip and their parents should attend.

MathCounts 2014

MathCounts 2014 - If you see these students tell them, "Way to go! Keep Striving for the Top!"

These students did a great job representing South Winn at the MathCounts competition in Fayette on Tuesday, January 21.  They are true problem solvers!  I am proud of each of them.  We will be attending a second competition on Saturday, Feb. 1 at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo.

Let's Think About That...

How does that work??  

10 Bold Tasting Calories per 8 fl oz
20 Calories per bottle (20 fl oz)

Bowling for Merit Day

We finally got the opportunity to go to the bowling alley today for Merit Day!  With all the rescheduling because of snow days, Mother Nature finally decided to let us go.  The students had a great afternoon and celebrated good behavior.

Thanks to those students who will be a part of the MathCounts Competition in Fayette on Tuesday, January 21. We have been practicing and will be ready to have a mathtastic day. We are leaving at 8:15 and will be back by the end of the school day.  (I know some of the boys will have a basketball game later that afternoon.)

Lego League students took off tonight for the Lego League Competition on Saturday.  Good luck to the team.

7th and 8th Grade Students - Math Counts Practices 2014

MATH COUNTS PRACTICES 2014

Practices are important for the success at the competitions.  It is important to attend practices when possible.  As in any sport or activity, the more you practice the greater the improvement and the more success you will have.

Please make arrangements to pick up your child after practices.  Some days the activity bus will be available as well.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Practices:  (I know many students are involved in other activities but participation at practices would be helpful.  I have included many opportunities for practice.  Students should try to make it to a couple practices a week.  For those that can not come, I have practice sheets available for you to work on at home.)

•Monday,       January 13:            3:15 - 4:15 p.m.

•Tuesday,      January 14:            7:30 - 8:15 a.m.

•Wednesday, January 15:           3:15 - 4:15 p.m.

•Thursday,     January 16:           7:30 - 8:15 a.m.

•Monday,       January 20:            3:15 - 4:15 p.m.

•Tuesday,      January 21:            1st Competition in Fayette
•Thursday,     January 23:            7:30 - 8:15 p.m.

•Monday,         January 27:           3:15 - 4:15 p.m.
•Tuesday,       January 28:            7:30 - 8:15 p.m.
•Friday,           January 31:            3:15 - 4:15 p.m.

Hope to see the students at the practices!

7th and 8th Grade Students - Math Counts!! Be a part of the fun!

Hello!! 

7th and 8th Grade Students are invited to participate in the Math Counts!  

Math Counts is a group of students who participate in problem solving competitions.  There will be two competitions this winter.  We have been practicing problems in class and are getting better at problem solving.  The competition consists of the following:

Sprint Round -             40 minutes

                                    30 questions

                                    No calculators

Target Round-             30 minutes

                                    4 pairs of problems (total of 8 problems presented in pairs)

                                    Calculators allowed

Team Round-              Teams of 4 students

                                    30 minutes

                                    10 problems

                                    Calculators allowed

Countdown Round-    Top 10 individual students (based on sprint and target)

                                    2 students are paired

                                    A problem is presented

                                    Students buzz in with the answer

                                    Students move up by having the best score of 3 problems

Dates:  Tuesday, January 21, 2014 (8:30 a.m. – about 2:00 p.m.)   Fayette

            Saturday, February 1, 2014 (6:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)  Waterloo

#1  •Tuesday, January 21, 2014:  Competition in Fayette during the school day.  We will be back about 2:45, so the students will not miss any games, practices, etc.

#2  •Saturday, February 1, 2014:  Competition in Waterloo from about 6:30a.m. until 2:30p.m.  (More information will be coming about this competition.)

Participating students need to be present at both competitions.

Thanks so much!

If you have questions, I can be reached at school at 532-9365 or at home at 534-7924.

Mrs. Franzen

6th Grade Students - Math in the World

This week the 6th grade students have viewed and discussed pictures of math "errors" in class. These pictures showed how math (and sometimes errors) are found in the real world.

  This is one of those pictures that doesn't make any sense!!  How is it that $12 was saved?  The 6th graders are also beginning work on a project in which they will create their own math video problem that poses a math question or problem encountered in real life.  We watched some examples and began brainstorming this week.

As always, I welcome any questions or concerns you may have as the school year progresses.  You can reach me at cfranzen@swinn.k12.ia.us.

Middle School Math

Welcome to middle school math!  We are off to a great start to 2014.  It is hard to believe it is third quarter already.  I have enjoyed seeing the students after our long extended break. 

I would also like to introduce Mr. Zach Stekel to you.  He is a J-term student from Luther College.  He will be with our classroom Monday through Thursday throughout January and helping in the classroom.