Math Update: April 2026
Grade 6 (Scott)
We were not in school on Pi Day (3/14) this year as it fell on a Saturday, but we made up for it during Pi Week shortly thereafter.
First, we measured the diameter and circumference of various objects with circular components (mugs, bowls, lids, etc.) using flexible, paper rulers. We found (with remarkable class-averaged ratios) a very-close-to-pi result (3.122 in one class!) suggesting that there are just a bit more than three diameters around every circle or 3.14 x diameter equals the circumference.
The next step was to cut some paper circles into pieces and glue them onto squares with radius-lengthed sides. The reassembled areas (about 3-1/7 filled squares) yielded results quite close to pi, as well, suggesting that 3.14 x (radius x radius) is a way to approximate the area of a circle. Students worked to make sense of this video to give it a pizza point of reference and this video to see how (essentially) calculus could use an infinite number of pizza slices to make an r x pi x r (or pi x r2) rectangle.
I invite you to take a few minutes to view the videos and see if you can make sense of our area-calculating strategies!
Grade 7 (Scott)
Some compelling research shows that the most common mistake in algebra is the loss of a “-” sign somewhere in the simplifying process. One reason (of many) that I appreciate the free online Illustrative mathematics “textbook” for Accelerated 7 Math is that it breaks down addition and subtraction of integers into multiple steps (in the first section of Unit 4). That idea then gets woven in with the distributive property, where changing subtraction to addition-of-the-opposite becomes even more important for maintaining accurate integer signs.
We will practice these elements of algebraic problem-solving multiple times, and they will be reiterated early in 8th Grade Algebra, so that we can build confidence and accuracy in solving equations with one (and soon with two) variables.
We have lots to do in the coming weeks to ensure students are ready for 8th Grade Algebra. We will be using algebra tiles in class and “hanger models” from the text to make things more concrete.
For parents who have time and interest, please explore our online “textbook”. Familiarizing yourselves with the way our curriculum is organized and presented could help students now, for the remainder of the year, and over the summer as they build skills and confidence for 8th Grade Algebra.
Grade 8 (Virgil)
We are heading into the final stretch. We are practicing adding, subtracting, and multiplying polynomial expressions. Everyone should be practicing this as much as possible over the next few weeks. We will then begin expanding and factoring quadratic equations. Lastly, we will solve quadratic functions using a variety of strategies, including completing the square and the quadratic formula.
The final part of Algebra 1 is the most work, so everyone needs to lean in to math class. I will keep things positive and give as much support as needed to finish in a way that makes the kids proud of their hard work. We often shout out the New York state motto when things get tough in our house, so I offer it to you now. “Excelsior!!!”