SURFACE AREA practice worksheets

Here are some practice worksheets on surface area of different prisms and pyramids.  Each worksheet contains practice problems and then an answer page.  I will be posting worked out examples on how I do the problems in the near future.

 I teach the method of breaking the 3D shapes into its sides which are simple geometric shapes and  labeling them with dimensions from the original drawing and then solving for the area of each of the individual sides and finally adding up all those areas.  I use this method because for most of the kids, this is their first time dealing with 3D shapes on paper only and many of them have a difficult time manipulating the drawings in their heads.  By making them draw the different sides, including the ones they cannot see in the pictures, it helps them develop a spatial sense of a the physical 3D shape from just a 2D drawing.   I understand that this method may not be the simplest or most direct method of calculating surface area, but I am trying to also teach about virtual spatial manipulation as well.  I know there are formulas for calculating surface ares for pyramids and prisms, and I appreciate many of you for showing your kids that method.  I just ask that you make sure your child understands how to view those shapes from different angles, and not rely on just the formulas to solve the problems.

Some of the classes got to the lesson on the 3D L Blocks and for some that was a very frustrating lesson because  they were having a difficult time rotating the images in their heads to see and draw all the hidden sides.  It just takes time and practice to master this concept, so please have your kids at least attempt one of the L block problems I included.

square prisms
rectangular prisms
triangular prisms
square pyramid
rectangle pyramid
triangular pyramid
L Blocks

let me know if you have any questions.  I will be posting worked out examples soon.

Geometry Powerpoint notes

We have changed topics in class again and are now starting on our GEOMETRY unit for the next few weeks.  We will cover basic vocabulary, simple 2D shapes (triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons and octagons),  finding angles of the different shapes, finding area and perimeter of simple and complex 2D shapes and then finally moving onto 3D shapes.  We will spend some time working with surface area and volume of 3D shapes.  As an introduction to this unit, I have been showing the kids a powerpoint presentation I created to give them the basic definitions and some examples of how to calculate missing angles from a given diagram.  The power point is 52 slides long, and the kids have been copying them one slide at a time as I flash them on the board and discuss what is being shown.  I am including a copy of this powerpoint at the end of this post so that you can (you do not have to...totally optional) print it out so your child does not have to copy every slide each time I flash it.  If they have their own copy, they will be able to follow along and add new information as I present it in class.  When I finish going over all the material in the powerpoint, I will be giving the kids a vocabulary quiz on the terms defined in it. There are over 40 words, and the quiz will cover them all in a matching format.  I review every day, but please take a few moments to review with them before they take the quiz.

I want to thank those of you who have been taking the time to complete the bonus questions I have been posting.  I have not graded them all so far, but I will have them done and entered into powerschool before the grading period ends next Friday.  I will continue to post them as long as there are kids completing them.  I like to hear that parents and friends are helping out, that is exactly what I wanted, thank you.

Please continue to send me any links that you find to sites that you are using for extra help or practice.  Please continue to utilize the Mobymax program to continue filling in gaps in skills.

As always, let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

GEOMETRY POWER POINT

ANSWER KEYS TO PRACTICE TESTS

Here are the answer keys to the practice tests we did in class this week...

A class test   answer to A class practice test

B class test   answers to B class practice test

C class test   answers to C class practice test

I would suggest being able to complete at least 2 of the 3 tests to be ready for the test on Tuesday.  The actual test will look a lot like these practice tests.

BONUS QUESTION FOR PERCENT TEST

The link below is to a challenge problem that if completed correctly will add 5 points to the percent test.  In order to get credit, you must tell me the cost of all 3 vacations given the information presented in the problem.  It must be turned in to me before the test on Tuesday.

Bonus Vacation problem

please include all work when you turn in the answer.

Answer Key for Book problems (class assignment)

Here is the answer key to the book problems that I had my classes working on in class this week as review for the percent test next week.  I posted the problems in an earlier post.

Answer Key for Review Assignment for proportions and percents   (problems from book)

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Practice Tests for Percent Test

Here are copies of the practice tests we did in class today.  Each class did a different test.  If you want extra practice you can download the tests for the other classes and complete them.  I will post answer keys for all practice tests by the weekend.

A CLASS (first period)        Practice Test A class

B CLASS  (second period)  Practice Test B class

C CLASS  (fourth period)   Practice Test C class

I will go over every question in each class tomorrow

TEST announcement and Review Assignment for proportion and percents

The kids will be taking the second TEST for the 2nd quarter on Tuesday, January 20.  It will be on proportions and percents.  We have been working on these topics for a few weeks in class.

I am attaching a link to the review assignment I had the kids working on in class the past 2 days.  It was taken from an old textbook so I cut and pasted each section into one large document.  The kids were not required to copy the problems, so you may want to print out a copy of this to have so they can use it when reviewing later in the year.

I will be giving them a practice test in class on Thursday and will post it to the blog at the end of the day as well as an answer key by the weekend.

The second quarter is quickly coming to an end, so please be sure to check powerschool to see if you are missing any assignments.  IF you have not already taken the time to stop by the office to get your powerschool login, please take a moment in the near future to do so.  We do our best to keep our grade books updated and current as possible, so please take advantage of that.  It is much quicker than emailing us to provide grades or missing work.

REVIEW ASSIGNMENT FOR TEST ON PROPORTIONS AND PERCENTS


Please email me with any questions or concerns you may have....