Daily Update - 10.31

Happy Halloween!  It was fun seeing everyone's creativity come out today :)

In Algebra, we began our real work with Algebra Tiles.  After today, students are able to represent any expression using Algebra Tiles.  They should also be able to relate the Algebra Tile representation with the math symbol representation.

For homework, students should draw the Algebra Tile representation for a list of expressions they copied down at the end of class.  Those expressions are listed below, as well as on the Algebra Homework page.

HW:  

Draw a table and show the Algebra Tile representation of the following expressions.  Your drawing should be colored!

1.  2x

2.  x + 2

3. 3x - 3y - 5

4.  3x² + 5x - 1 + y

Daily Update - 10.28

Finally Friday!!

In Algebra, students practiced a variety of math problems while I pulled kids aside and showed them their test scores!  I also talked to a few students about my re-take policy.  Students who are not happy with their score can do test corrections on a separate sheet of paper, which means fixing anything they didn't get full credit on the first time.  They can come see me for help, work with Keith during before or after school tutoring, get help from fellow students, use their notes...whatever it takes to understand the problems on the test!  Once they've completed this, they can come see me to talk about retaking the test.  Then, I will replace their score in the grade book!  Retakes must be done by November 22, which is the last day of school before Thanksgiving.

Homework is to complete at least 10 problems from the set I handed out in class today.  The packet is posted on the Algebra Homework page.

Geometry students learned and practiced our fourth type of transformation today: dilations.  They had one final transformation to complete for homework.  Remember the rule for dilations is (x, y) --> (dx, dy) if d is my scale factor! In other words, just multiply both coordinates by the scale factor to find the new coordinates.

Daily Update - 10.27

On Thursday, the students in both Geometry classes continued working on their projects.  After today, we will not spend any class time on them, and students should have them completed and ready to turn in on Tuesday.

No official homework, only project work if need be.

FCP Books

The Algebra students had a major assignment due in the week before the Grand Canyon Trip.  I am currently grading their FCP (Fundamental Counting Principle) Books, and am about to enter them into the grade book.

I am alarmed at how many students did not turn in a book.  A 0 on this project will have a major effect on their grade.

Students are still welcome to turn the books in, however their score will be reduced because the book is late.  Please see PowerSchool to see if your student turned one in.  Also see the Algebra Homework page for a description of the project as well as a rubric.

Daily Update - 10.26

Today in Algebra, we started making our Algebra Tiles.  These are a variety of squares and rectangles, in different colors, which will help us to understand visually what's happening as we learn Algebra rules and tricks.  We will be using the tiles for the next couple of weeks, so students should become pretty familiar with them.  I provided them plastic baggies, and a place to store them in the classroom so that they will not get lost.

Most students finished, but if they did not, I assigned it as homework.  Students who did finish do not have homework.

On Friday, we will review their test scores, and also continue working with the tiles.

Transformations Galore!

Here are a few videos of the stuff we are learning in Geometry.  The students watched the first four with the sub last week, and have not seen the last two.

Translations

Reflections

Rotations

Rotations 2

Dilations

Dilations 2

Daily Update - 10.25

Today in Geometry, it was great to see the Sophomores again!  I didn't see them at all last week.

We continued to work on our Rearrange the Room project, and I was impressed by the students' dedication and hard work today.  We will continue to work on them Thursday, and the project will be due at the end of the class period on Thursday.

Just a reminder, there are four components to the project:
1.  A scale model of your new room arrangement
2.  The math you did to create the model, written neatly or typed. (I originally asked for it to be typed.  Written neatly is also acceptable.)
3.  A write-up of why your new arrangement is best.
4.  A presentation of your model.

Presentations will be Friday or Tuesday.

Here is a description of the project as well as the rubric I'll use to grade it.

Daily Update - 10.24

The freshmen are back from the Grand Canyon and so looking forward to math class :)

Today is the day of our Unit 1 test.  Students were given Study Guides two weeks ago, which were due today.  However, I gave both classes an extension until Friday to complete the Study Guide and turn it in.  If your student lost their copy, the study guide is available on the "Algebra Homework" page.

We began the class period with about 20 minutes of study time so that the students could review the material, ask any last questions, and feel prepared for the test.

I will get them graded and back to the students on Friday, Oct 28.

If students are not happy with their score, they are welcome to do a retake.  To be eligible for a retake, students should make test corrections (on a separate sheet), and then go through them with me during Office Hours.  Once I feel confident in their ability to do well, students will be able to retake the test, and I will replace their score.  Retakes must be completed by Nov 22, so if your student would like to take advantage of this opportunity, they should start early!

I know the students will do great on this Unit 1 Test!

Grand Canyon!

In a few short days, the Freshmen will be headed up to the Grand Canyon!  Here are some reminders for everyone:

Freshmen:  Remember to pack warm stuff! It will be cold.  You will need a winter jacket, a warm sleeping bag, sleeping pad, wool socks, etc.  I'm looking forward to the trip, I hope you are!

Sophomores:  While I am away, you will continue to practice translations, reflections, and you'll learn how to do rotations.  Also, continue working on your Room Arrangement project.  It will be due Thursday, Oct 27.

Daily Update - Oct 13

In an effort to make myself keep this blog as updated as possible, I am setting a goal of posting a daily update.  In these daily update posts, you can expect a quick overview of our lesson for the day, as well as how class went, and what homework was assigned.

Today was Geometry.  We started a brand new topic - Transformations.  These include translations (slides), reflections (flips), rotations, (turns) and dilations (size change) of shapes in the coordinate plane.
We discussed what each of them are, and what they look like, and then went into detail with translations and reflections.

After today, students should be able to translate or reflect a shape given to them on the coordinate plane.  They should also be able to describe a translation algebraically [ (x,y) --> (x+1, y) ].

I listed coordinate points on the board at the end of class.  Students were to copy them down, and then reflect that shape over the y-axis (2nd period) or over both the x and y axes (4th period).  Also, they should label points with the correct letter name, and tell me it's coordinates.