In Algebra today, we put all of our patterns together and learned how to factor a trinomial into two binomials, with the coefficient of the x squared term equal to 1. We also learned how to factor difference of squares.
Homework is a sheet with a variety of factoring problems, which we started in class. There are 8 required problems at the top, followed by some harder factoring problems students can try if they'd like a challenge. I'll be posting a video later on tonight which will help you factor those tough ones if you'd like to try them!
Also, there is a factoring quiz on Friday. Extra credit problems on the test will include rational expressions. Take advantage of this extra credit opportunity!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Daily Update - 11.29
In Geometry today, we went through several examples of proving Triangle Congruence. After the examples, students were handed back the homework that was due today, and given a chance to retry it or fix any mistakes they found. Then it was re-collected and will be graded for accuracy.
There will be two grades in the gradebook for this assignment - one for completion, if it was done/attempted for today, and one for accuracy after having a chance to fix it.
Homework tonight is a short, 5 question practice on Triangle Congruency, which is on the Geometry Homework page.
There will be two grades in the gradebook for this assignment - one for completion, if it was done/attempted for today, and one for accuracy after having a chance to fix it.
Homework tonight is a short, 5 question practice on Triangle Congruency, which is on the Geometry Homework page.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Daily Update - 11.28
Hello again! Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and a nice break from school. I know I enjoyed all of those 5 days off!
But, back to the grind! Starting today, there are only 3 weeks until the end of the semester, and a lot to learn between now and then! We'll have to work hard.
In Algebra, we did a pattern-searching activity today to figure out patterns when multiplying two binomials of the form (x + h)(x + k). Homework is to finish the pattern analyzing questions on a sheet of paper. I told the students I am looking for thoughtful answers, as that will lead to the most learning!
Looking ahead, on Wednesday we will look at factoring trinomials and also the special case of difference of squares. Then, we'll spend the rest of the class period practicing all sorts of factoring.
There is a factoring quiz on Friday! Rational expressions will be on the quiz as well, as an extra credit opportunity. I don't give extra credit often, so students should take advantage when they can!
But, back to the grind! Starting today, there are only 3 weeks until the end of the semester, and a lot to learn between now and then! We'll have to work hard.
In Algebra, we did a pattern-searching activity today to figure out patterns when multiplying two binomials of the form (x + h)(x + k). Homework is to finish the pattern analyzing questions on a sheet of paper. I told the students I am looking for thoughtful answers, as that will lead to the most learning!
Looking ahead, on Wednesday we will look at factoring trinomials and also the special case of difference of squares. Then, we'll spend the rest of the class period practicing all sorts of factoring.
There is a factoring quiz on Friday! Rational expressions will be on the quiz as well, as an extra credit opportunity. I don't give extra credit often, so students should take advantage when they can!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Daily Update 11.22
In Geometry, we did a lab with triangles to figure out what the minimum information is needed to know that two triangles are congruent.
The homework includes sets of triangles, and students will use information gathered today to determine if the triangles are congruent or not.
The homework includes sets of triangles, and students will use information gathered today to determine if the triangles are congruent or not.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Daily Update 11.21
Today, students reviewed some polynomial concepts before taking a quiz. Concepts included were adding, subtracting and using distributive property to simplify polynomials, multiplying polynomials, and factoring out a monomial (UN-distributive property, as we call it).
After the quiz, we briefly started the next concept, which is rational expressions. They are just fraction which have polynomials in the numerator and denominator instead of numbers. The good news is the rules for operations with them are the same as normal fractions! It might be a good idea to review fraction rules!
Homework tonight was a sheet with 4 rational expression problems. The last one we didn't go over in class, but I'd still like students to see what they can do. They have the skills and the knowledge to figure it out!
After the quiz, we briefly started the next concept, which is rational expressions. They are just fraction which have polynomials in the numerator and denominator instead of numbers. The good news is the rules for operations with them are the same as normal fractions! It might be a good idea to review fraction rules!
Homework tonight was a sheet with 4 rational expression problems. The last one we didn't go over in class, but I'd still like students to see what they can do. They have the skills and the knowledge to figure it out!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Daily Update - 11.18
Friday at last!
Today in Algebra, students had a choice of practicing one of three skills - factoring, multiplying polynomials, or adding and subtracting polynomials. There was no homework assigned tonight!
In Geometry, students classified triangles by either their angles or their side lengths. We practiced drawing triangles with given properties. No homework assigned tonight!
Today in Algebra, students had a choice of practicing one of three skills - factoring, multiplying polynomials, or adding and subtracting polynomials. There was no homework assigned tonight!
In Geometry, students classified triangles by either their angles or their side lengths. We practiced drawing triangles with given properties. No homework assigned tonight!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Daily Update 11.17
Today, Geometry students worked on an assignment from the book, which was challenging and not challenging at the same time! It was fun to see students work on the problems, which were a review of concepts they already know, but asked in a way that made them apply their knowledge in a new way and think about things a little differently.
For the second part of class, we did an activity to learn about the basic construction of triangles, including what combinations of side lengths are possible, and what the relationship between opposite sides and angles are.
No homework tonight!
For the second part of class, we did an activity to learn about the basic construction of triangles, including what combinations of side lengths are possible, and what the relationship between opposite sides and angles are.
No homework tonight!
Daily Update 11.16
Happy Wednesday!
Today, Algebra students reviewed distributive property and factoring out a monomial. We also learned a new skill today, which is multiplying polynomials. When doing the distributive property, we multiplied on term by an expression with two or three terms. After today, we can multiply any polynomial by any polynomial
For homework, students had a set of 4 problems to do. It is posted on the Algebra Homework page.
Today, Algebra students reviewed distributive property and factoring out a monomial. We also learned a new skill today, which is multiplying polynomials. When doing the distributive property, we multiplied on term by an expression with two or three terms. After today, we can multiply any polynomial by any polynomial
For homework, students had a set of 4 problems to do. It is posted on the Algebra Homework page.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Daily Updates 11.14 11.15
Whew! I'm back! Unfortunately, I was out sick yesterday. But, I am feeling better today, and back at school.
Monday, with the Algebra students, our Americorp Member, Karyn, taught the students about factoring out a monomial - which is the distributive property in reverse. The students had a lot of practice, and were given a homework assignment on it, which is on the Algebra Homework page.
On Tuesday, Geometry students took their Unit 2 test, which was about polygons. I gave them about 10 minutes of study time before the test, and they seemed confident about their skills and ready to succeed. I am anxious to grade the tests and see how well they did. I will be giving back scores on Friday.
Monday, with the Algebra students, our Americorp Member, Karyn, taught the students about factoring out a monomial - which is the distributive property in reverse. The students had a lot of practice, and were given a homework assignment on it, which is on the Algebra Homework page.
On Tuesday, Geometry students took their Unit 2 test, which was about polygons. I gave them about 10 minutes of study time before the test, and they seemed confident about their skills and ready to succeed. I am anxious to grade the tests and see how well they did. I will be giving back scores on Friday.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Daily Update - 11.10
Today, Geometry students took a Galileo test, which is to prepare them for AIMS, and to give them and me an idea of if they are "on track" with the material they should know by now. The test intentionally includes material the students should know, and material they should not know yet.
No School tomorrow!!!
Enjoy your three day weekend :)
No School tomorrow!!!
Enjoy your three day weekend :)
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Daily Update 11.9
Today, Algebra students took a Galileo test, which is to prepare them for AIMS, and to give them and me an idea of if they are "on track" with the material they should know by now. The test intentionally includes material the students should know, and material they should not know yet.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Daily Update 11.8
In Geometry, students were given their final chance to present their projects. Students who have not presented by today will still turn in their project, but will receive a "0" for the presentation portion.
After presentations, students played a game to review for the upcoming test. The game challenged them to decide what they knew and didn't know about the Geometry skills on the test.
Homework tonight is to study for the test, and to complete the study guide!
After presentations, students played a game to review for the upcoming test. The game challenged them to decide what they knew and didn't know about the Geometry skills on the test.
Homework tonight is to study for the test, and to complete the study guide!
Monday, November 7, 2011
Daily Update 11.7
Today in Algebra, we learned the Distributive Property. We not only distributed a number, we distributed a variable term, and learned how to multiply terms with variables in them.
We did lots of practice today, and I felt very confident in the students' ability when they left my classes.
Homework tonight is a 6-question practice of distributive property. 3rd period ended up with about 10 minutes at the end of class to work on it, and many of them finished!
We did lots of practice today, and I felt very confident in the students' ability when they left my classes.
Homework tonight is a 6-question practice of distributive property. 3rd period ended up with about 10 minutes at the end of class to work on it, and many of them finished!
Daily Update Update! 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4
Whew....things have gotten ahead of me, I missed Daily Updates almost all of last week!
Here is a brief rundown of the week:
Tuesday, Nov 1 - The Geometry classes today practiced all four transformations, and also did double-transformations to figures on the coordinate plane. The Unit 2 Test on Polygons was announced today, and students were given a Study Guide for homework, which is due the day of the test, Nov 15.
Wednesday, Nov 2 - Algebra students learned to combine like terms and add and subtract polynomials today. Their homework was a practice sheet with 5 problems.
Thursday, Nov 3 - Sophomores presented their scale model rearrangements of rooms on our campus. If students weren't prepared, they will be given the opportunity on Friday and next Tuesday to present. When presentations were over, students worked on their Unit 2 Study Guides, which are due the day of our second test, Nov 15.
Friday, Nov 4 - Algebra kids practiced adding and subtracting polynomials. HW was to finish the practice sheet if they didn't finish in class. In Geometry, we saw a few more presentations. After the presentations, they worked on a "Row Game" about sum of interior angles to prepare for our test on November 15. If they didn't finish, the Row Game sheet became homework.
Here is a brief rundown of the week:
Tuesday, Nov 1 - The Geometry classes today practiced all four transformations, and also did double-transformations to figures on the coordinate plane. The Unit 2 Test on Polygons was announced today, and students were given a Study Guide for homework, which is due the day of the test, Nov 15.
Wednesday, Nov 2 - Algebra students learned to combine like terms and add and subtract polynomials today. Their homework was a practice sheet with 5 problems.
Thursday, Nov 3 - Sophomores presented their scale model rearrangements of rooms on our campus. If students weren't prepared, they will be given the opportunity on Friday and next Tuesday to present. When presentations were over, students worked on their Unit 2 Study Guides, which are due the day of our second test, Nov 15.
Friday, Nov 4 - Algebra kids practiced adding and subtracting polynomials. HW was to finish the practice sheet if they didn't finish in class. In Geometry, we saw a few more presentations. After the presentations, they worked on a "Row Game" about sum of interior angles to prepare for our test on November 15. If they didn't finish, the Row Game sheet became homework.
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