12/19 & 20 Semester Tests

Pre-Algbera & Applied Geometry will be taking their Semester One Tests today, Algebra 1 & 2 tomorrow. Grades should be posted before Wednesday December 20th @ 2 PM.

12/18 Algebra 1

Students took a practice Semester Test today, the Semester Test is Wednesday morning.

12/18 Algebra 2

Students took a practice Semester Test today, the Semester Test is Wednesday morning.

12/15 Pre Algebra

Students reviewed for the semester test. Review Packet.

12/15 Applied Geometry

Students reviewed for the semester test. Review packet.

12/14 Algebra 1

Students reviewed for the semester test

12/14 Algebra 2

Students took the Chapter Test and then I gave out review materials for the semester test

12/13 Pre Algebra

Students took the Chpater 7 Test and began reviewing for the Semester Test.

12/13 Applied Geometry

Students took the Chapter 7 Test. They began reviewing for the Semester Test as well.

12/12 Algebra 1

We played a review game as a class to prepare for the Semester Test next Wednesday.

12/12 Algebra 2

We reviewed for the Chapter 5 Test.

12/11 Pre Algebra

Students reviewed for the Chapter 7 Test, which will be on Wednesday.

12/11 Applied Geometry

Students reviewed for the Chapter 7 Test, which will be on Wednesday.

12/8 Algebra 2

Today we learned the final method for solving a quadratic equation, the quadratic formula. I derived the formula for the students on the board, then showed them how to use it to solve an equation. See some more examples here. Students practiced using the quadratic formula on a worksheet, then did a short graded assignment. They will also be doing a review worksheet for homework, as we will be having a quiz over Chapter 5 on Tuesday.

Homework:
page 295 #'s 17-40 every 3rd problem & Chapter 5 Review Worksheet

12/7 Pre Algebra

Today we will be working with percents. We will be changing percents to decimals and finding percents of certain numbers. We will review Tuesday's lesson since I was absent, then do a worksheet in class together on the percents.

Homework:
page 346 #'s 4-15 & pages 352-353 #'s 1-8, 25-30

12/7 Applied Geometry

We will wrap up Chapter 6 today, moving away from parallelograms, but still studying quadrilaterals. Today's types of quadrilaterals are trapezoids & kites. Students began class by filling ot a sheet that contianed definitions and properties of our 2 figures. We then went through a chart of all our figures studied in Chapter 6, listing the properties for all. We did some worksheets together in class solving for parts of trapezoids & kites, then students worked onthe graded assignment.

Homework:
pages 433-434
14-18, 20-25, 27-36

Last Extra Credit Chance for Algebra 1

Final opportunity for 2nd quarter Extra Credit:

Click here.

To get credit, you must submit your answer before the end of the week, then show me your name on the list of people who go it correct. This probelm will only be posted until Friday.

12/6 Algebra 1

Today we will be reviewing for the Chapter 5 Test. Students will be working on the Chapter 5 Review Packet. The Chapter 5 Test will be Friday.

12/6 Algebra 2

Today we learned yet another method for solving a quadratic equation, called completing the square. This method involves changing the form of the equation by adding something to both sides, so we are able to take the square root of both sides to solve, as we did on Monday. This is the next to last method we will investigate for solving quadratic equations. After doing some examples on the board, students will practice on this worksheet, then the homework. See some examples of completing the square here.

Homework:
page 286-287 #'s 23-61 every 3rd
(Photo courtesy mathmistakes.info)

12/5 Pre Algebra

I will be gone this afternoon, but the substitute has the following plans for the class.

1) Students will do p. 355 #'2 1-16 at the beginning of class, which will be taken for a grade.
2) Students will do the following worksheet in class, practicing multiplying and dividing fractions. The class will go over the worksheet together.
3) Students will work on a graded assignment, page 326 #'s 10-21 & page 332 #'s 11-37, this will be due in class today, and graded if there is enough time.
4) The 7.6 worksheet will be due on Thursday, it deals with changing fractions to percents.

Homework:
7.6 worksheet (can be viewed from above link)

12/5 Apllied Geomtry

We will continue our study of parallelograms today, focusing on special parallelograms: rectangle, rhombus & square. Students will use the properties of these special parallelograms to find side lengths and angle measures. They will also show that a particular parallelogram is one of these by showing that one of the properties is true. We did some worksheets together in class, then students worked on the graded assignment.

Homework:
p. 402 9-14, 20-23 & p. 412 14, 18-31, 40-42

12/4 Algebra 1

Today we will be finishing our work from the previous lesson and continuing on to a new lesson. The new lesson has students writing linear equations in standard form, shown above. Writing an equation in standard form requires having the x and y on the smaeside of the equal sign, with whole number coefficients.

Homework:
page 311 24-42 even

12/4 Algebra 2

Today we worked on simplifying the square roots that are solutions to our quadratic equations. For example the square root of 18 can be simplified to be 3 times the square root of. 2. We will also be simplifying fractions that have square roots as the denominator.

Homework:
pages 267 - 268 #'s 20-68 even

Algebra 2 2nd Quarter Extra Credit:
Last chance for extra credit before the semester is over. Use the following equation for the height of the water to solve the following problem.

For a bathtub with a rectangular base, the height of the water in the tub h, t seconds after it begins draining is given above. Suppose you fill a tub completely full, the tub is 72 inches long by 28 inches wide by 28 inches high. The drain has a 2 inch diameter. a) Find the time it takes for the tub to go from full to half-full. b) Find the time it takes for the tub to go from half-full to completely empty.

11/30 Algebra 2

Today we learned how to factor quadratic expressions (the reverse process of the FOIL method). Demonstrations can be viewed here. We did some examples together in class, then students worked on this worksheet.

Homework: page 260 24-72 even

11/29 Pre Algebra

Today we continued or work with fractions, focusing on adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators. We used the least common multiple to get the common denominator, then added the fractions using the same process as we did Monday's lesson. Students completed a worksheet in class, then completed a graded assignment.

Graded Assignment:
(Due in class) p. 318 #-s 7-22, 27,28 & p. 727 (7.2) 1-9

11/29 Applied Geometry

Today's lesson continues with our study of polygons, parallelograms in particular. Our main focus is solving problems that use the five properties of parallelograms.

1) Opposite sides of parallelograms are parallel
2) Opposite sides of parallelograms are congruent
3) Consecutive angles are supplementary
4) Opposite angles are congruent
5) Diagonals bisect one another

Some examples of the problems we will be doing can be viewed here. We will do some example problems together in class on this worksheet.

Homework:
page 395-396 #'s 15-25, 32-43

Web Only Applied Geometry Extra Credit

Click here for an extra credit problem for Applied Geometry class. 5 points.

11/28 Algebra 1

Today we begin Chapter 5, shifting our focus from graphing equations to writing equations given certain information. Our objectives our:

1) Write the equation of a line given the slope and y-intercept
2) Write the equation of a line given the graph
3) Write the equation of a line given the slope and a point
4) Write the equation of a line given the slope and x-intercept
5) Write the equation of a line parallel to a given line thru a given point

Examples of these problems can be found here (click on Example 2) and here (click on Example 2). I did some example problems on the board, then students completed this worksheet. We went over the answers in class, then they worked on the graded assignment.

Homework:
p. 276 12-26 all & p. 282 12-40 even, 42,46,48

11/28 Algebra 2

We are turning our focus to quadratic equations in this Chapter. They have graphs that are the above shape, a parabola and equations that are of the form y=ax^2+bx+c. Our objectives are to:

1) Find the vertex of the graph of a quadratic function
2) Graph a quadratic function in standard form, vertex form or intercept form
3) Use the FOIL method to write a quadratic function in standard form

I did some examples on the board for the class, then they worked on a worksheet, they turned in during class, and finally the students worked on the graded assignment.

Homework:
p. 253-254 #'s 17-19, 20-35 every 3rd, 38-48 all

11/27 Pre Algebra

We began Chapter 7 today, focusing on fractions. Today's lesson involves adding fractions with common denominators. We practiced on a worksheet in class then students did a graded assignment, page 312 #'2 4-27. We went over it and corrected it in class.

Homework:
(due for Wednesday) page 726 (7.1) #'s 1-12

11/27 Applied Geometry

Today we started Chapter 6, focusing on polygons. The definitions for this section are regular polygon, concave & convex polygons, the sum of the interior angles of a polygon, the sum of the exterior angles of a polygon, and each interior and exterior angle measure in a regular polygon. We did a worksheet together in class and then students worked on the graded assignment.

11/22 Algebra 1

Today we did a review sheet, then took the Chapter 4 Quiz.

11/21 Pre Algebra

We did a review activity today to begin class, then students took an open book test over Chapter 5.

11/21 Applied Geometry

Today we did a review activity out of the book and then students took an open book test over Chapter 5.

11/20 Algebra 1

Today we reviewed our Chapter 4 material. We did some review work on the board, played a graphing review game and then students worked on a review worksheet due for Wednesday. Also available to students is the opportunity to do the corrections on their Chapter 4 Test, for half the credit of the points missed.

There will be a short quiz over Chapter 4 on Wednesday.

11/17 Pre Algebra

Today we focused on exponents and scientific notation. We went through a few exponent rules and practiced them on a worksheet, talked about scientific notation, practiced on a worksheet, then I allowed them time to work on the graded assignment.

Homework:
page 286 #'2 11-26, 31-40 & page 290 #'s 7-34

11/17 Applied Geometry

Today we worked the study of right triangles, specifically the Pythagorean Theorem and special right triangles. To see some sample homework problems worked out, click here or here. Students took notes from the board, then we worked through some example problems on the board.

Homework:
page 353 #'s 15-17, 19-27, 30-35 & page 360 #'s 1-3, 5-7, 9-11, 13-15

11/16 Algebra 1

Chapter 4 Test today

11/16 Algebra 2

Chapter 4 Test today

11/15 Pre Algebra

Today we focused mainly on fractions. We used the GCF to reduce fractions, simplified fractions containing variables and compared fractions. We showed that a number is rational if it can be written as a fraction. Students also converted fractions to decimals and decimals to fractions. We worked through some examples together on two worksheets ( 1 & 2 ) and then students worked on the graded assignment.

Homework:
p. 276 7-22 & p. 282 11-34

11/15 Applied Geometry

We focused on two ideas today, the Triangle Inequality Theorem and the Hinge Theorem. Both will be used to give information about missing sides or angles in a triangle or triangles. Students copied some notes regarding these theorems from the board to start class, then I showed them some examples of how to apply them to some problems. See more examples here.

Homework:
p. 336-338 #'s 18-31, 42-52 even, 60-62 & p. 343-344 #'s 1-6, 9-14, 18-23

11/14/06 Algebra 1

The students worked on the Chapter 4 Review Packet in preparation for the Chapter 4 Test on Thursday.

11/14/06 Algebra 2

Today students will complete the Chapter 4 Review Packet, and the Chapter 4 Test is Thursday.

11/13/06 Pre Algebra

We worked with 2 concepts in class today, the greatest common factor and the least common multiple. We worked through some examples of how to find each in class and then students completed a worksheet.

Homework:
p. 268 7-22 & p. 272 9-28

11/13/06 Applied Geometry

Today we continued with triangles, focusing on the midsegments. The midsegments of triangle are parallel to the opposite side & half as long as the opposite side. Students need to review the midpoint formula, distance formula & slope formula. We did a worksheet as a group in class to practice, then students worked on the homework.

Homework:
page 324 #'s 10-16, 18-19, 21-26, 39-41

11/10/06 Algebra 1

Today in class we finished up our work in section 6, with sutdents completing a graded assignment from that section in class, page 244 #'s 14-44 even, 52-55 all. When they were finished they did a quick review assignment as well, page 264-265 #'s 2-17. 22-24.

11/10/06 Algebra 2

We did an activity to show a use of matrices today. Matrices can be used to encrypt messages and decode the messages. The students did a worksheet in class found here. (pages 7-10). See video examples (#4 & #25) here. There is another website that explains it here as well.

11/8/06 Pre Algebra

Today we continue our number theory work, giving the prime factorization of numbers. This can be accomplished by using a factor tree (shown above). We began class with some solving equations review work from last chapter. We defined prime and composite numbers, then practiced on a worksheet before doing a graded assignment (page 262 #'s 9-32) in class. There is also a short, out of class assignment due for Monday.

Homework:
p. 725 (section 6.2) #'s 1-10

11/9/06 Applied Geometry

Today we continued our study of segments in triangles, specifically medians & altitudes. We learned that the medians of a triangle intersect at a point two-thirds of the way across the median, called the centroid. We did the following worksheet in class and then students worked on the graded assignment. For some demonstrations of these problems, go here.

Homework:
p. 318 #'s 12-15, 18, 21-26, 28, 29-32

11/8/06 Algebra 1

Today we continued our study of equations and graphs. Our focus today was on slope-intercept form.

y = mx + b

Our objectives are:
1) Solve an equation for y
2) Find the slope and y-int of an equation in y=mx+b form
3) Graph an equation using slope and y-intercept

I worked through some examples on the board, thn students practiced on a worksheet. We ran out of time, so we will continue on Friday with a graded assignment. To see some examples of these problems, click here.

11/8 Algebra 2

We continued our use of inverse matrices today. We will be using them to solve sytems of equations. The process is as follows:

1) Set up matrix equation similar to above
2) Find the inverse of the square matrix
3) Multiply on the left time the column matrix

See a video demonstration here. We practiced on a worksheet in class, then students worked on the graded assignment.

Homework:
p. 233 #'s 12-30 even, (#32 & #46 extra credit)

11/7/06 Pre Algebra

We are skipping Chapter 5 for now, we will come back to it. We will start Chapter 6 today, focusing on number theory. Today we will use the divisibility tests to determine if certain numbers are divisible by 2,3,4,5,6,8,9 or 10. Students practiced this on a worksheet in class, which we went over, then completed page 256 #'s 9-21, 24-31 in class for a grade. We also went over the Chapter 4 Test in class today, your score is on the PowerSchool website.

Homework:
due Thursday: p. 725 (Section 6.1), #'s 1-9

11/7/06 Applied Geometry

We continued with Chapter 5 today, students filled out a packet with the definitions & theorems to begin class. We went through the definitions of circumcenter and incenter of a triangle and applied them to some problems that required us to find segment lengths. See some demonstrations here. Students practiced on a worksheet and then we did a graded assignment in class.

Homework:
(done in class) page 311-313 #'s 12-15, 18-19, 22-32, 40-42

11/6/06 Algebra 1

Our focus today was on finding the slope of a line. Our objectives are:

1) Find the slope of a line given 2 points
2) Identify positive, negative, zero & undefined slopes
3) Find the slope of a line given a graph

We began class with a quick graphing review to evaluate our progress. The slope formula can be found here. I worked through some examples on the board, then let the class practice on a worksheet. After going through it together, the class worked on the graded assignment.

Homework:
p. 230 20-34 all, 36, 40

11/6/06 Algebra 2

Today we learned about how to find an inverse matrix and how to use it to solve a matrix equation. A short explanation is shown above. To see some video demonstrations, click here. We worked on a worksheet together in class, then students worked on the graded assignment.

Homework:
page 227, #'s 14-32

11/1/06 Pre Algebra

Today we took the Chapter 4 Test

11/1/06 Applied Geometry

With the long weekend approaching, we did some cumulative review activities over the first 4 chapters. We will continue with Chpater 5 when we resume on Tuesday.

10/31/06 Algebra 1

We started class by going over and grading the homework assignment due for today.

I explained today's lesson, graphing equations with x & y intercepts by working through a few examples on the board. Today's objectives are:

1) Find x & y intercepts given a graph 2) Find x & y intercepts given an equation 3) Use x & y intercepts to graph an equation
See video demonstrations here.

Students practiced on a worksheet, then worked on their graded assignment.

Homework: page 221-2 #'s 14-54 even

Graph paper can be printed here.

10/31/06 Algebra 2

Today we continued studying matrices and their uses. Today we will be using determinants to solve systems of equations using a process called Cramer's Rule.

Follow this link to see video demonstrations of both.

Students practiced on this worksheet, then did a graded assignment.

Homework:
page 218-9 #'s 12-28 even, 36, 40, 44, 52

10/30/06 Pre Algebra

Students will work on the Chapter 4 Review Packet today in class and we will have a test on Wednesday.

10/30/06 Applied Geometry

We began Chapter 5 today with a lesson focusing on two things:
1) The perpendicular bisector of a segement
2) The angle bisector

The Perpendicular Bisector & Angle Bisector Theorems were introduced to the students. All the practice & homework probelms involve some algebra and solving related to the 2 ideas.

Homework:
page 304
2-17 all

10/27/06 Algebra 1

We began class with a review activity, students took a graph with points and gave their coordiantes (x,y). We went over the homework assignment due for today & graded it in class. I did some examples of problems relating to our learning objectives:

1) Give solutions of an equation given a graph
2) Use a table to graph an equation
3) Solve an equation for y
4) Graph horizontal lines of the form y=b, where b is a number
5) Graph vertical lines of the form x=a, where a is a number

We practiced on a worksheet and then students worked on the graded assignment.

Homework:
p. 214 #'s 12-39 every 3rd problem

10/27/06 Algebra 2

Today's lesson continues our focus on matrices. Today we will be multiplying matrices together. There is a good video demonstration here. After some examples on the board, students practiced multiplying matrices together on this worksheet and then did a short graded assignment from the textbook.

Homework:
p. 211 22-32 even

10/26/06 Pre Algebra

We started today's class with a review of solving equations. It is a worksheet where students give the step by step process to solving equations. After that, I took questions on the homework due for today and we graded it.

Next students got into groups and worked on solving equations from today's lesson. Today's objective is to solve equations with variables on both sides of the equation. In groups they completed a worksheet that illustrates the solving process visually with algebra tiles.

Next, they practiced the new skill with worksheet, which we went through as a class when everyone was finished.

Homework:
page 180, #'s 7-23

10/26/06 Applied Geometry

Chapter 4 Test Today

10/25/06 Algebra 1

Chapter 3 Test today

Homework:
page 206 #'s 10-26 all

10/25/06 Algebra 2

Today we began Chapter 4, which focuses on matrices (plural of matrix). Today's lesson focuses on matrix operations (addition, subtraction & scalar multiplication). Students learning objectives for the day are as follows:

1) Add & subtract matrices
2) Multiply a matrix by a scalar
3) Solve matrix equations where a matrix entry is a variable

Students practiced these objectives on a worksheet in class, then some work out of the book. Both assignments were graded.

Homework:
page 203 #'s 16-36 even, 37,38,42

10/24/06 Pre Algebra

Today we continued with our work solving equations. Today's equations look like the following:

3(x - 2) = 9

We will do the distributive property, which we talked about in a previous chapter, then solve using methods from this chapter.

3(x - 2) = 9 -> 3(x) + 3(-2) = 9 -> 3x - 6 = 9 -> add 6 to each side -> 3x = 15 ->
divide each side by 3 -> x = 5

After working through some examples on the board, students practiced solving on this worksheet. We went through it together, then students worked on the graded assignment.

Homework:
p. 174 #'s 5-23

10/24/06 Applied Geometry

Students worked on the Chapter 4 Review Packet today & they will be taking the Chapter 4 Test on Thursday.

10/23/06 Algebra 1

Students began class with a review activity, page 190-192, #'s 1-22, 25-27 & 32-34.

We went over the homework assigned Thursday.

Students worked on the Chapter 3 Review Packet & the Chapter 3 Test is on Wednesday,

10/23/06 Algebra 2

Today students took the Chapter 3 Test.

10/20/06 Applied Geometry

Today we finished the movie we started watching last week, A Beautiful Mind. We will review Chapter 4 on Tuesday & take the test on Thursday.

10/19/06 Algebra 1

We began class with a review assignment over our previous lesson, which we graded in class. Today's lesson focuses on rates and percents. Our objectives are:

1) Find the unit rate given the total cost
2) Find the average speed
3) Convert units of measure given the unit rate
4) Write fractions and decimals as percents
5) Find percentages given a part of the whole

We worked through some example problems on the board, then the class practiced solving these problems on this worksheet.

Homework: p. 183 11-18, 23-27, 33-35

Note: Google has a nice feature on their search site that does conversions for you. Simply type your conversion into the search bar and it will convert it for you. Click here for demonstration.

10/19/06 Algebra 2

Students worked on the Chapter 3 Review Packet, and there is a Test over Chapter 3 on Monday, October 23rd.

10/18/06 Pre Algebra

We continue our discussion of solving equations today. Today's equations are one step longer than the previous section. An example of the previous equations follows:

2x - 1 = 15 -> add 1 to each side -> 2x = 16 -> divide each side by 2 -> x = 8

Today's look like this:

4x - 2x - 5 = 7 -> combine 4x and -2x -> 2x - 5 = 7 -> add 5 to each side -> 2x = 12 -> divide each side by 2 -> x = 6

We practiced solving these on a worksheet, which we went over in class, then students worked on the graded assignment.

Homework:
page 164 #'s 4-21

10/18/06 Applied Geometry

We continued our discussion of triangles today, focusing on isosceles and equilateral triangles. Our two main points today are:

If two sides of a triangle are congruent to one another, then the angles opposite the sides are congruent to one another as well, and vice versa. (Show at left).

An equilateral triangle is equiangular, and vice versa.

We practiced using these ideas to solve for angles and sides on a worksheet, then students completed a graded assignment.

Homework:
p. 276 #'s 3-10,13-20, 22-25, 33-34, 42-43

10/17/06 Algebra 1

Today we are solving equations using the same steps and procedures as before, but are dealing with equations that contain decimals.

We reviewed the steps to solve equations with a worksheet to begin class, then did some examples of solving decimal equations on the board. Students practiced on a worksheet and then worked on the graded assignment.

Homework:
p. 169 20 - 38 even

10/17/06 Algebra 2

We began class with a review of solving systems of equations. View the worksheet here.

Our next lesson focuses on solving systems of inequalities, whose solutions are expressed as graphs, shown at the left. The solution to a system of inequalities is the area shaded twice in the graph. After viewing some examples on the board, students worked on the graded assignment out of the book.

Homework:
p. 159-160 #'s 12-14, 27-32, 34, 36, 40, 49
If you need some extra graph paper, click here, or some video examples and demonstrations, click here.

10/16/06 Pre Algebra

We began Chpater 4 today, our focus on solving equations that require more than one step. Today's lesson focuses on 2 step equations that involve adding or subtratcing along with multiplying or dividing. For example:

2x - 5 = 7

To solve this particular equation, you would first add 5 (the opposite of subtracting 5) to each side, leaving 2x = 12. Then you would divide each side by 2 (the opposite of multiplying by 2) and get x = 6.

We started class with some group work solving these equations with algebra tiles, then students practiced with a worksheet before doing the graded assignment.

Homework:
page 721 (Section 4.1) #'s 1-10

10/16/06 Applied Geometry

Today we finished with our congruence postulates adding the following:
ASA (Angle Side Angle)
AAS (Angle Angle Side)
HL (Hypotenuse Leg)

We are focusing on being able to show that 2 triangles are congruent using given information and one of the above three congruence postulates. We also tie in some algebra, solving for pieces of triangles using the fact that the triangles are congruent.

We did a worksheet packet in class to practice, then students worked on the assignment.

Homework:
pages 256-259 #'s 4,5,11,12,14,15,26-29 & page 263 17,18,24-27

It's a girl!

Cassidy Marie, born October 10th, 2006, 2:56 PM. 7 pounds, 5 ounces, 20 inches. Everybody is happy & healthy! I'll be back at school Friday.

10/6/06 Algebra 1

We began class with a review activity from Wednesday's lesson, page 799 #16-21,24. We graded the homework assignment that was due and then I did examples of solving today's equations on the board. See some more examples here. Our goal today is to solve equations with variables on both sides of the equation. We will use the same techniques that we used in the previous sections. 3rd period class does not have a homework assignment, 4th period must compete page 157, #'s 18-41.

10/6/06 Algebra 2

Today's lesson focused on solving systems of equations with 3 variables. Methods of solving are similar to Wednesday's lesson. We did a worksheet in class and went over the answers.


Homework:
none

10/5/06 Pre Algebra

Chapter 3 Test Today

10/5/06 Applied Geometry

Students began class by copying some notes on our 3 main ideas today:

1) Congruent Triangles
2) SAS Congruence Theorem
3) SSS Congruence Theorem



I illustrated some examples of what it means to be congruent triangles and what we can do with it. Students completed a worksheet packet for practice, which we went over at the end of class. Here are some homework examples for section 3 & section 4 .

Homework:
pages 234-235 #'s 3-10, 13-18, 23-24 & pages 246-248 #'s 7-9, 11-17, 28-29

10/4/06 Algebra 1

We began class with a review of the last 2 lessons, solving 1 step equations with addition, subtraction, multiplication & division. The new lesson focuses on solving multiple step equations. I did some example exercises from the book on the board. You can see some more examples solved in the videos presented here. We practiced solving these equations, which use a series of steps that have made up the first few weeks of class, on this worksheet. We went through it together in class afterwards, then students worked on their homework assignment.

Homework:
page 148, #'s 16-36 all, 50,51,54

10/4/06 Algebra 2

Today in class we reviewed solving systems of equations by the substitution method, and I introduced the new method of solving, the linear combination method. I explained a few examples and then student spracticed on a worksheet. For demonstration of this method, follow this link and click the 'Video" button next to the second example.

Homework:
page 152-153 #'s 28,30,32,38

Website mention

There is a mention of our website on another blog. It was posted by my storage provider, eggdisk.com. It is the site that allows for the free storage of my worksheets so you can download them at home. Here is the link.

10/3/06 Pre Algebra

Students began class with a review activity, pages 147-149, #'s 1-15. Today's lesson focused on the coordinate plane, shown at left. Today students need to be able to:

1) Plot ordered pairs in the coordinate plane
2) Tell which quadrant an ordered pair is in
3) Plot 4 ordered pairs that create a rectangle and find its area
4) Give examples of ordered pairs that will work in an equation


We practiced the objectives on a worksheet, then students completed a graded assignment, page 144, #'s 11-29. We will be taking a test on Thursday, and the homework assignment is a review for the test.

Homework:
page 150, #'s 1-18 & page 152 #'s 30-40 even,52-66 even
*Test Thursday

10/3/06 Applied Geometry

We began today with a worksheet reviewing Friday's lesson. We went over the homework that was due for today together and then moved onto our new lesson. Today's focus is on the Triangle Sum Theorem, which states that the interior angles of a triangle add up to be 180 degrees. Our objectives are:

1) Give the Triangle Sum Theorem
2) Give the Third Angle theorem
3) Give the Exterior Angle Theorem
4) Find the measures of interior and exterior angles in a triangle

We completed a worksheet in class for practice, then students worked on our graded assignment. Video demonstartions and step by step solutions can be found here.

Homework:
page 227-230, #'s 6-14, 16-23, 29-34 & 41-43

10/2/06 Algebra 1

Today we began class with a review activity from the first section, page 799, #'s 1-8. I answered questions over the homework that was due today and then we graded both assignments in class. We went over the day's objectives, which were:

1) State the inverse operation
2) Tell what step you would use to solve an equation using multiplication or division
3) Solve one step equations involving multiplication or division

Students did this worksheet in class, then worked on the graded assginment in the book, page 142, #'s 14-19 and 24-47.

Homework:
none, graded assignment done in class

10/2/06 Algebra 2

We began our work in Chapter 3 today. Chapter 3 deals with systems of equations, also called 2 equations, 2 unknowns. We will take 2 (or more) equations involving 2 variables and solve for both. To introduce the idea today, I will show students how to find the solution by graphing and how to check whether an ordered pair is a solution. I will introduce one of the algebraic methods of solving to them today, the substitution method. After today students should be able to:
1) Check ordered pairs to see if they are solutions to systems of equations
2) Solve a system of equations by graphing both equations
3) Give the number of solutions to a system of equations from the graph
4) Use the substitution method to solve a system of equations

Students will practice in class with this worksheet. Here is a link for a video demonstration of the substitution method.

Homework:
page 143 #'s 32-40 all & page 153 #'s 11-13,16,18,19,22

9/29/06 Pre Algebra

Today in class we reviewed multiplying and dividing positive and negative numbers. This will allow us to solve equations that involve negative numbers. Most in class work was performed by the student, a worksheet and the graded assignment, page 128 #'s 7-24 & page 134 #'s 9-20, 25-32.

Homework;
none, assignment done in class

9/29/06 Applied Geometry

We have a short lesson today, beginning our focus on triangles. In the first section of the chapter, our objectives are:

1) Classify triangles by their angle measures
2) Classify triangles by their side lengths
3) Find angle measures and side lengths in triangles

Students filled out some worksheets containing our 7 definitions, we worked through some of the algebra involved in find side lengths in isosceles and equilateral triangles, then they practiced with a worksheet and did a short, graded assignment.


Homework:
none

9/28/06 Algebra 1

We began class with some review work from the back of the book, page 783 #'s 1-64 every 3rd problem. The purpose was to review fraction operations, particularly reciprocals and multiplication, which we will use next class period. Our new lesson began with a group activity involving algebra tiles (shown @ left). Students moved into groups and completed this worksheet. We went over it as a class and then students practiced their new skills on a practice worksheet. Our objectives for the lesson are:

1) State the inverse operation
2) Tell the step you would use to solve an equation involving addition or subtraction
3) Solve a one-step equation by adding or subtracting from both sides

There is a small homework assignment in the book to be completed for Monday.

-> I found a good resource if you need help with solving equations from this section, it is from another textbook, and if you click the "Video" link next to each tpe of problem, you can see a demonstration of the problem. Visit the site here.

Homework:
page 135, #'s 22-40 even