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

9/28/06 Algebra 2

Chapter 3 Test today

Algebra 1 & 2 Extra Credit for 9/27-10/6

For students who can correctly answer this problem, I will award 5 points extra credit to the lowest homework score.

Applied Geometry Extra Credit for 9/27-10/6

For students that can correctly answer this problem, I will award 5 points of extra credit to their lowest homework score.

9/27/06 Pre Algebra

Students began class with a review assignment, page 118, #'s 1-20. We then discussed our rule for subtraction. The rule is this:

Instead of subtracting a number, you are adding the opposite.
Example: -4 - 3 is really -4 + (-3) & 3 - (-2) is really 3 + (2)

This rule links subtraction to our lesson from Monday, which dealt with the addtion of negative numbers. Our objectives for the lesson are:

1) Write a subtraction problem as an addition problem
2) Solve subtraction problems (particularly with negative numbers)
3) Simplify expressions by adding like terms (again focusing on negative numbers)

Students did a practice worksheet in class, which we went over after everyone was finished, then did this worksheet, which will be for a grade.

Homework:
3.4 Worksheet (done in class)

9/27/06 Applied Geometry

Today we took the Chapter 3 Test.

A good read

I found a good article on the website of one of my college professors. It explains how to be successful in math class. It was a link for his freshman math class, but applies to any math student. Read it here. Print it out at home and bring it to me by the end of the week for extra credit.

9/26/06 Algebra 1

We began class by going over the review assignment given out last Wednesday. Afterwards, the students completed another review assignment in the book, page 125 #'s 1-37, skipping #'s 9-11. We spent some time going over this, then we took the Chapter 2 Test. (For those who received lower than 76% on their tests, you can retake a different test and improve your score up to a 76%, try to get this done by next Wednesday)

9/26/06 Algebra 2

We started class by reviewing the worksheet from last Wednesday. Students asked questions and we did some problems on the board. The Chapter 2 Test is on Thursday, so I handed out a Review Packet and students worked on it for the remainder of the period.

Homework:
Chapter 2 Review Packet
*Chapter 2 Test Thursday

9/25/06 Pre Algebra

We began class with review from the homework completed after Thursday's test. We graded this and the assignment. Students did an in-class activity on pages 108-109 that modeled addtion of positive and negative numbers. Our 2 rules for the day are:

1) When adding two numbers with the same sign, the answer has that sign.
2) When adding two numbers with different signs, the answer has the sign of the larger number

We practiced this addition in class with 2 worksheets and then worked on a short graded assignment, page 112, #'s 10-28 even and page 116, #'s 6-16 even.

Homework:
none

9/25/06 Applied Geometry

We started class by going over the worksheet packet that I handed out Thursday. Students were allowed time to finish it and we went over the answers and students asked questions. They worked on the graded assignment from lesson, page 186 #'s 10,12,16,20,26 & page 194 #'s 13,24,26,34, 36. For the rest of the period, they worked on the Chapter 3 Review Packet, as there will be a test on Wednesday.

Homework:
Finish Chapter 3 Review Packet
*Chapter 3 Test, Wednesday 9/27/06*

9/21/06 Pre Algebra

Today we took the Chapter 2 Test. We began class with some review work out of the book, page 100, #'s 1-12 and page 101 #'s 1-10. We spent some class time reviewing for the test, then students completed the test. Afterwards, they had an assignment from the next chapter due for Monday.

Homework:
page 106-107 #'s 11-44

Link is up on school's website

A link to my page is now on the front page of the school's website, go-geese.net. It is on the left hand side under 'Some Important Links'.

Applied Geometry Book Website

A very useful tool for those who take advantage of it. For a demonstration of how to graph a line in y=mx+b form, vist this link.

Click on the Video Link to the left of ' Example 2 ', to see a live demonstration. This particular video will help with 9/21 ' s lesson.

9/21/06 Applied Geometry

Students began class today with a packet introducing the concepts for today's lesson. (Sections 3.5 & 3.6-see the Geometry Book link in sidebar) We also graded the homework that was due for today. I outlined our objectives for the day which are:

1) Know the slope formula
2) Find the slope of a line given 2 points
3) Classify lines as parallel, perpendicular or neither based on slope
4) Use the slope and y - intercept of an equation to graph its line
5) Write the equation of a line given slope and y - intercept
6) Write the equation of a line given a point and a slope
7) Write the equation of a line given 2 points
8) Write the equation of a line that is parallel to a given line
9) Write the equation of a line that is perpendicular to a given line
10)Know the slope - intercept form of an equations ( y = mx + b )

I reviewed with them the slope formula and its use, how to graph equations of lines, and how to write equations of lines using y=mx+b and any given information. They practiced these objectives on a worksheet packet, which we will go over next time.

Homework:
finish worksheet packet

Did You Know

You can use Google as a calculator? Type in ' 34*12 ' in the Google search bar to the left and see what it returns. It will also convert units, try typing ' 88 miles in kilmoeters ' in the search bar and it will convert it for you. Just in case you don't have a calculator or conversion chart handy.

9/20/06 Algebra 1

We are on a shortened schedule this afternoon due to 2PM dismissal. Students began class with a review exercise over Monday's lesson, page 798 #'s 36-51. I answered any questions the students had on the assignment due for today, then we corrected both in class. Due to homecoming, we will not have class Friday, so today's in class assignment is the first of two review activities before Tuesday's test. We will spend the first 30-40 minutes of class Tuesday reviewing & then we will take the Chapter 2 Test.

Homework:
pages 122-124, #'s 1-48 all, skip 19,20
(worked on in class, but not due until Tuesday, use it to review over the weekend)

9/20/06 Algebra 2

We began class by doing page 942, #'s 50-60 even. This was a review exercise from Monday's Lesson. I allowed for students to ask questions about the homework that was due for today and then we corrected them in class. We began our lesson for the day which focused on the following objectives:

1) Evaluate a piecewise function
2) Graph a piecewise function
3) Given a graph of a piecewise function, write the function
4) Graph an absolute value function
5) Given the graph of an absolute value function, write the function

The class completed a worksheet for practice and then was allowed time to work on the homework assignment.

Homework:
complete worksheet
*Review on Tuesday, Test next Thursday 9/28*

9/19/06 Pre Algebra

We reviewed Friday's lesson by taking the 2.6 & 2.7 Lesson Test to begin class. I worked through some example problems from our new lesson, 2.9, afterward. The new Lesson focuses on:

1) Checking whether a number is a solution to an inequality
2) Solve inequalities using the same methods as solving equations
3) Write an inequality when give a verbal model (a sentence)

Students completed this worksheet as practice in class. Their graded assignment was page 94, probelms 11-37. This was corrected in class. Since we have reached the end of the chapter, the assignment due for Thursday is the Chapter Review. We will spend the first part of class Thursday reviewing and then we will take the test.

Homework: pages 97-99 1-36, 41-48
*Chapter 2 Test on Thursday*

9/19/06 Applied Geometry

We began class with the Lesson Test from Friday's Lesson. Next we went over the homework, students asked some questions and we graded it in class. Students completed a worksheet packet from Lesson 3.4 and worked on the assignment from the book. Our objectives for today are:
1) Know the shortest distance between a point and a line is a perpendicular segment.
2) Write an inequality using Objective 1
3) Find missing angles when given parallel lines and a perpendicular transversal

Homework:
pages 175-177 #'s 6,7,10-15,31-33
page 181 #'s 1-11

Viewing the website

I have found that viewing my website works best in Firefox. It is a web browser just like Internet Explorer. IE works with my website, but all my links appear far towards the bottom of the page. I'll take this opportunity to plug Firefox, it is my favorite browser, it blocks almost all popups, is easy to use, and most importantly, is the best for viewing my website. Get it here.

9/18/06 Algebra 1

We began class by reviewing Thursday's lesson with page 798, #'s 28-35 & 52-59. We traded papers and graded them in class. Students then did a worksheet showing a visual representation of the Distributive Property. I talked through the method and the answers, then they practiced in class with a worksheet detailing all our objectives:

1) Apply the Distributive Property to an expression when necessary
2) Draw a picture of the Distributive property using algebra tiles.
3) Simplify expression by adding like terms

After we went through it together and I answered some students' questions they had the rest of the time to work on the graded assignment, due for Wednesday.

Homework:
pages 103-104 #'s 19-48 all, 50-68 even

*Test next Tuesday, no class this Friday*

9/18/06 Algebra 2

Students began class with the Lesson Test from Thursday's Lesson. I took questions over the homework due for today and then they turned them in. We discussed the next section in the book, which dealt with how to represent the solution of a linear inequality. Students will find the y-intercept and slope of the line, as they did in the previous section, and shade the area according to the inequality symbol. Pictured to the left is the solution to y < (3/2)x + 3. Here is another example. I did some examples on the board and students then practiced on their own with a worksheet.

Homework:
pages 111-112 #'s 14-44 even

9/15/06 Pre Algebra

Students began today with review, the Lesson Test over the previous lesson. We graded the assignment that was due for today in class as well. We through a worksheet in class together with examples from the assignment. Students then completed #'s 5-28 on page 80 and then #'s 7-24 on page 84. Students turned it in when they were finished and had some free time at the end of class.

Homework:
none

9/15/06 Applied Geometry

Students began by filling out some worksheets with some definitions and terms from the lesson for the day (Sections 3.1 & 3.2 in the book). When finished, I reviewed the ideas and illustrated some of the angle relationships on the computer projector. Today's objectives are:

1) Identify parallel, perpendicular and skew lines
2) Identify and define corresponding, alternate interior, alternate exterior, and same-side interior angles
3) Find angle measures using the Corresponding Angles Theorem
4) Find angle measures using the Alternate Interior Angles Theorem
5) Find angle measures using the Alternate Exterior Angles Theorem
6) Find angle measures using the Same-Side Interior Angles Theorem

I showed students some examples of how to set up and solve for angles in objectives 3-6. Students then practiced on the worksheet and used the remaining time to work on the assignment.

Homework:
page 149 #'s 14-25, 44-45
page 158 #'s 6-11 all, 14-22 even

9/14/06 Algebra 1

We began today with the Lesson Test from last class period's lesson. Afterwards we graded the homework assignment that was due for today. We completed a worksheet in class together reviewing the rules for multiplying and dividing negative numbers. Students practiced with a worksheet and some problems out of the book, pages 96 & 111, #'s 16-48 even & 16-46 even. We will begin class Monday with some more review work regarding division of fractions before we have some graded work out of this section.

Homework:
none

9/14/06 Algebra 2

We began today with the Lesson Test from Tuesday's lesson. I took questions over the homework after that, then we graded it in class. I introduced our objectives for the day:

1) Use slope and y - intercept of an equation to graph its line
2) Graph horizontal lines y = c and vertical lines x = c
3) Write the equation of a line given slope and y - intercept
4) Write the equation of a line given point and a slope
5) Write the equation of a line given 2 points
6) Write the equation of a line that is parallel to a given line
7) Write the equation of a line that is perpendicular to a given line
8) Know the slope - intercept form of an equation ( y = mx + b )

I worked through some examples on the board and then students practiced on a worksheet.

Homework:
pages 86-87
#'s 16-37 every 3rd problem
pages 95-96
#'s 13-28 every 3rd problem, 35 & 38

9/13/06 Pre Algebra

We started class with some review work from the previous class periods lesson. It was on page 717 & 718. Students did 1-12 and 1-8 on those pages. We graded the assignment that was due for today in class as well. Students again completed a worksheet in groups using algebra tiles to model the solving of equations. After we talked through the results, we discussed how we took tiles away from each side (or added tiles to each side) and divided the tiles into even rows. Students will be doing the same thing when solving without tiles. Objectives for today are:

1) Use algebra tiles to solve an equation with addition or subtraction
2) Use algebra tiles to solve and equation with multiplication
3) Add or subtract from each side of an equation to solve it
4) Multiply or divide from each side of an equation to solve it

Students practiced this in class with this worksheet, which we went over together as a class.

Homework:
page 68 #'s 11-26 all
page 74 #'s 10-29 all

9/13/06 Applied Geometry

Chapter 1 Test Today

A quick note on worksheet downloads

I changed hosts to make downloading worksheets easier. As of today, clicking on a link to a worksheet will automatically download the worksheet, thanks to eggdisk.com. The worksheets are .pdf files which can be viewed and printed with Adobe Acrobat. I hope this makes things easier for all of you.

9/12/06 Algebra 1

We began today with some review work from section 2.1, page 798 #'s 1-8. I then took questions over the homework that was due toda. We graded both in class. Next students worked on a group project using algebra tiles modeling the addition & subtraction of positive and negative numbers. We went over the answers together and then students practiced adding & subtracting positive & negative numbers on a worksheet. After going over this together, they were allowed time to work on the graded assignment out of the book that is due for Thursday.

Homework:
page 75, #'s 12-32 all, 44-50 even
page 82, #'s 16-50 even

9/12/06 Algebra 2

Students began class with some introductory worksheets for our two lessons. We went over the worksheets together, leading us to our objectives for the day:

1) Identify functions and non-functions through an input-output table
2) Identify functions and non-functions from a graph
3) Recall the coordinate plane and plotting ordered pairs
4) Graph a function in the coordinate plane
5) Know the slope formula
6) Find the slope of a line given 2 points
7) Classify lines as parallel, perpendicular or neither based on slope

I worked through some examples and we had some discussion, and then students worked through a practice worksheet in class. We went over the answers and I answered a few addtional questions. I then assigned the homework, due for Thursday:

Homework:
pages 71 & 72 #'s 20-32 even
pages 79 & 80 #'s 18-42 even

9/11/06 Applied Geometry

We began class with some review work from the previous lesson, p. 59 #'s 1-9. We went over these in class, but did not take a grade. We graded the homework due for today next, after I answered a few questions. We did some quick review over area and the distance formula an then students did a review packet for Chapter 1. We will have a test over all of Chapter 1 on Wednesday, after we spend time going over the review packet.

Homework:
Test next time

9/8/06 Algebra 1

Today students took the Chapter 1 Test. When they were finished they completed a worksheet from the first section of Chapter 2, over pages 63-70.

Homework:
p. 67-68
28-48 even (due Tuesday)

9/8/06 Algebra 2

Today:
Chapter 1 Test.

Homework:
None

9/7/06 Pre Algebra

Students started class by reviewing on their own the Chapter 1 Review Packet from last class. After taking questions, I handed out the Chapter 1 Test. When the students were finished with the test, they picked up a worksheet introducing the concept from the first section of Chapter 2. It deals with the distributive property. After everyone was finished, students moved into groups and modeled the distributive property with algebra tiles . Students finished off the day with some graded work out of the book, due for Monday.

Homework:
page 54 4-21 all (due for Monday)

9/7/06 Applied Geometry

Students began class today by completing some introductory worksheets for Sections 1.5 & 1.6. These worksheets consisted of locating and writing down the objectives, formulas and definitions that will be used in class today. The objectives are as follows:

1) Give the formula for perimeter of a rectangle, square or triangle
2) Give the formula for area of a rectangle, square or triangle
3) Give the formula for the circumference and area of a circle
4) Find the area, perimeter and/or circumference of the above named figures
5) Give the midpoint formula & find the midpoint of a segment
6) Give the distance formula & find the distance between 2 points
7) Know how the Pythagorean Theorem relates to distance & use it to find distance

I worked through some examples on the board and then students practiced with a worksheet. I went through the answers, but we will go over it more extensively next time.

Homework:
page 38 10-12 & 14-19
page 47 12-17

9/6/06 Algebra 1

Students began with review activity p. 57 1-25 in the book. We graded this in class. Students received up to date grade cards as well. Students were then given a review packet for the Chapter 1 Test on Friday. It consisted of all our learning objectives from the Chapter and questions pertaining to these objectives. Chapter 1's Extra Credit assignment was also given.

Homework:
Chapter 1 Review Packet (due Friday for completion grade)
Chapter 1 Test
Extra Credit: p. 58-59 1-16

9/6/06 Algebra 2

Class began with review work out of the book, p. 61 2-34 even. We graded this in class and then students were free to review with the packet I handed out. We will take a Test over Chapter 1 on Friday.

Homework:
Complete Review Packet for Friday Test

9/5/06 Pre Algebra

Today will be dedicated exclusively to reviewing Chapter 1. Students will begin class with some bellwork reviewing the first 5 sections. In class review assignment will be pages 43-44 1-33. Both of these will be corrected in class and taken for a grade. Finally, a review packet will be given with all objectives from Chapter 1 and questions taken from the homework and lesson tests.

Homework:
complete review packet, Chapter 1 Test Thursday

9/5/06 Applied Geometry

Today students are taking the 1.1-1.5 Test. Students will begin class by doing a brief review activity & then we will go over the review packet they received Friday. They will take the test for the rest of class.

Homework:
none

9/1/06 Algebra 1

Students began the class period by reviewing the last few lessons. They completed problems 13-23 and 28-35 on page 797. We graded these in class and next they completed the Lesson 1.4 test. Again, we went over these together to see which objectives were met. The new lesson has only one objective, an extenision of the previous one:

1) Translate verbal models into algebraic expressions, equations or inequalities.

Students practiced these on a worksheet in class and then completed pages 35-36 14-42 even in class for a grade.

Homework:
none (Have a good weekend!)

9/1/06 Algebra 2

Students reviewed lessons 3-5 on p. 940 to begin class. I answered questions over the HW that was due, and then I collected and graded both. I introduced the new lesson, with the following objectives:

1) Solve simple inequalities
2) Solve compound inequalities
3) Give two equations that result from an absolute value equation
4) Solve an absolute value equation
5) Give two inequlaities that result from an absolute value inequality
6) Solve and absolute value inequality
7) Know that absolute value equations or inequalities have 2 parts to their answer

I did examples on the board and then student practiced in class with a worksheet. We went over it as a class to end the period.

Homework:
none (Have a good weekend!)