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.