2/28/2008 Algebra 2 - Solving Radical Equations Review

We reviewed solving radical equations in class today.  Students completed a worksheet during class and then we took a quiz.

2/28/2008 Algebra 1 - Scientific Notation

We reviewed scientific notation today. The four types of exercises we did were:
1) Rewriting numbers in scientific notation
2) Writing number in scientific notation as regular numbers
3) Multiplying scientific notation numbers together
4) Dividing scientific notation numbers

Students took some notes over some example problems and then worked on the assignment.
When they were finished they turned it in and we took a quiz.

Homework:
pages 473-474 #'s 16-52 even

2/27/2008 Algebra 1 - Exponential Growth and Decay Review

Today we reviewed our notes and did a review activity for points (p. 804 46-58). Then we took a quiz over exponential growth and decay.

2/27/2008 Pre Algebra - Chapter Review

Today the students will review for the Chapter Test, which will be on Monday.

2/27/2008 Applied Geometry - Chapter 8 Test

Today students took the Chapter 8 Test

2/26/2008 Algebra 1 - Exponential Growth and Decay Review

Today we reviewed our notes and did a review activity for points (p. 804 46-58).  Then we took a quiz over exponential growth and decay.

2/26/2008 Algebra 2 - Solving Radical Equations

Welcome back after our holiday weekend and snow day! The blog is back in action after a layoff since Thursday. Today in Algebra 2, we continue with Chapter 7. We will be solving radical equations today. Radical equations are equations that contain a root or fraction exponent of some kind. Above, you can see a simple example of how to solve one of these. Students will take notes, as usual, in class showing some example problems and how to solve them. After some discussion and a few practice problems at the board, students will work on the graded assignment. Below is another example of how to solve a radical equation. This one has a root on both sides of the equation.



Homework:
page 441-442 #'s 24-48 even, 52

2/22/2008 Algebra 2 - Inverse Functions

Today students were introduced to the concept of inverse functions and how to find them. You can see a video demonstration of how to do those problems above. Students took notes of some example problems then practiced on some problems from the book.  At the end of class, I assessed the students with a quiz over the lesson.

2/21/2008 Pre Algebra - Similarity and Measurement

We will review similarity and measurement again today.  I will provide students with some structured notes and we will go through the examples together, step by step, and solve them. They will then do some practice problems on their own and take a Quiz over the material.

2/21/2008 Algebra 1 - Exponential Growth

Today students were introduced to the idea of exponential growth. We talked about how exponential growth functions have a constant growth rate, but the amount that it is growing by differs. The picture above shows an exponential growth model. Students will be looking at problems modeling population growth and compounding interest to model exponential growth.

Homework:

page 480 #'s 6-16, 21-24

2/21/2008 Applied Geometry - Law of Sines and Cosines

Above you can view a screencast of a problem solved using the Law Of Sines. We will be solving problems like this in class and on our homework today. You can view the Law of Sines here. We will also be working with the Law Of Cosines as well, which can be explained here. You will most likely have to use your notes later on to solve these, the Law Of Cosines is particularly long. Make sure they get copied into your notes along with the example problems on the board. In class today, after the students take notes, we will do some examples of solving for pieces of triangles using both the Law Of Sines and the Law Of Cosines.

Homework:
page 555-556 #'s 17-37

2/20/2008 Algebra 2- Function Composition

Today students asked questions over Friday's notes to begin class, then they worked on the practice problems pertaining to the material in the notes.  Students took  a homework quiz at the end of class over problems from the assignment.  We will begin the next section on Friday.

2/20/2008 Algebra 1 - Exponential Growth

Today students were introduced to the idea of exponential growth. We talked about how exponential growth functions have a constant growth rate, but the amount that it is growing by differs. The picture above shows an exponential growth model. Students will be looking at problems modeling population growth and compounding interest to model exponential growth.

Homework: 

page 480 #'s 6-16, 21-24

2/19/2008 Algebra 1 - Division Rules of Exponents

Today we introduced the rules for exponents involving division.  I did some examples on the board and then students practiced on their own.  We will take a quiz over the homework on Thursday.

Homework:

page 466 20-48 even

2/19/2008 Applied Geometry - Angles of Elevation and Depression

Today we solved more problems using trig ratios.  Today's particular problems were word problems involving angle of elevation and depression.  We had some structured notes where we worked through some problems on the board before students attempted solving them on their own.

Homework:

p.  547 10-20

2/19/2008 Pre Algebra - Finding Measurements Using Similar Figures

Today we will be finding measurements (sides of triangles and other figures) using what we learned about similarity last time.  We will also learn how to measure something indirectly using similar figures.

Homework:

worksheet B evens and p. 695-696 #'s 6-11

2/14/2008 Pre Algebra - Similar Figures

Today we defined similar and congruent figures and how to use ratios to compare similar figures. Students took notes and we did some example problems in class.

Homework:

6.4 wksht B evens, p. 291 7-15 all

2/14/2008 Algebra 1 - Negative and Zero Exponents

We continued our work with exponents today, the new rules we learned applied to zero, negative Students took notes over our new rules and some example problems. They began work on the assignment towards the end of class. Here is a good page showing all the rules we have covered so far. The video above also explains the negative exponents we talked about today in class.

Homework:
page 459 #'s 14-44 even

2/14/2008 Applied Geometry - Inverse Trig Functions & Solving Right Triangles

Today we continued with trigonometric functions. We learned how to use the inverse trig functions to find angles. Visit another math teacher's blog to see some notes & examples similar to the ones we used in class.

Homework:
page 537-538 21-35, 39-44, 48,50,54

2/13/2008 Algebra 2 - Fractional Exponent Rules & Simplifying Roots and Radicals

Today we continued our work with fractional exponents, reviewing our exponent rules from last Chapter and showing how they apply to fractional exponents and roots.  We reviewed the rules and did example problems regarding simplifying on the board, then used the last few minutes to ask questions and begin the assignment.

Homework:

pages  411-412 #'s 22-88 even

2/13/2008 Algebra 1 - Division Rules for Exponents and Negative Exponents

We continued our work with exponents today, the new rules we learned applied to zero, negative and division of exponents. Students took notes over our new rules and some example problems. They began work on the assignment towards the end of class. Here is a good page showing all the rules we have covered so far. The video above also explains the negative exponents we talked about today in class.

Homework:
page 459 #'s 14-44 even

2/12/2008 Algebra 1 - Chapter 7 Test & Section 8.1 Exponent Rules

First today, students will take the Chapter 7 test. Upon completion, they will copy some notes explaining the exponent rules that we will be using in the first section of Chapter 8. The video below will help explain these:

Homework:

page page 453 #'s 22-54 even

2/12/2008 Applied Geometry - Trigonometric Ratios

Today we began our work with trigonometric ratios. Students began class by taking some notes of the definitions of our trig ratios (sine, cosine & tangent) and some example problems of solving using trig ratios.  You can view a youtube video here to help review.  The youtube video below may help as well:

Homework:
p. 529-530 #'s 3-20, 22-30, 37-42

2/11/2008 Algebra 1 - Chapter 7 Test & Section 8.1 Exponent Rules

First today, students will take the Chapter 7 test.  Upon completion, they will copy some notes explaining the exponent rules that we will be using in the first section of Chapter 8.  The video below will help explain these:

Homework:

page page 453 #'s 22-54 even

2/11/2008 Algebra 2 - Chapter 6 Test & Begin Chapter 7

First, students will take the Chapter 6 Test.

When finished they will  begin Chapter 7.  Students were introduced to the idea of fraction exponents, which are another way to write roots. This webpage offers some insight into how this is done. Students took some notes over the rules and example problems. Then they worked on the assignment.  The youtube video below will provide some insight:

Homework:
page 404 #'s 14-40 even, 54-60 even

2/8/2008 Applied Geometry - Similarity in Right Triangles

Today we began Chapter 8. We are still dealing with similar triangles, but specifically only right triangles. Students were introduced to the concept of the geometric mean and how it applies to similar right triangles. View some further explanation here. Students took notes, we did some example problems together and then they worked on the graded assignment.

Homework:

p. 521-522 #'s 15-26, 28, 30-35

2/7/2008 Algebra 1 & Algebra 2 - Tests on Monday

I did not feel comfortable giving tests the day after I was gone and after not being in attendance yesterday, so today in both classes we tied up some loose ends, got caught up on getting homework from last week turned in and then students were given a second review sheet to complete for Monday.  The review sheet will collected and graded as if it were an out of class assignment.

Homework:

Review Sheets given in class.  Tests will be Monday.

2/6/2008 - No School

School has been cancelled to day because of the snow, we will resume with our planned activities (Tests) on Thursday for Algebra 1 and Algebra 2.

2/5/2008 Algebra 1 - Chapter 7 Test Review

Today students will complete the Chapter 7 Review Packet in preparation for Thursday's Chapter 7 test.

2/5/2008 Algebra 2 - Chapter 6 Test Review

Today students will complete the Chapter 6 Review Packet in preparation for Thursday's Test.

2/4/2008 Pre Algebra - Rates & Ratios

Today students worked on ratios and rates.  They will need to be able to write ratios in 3 ways, order ratios from least to greatest, find the unit rate, decide if ratios are equivalent and write equivalent ratios.  Students took some notes over example problems, we did some examples on the board together.  After that, they worked on a worksheet for an in class grade.

Homework:

worksheet practice B (page 11)

2/4/2008 Applied Geometry - Scale Model Worksheet

Today students completed the scale drawing worksheet that they received last Thursday.  We will begin Chapter 8 on Wednesday.

2/4/2008 Algebra 1 - Systems of Inequalities

Today you will see examples of 2 types of problems:

1) How to check a solution to a system of linear inequalities.
2) How to find (graph) a solution to a system of linear inequalities.

To see a video explanation of how to do problems like #1 click here. Watch and listen to the video for Example 1.

To see a video explanation of how to do problems like #2 click here. Watch and listen to the video for Examples 2 & 3.

The YouTube video below should help as well:

Homework:
page 435-436 #'s 9-11, 15-23