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Narayanswamy - Pre-Algebra (Section Mon 5)

Instructor
Mrs. Usha Narayanswamy
Department
Mathematics
Terms
2019-2020 School Year


Assignment Calendar

Course Description

 

Class Title:

Pre-Algebra

Code:

MMA120

Text:

Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra

Rating:

5

Prerequisite:

Placement Test

Grade:

7-8

Fees:

None

Max:

15

Can be repeated? No

Description: Students will complete all of Pre-Algebra through home assignments four days per week and one class period per week. Students will study numbers and operations, relationships among numbers, and number systems. They will understand the meanings of different operations and how they relate to each other and will learn to compute more fluently. Students will be introduced to algebra concepts and solving for unknowns. Basics of geometry will be introduced, including different types of polygons and polyhedrons, and students will learn to compute perimeter, area, and volume for various shapes. In addition, concepts of relations and functions, as well as statistics and probability, will be covered. Upon completion of this course, students will be prepared to study Algebra I. Students will receive a textbook, answer key and set of computer CDs with step-by-step solutions. The Teaching Textbooks program uses a review method to ensure retention. Parents will be expected to work with their student daily at home on classroom assignments.

Posts

Week 13 of Classes: Monday, Nov 18

Hello All,
 
Please note that there are no classes next week. Enjoy your Thanksgiving break!
 
All pending work and test corrections should be submitted the week you return (Dec 2-6). No late work will be accepted past that.
 
Here's the summary of classes today:
 
Algebra 1: We learned to simplify some simple rational expressions with x's. 
 
Homework: To be assigned on Wednesday
 
 
Precalculus/Trig: We started a new chapter on radical and power functions. We talked about radical functions and solved a few radical equations. We started discussing power functions and will continue the discussion on Wednesday.
 
Homework: To be assigned on Wednesday
 
 
Pre-algebra: Student took the 9s multiplication facts quiz. We wrapped up the chapter on areas and volumes by discussing units for measuring areas and volumes and liquid capacities such as square meters, cubic yards, gallons and quarts and units for volume in the metric system such as liters.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Consumer Math: Students did a great job of setting up the school store and having a successful 1/2 hr of selling different items during lunch. Good work all! We did the accounting for the store during class time. We decided what changes to make for next time the store is set up. We then talked about types of household expenses and how to classify them. We also started talking about saving money in banks and the concept of interest. 
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
Puzzle Of The Week: 12th Puzzle posted! Solutions are due in 2 weeks. Solution to last week's puzzle will be posted on Friday.
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Solution to Puzzle Of The Week #10

Hello Apex Students,
 
Here are the solutions to last week's Hashiwokakeros (Bridges puzzles). The following students attempted at least one of the three puzzles:
 
Jake LaCrosse
Nico Stone
Boston Renaud
Kian Stone
Cole Sulouff
Virginia Fuller
Owen Weekley
 
Virginia and Owen attempted and successfully solved all three puzzles. Good work!!  Virginia was the lucky winner of this week's raffle!! Congratulations :-)
 
Virginia, stop by for a prize next week. Everyone else, please come by to get a treat!
 
Have a wonderful weekend! See you all next week :-)
 
Mrs. Narayanswamy
 

Week 12 of Classes: Monday, Nov 11

Hello APEX families!
 
We had a shortened day of classes due weather.
 
All students, please note, that our very own Monday school store, Little Market, is opening next week during middle school recess (and Elementary grades lunch) in the Commons area. We will be selling candy of all kinds, drinks such as Izze and Ice, variety of chips, and some baked goods. School store will be open once this month and once in Dec and starting January, it will be set up every alternate week. Bring some money to buy your favorite goodies and support our school store!! All profits from the store will be donated to a charity at the end of the school year :-)
 
Here's a summary of classes today:
 
Algebra 1: We solved a couple of mixture problems. Students learned shortcuts to undo fractions (by multiplying by their reciprocals) and move terms from one side to another (change sides, change sign) in algebraic equations. In addition, students learned about two unusual types of equations - false equations that have no solutions and identities that have infinite solutions.
 
NOTE: Please make sure to study for your in-class quiz on Wed. Chapters 3 through 5 will be covered.
 
Homework: To be assigned on Wednesday
 
 
Precalculus/Trig: We discussed the wonderful irrational number, Euler or e, in exponential equations.
 
NOTE: Please make sure to study for your in-class quiz on Wed. Chapters 1 through 3 will be covered.
 
Homework: To be assigned on Wednesday
 
 
Pre-algebra: Student took the 8s multiplication facts quiz. We continued our discussion of unit systems by discussing conversion factors between units in metric system and those in the US customary system. We did several problems converting units from one system to the other. We also discussed units for area in English system and how to convert from one to the other.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Consumer Math: Next week is our opening day of school store! Students were assigned jobs, we discussed how the system will work and we decided on prices for each item to be sold. In addition, students learned about different kinds of expenses a family might have and we classified them as Fixed, Variable, Discretionary. We also talked about the concept of opportunity cost.
 
Homework: None
 
Puzzle Of The Week: 11th Puzzle posted! Solutions are due next Monday. Solution to last week's puzzle will be posted on Friday.
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Solution to Puzzle Of The Week #9

Hey Problem Solvers,
 
The 9th puzzle was quite a tough morse code deciphering problem. Check the attached file to find the solution!
 
No student submitted a solution to the problem. But there are more puzzles to solve! Hope you are all trying this week's Hashiwokakeros (the Bridges puzzles).
 
Catch ya next week!
 
Mrs. N

Week 11 of Classes: Monday, Nov 4

Hello APEX families!
 
We are into November now - can you believe that?!! As the weeks are flying by, we are immersed in all kinds of math in our classroom. Here's a summary of what we did today:
 
Algebra 1: We started solving algebraic problems that have x's on both sides of the equation.
 
Homework: To be assigned on Wednesday
 
 
Precalculus/Trig: We reviewed the basics of logarithms and then learned a series of log rules. We solved a few log problems using some of these rules.
 
Homework: To be assigned on Wednesday
 
 
Pre-algebra: Student took the 7s multiplication facts quiz. We continued our discussion of unit systems by reviewing the US customary system we had learned last week. We also discussed the metric system and found out that it is way easier to convert from one unit to another in this system by merely moving the decimal point one way or the other.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Consumer Math: Students completed their school store survey by talking  with middle school students during recess. We put together all the data collected and decided on the initial list of items to sell in 2 weeks. Students completed their store posters. We wrapped up the class by going over some of the homework problems to make sure everyone is doing the problems correctly.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Puzzle Of The Week: 10th Puzzle posted! Solutions are due next Monday. Solution to last week's puzzle will be posted on Friday.
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Solution to Puzzle Of The Week #8

Hello Math students,
 
The solution to Puzzle# 8 is attached here.
 
Two students got the solution right: Owen Weekley and Quinn Kimmett. Congratulations!
 
The winner of this week's raffle is Quinn Kimmett!! Quinn, come by to pick a prize next week and every one who tried, please stop by for a treat :-) 
 
Have a wonderful weekend!
Mrs. N

Dimensional Analysis for Pre-algebra

Hello Pre-algebra Students,
 
We have been learning to convert from one measuring unit to another. Students are often confused about whether they should multiply or divide by the conversion factor to change units. Here’s a video that will help you remember how we used dimensional analysis in class to convert from one unit to another: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atN7JU1BaIY. The video is also loaded on my main webpage under “Links”.
 
Thanks
Mrs. N