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Narayanswamy - Pre-Algebra (Section Mon 5)

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 6 of Classes: Monday, Sept 30

Dear APEX students and parents,
 
Happy Fall! Hope you are enjoying these beautiful warm days with just a touch of coolness to remind us that summer is ending!
 
Here's a summary of today's classes and the homework assigned for the week:
 
We had a fire drill today. Everything went smoothly! 
 
Algebra 1: Students learned to use order of operations in reverse to solve algebraic equations with two operations (also known as two-step equations).
 
Reminder: An in-class quiz on Wednesday!
Homework to be assigned on Wednesday
 
 
Precalculus/Trigonometry: We reviewed the factor theorem, the reminder theorem and the rational zeros theorem and tried a few problems to reinforce these concepts. We started talking about polynomial functions that have zeros of multiplicity. More about them on Wednesday!
 
Homework  to be assigned on Wednesday
 
 
Pre-algebra: Students took the 10s multiplication facts quiz. We reviewed mixed numbers and how to convert improper fractions to mixed numbers and vice versa. Students learned to multiply and divide fractions as well as fractions and whole numbers. We started a new chapter on decimals and learned that fractions such as 1/2, 1/5, 1/4, and 1/8 can be converted to tens, hundredths and thousandths so they can fit in the place value system.
 
Homework assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Consumer Math: Students worked on the shopping spree activity. If you still have a few items to buy, please complete the activity at home. We will wrap up the activity with a final discussion next week.
 
Homework: None other than what's mentioned above
 
 
Puzzle of the week #45: The 5th puzzle of the week is posted. The answer to the fourth puzzle of the week will be posted on Friday.
 
Any questions or concerns? Please email me or see me in person.
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Solution to Puzzle of the week #3

Wow! That was one challenging problem!!
 
Kudos to all the students (and family members!) who tried this one!!
 
Check out the solution. The one student who got the answer right was Jerry Sittler. Congratulations Jerry! Please stop by next week to get your prize.
 
I decided we all need a little break from challenging puzzles. So have fun trying the KenKens. The instructions are given with the puzzles. You need to get both KenKens to enter for the raffle!

Have a great weekend!
Mrs. N

Week 5 of Classes: Monday, Sept 23

Dear APEX students and parents,
 
Here's a summary of today's classes and the homework assigned for the week:
 
Algebra 1: Integers were introduced in one-step algebraic equations.
Homework will be posted on Wed.
 
Pre-calculus/Trig: We continued our discussion of polynomial functions. We explored monomials and the two specific types of graphs we get for them. We also started discussing more complex polynomials of higher degrees.
Homework will be posted on Wed.
 
Pre-algebra: Students took the 5s multiplication facts quiz. We discussed factoring and canceling of fractions as a means to reduce them. Students learned to add and subtract fractions. The concept of lowest common denominators (or least common multiples) was introduced. We briefly talked about changing improper fractions to mixed numbers. More about mixed numbers next week! 
Homework assigned (see the homework post)
 
Consumer Math: We reviewed the concept of unit pricing. Students learned how to use percents in basic ways to compute discount prices. They started a fun online shopping spree activity to test their ability to calculate discounts and spend judicially. 
Homework: assigned (see the homework post)
 
Puzzle of the week #4: The 4th puzzle of the week is posted. The answer to the third puzzle of the week will be shared online on Friday. 
 
Parents, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to send me an email. Encourage your students who are taking a high school math class or studying for a standardized test such as SAT or ACT to stop by during math lab for any help they may need.
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Soluton to 2nd Puzzle of the Week

Solution to last week's puzzle is posted. 
 
It's wonderful to see students trying these challenging puzzles. Several students attempted the 2nd puzzle and three students got the solution right. Great job everybody! The winner of this week's raffle for the correct solution is Andrew Cunningham! Congrats Andrew!
 
If parents or siblings are working with students on solving these puzzles, that is awesome! To make sure that the students are understanding how these problems are getting solved, I want the students submitting the solutions to these puzzles to be able to explain the process to me. Show your work and when you stop by to pick a treat, tell me how you solved it!
 
Enjoy this week's puzzle! See if you can find my ID!!
 
Mrs. N
 
 

Week 4 of Classes: Monday Sept 16

Dear APEX students and parents,
 
Here's a summary of today's classes and the homework assigned for the week:
 
Algebra 1: We started a review of negative numbers. We will wrap up the basics of integers and how to manipulate them on Wednesday
Homework will be posted on Wed.
 
Pre-calculus/Trig: We went over a few homework problems. Then started a short unit on quadratic functions. y-intercepts and x-intercepts were reviewed and students revisited different ways to factor quadratic equations to solve for the x-intercepts
Homework will be posted on Wed.
 
Pre-algebra: Students took the 2s multiplication facts quiz. Then they took a vocabulary quiz. Please remember to keep reviewing the vocabulary we learn each week. They are an integral part of math and helps students to understand problems and know how to solve them.
 
We wrapped up the first chapter by discussing different visibility rules for numbers. We started a new unit on fractions. Students learned what they mean, how to find equivalent fractions, compare them and reduce fractions by dividing the numerator and denominator of a fraction by a common factor.
Homework assigned (see the homework post)
 
Consumer Math: Students shared their short-term, medium-term and long-term goals. We discussed the importance of hard work, perseverance, and financial know-how to achieve these goals. One way to use our money effectively is find the better buy when we go shopping. We started on the concept of calculating unit price of items we want to buy in order to compare similar products and figure out the better buys. We will complete this discussion on unit prices next week.
Homework: None (but remember to bring grocery store flyers if you forgot them today!)
 
Puzzle of the week #3: The 3rd puzzle of the week is posted. The answer to the second puzzle of the week will be shared online on Friday. Please note that the puzzles are always optional but a fun way to be exposed to interesting and challenging problems and learn ways to solve them!
 
Parents, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to send me an email. Encourage your student who is taking a high school math class to stop by during math lab for any help they may need with what they are learning in class.
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Puzzle of the Week # 1 Winner!

Hello Folks,
 
Several students attempted the 1st Puzzle of the Week! Four of them found the right solution to the main question. Of the four students, Mr. Barry Young pulled the name of Owen Weekley as the winner of this POW!!
 
Kudos to all students who attempted POW#1!! And Congratulations to all who got the main problem right!! You are all winner for trying this challenging problem. Students who participated, please stop by my desk next week during your lunch break to get a treat and Owen, come by to pick a prize!!
 
Hope to see many more students participating in POW#2 :-)
 
Happy Weekend!
Mrs. Narayanswamy