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Narayanswamy - Pre-Algebra (Section Thur 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: Thursday, Nov 21

Hello All,
 
Please note that there are no classes next week. Enjoy your Thanksgiving break!
 
Parents, please check Infinite Campus. All pending work and test corrections should be submitted the week students return (Dec 2-6). No late work will be accepted past that.
 
Here's the summary of classes today:
 
Geometry: We started a new unit on inequalities and learned the different properties of inequalities. We also discussed the triangle inequality postulate.
 
Homework: To be posted on Friday
 
 
Algebra 2: We continued our discussion of  higher degree equations. Students learned the polynomial division to factor a polynomial. They also learned about how to find at least one rational solution to a polynomial by using the Rational Zeros Theorem.
 
Homework: To be posted on Friday
 
 
Pre-algebra:
Students took the 11s multiplication facts quiz. We reviewed how to use the inverse operations and the Golden Rule of Algebra to solve simple algebraic problems. Students also learned how multiplication and division is shown in algebra using a dot, parentheses or just pushing the number and x together for multiplication and the fraction bar for division in place of the traditional symbols for the two operations. We briefly discussed how percent problems can be solved algebraically as well.
 
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 on 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. We focused on what simple interest is and how it's calculated. After the break, we will talk about compound 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: Thursday, Nov 14

Hello APEX families!
 
We have something exciting happening next week: our school store is opening!
 
All students, please note, that our very own Thursday school store, The Pack Got Your Snacks, is opening next week during middle school recess (and Elementary grades lunch) in the Commons area. Prices will range from 25 cents to $1.50. We will be selling a variety of candies, drinks such as Izze, variety of chips, and cookies. School store will be open once this month and once in December but 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:
 
Geometry: Students learned about 3 special auxiliary lines, namely altitudes, medians and perpendicular bisectors in a triangle. We proved the important Base Angles Theorem for isosceles triangles.
 
Homework: To be posted on Friday
 
 
Algebra 2: We continued our discussion of complex numbers. Students learned about the discriminant and how it can help us identify the type of solutions we can get when solving quadratic equations. Students learned to multiply and divide complex numbers. We started a new chapter on higher degree equations and solved some simple 3rd degree equations by factoring and setting each factor to zero.
 
Homework: To be posted on Friday
 
 
Pre-algebra: Student took the 9s multiplication facts quiz. We wrapped up the chapter on areas and volumes by discussing units for measuring liquid capacities such as gallons and quarts and units for volume in the metric system such as liters. We started a new chapter on algebra and talked about differences between algebra and arithmetic. Students also learned two important concepts in algebra - the process of undoing using inverse operations and the Golden Rule of Algebra.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Consumer Math: Next week is our opening day for 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. 
 
Homework: None
 
Puzzle Of The Week: 11th Puzzle posted! Solutions are due next Thursday. 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: Thursday, Nov 7

Hello APEX families!
 
We are a week 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:
 
Geometry: Students learned to use the concept of CPCTC (Corresponding Parts of Congruent Triangles are Congruent) to prove sides and angles of triangles are congruent or that line segments are angle or segment bisectors.
 
Homework: To be posted on Friday
 
 
Algebra 2: We wrapped up our unit on radical equations and started a new chapter on imaginary and complex numbers. Students got an introduction to the imaginary i and how to add, subtract and multiply imaginary numbers. More to come tomorrow!
 
Homework: To be posted on Friday
 
 
Pre-algebra: Student took the 8s multiplication facts quiz. We continued our discussion of unit systems. We discussed units for area in both systems and learned that we should divide or multiply by the conversion factor twice to go from one unit to another. We also discussed what volume meant and learned to convert units of volume of shapes by multiplying or dividing by the conversion factor three times.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Consumer Math: We made a short list of items to start selling in 2 weeks. Students completed their store posters and we put most of them together on a poster board. We also reviewed the homework problems to make sure students are understanding the math behind computing taxes, discounts and tips.
Homework: None
 
 
Puzzle Of The Week: 10th Puzzle posted! Solutions are due next Thursday. 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