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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 10 of Classes: Thursday, Oct 31

Hello APEX families,
 
 Here's a summary of classes today:
 
Geometry: We discussed 3 more shortcuts to prove triangles are congruent, namely ASA, AAS, and HL. We solved several problems and did a few proofs related to the concepts we have learned so far.
 
Homework: To be assigned on Friday
 
Algebra 2: We wrapped up our chapter on quadratic equations by deriving and then using the quadratic formula. We started a new chapter on solving radical equations.
 
Homework: To be assigned on Friday
 
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. Finally, we learned to convert between units in one system and units in another.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
Consumer Math: Most students completed their activity on grocery coupons and creating a meal plan for their family within a $30 budget. They started creating posters for their school store.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
Puzzle Of The Week: 9th 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 #7

Hello APEX friends,
 
Here's the solution to last week's puzzle, Puzzle# 7! The solution to the problem is 3!!
 
Check out the file to see details of how the problem was solved
 
A few students attempted the puzzle and Owen Weekley got it right! Good job everyone for trying. Stop by to get a treat.  Congratulations, Owen, for getting it right!! Stop by to pick a prize.

Week 9 of Classes: Thursday, Oct 24

Dear Apex Families,
 
Here's the summary of classes and homework assigned for this week:
 
Geometry: We focused on triangles and proved that the interior angles of a triangle add up to 180 deg and the exterior angle of a triangle is always equal to the sum of the two remote interior angles of a triangle. 
 
Homework: To be assigned on Friday
 
 
Algebra 2: We started a new unit on quadratic equations. We learned to solve them by undoing and factoring using reverse distribution and advanced reverse distribution.
 
Homework: To be assigned on Friday
 
 
Pre-algebra: Student took the 6s multiplication facts quiz. We started a new unit on measurements. We discussed different units of length in the English/Common system such as inches, feet, yards and miles and how to convert from one to the other. We also learned to use a unit conversion table to convert units from one to the other.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Consumer Math: Students came in during recess to conduct survey for the elementary and high school students. We put this data into our Google sheet during the class. Students voted on a good name for their school store and decided on an awesome one - The Pack Got Your Snacks!  Students continued their activity on coupons to save money as they planned a meal for their family. They will complete it next week.
 
Homework: None
 
 
Puzzle Of The Week: 8th Puzzle posted! Solutions are due next Thursday. Solution to last week's puzzle will be posted on Friday.
 
Thanks!
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Solution to POW 6 and winners for POW5 and POW6

Hello Puzzlers!!
 
Here's the solution to last week's puzzle, Puzzle 6! The solution to the problem is 73!!
 
73 is a prime number and so is the number 37 which is 73 flipped over. The difference between the numbers, 73 - 37, is 36. 36 is a perfect square (6 x 6).
 
The following students got the answer right for puzzle 6:
 
Nico Stone
Kian Stone
Cole Sulouff
Jake LaCrosse
Andrew Cunningham
Quinn Kimmett
Owen Weekley
Zoe Breedlove
Emily Sarris
 
Wonderful job everyone and congratulations! The winner of the raffle this week is Zoe Breedlove!! Yay Zoe :-) Zoe, stop by to pick up a prize next week. Rest of the participants including those who might not have gotten the answer (I am so glad you tried so hard) should come by for a treat.
 
Last week, we had some missing names on the submissions for the puzzle about what languages different delegates know. Those got resolved this week. So here's the result for who won the raffle.
 
The following students got the right solution:
 
Kaelyn LaWall
Zoe Breedlove
Jerry Sittler
Owen Weekley
 
Congratulations everyone! The winner of the raffle for this puzzle was Owen Weekley! Please stop by for your prize and everyone else who tried this puzzle (whether you got the correct solution or not), please stop by for a treat!
 
Till next week.... enjoy your weekend :-)
 
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Week 8 of Classes: Thursday, Oct 17

Dear Apex Families,
 
Here's the summary of classes and homework assigned for this week:
 
Geometry: Students learned about converse statements and how they are not always true even if the original statements are true. We found (either as a postulate or by proving as a theorem) that if alternate interior angles, alternate exterior angles and corresponding angles are congruent or interior angles on the same side of the transversal are supplementary, then the lines involved are always parallel. We started a new chapter on triangles. We discussed what polygons are and how triangles are the simplest of all polygons.
 
Homework:  To be assigned on Friday
 
 
Algebra 2: We continued our discussion of radicals. Students learned to add and subtract like radicals, distribute radicals over an expression, and simplify radicals. We started talking about how radicals fractions are rationalized.
 
Homework:  To be assigned on Friday
 
 
Pre-algebra: Students took the 0s-5s multiplication facts quiz. We focused on percents again. We considered percents of different types such as fractional percents and decimal percents. We specifically considered how percents are used in banking and talked about compound interest (finding interest on the principal amount as well as the interest already paid by the bank). Students also learned how to determine percents if we are considering a fraction of something. In addition, we briefly talked about how points in tests can be converted into percents.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Consumer Math: Students short-listed the items they want to sell and entered the information into a survey that they plan to give next week to the APEX student body. We started a short new activity about using coupons to save money by using grocery flyers to buy ingredients and cook a meal for the family within a limited budget.
 
Homework: Think of 3 possible names for your school store and write them down. Bring the list to class next week to share with your peers.
 
 
Puzzle Of The Week: 7th Puzzle posted! Solutions are due next Wednesday. Solution to last week's puzzle will be posted on Friday.
 
Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Solution to POW#5

Hello Friends,
 
Here's the solution to last week's puzzle! We have had several students get this puzzle right. Congratulations, everyone!
 
Unfortunately, few of the students forgot to write their names on their sheets. Please stop by to check if you are one of them! To make sure that everyone gets an opportunity to win the raffle, I will do the raffle as soon as I have the names of the students who forgot to put their names on their solutions!
 
Till then.... enjoy the weekend and see you next week :-)
 
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Week 7 of classes

Dear APEX Families,
 
Here's a summary of classes today and homework assigned for this week:
 
Geometry: We solved a few homework problems together that some of the students had questions about. We then continued our discussion of parallel lines. We talked about or proved that when lines are parallel and cut by a transversal, a variety of angle pairs (alternate interior, corresponding, alternate exterior) become congruent and interior angles on the same side of transversal become supplementary. More about them tomorrow!
 
Homework: To be assigned tomorrow
 
Algebra 2: We continued our discussion of rational expressions with higher degree exponents. We learned to add, subtract, multiply and divide them. We also reviewed scientific notation and how to manipulate them.
 
Homework: To be assigned tomorrow
 
 
Pre-algebra: Students took the 4s multiplication facts quiz. We wrapped up the unit on decimals by learning to convert fractions to decimals by dividing, and got introduced to non-terminating, repeating decimals. We started a new unit on percents.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Consumer Math: We wrapped up our activity of shopping spree. We started our discussion of setting a school store by brainstorming the different items we want to sell.
 
Homework: None
 
 
Puzzle Of The Week: 6th Puzzle posted! Solutions are due next Wednesday. Solution to last week's puzzle will be posted this Friday.
 
Stay warm :-)
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Solution to POW#4

Hello Friends,
 
Here're the solutions to the two KenKens that were last week's problem of the week!
 
It was so good to see several students try them. Students who got both KenKens correct are:
 
Jeremiah Davis
Andrew Cunningham
Tegan Chanders
Jerry Sittler
 
Congratulations students!
 
The winner of the raffle this week is: Tegan!! Yay - congratulations Tegan :-) Please stop by to pick a prize.
 
All other students who tried the puzzles, whether they got it completely correct or not, or tried just one of the two, may stop by for a treat. 
 
Thanks!
Mrs. N