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Narayanswamy - Algebra 1

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


Assignment Calendar

Course Description

 

Class Title:

Algebra 1

Code:

HMA130

Text:

Teaching Textbooks Algebra

Rating:

5

Prerequisite:

Completion of Pre-Algebra with a grade of C or better or placement test

Grade:

8-10

Fees:

None

Max:

15

Can be repeated? No

Description: Students will complete all of Algebra I through home assignments four days per week and one class period per week. Students will understand patterns, relations and functions. They will learn to represent and analyze mathematical situations and structures using algebraic symbols. Students will solve for unknowns in varied situations, use graphing to represent mathematical systems, and compute fluently with number systems. Students will use the language of mathematics to express mathematical ideas precisely. 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 17 of Classes: Wednesday, Jan 15

Dear APEX Families,
 
Happy New Year!
 
It was so wonderful to see your students after the winter break today! I am excited for this new semester. I hope it is filled with a joy to learn and grit to work hard and persevere if the going evert gets difficult. APEX teachers are here to go on this educational journey with you and help you succeed!
 
Students in many of the academic math classes took home a sheet of class expectations, policies and reminders. There is nothing in new on this sheet, just reminders of how the class works. Parents and students, please take the time to read and discuss the policies and expectations and sign and date the sheet. It is due next week.
 
Note: School store will be open next week for business! Please come and shop with us :-)
 
Here's the summary of classes today:
 
Algebra 1: We wrapped up the chapter on rational equations by learning to solve more challenging equations than we had solved earlier. We started a new chapter on powers and learned the basic definition of this operation.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Precalculus/Trig: We learned two important set of laws, namely the Law of Cosines and the Law of Sines.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Pre-algebra: I forgot to hand out the policy/expectations sheet in class today but put them in student folders for pick up. If you didn't check your folder at the end of the day, I am posting it on my website. Please print it out and submit the signed copy next week. Thanks!
 
We reviewed integer operations in algebraic equations. Students learned how to process algebraic equations involving negative signs in front of x's. We started a new chapter on algebraic equations with more than one operations. We reviewed the order of operations (aka PEMDAS).
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Consumer Math: Students were introduced to a simple app named Padlet which allowed them to share their  thoughts on a common electronic board. Students learned to write checks, enter transactions in check registers and reconcile transaction registers.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post). Hard copy sent home.
 
Problem of the Week #13: It's a new year! Enjoy solving some 2020 puzzles this week from MathCounts!
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Week 17 of Classes: Monday, Jan 13

Dear APEX Families,
 
Happy New Year!
 
It was so wonderful to see your students after the winter break today! I am excited for this winter semester. I hope it is filled with a joy to learn and grit to work hard and persevere if the going gets hard. APEX teachers are here to go on this educational journey with you and help you succeed!
 
Students in all the academic math classes took home a sheet of class expectations, policies and reminders. There is nothing in new on this sheet, just reminders of how the class works. Parents and students, please take the time to read and discuss the policies and expectations and sign and date the sheet. It is due next week.
 
Note: School store will be open next week for business! Please come and shop with us :-)
 
Here's the summary of classes today:
 
Algebra 1: We reviewed solving simple rational equations and learned to solve more complex equations involving several fractional expressions.
 
Homework: To be assigned on Wednesday
 
 
Precalculus/Trig: We went over some of the problems in last semester's final exam. In addition, students learned to solve right triangles using Trig and Pythagorean Theorem. They were introduced to two special right triangles, namely, 45-45-90 deg triangles and 30-60-90 deg triangles. 
 
Homework: To be assigned on Wednesday
 
 
Pre-algebra: We reviewed integer addition and subtraction extensively before learning the rules for integer multiplication and division. Integers were introduced in simple one-step algebraic equations.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Consumer Math: Students learned to write checks, enter transactions in check registers and reconcile transaction registers.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post). Hard copy sent home.
 
Problem of the Week #13: It's a new year! Enjoy solving some 2020 puzzles this week from MathCounts!
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Week 15 of Classes: Wednesday, Dec 11

Hello APEX families,
 
For many high schoolers, today was the last day of math classes this semester! Wow - the time has flown by so fast! If I don't see you around over the next few days, have a wonderful break! There is only a little homework in math. So do the work soon and then take a few weeks off from math but don't completely forget everything we have learned :-) I will see you in the new year!
 
Here's the summary of classes today:
 
Algebra 1: Students took their end of semester finals.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post
 
 
Precalculus/Trig: Students took their end of semester finals.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post
 
 
Pre-algebra: We continued our unit on integers. Students shared a few real-world examples of when negative numbers are used. We learned rules to add, subtract, multiply and divide integers.
 
Homework and Final Exam: Assigned (see the homework post. Parents, please read the notes for you regarding the finals. Thanks!)
 
 
Consumer Math: Students did a great job selling items at the school store during lunch. In class, we did the accounting for the same. Then, we reviewed simple interest and discussed the concept of compound interest and how the latter is a much better option for consumers saving money compared to the former.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post). Hard copy sent home.
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Week 15 of Classes: Monday, Dec 9

Hello APEX families,
 
Here's the summary of classes today:
 
Algebra 1: We learned to solve a few rational equations with x's in the denominator.
 
Remember to bring your 3"x5" notecard on Wednesday to take your finals. Also, remember to bring the last homework for this semester! Please be on time so you get the entire period to complete your finals. Bring sharpened pencils. Blank papers and calculators will be provided.
 
Homework: To be assigned on Wednesday
 
 
Precalculus/Trig: We started a new chapter on trigonometry. Students learned the 6 basic trig ratios, namely sin, cos, tan, cot, csc, and sec. We solved a few problems related to these ratios.
 
Remember to bring your 3"x5" notecard on Wednesday to take your finals. Also, remember to bring the last homework for this semester! Please be on time so you get the entire period to complete your finals. Bring sharpened pencils and your graphing calculator. Blank papers and calculators (if you didn't bring yours) will be provided.
 
Homework: To be assigned on Wednesday
 
 
Pre-algebra: Students learned the alternate symbols to multiplication and division. We solved algebraic equations with these operations the algebra way. Students learned to solve percent and distance problems algebraically. We started a new chapter on integers and briefly talked about what negative are.
 
Homework and Final Exam: Assigned (see the homework post. Parents, please read the notes for you regarding the finals. Thanks!)
 
 
Consumer Math: Students did a great job selling items at the school store during lunch. In class, we did the accounting. Then, we reviewed simple interest and compound interest and how the latter is a much better option for consumers saving money compared to the former.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post). Hard copy sent home.
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Solution to Puzzle Of The Week #12

Hello Apex Students,
 
The solution to the 12th puzzle is attached. Unfortunately no one got the solution right. We will try a few other statistical puzzles next year to get a chance to explore this area of math more.
 
Students who submitted a solution, good job trying! Please stop by for a treat :-)
 
Have a great weekend!
 
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Week 14 of Classes: Wednesday, Dec 4

Hello APEX families,
 
Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and got some time to relax and rejuvenate!
 
We are now in the last leg of this semester and very busy completing content in several subject areas.
 
Please note that next week our school store will be open during lunch break. So, please remember to bring some money if you would like to shop with us.
 
Here's the summary of classes today:
 
Algebra 1: We wrapped up our chapter on manipulating algebraic fractions by learning add and subtract them. We started a new chapter on solving rational equations (equations with fractions containing x's in the denominator).
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Precalculus/Trig: Students learned about piece-wise functions. We focussed on absolute value (abs) functions and integer (int) functions.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Pre-algebra: We discussed the difference between algebra ad arithmetic and learned to write simple algebraic equations for word problems. Student learned two important concepts in algebra - the process of undoing a number by using inverse operations and the Golden Rule of Algebra. 
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Consumer Math:  Students learned about the concept of interest when saving money in a bank. We talked about simple interest and how to compute it using a formula. We also discussed a variety of topics related to saving/investing including getting a higher interest rate, the concept of higher the return, higher the risk, saving early and more, the basics of stock market and how people can get high returns by longing or shorting stocks.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Puzzle Of The Week: We are taking a break from solving puzzles as all secondary math classes are getting busy preparing for final exams next week. Look forward to solving more puzzles in the new year!
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Week 14 of Classes: Monday Dec 2

Hello APEX families,
 
Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and got some time to relax and rejuvenate!
 
We are now in the last leg of this semester and very busy completing content in several subject areas.
 
Please note that next week our school store will be open during lunch break. So, please remember to bring some money if you would like to shop with us.
 
Here's the summary of classes today:
 
Algebra 1: We reviewed fractional expressions and then learned to multiply and divide them.
 
Homework: To be assigned on Wednesday
 
 
Precalculus/Trig: We wrapped up our unit on power functions by solving power equations and considering practical applications of such functions in science. Students also learned the concept of direct and inverse variations.
 
Homework: To be assigned on Wednesday
 
 
Pre-algebra: We discussed the difference between algebra ad arithmetic and learned to write simple algebraic equations for word problems. Student learned two important concepts in algebra - the process of undoing a number by using inverse operations and the Golden Rule of Algebra. 
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Consumer Math: We reviewed simple interest. Students watched 4 short videos about important concepts in saving money. Students learned about compound interest and how it is better at making our money grow than simple interest.
 
Homework: None
 
Puzzle Of The Week: We are taking a break from solving puzzles as all secondary math classes are getting busy preparing for final exams next week. Look forward to solving more puzzles in the new year!
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Week 13 of Classes: Wednesday, Nov 20

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 you return (Dec 2-6). No late work will be accepted past that.
 
Here's the summary of classes today:
 
Algebra 1: Students learned to use reverse distribution to factor terms in order to simplify rational expressions
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Precalculus/Trig: We went over last week's quiz.  (Please note that the graded quiz will be returned after we return from the break) We continued our discussion of power functions and learned the different functions that comprise this category. Please read the next lesson on solving equations involving powers and do the problems assigned.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Pre-algebra: Student took the 11s multiplication facts quiz. We reviewed the difference between algebra ad arithmetic and learned to write simple algebraic equations for word problems. Student learned two important concepts in algebra - the process of undoing a number by using inverse operations and the Golden Rule of Algebra. Students also learned how multiplication and division is shown in algebra instead of the traditional symbols for the two operations.
 
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. 
 
Homework: None
 
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