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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 4 of Classes: Wed Sept 18

Dear APEX students (and parents),
 
It's hard to believe that we have already been in session for 4 weeks! Hope you are enjoying your classes at APEX. I am, for sure, enjoying having you in my classes! If you have any questions or concerns with a class you are taking with me, please do not hesitate to talk with me. I am here to help you learn, succeed and enjoy all your classes!
 
Here's a summary of today's classes and the homework assigned for the week:
 
Algebra 1: We continued our topic of manipulating integers. Students learned to subtract, multiply and divide integers.
Homework assigned (see the homework post)
 
Precalculus/Trigonometry: We continued our discussion of quadratic functions. We learned to graph quadratic functions using the given function and on the flip side, write quadratic equations given the graphs.
Homework assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Pre-algebra: Student took the 5s multiplication facts quiz. We reviewed what we had learned last week and then continued discussing fractions. We reviewed prime numbers and prime factoring. We also learned to add and subtract fractions, learned to find the lowest common denominator, and change improper fractions to mixed numbers and vice versa.
Homework assigned (see the homework post)
 
Consumer Math: We wrapped up our discussion of Unit Prices of commodities by calculating unit prices of comparable objects. Students learned the basics of percents and how to convert them to fractions and decimals. We used these concepts to do a few problems involving discount rates and sales.
Homework: None
 
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 end of this week. 
 
Have a great rest of your week. See you next week!
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

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

Week 3 of Classes

Dear APEX students and parents,
 
Here's a summary of today's classes and the homework assigned for the week:
 
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 started a new unit on fractions. Students learned what they mean, how to find equivalent fractions, reduce fractions using different techniques and compare fractions.
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
 
Puzzle of the week #2: The 2nd puzzle of the week is posted. The answer to the first puzzle of the week will be shared online end of this week. 
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Week 3 of Classes

Dear APEX students and parents,
 
Here's a summary of today's classes and the homework assigned for the week:
 
Pre-algebra: Students took a pre-assessment of 1-12 multiplication facts. Then we reviewed addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers. Students should read lesson 5 on divisibility rules for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10. We will go over these rules in class next week. Several vocabulary words were introduced (check homework file for details). Homework assigned (see the homework post)
 
Consumer Math: We played the game "How to really be a millionaire" and learned several interesting facts about millionaires.
Homework: Bring a grocery store flyer from the grocery store where your family shops.
 
Algebra-1 : Homework to be assigned on Wednesday
 
Pre-calculus/Trigonometry: Homework to be assigned on Wednesday
 
Puzzle of the week: Every week, I will be posting a puzzle both on my classroom wall and online. Any student who loves solving puzzles is welcome to try solving the puzzle of the week. Students should work on their own or seek their siblings' or parents' help but not search for answers online! Bring your answer the following week for submission. I will randomly draw out the name of one student each week from among all the students who get the correct answer. The lucky draw will win a prize!
 
Have a great rest of your week. See you next week (this Wed for Algebra 1 and Precalc/Trig students)!
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Week 2 of Classes: Wed Sept 4

Dear APEX students and parents,
 
Here's a summary of today's classes and the homework assigned for the week:
 
Pre-algebra: Students took a pre-assessment of 1-12 multiplication facts. Then we reviewed addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers. Students learned divisibility rules for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10. Several vocabulary words were introduced (check homework file for details). Homework assigned (see the homework post)
 
Consumer Math: We played the game "How to really be a millionaire" and learned several interesting facts about millionaires.
Homework: Bring a grocery store flyer from the grocery store where your family shops.
 
Algebra-1 : We reviewed fractions and how to add, subtract, multiply and divide them. We learned to use inverse operations to solve one-step algebraic equations involving division. Students also learned the commutative property of addition and multiplication and how to apply it to solve algebraic equations. Homework assigned (see the homework post)
 
Pre-calculus/Trig: We learned two new transformations of functions, namely, reflection and stretching/compression.
Homework assigned (see the homework post)
 
Puzzle of the week: Every week, I will be posting a puzzle both on my classroom wall and online. Any student who loves solving puzzles is welcome to try solving the puzzle of the week. Students should work on their own or seek their siblings' or parents' help but not search for answers online! Bring your answer the following week for submission. I will randomly draw out the name of one student each week from among all the students who get the correct answer. The lucky draw will win a prize!
 
Have a great rest of your week. See you next Wednesday!
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

1st Week of Classes: Aug 28

Hello APEX students and families,
 
Welcome to a new academic year at APEX! Hope our year together will be fun and filled with learning!!
 
As we go through the year, learning different things, please know that I am here to help you with any concepts that you are not clear about. Parents, if there are ever any questions or concerns you have throughout the year, please do not hesitate to send me an email.
 
If your student was absent during last week's orientation day, please note that my welcome letters, with all the class details, are loaded on my website. 
 
The pre-algebra class did a welcome "get-to-know each other" activity. All secondary math classes started with some basic content in their subject area. 
 
The consumer math class did a reflective activity related to working together  in teams and then were introduced to a game called "How to really be a millionaire". We will get to play the game next week! 
 
HOMEWORK: If you haven't already done so, do subscribe to the class(es) you (if you are a student)  or your children (if you are a parent) are taking with me. Homework for all my classes will be posted on my website on a regular basis.
 
 Pre-algebra, Algebra 1 and Pre-calculus/Trigonometry students have been assigned homework for this week. NO homework for consumer math class :-)
 
That's it for now. Thank you and have a wonderful rest of the week!
 
Mrs. Narayanswamy
 

1st Week of Classes: Aug 26

Hello APEX Students and families,
 
Welcome to a new academic year at APEX! Hope our year together will be fun and filled with learning!!
 
As we go through the year, learning different things, please know that I am here to help you with any concepts that you are not clear about. Parents, if there are ever any questions or concerns you may have through the year, please do not hesitate to send me an email.
 
If your student was absent during last week's orientation day, please note that my welcome letters, with all the class details, are loaded on my website. 
 
If you haven't already done so, do subscribe to the class(es) you (if you are a student)  or your children (if you are a parent) are taking with me. Homework for all my classes will be posted on my website.
 
Most of our classes today did a welcome "get-to-know each other" activity. Pre-algebra and Pre-calculus/Trig class started on some of the basic content for the class.
 
The consumer math class started a game of "How to really be a millionaire". We will finish the game in 2 weeks when we meet again. No classes next Monday for Labor Day!
 
Algebra 1 and Precalculus/Trig students, we will jump right into our lessons on Wednesday. As I mentioned in class today, homework will be assigned every Wednesday and will be due the following Wednesday.
 
That's it for now. Thank you!
 
Mrs. Narayanswamy