Narayanswamy - Pre-Algebra (Section Fri 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

Homework for Spring Break: Friday

Hello APEX students and families,
 
I hope you are all staying safe and healthy. These past few days have seen some dramatic changes in our day-to-day lives and in our community that can feel overwhelming. I hope you get to spend some relaxed time together at home during this break.
 
Given the current circumstances, we are missing two Fridays of instruction time. I am posting homework for all math classes that include reading some extra lessons and doing some math related to these lessons. We will positively connect after the break and will continue our classes based on decisions that the district makes. 
 
Parents, if your student completed all homework that was due on Friday, please send me a quick email verifying the same. If students took chapter tests, kindly take pictures of the completed test and all their work and send them to me via email over the next couple of days so I can grade them during this break.
 
In the meantime, hope you all stay safe and healthy.
 
Thank you
Usha Narayanswamy

Updates on Monday

Hello Families,
 
The last 24 hours have changed so much in our community and of a sudden, we have 2 weeks of spring break!
 
I would like all my students (including my Friday students) to get some rest and relax and not worry about their classes with me! I will send updates (including any homework for the core math classes) beginning of next week.
 
Have a good weekend!
 
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Week 24 of Classes: Friday, March 6

Dear APEX Families,
 
Here's the summary of classes today:
 
Geometry: Students took a quiz. We started a new unit on circles and talked about basic vocabulary related to circles.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Algebra 2: Students took a quiz. We discussed simple quadratic inequalities.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Pre-algebra: We reviewed the concepts we have learned about powers so far. We then wrapped up our chapter on powers and roots by learning about division of powers, simplifying fractions with powers, introducing the concept of roots and how roots and powers undo each other and two special exponents, namely an exponent of 1 and 0.

Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Consumer Math: Students completed their grocery list for the month and many students figured out the total amount they will be spending on grocery. 
 
Homework: None except for those who need to complete their class work.
 
 
Problem of the Week #20: Problem of the Week #20 is posted today. Answers for last week's problems (POW #19) will be posted by tonight.
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Week 23 of Classes: Friday, Feb 28

Dear APEX Families,
 
Here's the summary of classes today:
 
Geometry: We reviewed relationship between sides of the isosceles right triangles (45-45-90 deg triangles) as well as the 30-60-90 degree triangles. Students were introduced to the basics of trigonometry in relation to similar triangles. Students learned about the 3 main trig ratios, namely, tangent (tan), sine (sin) and cosine (cos). 
 
Homework: Assigned (See homework post)
 
 
Algebra 2: We continued our discussion of systems of equations. We solved a system of 2nd degree equations with 2 variables. We also learned to solve linear equations with 3 variables using elimination and substitution methods. Students got a mini lesson on determinants and how to use them to solve 2-variable linear equations.
 
Homework: Assigned (See homework post)
 
 
Pre-algebra: We continued our unit on powers. Students learned  about scientific notation, the place of powers in the order of operations and we tried several computing problems to understand this order of operations. Students learned to add, subtract and multiply powers.

Homework: Assigned (See homework post)
 
 
Consumer Math: Students primarily shopped online using their grocery list.
 
Homework: Complete the online shopping at home and bring the filled-in grocery list with prices next week
 
Problem of the Week #19: Problem of the Week #19 is posted today. Answers for last week's problems (POW #18) will be posted by tonight.
 
Have a great weekend!
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Solution to Puzzle Of The Week #17

Hello Problem Solvers
 
Please find attached the solutions to last week's Valentine's Day puzzles.
 
The students listed below participated and put their solutions into the answer jar this week. And they ALL got them right! Great job everybody! Congratulations!!
 
James Schmeisser 
Alexa Schehrer
Nicki Million
Rebecca Freeman
 
Rebecca won the raffle for the prize this week. Yay! Rebecca, please stop by to pick your prize. Every one else, don't forget to get a treat from me for all your hard work and enthusiasm solving these puzzles.
 
Have a great weekend!
Mrs. N

Week 22 of Classes: Friday, Feb 21

Dear APEX Families,
 
Here's the summary of classes today:
 
Geometry: We did several problems related to similar triangles including proportions and proofs. We reviewed the Pythagorean Theorem and proved it. We also discussed about Pythagorean triples and how irrational lengths can be simplified. 
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Algebra 2: We focussed on different algebraic methods to solve systems of 2 linear equations with two variables. The techniques included addition and subtraction methods to eliminate variables and substitution method to replace one variable by another.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Pre-algebra: We reviewed multiplication of rational expressions. Then we wrapped the chapter on rational expressions by learning to divide, add and subtract such fractions. We started a new chapter on powers and learned the basics of what power means and briefly talked about scientific notation.

Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Consumer Math: We did the accounting for our school store today. Students wrote a thank you note to APEX for giving us the seed money to start the school store and then we returned the loan to APEX! Yipee!! Good work everybody :-)  They each had an unexpected event happen to them. They focused the last part of their class time on creating their grocery list for 2 weeks worth of meals.
 
Homework: None other than completing any unfinished classwork.
 
 
Problem of the Week #18: Problem of the Week #18 is posted today. Answers for last week's problems (POW #17) will be posted by tonight.
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Solution to Puzzle Of The Week #16

Hello APEX Math Lovers,
 
Please find attached the solutions to last week's 2 puzzles.
 
The one and only awesome problem solver for this week was MICAH HEINS from Thursday Pre-algebra class! And he solved both puzzles correctly!! Wonderful job Micah - Congratulations :-) Remember to come by and pick your prize next week.
 
Thank you
 
Mrs. N