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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

Week 21 of Classes: Friday, Feb 14

Dear APEX Families,
 
Please note that next week the school store will be open.
 
Here's the summary of classes today:
 
Geometry: We discussed two more shortcuts for proving similarity of triangles, namely SAS and SSS Similarities. We did a few problems related to what we had learned.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Algebra 2: Students learned another standard formula for factoring, namely, the difference of two square numbers. We used the various factoring techniques to multiply and divide rational expressions with different variables.
 
Homework: To be assigned on Friday
 
 
Pre-algebra: Students took a multiplication facts quiz. We reviewed the last few lessons related to like terms with x's and equations with x's on both sides of the "equal to" sign. We started a new chapter on rational expressions. Students learned to simplify fractions with x's. We also went over a problem involving multiplication of such rational expressions.

Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Consumer Math: We went over last week's homework. Students decided on jobs for next week's school store and also decided on items to buy for sales next week. They each had an unexpected event happen to them. They focused the last part of their class time on setting up menu plans for their simulated family.
 
Homework: Complete two weeks of menu plans that you were working on in class.
 
 
Problem of the Week #17: Problem of the Week #17 is posted today. Answers for last week's problems (POW #16) will be posted by tonight.
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Solution to Puzzles Of The Week #15

Hello APEX families,
 
Please find attached the solutions to last week's 2 puzzles.
 
The mathematician of the week, Owen Weekley, tried both and got them right! He and his dad used several algebraic relations to solve the 2nd puzzle! Great work Owen :-) Check out the solutions in the file to see how the 2nd puzzle can be solved backwards. Stop by next week to get the prize you have earned!
 
Happy weekend everyone! Stay warm :-)
 
Usha Narayanswamy
 
 

Week 20 of Classes: Friday, Feb 7

Dear APEX Families,
 
Here's the summary of classes today:
 
Geometry: We discussed the two main properties of all similar polygons - equal angles and proportional sides. We also talked about where and when we see similar shapes in our day to day lives.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Algebra 2: We compared graphs of single variable, two variable and 3 variable equations. In addition, students learned to simplify mathematical expressions with multiple variables and powers that are getting added, subtracted, multiplied or divided.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Pre-algebra: We reviewed equations with multiple x terms.  Students also learned to set up equations for word problems related to rate of work and distances. In addition, they were introduced to equations with x's on both sides of the "equal to" sign. 
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Consumer Math: Students did a great job, as always, selling different items at the school store. During class, we did the accounting for the store and then went over the homework related to finding down payments and monthly payments for new cars. Students noted the different used cars and their prices and we did a few calculations together to find the down payments and monthly payments for some of them
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Problem of the Week #16: Problem of the Week #16 is posted today. Answers for last week's problems (POW #15) will be posted tonight.
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Solution to Puzzle Of The Week #14

Hello APEX families,
 
My apologies for posting the solutions to the logic puzzles a couple of days late!
 
Please check the attached file for the solutions.
 
The following students tried one or both the puzzles:
 
Alexa Schehrer 
James Schmeisser 
Owen Weekley
Quinn Kimmett
 
They ALL got any completed puzzles correct! Yay!! Kudos to them!!!
 
James Schmeisser won the raffle :-)  James, please stop by to pick a prize! Everyone else, stop by for a small treat! 
 
Thank you, as always, for trying these puzzles. Hope you had fun!
 
Usha Narayanswamy
 
 

Week 19 of Classes: Friday, Jan 31

Dear APEX Families,
 
Here's the summary of classes today:
 
Geometry: Students took their first quiz this semester. Then, we continued our unit on polygons. We learned the definition of regular polygons, how to determine the measure of each of their interior and exterior angles, and the perimeter of any polygon.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Algebra 2: Students took their first quiz this semester. Then we wrapped up the section on hyperbolas by doing several problems related to them.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Pre-algebra: Student learned to simplify algebraic equations before solving them. We started a new chapter on combining multiple terms with x's.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Consumer Math: We started working on our new project on budgeting. Students got to pick their job, family scenario, their children's ages and their needs if applicable and an initial bank balance. They also noted all the possible new cars they can consider buying if they can afford it!
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Problem of the Week #15: Problem of the Week #15 is posted. Answers for last week's problems (POW #14) will be posted by tonight.
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Solution to Puzzle Of The Week #13

Hello Friends,
 
The solutions to last week's 2020 puzzles are attached.
 
One enthusiastic student, Owen Weekly, submitted his solutions and got them all right! Excellent work, Owen!!
 
Stop by my classroom to get your prize :-)
 
Everyone, have a great weekend!
 
Thanks
Usha Narayanswamy
 
 
 
 

Week 18 of Classes: Friday, Jan 24

Dear APEX Families,
 
Here's the summary of classes today:
 
Geometry: We started a new chapter on general polygons. Students the names of 5-sided to 10-sided convex polygons. They also learned to figure out the number of diagonals and the sum of all interior angles inside any polygon.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Algebra 2: We continued our discussion of conic sections and focused on circles and ellipses.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Pre-algebra: Students learned to write equations with multiple operations from words. They needed to pay attention to the order of operations in order to do so. They also learned to solve simple 2-step algebraic equations by undoing operations in reverse order of operations (SADMEP is a good mnemonic to remember this principle).
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
Consumer Math: Students set up the school store during lunch and did a good job selling different items to our students. During class, we did the accounting for the school store. Then students learned to fill-in a transaction register to keep tab on transactions related to their checking accounts. We then started a new project on Budgeting.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post). A physical copy of the homework was also given to students.
 
 
Problem of the Week #14: Problem of the Week #14 is posted today. Answers for last week's problems (POW #13) will be posted by tonight.
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy