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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 8 of Classes: Friday Oct 18

Dear Apex Families,
 
Here's the summary of classes and homework assigned for this week:
 
Geometry: We reviewed briefly what polygons are. Students learned about the different types of triangles, classified based on lengths of sides and measures of angles. Students worked either independently or with a partner on packet of practice problems focused primarily on different types of angles we have learned so far. We will continue working on these problems next week after we complete a few of the lessons.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Algebra 2: We continued our discussion of radicals. Students learned to rationalize denominators. We also discussed how roots are fractional exponents and we can go back and forth between powers and roots. Students worked briefly on a packet of advanced algebra 2 problems related to fractional expressions involving x's, powers and roots.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
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 and found percents of different numbers. 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). 
 
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. 
 
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 Friday. Solution to last week's puzzle will be posted today.
 
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: Friday Oct 11

Dear APEX Families,
 
Here's a summary of classes today and homework assigned for this week:
 
Geometry: We proved that if lines are parallel and cut by a transversal, the interior angles on the same side of the transversal are supplementary. Students learned how the Greeks figured out the circumference of the earth by using corresponding angles. We spent the last 15 minutes setting algebraic equations for word problems involving complementary and supplementary angles and solving them.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
Algebra 2: We wrapped up our chapter on powers and fractional expressions involving them and started a new chapter on radicals.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Pre-algebra: Students took the 4s multiplication facts quiz. We wrapped up the unit on decimals by learning to multiply and divide decimals, 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 Friday. Solution to last week's puzzle will be posted today.
 
Have a great weekend!
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
 
 
 

Week 6 of Classes: Friday, Oct 4

Dear APEX students and parents,
 
Hard to believe it's Friday again! How these weeks are flying by - days are slowly getting shorter but these fall days are a reminder to enjoy the warmth and beauty of this season! 
 
Well.... here's a summary of today's classes and the homework assigned for the week:
 
We had a fire drill today. Everything went smoothly! 
 
Geometry: Students took an in-class quiz. We then went back to our lessons and talked about parallel lines, the transversal, and bunch of new angles!
 
Homework assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Algebra 2: Students took an in-class quiz. We then continued our unit on powers. Students learned to simplify fractions by using reverse distribution and advanced reverse distribution to factor polynomial expressions before canceling them.
 
Homework assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Pre-algebra: Students took the 3s multiplication facts quiz. We continued our discussion of decimal numbers. Students learned to convert fractions such as 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 into 10ths, 100ths, and 1000ths so they may fit in the place value system. Students also learned to add, subtract and multiply decimals.
 
Homework assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Consumer Math: Students worked on the shopping spree activity. We will wrap up the activity with a final discussion next week.
 
Homework: None
 
 
Puzzle of the week #5: The 5th puzzle of the week is posted. The answer to the fourth puzzle of the week will be posted today.
 
Any questions or concerns? Please email me or see me in person.
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Solution to Puzzle of the week #3

Wow! That was one challenging problem!!
 
Kudos to all the students (and family members!) who tried this one!!
 
Check out the solution. The one student who got the answer right was Jerry Sittler. Congratulations Jerry! Please stop by next week to get your prize.
 
I decided we all need a little break from challenging puzzles. So have fun trying the KenKens. The instructions are given with the puzzles. You need to get both KenKens to enter for the raffle!

Have a great weekend!
Mrs. N

Week 5 of Classes: Friday, Sept 27

Dear APEX students and parents,
 
Here's a summary of today's classes and the homework assigned for the week:
 
Geometry: We continued talking about pairs of angles and tried algebraic problems involving them. Students learned about perpendicular lines as well.
 
Note: An in-class quiz next Friday. See the homework for details.
Homework assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Algebra 2: We solved more complex rational equations with multiple fractions. We started a new chapter on powers and reviewed the basics of powers.
 
Note: An in-class quiz next Friday. See the homework for details.
Homework assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Pre-algebra: Students took the 10s multiplication facts quiz. We reviewed mixed numbers and how to convert improper fractions to mixed numbers and vice versa. Students learned to multiply and divide fractions as well as fractions and whole numbers. We started a new chapter on decimals but didn't get far! Please read the first two lesson in chapter 3 so we may review the lessons together next week and cover more of the content.
Homework assigned (see the homework post)
 
Consumer Math: We reviewed percents and learned to use them in context of discounts and sales. Students worked in teams to use various discounts while shopping online on Costco.com to buy exactly 8 items while keeping within a $1,000 budget. They will complete this activity next week.
Homework: assigned (see the homework post)
 
Puzzle of the week #4: The 4th puzzle of the week is posted. The answer to the third puzzle of the week will also be posted today. If you tried this problem, kudos to you!! It was challenging!! If your name is picked in the raffle for a prize, please make sure you can explain how you solved the puzzle of the week to me :-)
 
Parents, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to send me an email. Encourage your students who are taking a high school math class or studying for a standardized test such as SAT or ACT to stop by during math lab for any help they may need.
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy