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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

Soluton to 2nd Puzzle of the Week

Solution to last week's puzzle is posted. 
 
It's wonderful to see students trying these challenging puzzles. Several students attempted the 2nd puzzle and three students got the solution right. Great job everybody! The winner of this week's raffle for the correct solution is Andrew Cunningham! Congrats Andrew!
 
If parents or siblings are working with students on solving these puzzles, that is awesome! To make sure that the students are understanding how these problems are getting solved, I want the students submitting the solutions to these puzzles to be able to explain the process to me. Show your work and when you stop by to pick a treat, tell me how you solved it!
 
Enjoy this week's puzzle! See if you can find my ID!!
 
Mrs. N
 
 

Week 4 of Classes: Friday Sept 20

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:
 
Geometry: Students were introduced to complementary angles. We also proved our first two theorems related to these angles.
 
Homework - assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Algebra 2: We continued our discussion of rational expressions. Students learned to use reverse distribution to factor and simplify fractions containing addition and subtraction of terms. We also tried several multiplication and division problems involving such fractions.
Homework - assigned (see the homework post). Kindly also complete the two files containing word problems about investments and distances that we worked on on Thursday. They are both already posted on the website.
 
 
Pre-algebra: Student took the 5s multiplication facts quiz. We reviewed what we had learned last week about prime factoring and canceling 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 changed a few improper fractions to mixed numbers.
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 start to work on a few problems involving discount rates and sales. We will complete these problems next week.
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 posted today. 
 
Have a great rest of your week. See you next week!
 
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: Friday Sept 13

Dear APEX students and parents,
 
Here's a summary of today's classes and the homework assigned for the week:
 
Geometry: Our focus this week was to learn about different types of angles, practice measuring them using a protractor, understand words such as midpoint, segment and angle bisectors and use these concepts in problems, and learn the set of properties of equalities that are often used to prove theorems.
Homework assigned (see the homework post)
 
Algebra 2: Students learned to solve algebraic problems involving investments, equations that contain multiple grouping symbols such as parentheses and brackets, fractions with x's, and equations with x's on both sides of the "equals to" sign. In addition, we also started exploring distance problems. We will wrap up this unit on simplifying algebraic equations of different types in different ways next week.
Homework assigned (see the homework post)
 
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, compare them and reduce fractions using different techniques.
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 #2: The 2nd puzzle of the week is posted. The answer to the first puzzle of the week will be shared online today. 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!
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Week 2 of Classes: Fri Sept 6

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. 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-2 : Students continued to review simple algebraic equations with negative numbers and simplifying equations using commutative, associative and distributive properties. We also practiced setting equations for a few word problems.
Homework assigned (see the homework post)
 
Geometry: We continued our discussion of postulates and perused the ten postulates Euclid based his deductive reasonings on. Students reviewed many known terms like points, lines, line segments, planes, angles, rays, etc. and we learned the conventions for naming them. Students also learned what good definitions should be like and we learned a few of them.
 
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 Friday (Thursday if you are taking algebra 2 or geometry)!
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

1st Week of Classes: Aug 30

Hello APEX students and families,
 
Welcome to a new academic year at APEX! Hope our year together will be fun and filled with learning!!
 
Students, 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 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. A copy of it was also sent home with your student today.
 
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 by the end of school day. Homework for high school math classes that meet on Thursday and Friday will be posted on Friday.
 
Today, the pre-algebra class did a welcome "get-to-know each other" activity. We then started on our subject content.
 
The consumer math class did a team-related activity and then started a game of "How to really be a millionaire". We will finish the game next week. 
 
HOMEWORK: Pre-algebra, Geometry, and Algebra 2 students have been assigned homework for this week. NO homework for consumer math students.
 
That's it for now. Thank you!
 
Mrs. Narayanswamy