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Narayanswamy - Pre-Algebra (Section Tues 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 13 of Classes: Tuesday, Nov 19

Hello All,
 
Please note that there are no classes next week. Enjoy your Thanksgiving break!
 
All pending work and test corrections should be submitted the week you return (Dec 2-6). No late work will be accepted past that.
 
Here's the summary of classes today:
 
Pre-algebra: Student took the 11s multiplication facts quiz. We reviewed the difference between algebra ad arithmetic and learned to write simple algebraic equations for word problems. Student learned two important concepts in algebra - the process of undoing a number by using inverse operations and the Golden Rule of Algebra.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Consumer Math: Students did a great job of setting up the school store and having a successful 1/2 hr of selling different items during lunch. Good work all! We did the accounting for the store during class time. It was during this time that we also had a fire drill and the students were awesome following the rules. We decided what changes to make for next time the store is set up. We then talked about types of household expenses and how to classify them. We also started talking about saving money in banks and the concept of interest. 
 
Homework: None
 
Puzzle Of The Week: 12th Puzzle posted! Solutions are due in 2 weeks. Solution to last week's puzzle will be posted on Friday.
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Solution to Puzzle Of The Week #10

Hello Apex Students,
 
Here are the solutions to last week's Hashiwokakeros (Bridges puzzles). The following students attempted at least one of the three puzzles:
 
Jake LaCrosse
Nico Stone
Boston Renaud
Kian Stone
Cole Sulouff
Virginia Fuller
Owen Weekley
 
Virginia and Owen attempted and successfully solved all three puzzles. Good work!!  Virginia was the lucky winner of this week's raffle!! Congratulations :-)
 
Virginia, stop by for a prize next week. Everyone else, please come by to get a treat!
 
Have a wonderful weekend! See you all next week :-)
 
Mrs. Narayanswamy
 

Week 12 of Classes: Tuesday, Nov 12

Hello APEX families,
 
We have something exciting happening next week: our school store is opening!
 
All students, please note, that our very own Tuesday school store, Wolf Bite, is opening next week during middle school recess (and Elementary grades lunch) in the Commons area. Prices will range from 25 cents to $1.50. We will be selling a variety of candies, drinks such as Izze, variety of chips, and some baked goods. School store will be open once this month and once in Dec and starting January, it will be set up every alternate week. Bring some money to buy your favorite goodies and support our school store!! All profits from the store will be donated to a charity at the end of the school year :-)
 
Here's a summary of classes today:
 
 
Pre-algebra: Student took the 9s multiplication facts quiz. We wrapped up the chapter on areas and volumes by discussing units for measuring liquid capacities such as gallons and quarts and units for volume in the metric system such as liters. We started a new chapter on algebra and talked about the difference between arithmetic and algebra and some basic math terminology such as mathematical expressions, equations, solutions, etc.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Consumer Math: Next week is our opening day for school store! Students were assigned jobs, we discussed how the system will work and we decided on prices for each item to be sold. In addition, students learned about different kinds of expenses a family might have and we classified them as Fixed, Variable, Discretionary. We also talked about the concept of opportunity cost.
 
Homework: None
 
Puzzle Of The Week: 11th Puzzle posted! Solutions are due next Tuesday. Solution to last week's puzzle will be posted on Friday.
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Solution to Puzzle Of The Week #9

Hey Problem Solvers,
 
The 9th puzzle was quite a tough morse code deciphering problem. Check the attached file to find the solution!
 
No student submitted a solution to the problem. But there are more puzzles to solve! Hope you are all trying this week's Hashiwokakeros (the Bridges puzzles).
 
Catch ya next week!
 
Mrs. N

Week 11 of Classes: Tuesday, Nov 5

Hello APEX families!
 
We are into November now - can you believe that?!! As the weeks are flying by, we are immersed in all kinds of math in our classroom. Here's a summary of what we did today:
 
Pre-algebra: Student took the 8s multiplication facts quiz. We continued our discussion of unit systems by discussing conversion factors between units in metric system and those in the US customary system. We did several problems converting units from one system to the other. We also discussed units for area and volume measurements.
 
Homework: Assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Consumer Math: We made a short list of items to start selling in 2 weeks. Students completed their store posters and we put most of them together on a poster board. A couple more pending poster will be pasted next week.
 
Homework: None
 
 
Puzzle Of The Week: 10th Puzzle posted! Solutions are due next Tuesday. Solution to last week's puzzle will be posted on Friday.
 
Thanks
Mrs. Narayanswamy

Solution to Puzzle Of The Week #8

Hello Math students,
 
The solution to Puzzle# 8 is attached here.
 
Two students got the solution right: Owen Weekley and Quinn Kimmett. Congratulations!
 
The winner of this week's raffle is Quinn Kimmett!! Quinn, come by to pick a prize next week and every one who tried, please stop by for a treat :-) 
 
Have a wonderful weekend!
Mrs. N

Dimensional Analysis for Pre-algebra

Hello Pre-algebra Students,
 
We have been learning to convert from one measuring unit to another. Students are often confused about whether they should multiply or divide by the conversion factor to change units. Here’s a video that will help you remember how we used dimensional analysis in class to convert from one unit to another: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atN7JU1BaIY. The video is also loaded on my main webpage under “Links”.
 
Thanks
Mrs. N