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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 6 of Classes: Tuesday, Oct 1

Dear APEX students and parents,
 
Happy Fall! It IS a bit dreary and cold today but beautiful all the same. 
 
Here's a summary of today's classes and the homework assigned for the week:
 
Pre-algebra: Students took the 3s multiplication facts quiz. We reviewed how certain fractions can be converted to tenths, hundredths and thousandths to be able to fit them in the place value system. We learned to add, subtract, and multiply decimal numbers as well. 
 
Homework assigned (see the homework post)
 
 
Consumer Math: Students worked on the shopping spree activity. Most students completed it. If you still have a few items to buy, please complete the activity at home and bring the results next week. Most teams shared their final result. We will do a final wrap up next week.
 
Homework: None other than what's mentioned above
 
 
Puzzle of the week #45: The 5th puzzle of the week is posted. The answer to the fourth puzzle of the week will be posted on Friday.
 
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

Dear APEX students and parents,
 
Here's a summary of today's classes and the homework assigned for the week:
 
Pre-algebra: Student took the 10s multiplication facts quiz. We reviewed addition and subtraction of fractions, prime factoring and canceling technique to reduce fractions and converting improper fractions to mixed numbers. In addition, student learned to multiply and divide fractions and whole numbers. We started a new chapter on decimals and student learned to represent certain fractions as tenths in the place value system.
Homework assigned (see the homework post)
 
Consumer Math: Students worked alone or in teams to use discounts while shopping online on Costco.com to buy exactly 8 items while keeping within a $1,000 budget.
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 be shared online on Friday. 
 
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

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: Tuesday Sept 17

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 in all the classes!
 
Here's a summary of today's classes and the homework assigned for the week:
 
Pre-algebra: Student took the 5s multiplication facts quiz. We reviewed what we had learned last week and then continued discussing fractions. We talked about simplifying (reducing) fractions using the factoring and canceling technique as well as the prime factoring and canceling technique. We also learned to add and subtract fractions, learned to find the lowest common denominator, and change improper fractions to mixed numbers and vice versa.
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 do a few problems involving discount rates and sales.
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 shared online end of this week. 
 
Have a great rest of your week. See you next Tuesday!
 
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