Happy Halloween!

Today's class was shortened due to the Halloween Social taking place during the last 90 minutes of school. Students who took the Concept 2 test yesterday received feedback on their efforts. For the most part, students did well on the test. Most errors were due to carelessness, and not due to lack of conceptual understanding. (Don't drop the negative signs!!!)

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 1.4 ( 56 - 64 ) and Page 815 ( 3 - 12 ). Enjoy the extra long weekend!

Concept 2 Test Given in Class Today

Students took the concept test over inequalities and absolute value today. Several students opted not to take the test, and used the class time to complete missing work from being absent.

Tonight's Homework: Redo the area of the track problem if you scored less than 17/21 on the original attempt.

Working Out the Kinks Before Concept Two Test

We went over the practice test for Concept Test 2. Most students seemed to understand the material. We then talked about the area of the track problem. I showed 3 different ways to solve this problem.

Tonight's Homework: Finish the two problems you started in class. Most of all, prepare yourself for the test over concept 2, which will be given in class tomorrow.

Problem Solving and Practice Testing

Students completed a warm-up sheet focussed on solving absolute value problems. We then looked at the practice test for concept 2, and realized that many of the problems are covering review topics. The test for Concept 2 will be given in class on Thursday, so students are urged to start preparing for it now.

Students worked on a problem solving task, and were reminded that scores will be no higher than a C if the verification step is omitted. Students spent about 25 minutes in class working on math assignments.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the practice test for concept 2 and the problem about the area of the track. Don't forget to wear red to school on Wednesday.

Students received their weekly grade slips today, as well as new seating placements, according to the coordinate grid. Students learned whether they were sitting on an axis (x or y), or in one of the four quadrants. One lucky student was designated as the origin (Mitchell!).

The class voted to take the Concept 2 test on Thursday. Students reviewed how to complete check steps for inequalities and absolute value problems. We also looked at a proportion problem, and realized we know how to solve these types of problems three different ways. Being able to solve a problem 3 different ways will benefit us as we prepare to solve word problems later this week.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the problems on the worksheet. Include a check step (or two or three) for each problem.

Graphing Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities on the Number Line

One of the most complicated situations in this unit is when you graph the solution to absolute value problems on a number line. The difficult part is that we often forget that there are often two situations that can make an absolute value problem true.

Solving equations involving absolute value signs are simpler to set up, for all you have to do is solve for the positive and negative value. When working with inequalities involving absolute value, you must remember to switch the direction of the inequality when solving for the negative value.

I would highly suggest reading Lesson 6.4, and paying particular attention to the summary box found on page 354.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 6.4 ( 19 - 58, first column only). Be sure to read the directions carefully, and include graphs of the solutions when they are asked for.

"And" or "Or"--Which Conjunction to Use?

We finished our formal study of inequalities today by looking at number line graphs and working backwards to determine the inequalities that would be written to describe them. There are many places students can make mistakes, and we talked about how we need to be very aware of all the little details.

Tonight's Homework: Page 352 ( 1 - 15 all, but not 9 ).

Compound Inequalities and Flipping the Inequality

We continued our study of compound inequalities by solving problems of the form:

-5 ≤ 7 - 3a < -2

Students learned that in these situations, the inequality signs had to be reversed in order to obtain answers that made sense. The rule for solving inequalities is that when you multiply or divide by a negative number, you must reverse the inequality signs. I showed how you could add a couple extra steps to add or subtract terms in order to solve for the variable. This is a great method to verify your work.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the "Inequality Practice" worksheet (pink). Then do Lesson 6.3 ( 26 - 30 ).

More on Graphing Inequalities on a Number Line

Students received feedback on their concept 1 tests today. Those who did not pass the test received a review sheet to complete prior to retaking the test.

We talked about how multiplying or dividing an inequality by a negative number changes the orientation of the inequality sign. This is explained well in the book on page 336.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the worksheet on properties, and Lesson 6.1 ( 46 - 60, even). Be sure to label the number lines!

Concept Test 1 Given in Class Today

Students turned in homework, and then spent most of the period completing concept test 1. Most students finished with about 10 minutes to spare, allowing them time to go over the test and catch any obvious errors.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 6.1 ( 22 - 42, even ). Please note that problems 32 - 42 have two parts to them.

The Distributive Property (at the Board)

After correcting the practice test, we reviewed several different types of problems students missed. Students were instructed to keep their homework, so they could study for tomorrow's test.

Each student was offered an "emergency" blue lunch pass to use if needed. Students in other algebra classes always have the option to request a lunch pass, as they have algebra class before lunch. To make things fair for students in the sixth period class, I distributed passes to all present. When used, students will be allowed to request a replacement pass to use for the next "emergency".

We reviewed the distributive property by playing "At the Board". The green team won this friendly competition.

Tonight's Homework: Study for the concept test. Complete the worksheet you received in class, and do problems 79 and 81 on page 105.

Practicing for Concept Test 1

Students reviewed last night's homework, and then were given the practice test for concept 1. Most worked with a partner to complete as much as possible in class. Graded homework was passed back.

Tonight's Homework: Complete both sides of the two white worksheets (Concept 1 Practice Test) for tomorrow. Getting the half sheet flyer signed and returned to me tomorrow is extra credit.

Using the Distributive Property While Solving Equations

Homework from last night was reviewed. Most students did very well on the problems related to computing with integers and powers. Many had more trouble with the problems related to solving equations. Because of this, students were reminded to think carefully about how they distributed, especially if a negative number was involved in the process. We reviewed how combining like terms is an important step to equation-solving when you have to distribute.

Tonight's Homework: Complete both sides of the Equations worksheet. Including a check step, though not necessary, is always a great idea (and a good habit to get into)!

Combining Like Terms, Coefficients, Powers and Other Random Review Topics

Students reviewed their group jeopardy results, which prompted us to go over definitions for coefficient, terms, powers, exponents and bases. We then talked about how to combine like terms.

Tonight's Homework: Both sides of 2 pink worksheets (one over integers and powers, the other over combining like terms).

Group Jeopardy Review Today

Students received feedback on their Concept 3 test scores. Most did a great job on the test. (The mode of the test scores was 96%!!!) We also reviewed the "Building a Deck" worksheet, and turned it in.

Students worked in groups to answer a series of questions related to several topics we'll be reviewing in the next week, including order of operations, distributive property, terms and coefficients, and variable expressions.

Tonight's Homework: None--enjoy the three day weekend!

Students Complete Concept Test 3 Today

The second of our numerous concept tests was completed in class today. This one covered decimal and fraction computation, as well as solving equations involving decimals and fractions. Hopefully, all students came to class prepared to do well on this test.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 2.6 ( 19 - 58, First Column Only, or FCO. and 79 and 80 ).

Building a Deck

Students reviewed their work for the upcoming concept 3 test, which will be given in class on Wednesday. Students kept their practice tests today so they can review for tomorrow's test later today.

Students worked together on the first few parts of the "Building a Deck" worksheet. All references to the lattice are to be ignored.

Tonight's Homework: Review for tomorrow's concept 3 test. Try to finish the Deck worksheet.

Reviewing for the Concept 3 Test

Students were given most of the class period today to work on two worksheets. One was the practice test for Concept 3. The other was a worksheet that reviewed solving equations with fractions. Both worksheets will be due on Tuesday. Students wishing to earn a little extra credit may choose to include check steps for each of the problems on the solving equations worksheet.

Tonight's Homework: Get your grade slip signed. Complete both worksheets. Begin preparing for the Concept 3 test, which will be given in class on Wednesday, October 7th.

More Practice on Equation Solving

Most students are beginning to get the hang of how to solve simple equations involving the clearing of fractions and decimals. About a quarter of the class is still not following the rules for showing check steps. The expectations are as follows:

1. Rewrite the original problem.
2. Show the substitution, by replacing the variable with the solution, surrounded by parentheses.
3. Simplify the equation, one step at a time.
4. Continue simplifying until you get a true statement, like 12 = 12.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the yellow worksheet, showing work and check steps for each of the problems. The test for concept 3 will be given in class sometime next week, so start preparing now!

How to Solve Equations with Fractions, Decimals or the Distributive Property in Them

We reviewed how to solve equations today. Specific attention was placed on equations that had the distributive property in them. Most students were having problems with distributing the negative sign. We also reviewed how to clear fractions and decimals from equations. Remember, to clear decimals from an equation, just multiply each term of the equation by some multiple of 10. To clear fractions from an equation, multiply by the lowest common denominator of the fractions in the equation.

Tonight's Homework: Complete both sides of the worksheet. Be sure to show work, circle answers, and show check steps.