Happy Holidays!

Today is the last day of algebra for 2009. Because about half of our class was involved in presenting the winter holiday music assembly, class was basically canceled for today. We turned in homework, and viewed the results of the Concept 7 test. Those who needed a review sheet received it. We then relaxed a bit by singing science and math songs.

Tonight's Homework: None. However, some of you are already behind, and you are encouraged to work on getting caught up over the holidays. Some of you have one or more concept tests to retake. Please take some time over the holidays to complete the blue review sheets, and plan on retaking the tests during the week of January 5 - 8. Be safe and enjoy your time away from school!

Another Day, Another Concept Test

Students took the test over concept 7 today in class. Prior to starting the test, we corrected Zap It 2 worksheets, and then turned them in.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the Band Uniform problem, and remember to clearly communicate your thinking for what you did to solve the problem.

Zap It 2 and Reviewing for Concept Test 7

Students corrected their practice test for concept 7. They had about 17 minutes of class time to work on the Zap It 2 worksheet, which will be due at the beginning of Thursday's class. Most students were able to get at least two thirds of the homework done in class.

Tonight's Homework: Zap It 2 worksheet (and Zap It 3 for you, Brody--hope you are having a good time in Hawaii!)

Getting Ready for Concept 7 Test

We reviewed the major topics that will be covered on the Concept 7 test. Most people feel pretty comfortable with the material.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the Practice Test worksheet for Concept Test 7.

Looking at Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

Today, we looked at the slopes of lines that are parallel to each other. We determined that lines that are parallel to each other all have the same slopes, or m values.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the practice worksheet, and then do Lesson 4.6 ( 46 - 51, 62, 63 ). The test for concept 7 will be given in class on Thursday, December 17th.

Problem Solving Practice and Review of Lines

Students took more time than usual to correct homework today, which ended up costing them time on the in class assignment. Students were asked to practice problem solving techniques by solving a coin problem using algebraic equations in two different ways. This worksheet was turned in at the end of the period.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the pink and white worksheets related to graphing linear equations. Both are due at the beginning of the period on Monday, December 14th

Slopes of Lines

We used the rate of change formula to determine the slopes of lines, including those that are horizontal and vertical. Students were somewhat surprised to learn that dividing by zero is not possible, but needed to know this in order to determine the slope of a vertical line.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 4.2 ( 44 - 48 and 52 - 55 ) and Lesson 4.4 ( 12 - 18, 20 - 32, FCO, and 33 - 37 )

More on Standard Form and Slope Intercept Forms of Linear Equations

We reviewed the standard form of a linear equation, and how to convert equations including decimals and fractions to equations with integer coefficients. We then looked at a variety of equations, and determined that the constant determines the y-intercept.
This led us to the Slope-Intercept form of an equation, which looks like this:

y = mx + b where b is the y-intercept and m is the slope (or rate of change) of the line.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 5.6 ( 18 - 32, even ) and Lesson 4.6 ( 13 - 43. FCO )

An Introduction to Linear Functions

For the most part, students did a terrific job on their concept 6 test. Most were very pleased with their results, and so was (! (Who wouldn't be when the average score was 88%????)

Students were introduced to the standard form of a linear equation. There are two forms that are generally accepted:

Ax + By = C and Ax + By + C = 0

Either form is acceptable to use in my class, although I find the first one more usable when determining x and y intercepts.

We then talked about needing just two points to draw a straight line. Given that this is true, it may be easiest to use the standard form of a linear equation to determine the x and y intercepts. To do this, just substitute zero in for the value of one of the variables, and solve for the other.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 4.3 ( 14 - 16, 17 - 33 odd, and 35 - 40, all on one grid )

Zap It 1 and Concept Testing

Today is the first day of the second trimester of the school year. (One down, two to go!) Students received weekly grade slips and were encouraged to begin the term off on a positive note by asking a parent to sign the slip tonight. Reflections and goal sheets were collected at the beginning of class.

Students took the Concept 6 Test in class today. Most finished with 20 minutes left in the class, allowing them to get started on their homework.

Tonight's Homework: Finish all parts of the Zap It 1 WS.

The First Trimester is Completed

Class periods were shortened to about 20 minutes today. We went over the answers for concept test 6 today, and then cleaned out our notebooks. That took most of the period.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the Zap It 1 worksheets (all problems).

Civil War Game Limits Homework Time

Students continued presenting their absolute value projects today. Because the UO/OSU football game will occupy the evening for most of us tonight, homework was somewhat reduced. Students were given the practice test for Concept 6 to complete for tomorrow, and had about 10 minutes to work on it in class.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the practice test for Concept 6. The test over this information will be given in class on Monday, December 7th. May the best team win tonight!

Presentations Continue; What's a Rate of Change?

Student group presentations continued today after a brief review over the lesson on the rate of change. This information can be found in Lesson 4.4 of your book (on page 229). Simply put, the rate of change is defined as the change in the y values divided by the change in the x values. We will learn later that this is another way to determine the slope. The unique thing about the rate of change is that it often relates to a real-world problem, and because it does, it requires you to include labels. Common examples of rates of change include velocity (miles per hour) and cost per item.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 4.4 ( 52 - 60 ). Be sure to show your work! Remember to work on the practice test for concept 6. The worksheet will be due on Friday, and the test will be given in class on Monday, December 7th.

More on Function Notation and Graphing Functions

Papers were collected today. Most students were prepared to turn in their work--thank you! Group presentations began today. Thank you to the group who bravely volunteered to go first--that's always just a little scary. The other groups who presented today did an excellent job, and I look forward to seeing what the rest of you have to present later in the week.

Tonight's Homework: Page 262 ( 7 - 19 all ). Remember to work on the practice test for concept 6, as it will be due on Friday.