We're Almost Done with the Concept Tests!

Students took part one of the last concept test of the year. Most were able to finish with time to spare, although getting names on both of the pages proved to be difficult for some students. Tonight's Homework: Complete the white factoring worksheet. Be sure to bring your home book and CME book to class tomorrow, as it is textbook check in day.

Using the Distributive Property to Factor Polynomials

Sometimes we might come across longer or more complex polynomials that need to be factored in a slightly different manner than we have perfected over the last couple of weeks. Here are some steps we considered when looking at these types of problems: 1. Look for a common factor in each of the terms and factor it out, if it exists. 2. If no common factor exists for all of the terms, consider grouping two or three of the terms in a set of parentheses, and look for a common factor among the terms in the newly formed group. Factor this out. 3. Repeat step 2 for the remaining terms in the original polynomial. 4. Look at the resulting expression. If there is a common factor emerging from the reconfigured and factored expression, factor it out. 5. Double check to see if your new factors can be further factored. Tonight's Homework: Review your recent work over factoring to ensure you are ready for tomorrow's test. Those of you who will miss class tomorrow should plan to attend resource to get your test taken.

Factoring B-I-N-G-O

To prepare for the upcoming test over factoring, we played F-O-I-L (akin to BINGO) in class today. Students placed a list of factors on their bingo (foil) cards, and then factored a set of quadratic equations. We had some fun, and there were a few competitive students in the class, to say the least. Tonight's Homework: Complete the Factoring Practice worksheet. Be sure to follow the directions you were given in class so you practice each of the six ways to solve quadratic equations.

Factoring Review

Many students missed class today because of the district track meet and a field trip. Those attending participated in a review of the 6 different ways a quadratic equation can be solved. We started with how to factor out a common monomial term, and then progressed from there. The six strategies include: •factoring •using the quadratic equation •completing the square •drawing a rectangular array •using square roots •graphing the parabola, and analyzing the picture Of course, some equations lend themselves to certain strategies better than others, but having two or three favorite strategies may help students when the pressure of performing on a test arises. Tonight's Homework: Complete the "Factoring Out a Monomial" worksheet you started in class today.

Ellis Island Simulation Cancels Class for Most

Because 8th graders were involved in the Ellis Island simulation today, only 6th and 7th graders were in class today. They used the day to catch up on work, review, or complete homework. Tonight's Homework: None, due to most of the class being absent.

Concept Test 14 Taken in Class Today

Hooray! Students were able to complete concept test 14 in class today. This is terrific news, as it means we have only one more to complete before the end of the year. I also shared results from the easyCBM test with students today. Most did a fantastic job.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the purple problem solving worksheet. Do your best, and be sure to explain all of your thought processes.

Spring Benchmarking? Check!

Students completed the spring round of the district's EasyCBM math benchmarking test today. Most showed growth, despite being in a 9th grade level class.

Tonight's Homework: Home Book page 166 (45-47, 50-53, 56-70). Be sure to review for tomorrow's concept test over polynomials.

Reviewing Polynomials--Week 1

Since today's class was only half an hour long, students were able to clean out their notebooks and take some time to review what they've learned about polynomials thus far. Most were able to complete the bulk of the pink review sheet handed out in class today.

Tonight's Homework: Be sure to review for next week's concept test over polynomials. Finish the pink worksheet (both sides) if you didn't complete it in class. Do both sides of the yellow worksheet.

Another Flip-Flop Day

Today we looked at polynomial operations. We focused on being able to multiply polynomials 4 different ways: using pictures, using the double distributive property, multiplying vertically, and FOIL-ing. Every student should be able to find a way that works best for them. We also reviewed classifying polynomials by degree and number of terms.

Tonight's Homework: Home Book, p. 126-127 (15 - 41)

Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

Today we looked at polynomial classification and operations. We focused on adding and subtracting polynomials. Students learned about standard form of the polynomial expression, and had little trouble with adding. Remembering to subtract all terms of an expression caused a little trouble for some at first, but that was easily remedied. We also learned how to classify polynomials by number of terms (monomial, binomial, trinomial, etc.) and by degree.

Tonight's Homework: Home book p. 108-109 (35 - 50)

Mixed Up Day and Testing Over the Quadratic

First period and third were switched today, so students started the day with algebra. We completed the test over unit 13, the quadratic equation. Students didn't seem to bothered by the flip-flopping of periods 1 and 3, which is good, since it will happen again on Thursday, to accommodate the visiting 5th grade students.

Tonight's Homework: Home Book, page 121 (61-68, 77-86, and then 1-7)

Combining Like Terms with Polynomials

Today we looked at polynomial operations. We focused on adding and multiplying them and then combining like terms to ensure our answers all end up having the same number of terms in the end. We reviewed the "double distributive" property, and I introduced students to its other name, the FOIL method. Looking at algebra tiles, students were able to see visually what was happening when we added, subtracted and multiplied polynomials.

Tonight's Homework: Be sure to review for tomorrow's concept test over the quadratic equation. Do the following assignment from pages in the home book: HB p. 108 (21-32) and p. 118 (5-10)

Concept Test Over Quadratics Scheduled

Students voted to take the next concept test on Tuesday, May 8th. I gave students a list of topics they should be comfortable with prior to taking the test. It would be wise to come to class on Monday with questions if this list doesn't make sense to you.

We started looking at the distributive property from another perspective, which I dubbed the "double distributive" property. This will lay the groundwork for what we'll be doing next week when we attempt to multiply binomials.

Tonight's Homework: Begin preparing for concept test 13, over quadratic equations. This test will be given in class on Tuesday, May 8th. Complete both sides of the ivory-colored worksheet you received in class today.

Getting Ready for the Next Concept Test

Students used the bulk of the class period to work on determining key information about the parabola described by specific equations. They found the line of symmetry, vertex, y-intercept, x-intercepts, whether the parabola opened up or down and whether it had a maximum or minimum value. These types of questions will be found on the next concept test, scheduled for next week.

Tonight's Homework: Complete both sides of the purple worksheet you received in class today. Be sure to figure out the x and y intercepts for each equation.

Putting the Pieces Together

We watched an extreme sports clip showing daredevil activities involving parabolic motions. Then we worked on putting all of the pieces of of the quadratic formula together. Students are becoming facile in using the formula, but need to focus on recording answers in the proper form. This includes stating the line of symmetry as an equation, and recording the vertex of the parabola as a n ordered pair (or point). We're getting better . . . slowly!

Tonight's Homework: Home Book, page 711 (1-9) and both sides of the pink quadratic worksheet you started in class today.

Happy May Day!

Using the scary quadratic formula isn't as bad as it may seem. Students used the formula to solve four different types of quadratic equations, and did so with ease. Of course, there was a little coaching happening in the classroom, but not a whole lot.

Tonight's Homework: Home Book, page 171 (23 - 31). Don't follow the directions for these problems. Instead, find the y intercept and the x intercept(s), if any exist. Use the quadratic formula to solve these problems.