The End of the First Trimester Has Arrived . . .

After removing unneeded math papers from our binders, the class continued learning about inequalities. We covered how to translate word problems into number sentences, starting with "let" statements. We then learned a pretty slick way to do check steps for inequalities.

Tonight's Homework: None.

Introduction to Inequalities

Some students had difficulties with last night's homework, mainly because they did not fully understand how to distribute with negative signs. We reviewed this again, and most figured out what they did incorrectly. Students took notes on inequalities and how to graph simple inequality statements on number lines. More about inequalities will be included in tomorrow's lesson.

Tonight's Homework: Complete check steps for problems 7 - 16 on the blue worksheet. You may need to redo the original problem to get the correct answer before completing the check step.

Solving for One Unknown

Students learned how to use algebra tiles to help them with their understanding of combining like terms.

Tonight's Homework: Finish the blue worksheet. Remember, tomorrow is the last day for Tax Man submissions. Keep working on this if you are trying to earn some extra credit for this term. Good luck!!!

Problem Solving Using Unlike Units

Students received retake test scores today. Most students did better, and no one did worse on the second try. Students used the class period to review how to combine like terms and use dimensional analysis to solve a practical problem.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the gray and tan worksheets you started in class today. Be sure to show two different ways to complete the problem on the tan worksheet.

Happy Thanksgiving!

About half of the class retook the combining like terms test during class today. The rest were introduced to a challenge problem called "Taxman".

Tonight's Homework: None, unless you are working on the Taxman challenge problem. This challenge problem is due to me by Wednesday, November 28th. Enjoy your long weekend!

The Importance of Unit Analysis

Analyzing units can be very helpful in math and science classes. This skill also can be useful in determining whether or not you've been charged fairly when traveling out of the country. We looked at a clip from a guy who was being charged unfairly on his data plan, and laughed a bit when some people thought 2 tenths of a dollar equals 2 tenths of a cent.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the gray worksheet you received in class today.

Unit Analysis in Various Situations

We reviewed how the distributive property works when negatives are involved, as many students are still struggling with this. We reviewed our test results from last week, and then started working on tonight's homework.

Tonight's Homework: Complete both sides of the gray practice worksheet and the data rate worksheet you started in class today.

Unit Test Taken in Class Today

After turning in last night's unit analysis homework, students took the test over combining like terms, properties and sets of numbers.

Tonight's Homework: None.

Practical Applications That Use Unit Analysis

Students were given time in class to use their unit (dimensional) analysis skills to solve a variety of real-world problems. To get credit for today's assignment, work must be shown, and units must be included.

Tonight's Homework: Finish the worksheets you started in class today. Be sure to prepare for tomorrow's test.

More on Unit Analysis

Students were given a list of topics to study for the test they will take in class on Friday. We then went over how to solve complex problems, like how many grams a teacher might mass, using resources from our planners and composition books. We practiced writing ratios that would help us eliminate certain units of measure. By the end of the class period, most students were feeling much more comfortable with the process of unit analysis.

Tonight's Homework: Continue working on the Dimensional Analysis worksheet. It will be collected in class on Thursday. Start studying for Friday's test.

Unit Analysis

We finished the jeopardy game we started last week. Congratulations to the Mine Craft team! We then looked at ways to solve complicated problems by working with the units and setting them to match the units of the desired answer.

Tonight's Homework: Complete both sides of the worksheet on unit (dimensional) analysis. Be sure to show all of the work that led you to your answers.

Modeling Combining Like Terms in Pictures and With Algebra Tiles

Today, we took some time to understand how algebra tiles can help us understand how to combine like terms. We also learned how to use a variety of methods to help us combine like terms correctly. Students had about 20 minutes to work on homework during class today.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the white worksheet you received in class. In addition, complete problems 1-6 on pages 68 and 69 of the CME book.

Group Jeopardy in Math?

Students worked in groups of 4 to answer a variety of math questions in a jeopardy-style format. This game will be continued with a final jeopardy question on Tuesday. Winners will receive bonus points on the next test.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the white and yellow worksheets you received in class today.

Finishing Up the What's My Line Activity

Students used the knowledge gained from the What's My Line activity to predict the line graph that would match a particular bottle shape based on the volume and resulting water height variables. This proved to be a challenging task for most, but many were very successful (or lucky).

Tonight's Homework: None!

Measuring and Analyzing the Capacity of Different Containers

Students collected data on how much full a container would be after adding a constant amount of water to the container. After collecting the data, students created graphs to show the height of the water as the volume increased.

Tonight's Homework: Make a graph of the data you collected.

Test over Fractions and Decimal Equations Finished Today

Students took the second part of the test today. The first part was taken in class on Wednesday.

Tonight's Homework: None. Enjoy the extra hour this weekend!