October 15, 2007

Bridge to Algebra/Alg.1A

Focus Standards:

Grade 6
3.0 Students investigate geometric patterns and describe them algebraically:
3.1 Use variables in expressions describing geometric quantities (e.g., P = 2w + 2l, A = 1/2bh, C = pd - the formulas for the perimeter of a rectangle, the area of a triangle, and the circumference of a circle, respectively).
3.2 Express in symbolic form simple relationships arising from geometry.
1.3 Know and use the formulas for the volume of triangular prisms and cylinders (area of base x height); compare these formulas and explain the similarity between them and the formula for the volume of a rectangular solid.
1.4 Calculate given percentages of quantities and solve problems involving discounts at sales, interest earned, and tips.

Grade 7:
1.2 Construct and read drawings and models made to scale.
2.1 Use formulas routinely for finding the perimeter and area of basic two-dimensional figures and the surface area and volume of basic three-dimensional figures, including rectangles, parallelograms, trapezoids, squares, triangles, circles, prisms, and cylinders.
2.2 Estimate and compute the area of more complex or irregular two-and three-dimensional figures by breaking the figures down into more basic geometric objects.
2.3 Compute the length of the perimeter, the surface area of the faces, and the volume of a three-dimensional object built from rectangular solids. Understand that when the lengths of all dimensions are multiplied by a scale factor, the surface area is multiplied by the square of the scale factor and the volume is multiplied by the cube of the scale factor.
1.7 Solve problems that involve discounts, markups, commissions, and profit and compute simple and compound interest.

What's Happening This Week?

This week we are finishing up our "Stained Glass Windows" and starting on our new project "Redecorate Your Room". We will be discussing finding volume and surface areas of rectangular prisms, triangular prisms and cylinders. For the new project, students will be given a budget and asked to re-design a 10'x10' bedroom to their liking. Students will create a scale model of the new room and will submit a list of all purchased items and their costs. Some items will be discounted and students will have to adjust their calculations accordingly. This project will be due Oct. 31st.

A good chunk of the computers have finally arrived and I believe all of them will be here by the end of the week, so I am very excited about implementing technology into our curriculum!

This week we are also hoping to get onto studyisland.com. This is our math practice website where students get immediate feedback after they complete a math problem. Students will be required to log-in at least 30 minutes of practice a day, and because it is a web-based program, students (& parents) will be able to access their accounts from home for additional practice (and monitoring) as needed.

We will also be accessing Hippocampus.org which works as an interactive textbook. Students will be required to bring headphones so they can individually listen to the lesson presented and proceed at their own pace during independent work time. There are sample problems for each of the lessons and immediate feedback is given for submitted answers.

Please continue to ask your child to see their math notebook to ensure that they are writing down the warm-ups, problem of the week, and notes.


Algebra 1

October 15, 2007

Focus Standards

3.0 Students solve equations and inequalities involving absolute values.
4.0 Students simplify expressions before solving linear equations and inequalities in one variable, such as 3(2x-5) + 4(x-2) = 12.
5.0 Students solve multistep problems, including word problems, involving linear equations and linear inequalities in one variable and provide justification for each step.

What's Happening This Week?

We reviewed pre-algebra concepts for the last two weeks and are now ready to start solving equations. Students were given a record sheet today to help them keep track of their quiz scores. Students must score at least an 80% on their assessments to get credit for a concept. Our goal is mastery of a skill. Students must attend Math lab or show me in class that they understand how to do the problems before they re-take a quiz.

This week students were assigned their first mini-project. We discussed interest rates and the importance of having a good credit rating to obtain a fair interest rate on a loan. We also discussed some of the variables involved in determining credit ratings. The assignment is for students to determine the cost of purchasing a high ticket item (greater than $1,000) by finding and comparing the terms of three different lender rates (assuming we have excellent credit). Students will create equations to determine the total cost of the chosen item (including tax and interest) over the life of the loan (eg. total cost of a car over a 36 month payment period). They will also create a graph representation of their three borrowing options. This assignment is due Oct 25th.

The computers are here! Well, they should all be here by the end of the week. Either way, we have enough of them in class now to be able to research our projects. We will soon be logging in to Hippocampus.org which is an interactive textbook website. Students are required to bring headphones to class so they can independently listen to the lessons and proceed at their own pace. This site gives sample problems for each of the lessons and gives immediate feedback for submitted answers.

We will also be using Studyisland.com which is our math practice website. Students will each be given a password to accesss this site, and will be required to log-in at least 30 minutes a day. This site gives immediate feedback on problems as well, and also provides mini-lessons for the concepts covered. Because this is a web-based program, students will also be able to practice at home as needed, and parents can access their child's account to monitor his/her progress.

Please continue to ask your child to see his/her math notebook. They should have at least three warm-up entries for the week, one problem of the week, and new notes for the week. This will help keep your child organized and encourage review of class material.