What's Happening This Week?

Bridge To Algebra (Cohorts A & B)

This week we are focusing on the following California Content Standards:

Grade Six:

2.0 Students calculate and solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division:

2.1 Solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of positive fractions and explain why a particular operation was used for a given situation.

2.2 Explain the meaning of multiplication and division of positive fractions and perform the calculations (e.g., 5/8 ÷ 15/16 = 5/8 x 16/15 = 2/3).

2.4 Determine the least common multiple and the greatest common divisor of whole numbers; use them to solve problems with fractions (e.g., to find a common denominator to add two fractions or to find the reduced form for a fraction).

Grade Seven:

1.2 Add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational numbers (integers, fractions, and terminating decimals) and take positive rational numbers to whole-number powers.

1.3 Convert fractions to decimals and percents and use these representations in estimations, computations, and applications.

1.4 Differentiate between rational and irrational numbers.

1.5 Know that every rational number is either a terminating or repeating decimal and be able to convert terminating decimals into reduced fractions.

We will be practicing how to multiply and divide fractions , how to convert fractions into decimals and into percents, and discussing the differences between terminating & non-terminating decimals, and rational & irrational numbers. Thursday will be quiz day on the above topics. Students are assigned a practice sheet in class related to the topic of the day which needs to be returned the next day. Although students are given time in class to work on this assignment, often times they may need to complete the work at home.

Additionally, Students have been assigned certain sections of StudyIsland.com to complete at a "proficient" level by Thursday night of the same week. This week StudyIsland sections are:

6th Grade Tab
2d. Fraction Simplification
2c. Compute Solutions
4a. Circles

7th Grade Tab
2b. Fractions, Decimals, & Percents
2c. Adding and Subtracting Fractions

What is StudyIsland?

StudyIsland.com is alligned to the CA State Standards and is a website which allows students to practice (through the use of interactive games) concepts that are taught in class. Each student is given a login and a password. Once students feel they have practiced and mastered a skill, they should choose the "Test Mode" option and begin their test. StudyIsland will provide the student with a score. Students should aim for "P" which signifies proficient level. Some students may also attain "A" level which represents advanced mastery of a standard. Parents may also keep track of their child's progress by logging into their child's account (using child's login and password). I will be reviewing students progress at the end of each week and a grade will be assigned to each student for completing their assigned sections.

Algebra I (Cohort D,E,F)

This week we are focusing on the following CA Content 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.

We are reviewing solving and graphing linear equations and inequalities which was the topic we left off on before the Thanksgiving break. This week we will be introducing solving equations and inequalities involving absolute value. Thursday will be quiz day on the above topics. Students are assigned a practice sheet in class related to the topic of the day which needs to be returned the next day. Although students are given time in class to work on this assignment, often times they may need to complete the work at home.

Additonally, Students have been assigned certain sections from StudyIsland to be completed at a "proficient" level by Thursday night of the same week. This week, StudyIsland sections are:

Grade 7 Tab or Grade 8 Tab
2j. Absolute Value 2j. Absolute Value
3b. Order of Operations 3b. Order of Operations
3c. Simplify Expressions 3d. Simplify Expressions
3h. Linear Equations/Inequalities 3g. Linear Equations/Inequalities

(Please refer above for an explanation of "What is StudyIsland?")


Algebra IA (Cohort C)

This week we are focusing on the following CA Content Standards:

Grade Seven - Algebra and Functions

1.1 Use variables and appropriate operations to write an expression, an equation, an inequality, or a system of equations or inequalities that represents a verbal description (e.g., three less than a number, half as large as area A).

1.2 Use the correct order of operations to evaluate algebraic expressions such as 3(2x + 5)2.

1.3 Simplify numerical expressions by applying properties of rational numbers (e.g., identity, inverse, distributive, associative, commutative) and justify the process used.

1.4 Use algebraic terminology (e.g., variable, equation, term, coefficient, inequality, expression, constant) correctly.

We started identifying and differentiating among arithmetic properties today and will continue with the distributive and inverse properties tomorrow. We will also define basic algebraic terms and practice translating verbal expressions to algebraic expressions and vice versa. We will finish up the week with evaluating algebraic expressions using order of operations.

Students have also been assigned certain sections of StudyIsland to be completed at a "proficient" level by Thursday night. The sections for this week are:

7th Grade Tab
3b. Order of Operations
3c. Properties of Arithmetic
4d. Perimeter/Surface Area/Volume (review)

(Please refer above for an explanation of "What is StudyIsland?")