GENERAL INFORMATION:

Dear Parents,

I am available after school Tue-Fri from 4:00-4:40 for students who need additional math help, for students who need to re-take quizzes, or for parent conferences. Students may also re-take quizzes on Fridays during their project block. If you would like a weekly Studyisland report of your child's progress, please email me to add you to the automatic email report. Reports will be sent every Saturday morning. Thanks!


What's Happening This Week?

Algebra I (Cohorts D,E,F)

We will be focusing on the following CA Content Standards for the next 2 weeks:

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.

6.0 Students graph a linear equation and compute the x- and y- intercepts (e.g., graph 2x + 6y = 4). They are also able to sketch the region defined by linear inequality (e.g., they sketch the region defined by 2x + 6y <>

7.0 Students verify that a point lies on a line, given an equation of the line. Students are able to derive linear equations by using the point-slope formula.

We will continue our discussion on slope this week and practice deriving slope given two points on a line. Students will also practice graphing linear equations using the point-slope form of a line by identifying the y-intercept and slope. They will also practice plotting points using a T-chart and will learn the difference between a dependent and independent variable.

There will be no new sections of Studyisland this week. Students will continue to work on the Solving Linear Equations and Inequalities sections until they attain a "Proficient" level.


Bridge to Algebra (Cohorts A & B)

We will be focusing on the following CA Content Standards over the next 2 weeks:

Grade 6

1.1 Compare and order positive and negative fractions, decimals, and mixed numbers and place them on a number line.

1.2 Interpret and use ratios in different contexts (e.g., batting averages, miles per hour) to show the relative sizes of two quantities, using appropriate notations ( a/b, a to b, a:b ).

1.3 Use proportions to solve problems (e.g., determine the value of N if 4/7 = N/ 21, find the length of a side of a polygon similar to a known polygon). Use cross-multiplication as a method for solving such problems, understanding it as the multiplication of both sides of an equation by a multiplicative inverse.


Grade 7

1.4 Differentiate between rational and irrational numbers.

2.1 Understand negative whole-number exponents. Multiply and divide expressions involving exponents with a common base.

2.3 Multiply, divide, and simplify rational numbers by using exponent rules.

2.4 Use the inverse relationship between raising to a power and extracting the root of a perfect square integer; for an integer that is not square, determine without a calculator the two integers between which its square root lies and explain why.

2.1 Interpret positive whole-number powers as repeated multiplication and negative whole-number powers as repeated division or multiplication by the multiplicative inverse. Simplify and evaluate expressions that include exponents.


For the next two weeks we will be learning about ratios & proportions, square roots, and rules of exponents. We started with square roots today and will continue with exponents tomorrow. By next week we will be practicing setting-up and solving proportions. We will also be working in groups to solve word problems involving proportions to help students understand real world examples of when proportions are used. Students will also be presenting their group solutions to the class.

Students will not be assigned any new Studyisland sections but will be expected to continue working on all previously assigned sections until they attain a "Proficient" level. (Please see previous blogs for assigned sections to date.)


Algebra 1A (Cohort C)

We will be focusing on the following CA Content Standards over the next 2 weeks:

Grade 7

2.1 Interpret positive whole-number powers as repeated multiplication and negative whole-number powers as repeated division or multiplication by the multiplicative inverse. Simplify and evaluate expressions that include exponents.

2.2 Multiply and divide monomials; extend the process of taking powers and extracting roots to monomials when the latter results in a monomial with an integer exponent.

2.1 Understand negative whole-number exponents. Multiply and divide expressions involving exponents with a common base.

2.3 Multiply, divide, and simplify rational numbers by using exponent rules.

2.4 Use the inverse relationship between raising to a power and extracting the root of a perfect square integer; for an integer that is not square, determine without a calculator the two integers between which its square root lies and explain why.

Algebra I

2.0 Students understand and use such operations as taking the opposite, finding the reciprocal, taking a root, and raising to a fractional power. They understand and use the rules of exponents.

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.

Over the next two weeks will be reviewing the rules of exponents and learning to solve multi-step equations. Today we jumped right into finding the square root of a number (or an approximation) and started going over the rules of exponents for multiplying monomials with similar and different bases.

Students will not be assigned any new Studyisland sections this week, but are expected to complete all previously assigned sections with a "Proficient" level. (Please see previous blogs for all Studyisland sections assigned to date.)