Writing A Short Story with Math Terms Acquisition as Our Main Goal

Home Nugget #14
Assigned the week of September 22
Due on Monday September 29

First Journal Entry of the 1st Term
Directions and samples were provided in class and will be posted here shortly as well for reference purposes. Students will hand in their math journal with the assignment in it on Monday.

There are no FCAs for this lesson as it is graded on an all or nothing basis per the guidelines on the direction sheet.

Directions for the journal entry can be found at the following link:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcszzgg_200cbds8zgv

Launching Ourselves Towards Linear Equations

This marks the fifth time students are asked to conduct an independent study of sorts. They are asked to read through pages introducing linear equations and demonstrating representative examples. Based on their reading, they will then try out problem sets to assess their absorption and understanding of material.

Home Nugget #13
Assigned on Thursday September 25, 2008
Due on Friday September 26, 2008

From Algebra 1 text,
Pages 66 and 67 # 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10

Then read pages 70 - 73 paying particular attention to highlighted terms and examples.

On page 73 # 1 - 12 and page 74 # 19 - 24

FCAs
1 pt: all problems completed
1 pt: presentation does not detract from content
2 pts: evidence/explanations provided for pertinent problems

Eagerly Anticipating a Summative Assessment on Chapter One 1-1 to 1-9

We spent today's class delegating time towards topics that seem to linger in the background as potentially distracting, namely:

• place value and the logic behind rounding off numbers
• whether the Distributive Property can be applied to finding the square root of fractions (is finding the square root of a fraction the same as finding the roots of its numerator and denominator separately - the answer is YES.
• evaluating our true understanding of prerequisite skills/topic like the Pythagorean Theorem

I also shared with students the idea that we should acknowledge our strengths in regards to the first chapter and view our few areas of weakness, not in terms of remediation, but rather reflection. It was agreed that the following topics are ones requiring attention:

Sequential Topics for Further Thought

1. Translating accurately between verbal and algebraic expressions

2. Notation of ‘greater than OR equal to’ and its impact on solutions

3. Wording of math properties: identity vs. equality, the distinction between reflexive and symmetric

4. Using the distributive property to simplify operations and to simplify expressions by ‘sharing equally’

5. Telling the difference between appropriate use of commutative vs. associative property

6. How counterexamples entail keeping the hypothesis true and making the conclusion false in order to sabotage the original conditional statement

7. Using the inside-out method to classify numbers according to a particular number system

8. Deciding whether a set of numbers is closed for a particular operation

9. Identifying functions and the terms within the topic (domain, range, discrete and continuous)



Home Nugget #12
Assigned on Wednesday September 24, 2008
Due on Thursday September 25, 2008

In Algebra 1 text
Pages 717 - 719 have practice exercises for sections 1-1 to 1-9 of the book. Students should complete as many of these problems as needed to feel confident and competent about the content contained.

There are no FCAs for this lesson as it is completed entirely at the discretion of individual students.

Functions and Graphs

The last section in our first unit, chapter 1-9, allows us to revisit both familiar and novel concepts. Students are reminded that graphing on a coordinate grid is an involved process which incorporates number sense and strategic planning and they are introduced to terms like continuous and discrete functions that invite them to think more carefully about interpreting graphs.

Tonight's home nugget focuses exclusively on reviewing for our upcoming Test #1 and is summative in nature. 

Home Nugget #11

Assigned on Tuesday September 23, 2008

Due on Wednesday September 24, 2008

From Algebra 1 text,

Pages 63 and 64 # 43 - 53 and #54 - 63

Page 66 and 67 # 1 - 10

FCAs

2 points: evidence/explanations provided for all pertinent problems

1 point: all problems completed

1 point: your presentation/format DO NOT detract from the content presented

Categorizing Numbers, Mulling Over Closure and Other Varied Topics

Students are being reminded constantly that they are accountable for taking Cornell Notes on a daily basis, in alignment with the criteria prescribed to them in class. On an unannounced day, class notes will be collected and graded as a test grade.

Today was yet another opportunity for students to demonstrate their willingness and ability to successfully complete an independent study and show their mastery of material in class. Topics covered included:

• Assigning numbers to specific number systems
  
• Deciding whether a number system is closed under a particular operation
  
• Finding square roots of values, whether they have perfect roots or not
  
• Graphing on a number line
  

Tonight's lesson will be spot-checked tomorrow and is an opportunity to practice the skill sets covered in class today.

Home Nugget #10

Assigned on Monday September 22, 2008

Due on Tuesday September 23, 2008

Double-sided sheet for section 1-8. All problems are included.