Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Week 11 - New Units for Everyone

Pre-Algebra Announcements
This week, we will begin our new unit on ratios, rates, and proportions.  Below is our schedule for the week.



Day/DateTopicHomework
Monday (10/29)Box-and-WhiskersWB 11-3 all
Tuesday (10/30)Ratios
Wednesday (10/31)Rates & Unit RatesUnit 3 Quiz 1 Practice
Thursday (11/1)Review 
Friday (11/2)QuizNo HW - Quiz today



UCLA Math Announcements
This week, we will begin our new unit on ratios, rates, and proportions.


Homework for the week is as follows:
Monday (10/29) - Test Corrections
Tuesday (10/30) - Skill Builder 2 #1 - 5
Wednesday (10/31) - Practice Quiz 17
Thursday (11/1) - SP 5 #1 - 4


Monday, October 22, 2012

Week 10

This Thursday, I will not be at school.  I will be at the district office with other Pre-Algebra teachers grading the Problem Based Assessments from last week.  Mr. Ayala, a John Muir retiree with 39 years of teaching and coaching experience will be the substitute teacher.

Pre-Algebra Announcements
This week, we will be finishing the unit on equations and inequalities.  We will take our last notes on two-step inequalities today.

Homework for the week is as follows:

Day/DateTopicHomework
Monday (10/22)Two-Step Equation Word ProblemsWB 3-8 #1,3, 5, 7, 8
Tuesday (10/23)Two-Step Inequalities
Wednesday (10/24)Unit 2 ReviewUnit 2 Practice Test
Thursday (10/25)Unit 2 Review 
Friday (10/26)Unit 2 TestNo HW - test & journal check today




UCLA Math Announcements
This week we will be working on a project about equations.  On Thursday, I will be at the district office

Monday (10/22) - Equations Book Project (Two-Step & Combining Like Terms)
Tuesday (10/23) - Equations Book Project (Variables on Both Sides)
Wednesday (10/24) - Equations Book Project (Distributive Property)
Thursday (10/25) - Practice Test & Math Journal/Binder Check
Friday (10/26) - No HW (Test and Journal/Binder Check today)

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Week 9 - PBA

Week 9 - PBA

On Tuesday, all of my students will be taking the district PBA (Problem Based Assessment).  This assessment is not for a grade, but the district may use it as a factor in math placement for next year.  These problems are graded on a rubric system, so rather than a binary "yes" or "no" on points, students will be awarded points for showing work in addition to having the correct answer.

Pre-Algebra Announcements
On Monday, we will begin project delving into two-step equation word problems.  Of the 6 problems, we will complete 2 as a class in class and students are responsible for completing the other 4 on their own.  Students must also choose 2 of the word problems to display on a poster (I will provide the poster paper).  On Wednesday, we will explore solving multi-step equations with variables on both sides.  Thursday is a review day and Friday will be the quiz.


Homework and topics for this week are below:
Day/DateTopicHomework
Monday (10/15)Two-Step Equation Word ProblemsTwo-Step Equation 
Poster Project (due Wed.)
Tuesday (10/16)PBA / Poster Work Time
Wednesday (10/17)Variables on Both Sides (3-4)Unit 2 Quiz 4 Practice
(due Fri)
Thursday (10/18)Review
Friday (10/19)QuizNo HW - Quiz today


UCLA Math Announcements
This week, we will continue our study of fractions with fraction division and practice our equations using the cups/pluses/minuses drawings.

Homework for this week is below:
Monday (10/15) - Book 13 Skill Builder 2
Tuesday (10/16) -
Wednesday (10/17)
Thursday (10/18)
Friday (10/19)

Monday, October 8, 2012

Week 8 - Practice PBA

Welcome back!
I hope that everyone had a restful break and is ready to work hard.

Pre-Algebra Announcements
This week we will continue our study of multi-step equations.  Additionally, we will begin training for the Problem-Based Assessments (PBAs).  The PBA is a district assessment that will be used to gauge student learning and progress throughout the year.  It is a real-world problem where students must use math to solve.  It is free-response (not multiple choice) and students will be graded on a rubric.  This is new this year.  On Tuesday, I will demonstrate how to solve a PBA.  On Wednesday, students will complete a practice PBA on their own.  Next Wednesday, they will take the official district PBA.

Homework and topics for this week are below:
Day/DateTopicHomework
Monday (10/8)Combining Like TermsTB Pg. 134 #13-18
(due Wed.)
Tuesday (10/9)PBA Demo / Multi-Step Equations
Wednesday (10/10)Practice PBAUnit 2 Quiz 3 Practice
(due Fri)
Thursday (10/11)Distributive Property Equations
Friday (10/12)Review & QuizNo HW - Quiz today


UCLA Math Announcements

This week we will be diving into equations and practicing Problem-Based Assessments.  The school district routinely uses interim assessments like this one to determine which students will be have two math classes or one, so it is important for students to try their best and show all work possible.  Homework for the week is below:

Monday (10/8) - Skill Builder 2 (SP 15)
Tuesday (10/9) - Quiz 11 Practice
Wednesday (10/10) -
Thursday (10/11) - Quiz 12 Practice
Friday (10/12) - No HW