Monday, September 26, 2011

We began with our assessment over Graphing Linear Equations Using Intercepts and then created the key (pdf). I reminded you that the key would be posted to the blog and that you should check your results on the portal and sign up for re-assessment if necessary (see below).

We then spent some time trying to make "cents" of slope (lesson, pdf).

Your homework for Tuesday is:

1. Check the portal for the results of your assessment, fill out your student checklist with your results, and make a plan for retake (if necessary), including making an appointment.
   
   
2. Review today's lesson (pdf). Make sure you understand the concept of slope, how you figure out slope between any two given points, where you find slope in y = mx + b, and how slope relates to what we did with recursive routines. Pay careful attention to the bottom of the first page where it lays out several ways to think about slope, and gives you a formula to calculate slope between any two points.
   
   
3. You don't have to watch this, but you might enjoy this four minute video titled I Hate Pennies! And you might be interested in this article Penny Dreadful. Then go talk to your social studies teacher and ask them what they think about whether we should still have pennies (and nickels).
   

Friday, September 23, 2011

I had to take my daughter to an appointment this morning, so Mrs. Blechschmidt kindly filled in. It was also a shortened class due to the pep assembly in the afternoon.

Today was a Carnegie Hall Day (practice, practice, practice) where you spent a lot of time reviewing how to graph a linear equation using intercepts, as well as some review over distributive property, solving equations with variables on both sides, proportions and percents, and dimensional analysis (no, I can't really run a 4.4 forty, unless it was 40 feet). If you didn't finish in class, please finish for homework this weekend (here's the key, pdf).

Your homework for the weekend is:

1. Have fun - and be safe - at all the homecoming activities.
   
2. Finish the review worksheet if you didn't finish in class.
   
3. Prepare for the Graphing Linear Equations by Using Intercepts Assessment on Monday. There are a variety of ways to do that including, but not limited to: review the online pre-assessment; review your notebook and/or the openers and lessons posted on the blog; review the video, work some practice problems in your textbook or that you find online. You can, of course, also get help from me, another math teacher, a teacher in the Study Center, a peer tutor in the Study Center, or a parent, sibling or friend. Do whatever works best for you, but make sure you're prepared. The expectation is that you should all be able to do very well on this assessment.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

We began with this tasty opener (pdf).

We then investigated the intercept form of a linear equation through an application problem involving Mr. Fisch, exercise, and calories (lesson, pdf).

We also talked about how important it is both to have fun and to be safe, including wearing your seatbelt. Please.








Your homework for Friday is:

1. Have fun at the bonfire. Please remember to always wear your seatbelt. And make everyone else in the car wear their seatbelt, too. Please.
   
   
2. Review the notes from the lesson (pdf).
   
   
3. Complete the Graphing Linear Equations by Using Intercepts Online Pre-Assessment on the Moodle. Our assessment will be on Monday next week, so make sure you complete this as soon as possible (preferably tonight) and, if you have questions, get them answered before Monday.