Monday, September 26, 2011

Week of September 26, 2011

Course 1:
Monday- Students are still working on the Basic Skills Challenge.  We have a few students already at Level 5! Woohoo! I will be working with the group of students who are still on Level 2 (Combining Like Terms).


Tuesday- Basic Skills Challenge


Wednesday- Basic Skills Challenge....everyone has passed Level 2 and we have a few students who have moved on to Level 7!!! We're almost there!


Thursday- Basic Skills Challenge...everyone has passed Level 3!


Friday- Students worked on their projects in class.

Homework: Work on project.  Steps 3 & 4 should be complete by this Friday (9/30/11).


Course 3:
Monday- Students worked on real-life applications of solving right triangles using the trigonometric ratios.


Tuesday- Students finished up problems from yesterday and were assigned a handout of practice problems on trigonometric ratios.

Wednesday- Quiz on trigonometric ratios 
*Students will have until next Wednesday (10/5/11) to retake the quiz for a better score.


Thursday- We did an activity called "What Did I Do Wrong" where students examined a compilation of common mistakes made on the quiz from yesterday.  They had to go through each problem and locate the errors and redo the problem the correct way.  
**I have also decided to extend the GEOMETRY UNIT for another week, so the FINAL and PORTFOLIO RE-SUBMISSION have been postponed until further notice.


Friday- Students worked on Multi-Step Trigonometry problems.  Remember to finish the 2nd page of your handout if it was not complete at the time of homework check-in!


Homework: Handout due Friday (9/30/11)




REMEMBER THAT I AM ALWAYS AVAILABLE AFTER SCHOOL FOR TUTORING....STOP BY IF YOU'RE HAVING TROUBLE WITH ANYTHING!

Friday, September 23, 2011

Course 1- Unit 3 Project Resources

Here are some helpful links for your project:

YOU ARE NOT LIMITED TO ONLY THESE WEBSITES...YOU MAY DO YOUR OWN SEARCHES!!! IF YOU FIND ANY ADDITIONAL WEBSITES THAT YOU WANT TO SHARE, PLEASE POST A COMMENT...THANKS!!!!

Printable Job Applications
http://www.job-applications.com/

Resume Builder:
http://www.collegegrad.com/resumes/quickstart/agree.shtml
http://www.greatsampleresume.com/
http://www.bestsampleresume.com/

Dream Jobs:
http://www.vault.com/nr/ht_list.jsp?ht_type=11
http://online.onetcenter.org/find/descriptor/browse/#cur
http://www.bls.gov/home.htm
http://www.bls.gov/oco/

America's Best Colleges 2012:
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/tools/search.php

Dream Houses:
http://www.househunt.org/luxury-homes/
*You might need to enter in your contact information to see the results of your search...or you can search other sites on your own.
http://www.realtor.com/



*For the Monthly Budget, you will need to research the different companies on your own...a Google search would be a good start....



SAMPLE POWERPOINT:
http://www.freewebs.com/matheng/Algebra%202%20-%20mr%20engs%20real%20world%20project%20example.ppt

Thursday, September 22, 2011

10 Shocking Reasons Why Geometry is Important in your Life

Every day we are surrounded by space, and the shape of things. The very planet we live on is situated in a universe full of interesting stars, surrounded by other planets. All of them have different shapes and sizes.


Spatial understanding
To be able to understand the wonder of the world's shape and appreciate it, we need to be able to understand and have knowledge of spatial use. In other words the areas related to space and the position, size and shape of things in it.

Numbers and measurements
When we know how to apply and understand the relationship between shapes and sizes we will be better prepared to use them in our everyday lives. Geometry will assist us in doing that, because it provides the knowledge of how to deal with measurements and relationships of lines, angles, surfaces and solids.

Visual Ability
Some people think in shapes and sizes, others think with visual abilities. When visualizing we need the understanding of geometry to be able to do that. Your imagination is like an untapped source of objects that all need to come together in a bigger picture.

In the workplace
Many different scientific and technological fields require knowledge of geometry. Especially in the more advanced and specialized study fields the use and knowledge of Geometry is essential to excelling.

Full use of brain capacity
Geometry helps you to bring together both sides of your brain. In other words, not just be a left-brain thinker, but also a right-brain thinker. The left-brain is the more logical, technical field, whereas the right-brain is the part that visualizes and where the artist gets their creative inspiration from. Not many people have the ability to make the two connect and work together as one. Geometry will assist in doing that.

Creative use of Geometry
Think of geniuses that created man made wonders. They all made use of geometry to be able to construct and make their creative thinking come to life. Without the use of geometry it would only have stayed ideas and dreams. The same with architects that design buildings with interesting shapes and sizes. Today architects are very creative in their thinking.

3-D Thinking
Two and three Dimensional shapes are originated in geometry. The use of triangles and other shapes strongly influence this. In the fields of television, movies and even little things like puzzles or books all are influenced by geometry.

Preparation
Geometry is a good training ground for students to make use of concrete materials and activities. Those same experiments now will become stepping stones later in life. It will prepare you to use many different types of materials and textures together in fluent harmony.

Wider Horizons
By applying geometry students learn to think outside the box. The same solutions can be applied to many other areas of your life. For instance, when studying the different population groups.

Thinking Skills
When you learn to use geometry you also learn to think logical. This is very important in every day life, as not everything is easy and understandable. When thinking logically many difficult problems can be erased and simple solutions can be found. To reason logically is one thing that you learn in Geometry.



Can you see the shocking reality of the importance of using Geometry in your life? Without even thinking about it, you are using those concepts that you learned in math class. It is a part of your daily life, whether you watch television or make a drawing. It is part and parcel of who you are.



Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Week of September 19, 2011

Course 1:
Monday- Progress Reports went out today. 
We took a test on Unit 1. I will accept corrections up until this Friday 9/23/11, but it must have a parent signature and the work for corrections must be on a separate sheet of paper.  An explanation of the Core-Plus Mathematics Grading Rubric was also sent home with each student (it is also posted on my class website).  If there are any questions concerning the rubric, please feel free to contact me.

Tuesday- We started Unit 3 (Linear Functions).  Students were given a pre-assessment in order to find out their strengths and weaknesses in this area (it was not taken for a grade).  They were also assigned the Unit 3 Project: Working in the Real World, which will be due Monday, October 24th, 2011 (see handout posted below).  Please ask your child to share the details with you.  Most of the work will need to be done outside of class, but they will be allowed at least one day out of the week to work in class.  Friday (9/23/11) is the deadline for Steps 1 and 2 to be completed. 

Wednesday- Based on the pre-assessment, I notice that we really need to work on basic algebraic skills.  The students will be working in stations that will contain 12 different levels of practice problems.  In order for each student to move to the next level, they must complete all of the problems at their station with 100% accuracy.  By using this method, each student may be working on something different than the rest of their peers each day. 


Thursday- Students worked on the Basic Skills Challenge.  All students have passed Level 1...there are a few students already at Level 3 and Level 4!

Friday- Students worked on the project in class.


Homework: Start researching for project. Steps 1 & 2 to be completed by Friday (9/23/11). Steps 3 & 4 to be completed by Friday (9/30/11).


Real World Project Course 1 Course 3:
Monday- Progress Reports went out today.
I passed back the Unit 1 Tests (originals and retakes), and students were able to compare both versions to find out which areas they are still struggling with.  We went through the correct answers and discussed some of their misconceptions.  Students will have an opportunity to improve their test averages by replacing their score from the Geometry Final that will be next Friday (9/30/11).
*Reminder: Stop by any day after school to retake the LOC/LOS quiz...you have until this Friday!
*Resubmissions for the Geometry Portfolio are due Friday, September 30, 2011!

Tuesday- We discussed the similarities and differences between Similar Figures and Congruent Figures.  We also learned Triangle Congruence Theorems and did a few examples.

Wednesday- Students worked in stations to practice proving triangles congruent, classifying triangles, as well as reviewing applications of the Law of Sines and Law of Cosines.


Thursday- Students took a group quiz on proving triangles congruent.


Friday- We had a brief introduction to Right Triangle Trigonometry and learned about the different ratios: sine, cosine, and tangent.  Students learned an easy way to remember the ratios through the acronym SOHCAHTOA, as well as a sentence to go along with it: "Some old helmets can allow head trauma on accidents."  They were able to decorate their own helmet and created a sign that they will be wearing all day Monday.  The purpose of wearing the sign is so that students and other teachers will ask why they're wearing it and they will be able to explain the trig ratios.  The more the students are able to explain it to others, the better they will remember it themselves.  If you weren't in class today, please feel free to print out a copy of the handout below and bring it Monday.
**Remember to come pick up your signs Monday morning!!!!


Football Helmet

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Homework: Week of September 12, 2011

Course 1: pp. 59-61 #s 1-5; 10-12  (These problems will be checked in on Friday)

Thursday:  1)Make sure that you finish your explanations for the Matching Functions activity (it needs to be at least 2 sentences for each description). 2) Have your homework ready to be checked in on Friday  3) Complete study guide


**UNIT 1 TEST WILL BE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2011**


Course 3: You should be finishing up your portfolio projects to be turned in on Friday.  
Also, remember to stop by and retake your Unit 1 Test...you have until Friday (9/16/11) to retake it, or else you will keep your original score!!  You can also retake your quiz on Law of Sines/Cosines if you are not satisfied with your score.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Homework: Week of September 5, 2011

Course 1: Work on Age Problems from presentation notes.  Make sure that you are able to create the necessary table and solve each problem.

Course 3: You should be working on your portfolio project (due next Friday).  You will also be receiving your test scores back this week.  If you would like to improve your grade, please make an appointment to retake the test any day after school.  You have until Friday, September 16, 2011 to retake the test, or you will keep your original score.  NO CORRECTIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED....ONLY RETAKES!!!


Also, please remember to bring your laptops to class on Thursday and Friday of this week.  You will have time in class to work on your projects.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Update: Week of August 29, 2011

**Due to the hurricane, Wayne School of Engineering was closed on Monday and Tuesday of this week.**

Course 1: We have been working on Translating Words into Math through an activity with Age Problems.  We will be finishing up Unit 1 by the end of next week, so stay tuned for announcements for the upcoming test!

Course 3: We have been reviewing in class for the Unit 1 Test on Reasoning and Proof (Friday 9/2/11).
Next week, we will be moving on to a unit on Similarity and Congruence.  Remember that you should be working on your portfolios, which are due Friday, September 16, 2011!!!  PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!!!

I would also like to remind you that if you are struggling with any topics in class, please make arrangements to come see me after school for tutoring!!!  And for those of you with missing assignments, please remember to turn those in ASAP...I have already been sending home missing assignment reminders and contacting parents.

Have a great Labor Day weekend!