Friday, 12/18/15: Final Day of Semester 1

No formal homework is assigned for the break.  We will pick up with solving quadratics by completing the square and quadratic formula when we return.

 Best wishes to all of you for a wonderful holiday season!!

Thursday, 12/17/15: Final Day of Debriefing, Unit 2 Test on Factoring and Systems

We will have a final memorization quiz this Friday, 12/18.  The students know that tonight's homework is an entrance ticket of this quiz.

Additionally, corrections work (only for problems parallel to the ones missed on the test) is due Friday, 12/18 (exception:  students who completed the test today will be given the chance to submit corrections, for Semester 1, immediately upon our return).  Corrections work is required for those students whose Unit 2 test score was under 70%, and recommended for those whose Unit 2 test scores were 70% to 78%.

Wednesday, 12/16/15: Debrief of Unit 2 Test, on Factoring and Systems

Today we started a two-day debriefing of the just-completed Unit 2 test.  We will continue that into Thursday.

We will have a final memorization quiz this Friday, 12/18.  The students know that tonight's homework is an entrance ticket of this quiz.

Parents, the semester ends this Friday, 12/18.  With the exception of several students still completing it, students have been given the results of their Unit 2 test, and have received updated grade printouts.  The parent portal has been updated.  Please check it to be aware of your student's present grade! 

Tuesday, 12/15/15: Correcting Systems Homework

Parents, the semester ends this Friday, 12/18.  Students have been given the results of their Unit 2 test, and have received updated grade printouts.  The parent portal has been updated.  Please check it to be aware of your student's present grade!  We will be doing a "post-mortem" on the Unit 2 test this Wednesday, 12/16, so that the students know how key questions should have been handled--to evaluate against their work.

We will have a final memorization quiz this Friday, 12/18.  The students know that tonight's homework is an entrance ticket of this quiz.

Monday, 12/14/15: Reviewing the Real Numbers Classification

Parents, the semester ends this Friday, 12/18.  Students were given the results of their Unit 2 test today (they finished last Friday), and they were given updated grade printouts.  The parent portal has been updated.  Please check it to be aware of your student's present grade!  We will be doing a "post-mortem" on this test this Wednesday, 12/16, so that the students know how key questions should have been handled--to evaluate against their work.

We will have a final memorization quiz this Friday, 12/18.  The students know that tonight's homework is an entrance ticket of this quiz.  (For any students absent today, this is the same quiz that you have done once.  You should have the model A+ paper still, and the original quiz which I'd returned to you.  If you don't have either, please ask me about it when you return.)

Friday, 12/11/15: Final Day of Unit 2 Test, on Factoring and Systems

Students completed the Unit 2 test today.  While no formal homework was assigned for this weekend, an extra-credit activity was made available.  It may be turned in as late as 12/18, and is worth 15 points on the homework part of the grade.

Thursday, 12/10/15: Day 2 of Unit 2 Test on Factoring and Systems

Tonight's homework is a photocopy I distributed to the students today, with "8-2" at the top.  Students are to solve all of the systems problems on the page.  They need to use the substitution strategy for the top nine problems, as noted, and the elimination [addition] strategy on the bottom problems, as noted.

Wednesday, 12/9/15: Day 1 of Unit 2 Test on Factoring and Systems

No formal homework was assigned for tonight, as we are in the midst of testing.  I do plan to assign homework Thursday night.  The current test that students are working is on Modules 9, 14, 15, and 16.

Tuesday, 12/8/15: Final Day of Review for Unit 2 Test on Factoring and Systems

Our Unit 2 test, on modules (short chapters) 9, 14, 15, and 16, will be this Wednesday, 12/9, and Thursday, 12/10.  While no formal homework is assigned tonight, students should be reviewing questions from their very parallel practice test, which we have been working with in class.  They can also be reviewing the textbook material for the modules above.

Monday, 12/7/15: Reviewing for Unit 2 Test on Factoring and Systems

Our Unit 2 test, on modules (short chapters) 9, 14, 15, and 16, will be this Wednesday, 12/9, and Thursday, 12/10.  While no formal homework is assigned tonight, students should be reviewing questions from their very parallel practice test, which we have been working with in class.  They can also be reviewing the textbook material for the modules above.

Friday, 12/4/15: Reviewing for Unit 2 Test on Systems and Factoring

The homework for this weekend, due Monday, is the remaining problems of the practice Unit 2 Test, #'s 14-25.

Next Wednesday, 12/9, and Thursday, 12/10, students will be taking the major Unit 2 test.  It is on Modules (short chapters) 9, 14, 15, and 16.

There will be a Friday after-school class for Period 6 students next week, on 12/11.  It will be from 2:45 - 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, 12/3/15: Preparing for Unit 2 Test on Systems and Factoring

No homework was assigned tonight.  We are preparing for the Unit 2 test next week (see below) and we didn't complete reviewing last night's homework in class today.  I want to have us preparing carefully.  Students can continue to working through the practice test, however, if they have the time.  I will be assigning problems 14-25 of it for homework over the weekend.

Next Wednesday, 12/9, and Thursday, 12/10, students will be taking the major Unit 2 test.  It is on Modules (short chapters) 9, 14, 15, and 16.

Our first Friday after-school class is this week, Friday, 12/4, for Period 5 students.  It will be from 2:45 - 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday, 12/2/15: Reviewing Homework on Factoring by GCF/Distributive Property

I apologize for missing this post; I am putting it up a day late.  The homework for Wednesday, 12/2, was problems 1-13 of the practice Unit 2 Test on Systems and Factoring, which I distributed that day.

Next Wednesday, 12/9, and Thursday, 12/10, students will be taking the major Unit 2 test.  It is on Modules (short chapters) 9, 14, 15, and 16.

Our first Friday after-school class is this week, Friday, 12/4, for Period 5 students.  It will be from 2:45 - 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, 12/1/15: Factoring by the GCF Method

Tonight's homework is from a photocopy I distributed today, "I. GCF/Distributive Property."  Students are to factor problems 2-32 even.

We will have a major Unit 2 test coming up next week.  It is on modules 9, 14, 15, and 16, and tomorrow I'll be passing out a parallel practice test that we will be working with.

Monday, 11/30/15: Finishing Reviewing Unit 1 Performance Task

No formal homework was assigned tonight, as we used today to complete reviewing the Unit 1 Performance task.  (It was important that we do so.)

Tuesday we will be working with factoring via the GCF (Greatest Common Factor) method, and we have a major Unit 2 test coming up next week.  It is on modules 9, 14, 15, and 16, and in the next several days I'll be passing out a parallel practice test that we will be working with.

Friday, 11/20/15: Reviewing Unit 1 Performance Task

No formal homework is assigned during the break.  Wishing all of you a Happy Thanksgiving with family and friends.  I am thankful for this terrific educational community!

Thursday, 11/19/15: Reviewing Homework on Factoring Differences of Squares and Perfect Square Trinomials

No homework was assigned tonight.  Tomorrow we will be reviewing the Unit 1 Performance Task.  I'll need to start in on it immediately.

Wednesday, 11/18/15: Factoring Differences of Squares and Perfect Square Trinomials

Tonight's homework is from a photocopy I distributed today, which we marked as "II. Difference of Squares."  All problems are assigned, except for the problems which are crossed out.

Period 5:  I forgot to mention that not every trinomial at the bottom of the page is a perfect square trinomial!  Remember, to be a perfect square trinomial:

• first term has to be a perfect square
• last term has to be positive and a perfect square
• if you take "half of the middle coefficient and square it" and get the last term, then it's a perfect square trinomial

If you find that the trinomial is not a perfect square trinomial, you can try diamond trash on it.  If it's not a perfect square trinomial and you can't factor it with diamond trash, then it's prime (cannot factor).

Tuesday, 11/17/15: Reviewing the Diamond Trash Method of Factoring

Tonight's homework is problems (28-39) from the same photocopy students used for last night's homework, "V. Diamond Trash."  Students are to factor these trinomials.

Monday, 11/16/15: Factoring Strategies: Diamond Trash

Tonight's homework is from a photocopy, that in class we labeled "V. Diamond Trash."  From this photocopy I assigned problems 17, 19-21, and 23-27.  This strategy won't be found in most textbooks, including ours.  If you need help, search "diamond trash factoring" within Youtube.

Friday, 11/13/15: Reviewing Work on Graphing Systems of Linear Inequalities

No formal homework was assigned this weekend.  We will be working with the five factoring strategies beginning on Monday.

Thursday, 11/12/15: Practicing Graphing Systems of Linear Equations

I was out today for a district-level data analysis meeting.  Tonight's homework is for students to complete problems 1-21 of a photocopy, entitled "9-6 Exercises." 

Tuesday, 11/10/15: Whiteboard Practice on Factoring

The vast majority of my Per.5 and Per.6 students performed at Disneyland today.  No new homework was assigned for today, although the students know that Thursday they have due problems (1-17) from a worksheet on adding, subtracting, and multiplying polynomials that I distributed Monday.

Veterans, thank you for your service.  Wishing you a meaningful Veterans Day, as our nation expresses its gratitude to you.

Monday, 11/9/15: Reviewing Weekend Homework on Operations with Polynomials

Tonight's homework is from a photocopy on polynomials, (#'s 1-17).

For those music students performing at Disneyland on Tuesday, we will be doing whiteboard practice on factoring in class that day.  No homework will be assigned Tuesday night.  Armistice Day (Veterans Day) allows us the chance to express our gratitude to our nation's veterans.  Vets, thank you for your service.

Friday, 11/6/15: Introduction to Polynomials

We are working on polynomials, the five factoring strategies, and the four methods for solving quadratic equations, for the remainder of 2015.

This weekend's homework is page 517 (1-10).

Thursday, 11/5/15: Lesson 9-5: Examining How Systems of Linear Inequalities Are Used in Real Life

No formal homework was assigned for tonight, although the weekend's homework assignment will be pages 317 & 318, (8, 10-13).

Wednesday, 11/4/15: Lesson 9-5 on Solving Systems of Linear Inequalities

Tonight's homework is from the textbook:  p.317 (5-7, 9).

Tuesday, 11/3/15: Reviewing Lesson 9-3 Homework from the Weekend

No formal homework is assigned for tonight, although students can review Lesson 9-5.  We will be in that section Wednesday, with homework that night.

Friday, 10/30/15: Continuing Lesson 9-4, Solving Systems of Linear Equations Using the Elimination Method

The homework for this weekend is p.301 (1-14).

Thursday, 10/29/15: Strengthening Lesson 9-4, Solving Systems of Linear Equations by the Elimination Method

Tonight's homework is p.309 & p.310 (7-12, 16).  While students may mark in their textbook, they should be showing their scratch work on notebook paper.

Wednesday, 10/28/15: Lesson 9-4, Addition/Elimination Method for Solving Systems of Linear Equations

Tonight's homework is six problems I had students write into their homework notebooks.  Any absent students will need to check with a friend, or get the problems when they return.  The homework:  NB:  (1-6), addition method.

Tuesday, 10/27/15: Reviewing Lesson 9-2 Homework

As we used today to review Common Core-level homework for Lesson 9-2 on the substitution method for solving systems of linear equations, and need to start fresh Wednesday on Lesson 9-4 (the elimination method)--it's a short period because of Rewards Day--no formal homework was assigned tonight.  However, students should be studying Lesson 9-4 in advance of tomorrow's lesson.

Monday, 10/26/15: Lesson 9-2, Substitution Method

Tonight's homework is from the textbook:  p.291 & p.292 (11-15, 18, 19).

Thursday, 10/22/15: Strengthening Lesson 9-1, Solving Systems of Linear Equalities by Graphing

Tonight's homework is from an older textbook, in which students are to solve five systems problems by graphing.  (Each student received a sheet of graph paper; four graphs can fit on the front and the fifth can fit on the back.)

As I did not have time to make photocopies, I had the students write down the five problems in class.  For any student absent today, he or she will need to get those five problems from friends, or from me, upon returning to school.

Wednesday, 10/21/15: Reviewing Unit 1 Test

We're transitioning from Unit 1, on Equations, Inequalities, and Linear Functions, to Unit 2, Systems and Quadratic Equations.  [For any families looking ahead, Unit 2 is made up of the lessons in Modules (chapters) 9, 14, 15, and 16.]

Last Thursday and Friday it was necessary for us to take our a district-level performance task.  On Monday of this week, we reviewed the homework I'd assigned over the weekend, a review of Module 7 (p.241).  On Tuesday of this week, our first day of Unit 2, I started Lesson 9-1 on solving systems of linear equations by graphing, and assigned some systems for homework that night.

However, there was one remaining, unfinished piece of business, as we are transitioning fully into Unit 2.  I have been wanting to review my Unit 1 Test, which students took the week before last.  I put that as our top priority today; it worked with our short period today. (We were on an assembly schedule.)  We did review questions from that test during class.  No formal homework was assigned tonight, but tomorrow we'll be in a position to now move through the rest of Module 9--and through Unit 2.

Students should be reviewing the material in Modules 9, 14, 15, and 16.

Tuesday, 10/20/15: Lesson 9-1, on Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Graphing

Tonight's homework is p.282 (6-9).

Monday, 10/19/15: Reviewing Homework on Nonproportional Relationships

Having finished Unit 1 on Equations, Inequalities, and Linear Functions, we used the first portion of the period to review key strategies for graphing and writing linear equations.  We used the bulk of the period to review the homework assigned over the weekend, itself a review of Module (chapter) 7, building linear functions.

As we are transitioning between units, and between my recent major Unit 1 test and the district's performance task last Thursday and Friday, no formal homework was assigned.  However, students can be looking ahead to Lesson 9-1, studying and reviewing that section.

Friday, 10/16/15: Day 2 of Unit 1 Performance Task

This weekend's homework is p.241 (4-12).

Thursday, 10/15/15: Day 1 of Unit 1 Performance Task

Today students began their performance task for the first unit, on linear functions.  As indicated in earlier posts, I was not supposed to give parallel review coming into this task.  Accordingly, I will be sensitive in grading this task, keeping in mind that the students are taking this "cold."  (I know that grading is a major concern for both my students and their parents.  This is a growth opportunity, but not a situation where I want my students facing a major hit to their grades.)  No formal homework is assigned tonight, although students can be reviewing our upcoming lesson, 9-1.

Wednesday, 10/14/15: Preparation for Performance Task and Returning Unit 1 Tests

We have a district-level "performance task" tomorrow (Thursday, 10/15) and the following day.  We used today to set up the context and vocabulary necessary for the activity, and to return the Unit 1 tests on linear equations.  No formal homework was assigned tonight, although students can be reviewing our upcoming lesson, 9-1.

Tuesday, 10/13/15: Beginning Lesson 9-1, on Graphing Linear Inequalities

This Thursday and Friday  students will be taking an exam for the district, in a "performance task" format.  This is where students are given a situation, and have to apply their problem-solving skills (and computational skills) by answering 5-8 questions.  The students will be taking the assessment on the computer.  I haven't been mentioning this much in my honors classes, because I'm not supposed to do parallel review coming into this assessment.  Students need to apply the skills that they already have been taught.   Keeping this in mind, I'll be sensitive as to how I grade this and weight the grade.

Tonight, no formal homework was assigned.  However, informally students should be reviewing / studying Lesson 9-1.

Monday, 10/12/15: Completing Unit 1 Test

Tonight's homework is p.274 (1-8) and p.275 (chart, 1, 2).

Friday, 10/9/15: Unit 1 Test

Sorry about yesterday's missed post.  I was out for an articulation meeting with the high school teachers.

Students need to separate out pages 273-330 from their book, clip them or put them into their 3-ring notebooks, and bring those pages with them to class on Monday.  Otherwise, no homework is assigned for the weekend.  On Monday, I will be verifying that the students completed the lengthy substitute assignment from yesterday, a photocopy entitled "Equations WS #1," problems 1-54.

Wednesday, 10/7/15: Day 3 of Reviewing for Unit 1 Test on Linear Equations

Our first major test, Unit 1, on modules 4-7, will be Friday, 10/9.  Tonight's homework is to study for the test.  We have now had three parallel practice versions.  Students may see me at lunch Friday, 10/9, with any last-second questions.  (I am out for a meeting Thursday, but will return for my conferences scheduled that day.)

Tuesday, 10/6/15: Day 2 of Reviewing for Unit 1 Test on Linear Equations

Our first major test, Unit 1, on modules 4-7, will be Friday, 10/9.  Tonight's homework is the third practice version of the test.

Monday, 10/5/15: Day 1 of Reviewing for Unit 1 Test on Linear Equations

Our first major test, Unit 1, on modules 4-7, will be Friday, 10/9.  Tonight's homework is the second practice version of the test.

Friday, 10/2/15: Reviewing Scientific Notation and Linear Inequalities Homework

Our first major test, Unit 1, on modules 4-7, will be Friday, 10/9.  Our homework this weekend is a photocopy; it is the first practice version of the test.

Thursday, 10/1/15: Lesson 7-4, Solving Linear Inequalities

Tonight's homework is p.239 (8-10).

Tuesday, 9/29/15: Lesson 7-3, Inverse Functions

No homework was assigned tonight.  Our next assignment is p.239 (8-10), due Friday, 10/2.

Monday, 9/29/15: Lesson 7.2, Operations with Linear Functions

Tonight's homework is p.224 (17, 18) and p.226 (23).

Thursday, 9/24/15: Lesson 7.2, Operations with Linear Functions

Tonight's homework is p.224 (8-16).

Wednesday, 9/23/15: Thinking Maps & Housekeeping

This week's thinking map roll-out was the sequencing map (flow map), and the math department had the responsibility this week to introduce it to the school's students.  We did that today.  We also handled parent conference reminder slips and several other housekeeping chores today.  No homework was assigned for tonight.

Tuesday, 9/22/15: Quiz on Linear Equations

Tonight's homework is from a photocopy I've distributed to students.  It says Section 5-1 on the top, and the problems I've assigned are #'s 59-70.  Students should expand these powers--that is to say, write all of the factors (numbers) in the factorizations (multiplication problems)--and simplify.

Monday, 9/21/15: Final Review for Quiz on Linear Equations

We have a quiz tomorrow, 9/21, on linear equations.  Today I distributed two copies of our practice quiz.  We went through the practice quiz today in class. Students should rework the problems, on their own, a second time for homework tonight.  They have the classwork from today that they can refer to.

Friday, 9/18/15: Lesson 6.7, Writing Linear Functions

The weekend's homework assignment is p.205 (5-10).

Thursday, 9/17/15: Reviewing Lesson 6.5 on Domain and Range

We spent the entire period reviewing last night's homework on domain and range, in that this is rich, critical material for students to master.  No homework was assigned tonight.

Wednesday, 9/16/15: Lesson 6.5, Comparing Linear Functions

Tonight's homework is p.191 (4,5).

Tuesday, 9/15/15: Lesson 6.4, on the Slope--Intercept Form of a Linear Equation

Tonight's homework is p.185 (7-15).

Monday, 9/14/15: Lesson 6.3 on Slope

Tonight's homework is p.177-8 (10-13).

Friday, 9/11/15: Reviewing Sequences Homework and Intercepts

Tonight's homework is p.168 (1-8) and p.169 (10-12).

Thursday, 9/10/15: Lesson 5.3, on Sequences

Tonight's homework is p.139 (22c,d; 24-29).

Wednesday, 9/9/15: Final Pass Through Lesson 5.2

We are now in a position to move through the textbook material quickly; the foundation has been laid.

PERIOD 5, I REALLY GOOFED ON ASSIGNING YOUR HOMEWORK!!!!!

I MEANT TO ASSIGN P. 131 (8-13), BUT FOR YOUR CLASS I THINK THAT I PUT P.130 (1-13) ON YOUR ASSIGNMENT SHEET (OR SAID "1-30")!

TO BE CLEAR, TONIGHT'S HOMEWORK IS P.131 (8-13).

IF ANYONE DOES P.130 (1-7), I'LL COUNT THAT AS EXTRA CREDIT SINCE IT WAS WORK DONE ABOVE & BEYOND.  I APOLOGIZE!!!

9/8/15: Last Day of Foundational Work: Relations & Functions

Today we reviewed functional notation, how to tell the difference between a relation & function, and the vertical line test for graphs of relations.  Tomorrow we are ready to begin blitzing through the book, beginning with Lesson 5.2.

Tonight's homework is review in nature (the 8th graders have been working on the topic, simplifying powers).  The assignment tonight is from the photocopy I distributed to the class today.  Find the side with Section 5.1; the assigned problems are 1-38.

In particular with my Per.6 class, I was short a few minutes I could have used to clarify what I'm looking for.  Some students looked me up after school.  I had said that I wanted the powers written in expanded form, but didn't have a lot of time to elaborate.

Students, what I want is this:  I want to force you to write the expanded notation (within reason, as long as the exponents aren't too big), so that the image of what the powers represent is crystal-clear in your mind.  Only then do I want you using the shortcut properties (rules) where you add / subtract exponents with the same base.  Knowledge of only the shortcuts is very fragile!!

Example:

2^4 * 2^3
(2*2*2*2)*(2*2*2)
2^7

[since I don't have an equation editor available as I type, "2^4" represents the base 2 raised to the fourth power]

HOWEVER, students, you don't need to multiply out the final product.  You can leave it as a simplified power, as with the 2^7 above.

Friday, 9/4/15: Reviewing Relations Homework and Distributing Math Log-In Information

We distributed the log-in information for the math online resources associated with our text, at my.hrw.com .

There is no assigned homework for the Labor Day weekend.  We will resume Lesson 5.2, representing functions, on Tuesday, 9/8.

Best wishes for a great Labor Day holiday!

Thursday, 9/5/15: Basic Definitions for Relations & Functions

Tonight's homework is p.126 (1,2) and p.130 (1-3).

Wednesday, 9/2/15: Revisiting a Challenging Proof

Today we revisited a challenging proof, in which students had to prove that the sum of an irrational number plus a rational number is an irrational number.  (This is from Lesson 2.2.)  The thing that made this proof the most challenging is that it is virtually the first proof students have ever seen.  They will eventually transition into a mindset that is used to thinking logically and creatively, using prior definitions and knowledge, in order to prove various conjectures.

Tonight's homework is p.90 (1-4).

Tuesday, 9/1/15: In the Wake of a Very Challenging Proof: Proper Mindset

Tonight's homework is p.91 (problems 5-8 at the bottom of the page).  Please do NOT rip out this page.  You do not need to bring it to school; only the lined paper with the homework problems done.

Monday, 8/31/15: Finishing Lesson 2.2 (Closure Property)

Tonight's homework is p.43 (11-26).

Friday, 8/28/15: Real Number Classification and the Axioms of Real Numbers

Tonight's homework is p.45 (1-14).

Thursday, 8/27/15: Reviewing Lesson 2.1 Homework

There is no formal homework assigned.  However, if any student had difficulty on last night's homework, he or she should rework the problems missed.  (We reviewed the homework today.)

Wednesday, 8/25/15: Continuing Lesson 2.1, Rational Exponents

Our Back-to-School Night is this Thursday, 8/27, at 6:00 p.m., in the oak tree area.  I'll be putting out signups for the fall conferences.  (Sometime next week I will send home an information flyer about my own fall conferences, should parents not be able to come this Thursday evening.)  Parents, I'm looking forward to meeting you!

Tonight's homework is p.35 (17-40).

Our first memorization quiz, on the six real number classifications, and the first 15 perfect squares and first 5 perfect cubes, is this Thursday, 8/27.


Today we looked at how to find a fractional root using the online calculator sometimes available during the SBAC standardized testing.  Here is the link to that calculator:
http://demo.tds.airast.org/TDSCalculator/TDSCalculator.html?mode=ScientificInv

Tuesday, 8/25/15: Strengthening Lesson 2.1, Radicals and Rational Exponents

Our Back-to-School Night is this Thursday, 8/27, at 6:00 p.m., in the oak tree area.  I'll be putting out signups for the fall conferences.  (Sometime next week I will send home an information flyer about my own fall conferences, should parents not be able to come this Thursday evening.)  Parents, I'm looking forward to meeting you!

Tonight's homework is p.34 (1-12).  Students, if you are reading this, I do want you to try to do this assignment on separate notebook paper, with the upside-down "T" and proper formatting shown on the back of your assignment sheet.  But don't worry, I'll walk you through the process for the first several assignments until you're clear as to how to do it.

Our first memorization quiz, on the six real number classifications, and the first 15 perfect squares and first 5 perfect cubes, is this Thursday, 8/27.

Monday, 8/24/15: Lesson 2.1, Radicals and Rational Exponents

I apologize for making this post a day late.  We lost our internet access after school, due to a power outage.

The homework for this day was an entrance ticket for this Thursday's quiz.

Friday, 8/21/15: Closing Off Loose Ends

We finished some loose ends today.  This weekend's homework is another entrance ticket for the upcoming number types quiz, but in addition, students will need to include the perfect squares up to 15^2 (225) and the perfect cubes up to 5^3 (125).

Our first quiz will be Thursday, 8/27.  Students will have to write on a blank sheet of notebook paper the six number types (natural numbers, whole numbers, integers, rational numbers, irrational numbers, and real numbers) and their definitions, to the level of detail that we've been practicing.  The will also need to show me that they know the perfect squares to 225 and perfect cubes to 125.

Thursday, 8/20/15: Previewing Lessons 2.1 & 2.2 on Radicals and Rational Exponents

I was out for a meeting today.  During their class time, I had directed that the students preview Lessons 2.1 & 2.2 in their text, starting from the top and going through every example and problem, as the time for the period allowed.  While it would be good to continue through to the end of Lesson 2.2, that is not required for tonight.  Tonight's homework is another entrance ticket for an upcoming number types memorization quiz.

Wednesday, 8/19/15: Cleaning up Loose Ends / Foundational Work

Tonight's homework is another entrance ticket for our upcoming number types quiz.

Tuesday, 8/18/15: Introducing the Classification of the Real Numbers

Tonight's homework is an "entrance ticket," in preparation for an upcoming memorization quiz.  Yesterday I distributed a photocopy showing the natural numbers, whole numbers, integers, rational numbers, irrational numbers, and real numbers, along with their definitions.  Students are going to have to give that back to me on a blank sheet of paper for a quiz we'll be having within about a week, entirely by memory.  This is THE most critical vocabulary that they will need coming into high school, and I usually give this quiz two additional times this year, so that they do not forget the definitions.

Students are to take out a blank sheet of paper tonight, and write everything that is on the photocopy (front side only, the one with the definitions above).  Their goal tonight is to try to do the first three number types and definitions by memory, but they need to write everything down on the piece of paper tonight.  I will collect it first thing tomorrow.  Every night I will be giving this as practice.  We chunk it; the goal is to increase what the student can do by memory until it is all memorized.

Parents, there is a place for convergent (narrow, militaristic thinking / training) as well as divergent thinking (creative, outside-the-box problem solving).  We are using eighth specific thinking strategies in class this year, that the students will know very well.  So please rest assured that while there is a place for memorization, it is not the entire course--not by a long shot.

Monday, 8/17/15: Introducing Lesson 2.1: Fractional Roots

Tonight's homework is to study the charts at the top of pages 30 & 31, on exponent rules.  I highly recommend making flip charts.

8/14/15: Distribution of Textbooks

We distributed our textbooks today.  They are consumable, meaning that the text fully belongs to your student.  He or she may write in it and highlight the material.  I will be asking students to rip out small portions of the text (presently pages 25-46, Lessons 2.1 and 2.2), and carry those small sections back and forth from school and home each day.  The overall textbook may be kept at home.  It is important that students not lose the text, and that they reliably bring our current working section back and forth each day!  To a large extent, that is what we will be working off of.  Ideally, those small working sections are stored in a 3-ring binder, along with loose leaf work.  (Some students, however, like to use spiral-bound notebooks for homework.  I'm okay with that.)  Today, we discovered that the punched holes of the textbook pages are really close to the perforations.  While ideally we want those working sections of the text in a 3-ring binder, "Plan B" is to clip them in a manila file folder.

At the end of each of the five major units this year, we will empty the unit's contents into a manila file folder, which your student may take home, or I will store for him or her (as we are doing with our regular 8th math students).  Shortly before our standardized testing, we will return all of the folders back to students for study purposes.

This weekend's homework is a vocabulary preview lesson.  Students are to look up the definition for each of the following, and give an example for each.  They may use the Internet (just Google the term), or search within Youtube, or use the paper glossary they took home with them today.  The definitions and examples should be written on a separate piece of notebook paper.  Note:  I told them that one of the terms I checked today, "radicand index" was not in the text glossary or index.  (We teach to the standards, not the text.  So hopefully in that case the student can find the information online, or if necessary, leave it blank.  This is a "flipped classroom" assignment; we will be discussing these in  class next week.)  Here are the terms:

Exponent
Rational numbers
Irrational numbers
Radical expressions
Radicand index
Real numbers
Closed

Thursday, 8/13/15: Higher Education

Today we finished most of a slide presentation I'd prepared with regards to higher education.  This discussion is crucial, as it sets up what we are doing this year in the context of high school and college work.

No homework was assigned tonight.

Wednesday, 8/12: Welcome & Course Syllabus

Welcome back, students and parents!  I am looking forward to working closely with you to make this a terrific year!

The purpose of this blog is a simple one:  to let you know what homework was assigned for the day.  It is my practice to put the homework information up every day, hopefully earlier in the day rather than later.  (The latest that I post is around 6:45 p.m., but that could be a possibility if I have extensive meetings after school.)

If homework is in the form of a worksheet, I will try to have a version of it available through the parent portal--however, my work load may not allow it for the day.  The student may have to get the worksheet from me upon his or her return to school, and of course, he or she will get full credit for it--as long as it is turned in in a timely fashion.

If a student is absent, I encourage him or her to check this blog for the homework, or check with a peer!

The homework for tonight is for students to review the course information with their parents.  Parents, you have an optional homework assignment, where you have a chance to tell me all about your child.  I learn great things about my students this way!  See the last page of the course information packet, which should have come home with your student today.