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).