October Khan Academy Schedule

For those of you who would like to move ahead or just look at our upcoming topics, here is the Khan Academy schedule for the month of October.  You can do these at any time, any week, prior to the due date. This document, with grading criteria, can be downloaded here.

Solving Equations Video Tutorial

If you're still having difficulty solving equations, the following video works through problems with fractions, variables on both sides, and multiple step equations.  You do not have to watch the video from start to finish. Choose the type or equation you are having trouble with and watch that part only, if you like.

Class Summary: Sept 29, 2014

Equations rule the day. Old ones, new ones, we practice 'em all. The link for today's class work is found in the previous post.  Finally, the new Khan Academy topics are posted for this week.

Sept. 29, 2014

Class Summary: September 26, 2014

A number of different things on the agenda today. We review the hardest problems from the last test, and continue with literal equations. 3rd and 4th periods received the class work today. First and second periods will get the class work Monday

Don't forget:  Khan Academy due by Sunday evening.  Enjoy your weekend.

Sept. 26, 2014

Class Summary: September 25, 2014

We take our first look at literal equations today. Sample problems in the slide show.

September 25, 2014

Class Summary: September 24, 2014

It's game day! Time to put all your practice and hard work to use. Ten questions, all equations.  We'll have some time before the test to answer any questions you may have. Yesterday's group work should be submitted before the end of class as well.

Sept. 24, 2014

Class Summary: September 23, 2014

All equations, all the time. We work our way toward equation mastery today in preparation for tomorrow's test.  Our class work is designed for pairs or groups of three.  Talk about the problems, share your ideas, and teach each other. The handout can be found here.

September 23, 2014

Tuesday's Teaser

This week's teaser is a perfect match for our classroom topic of study now. Take it one step at a time, and watch your signs. Remember, this problem is not more difficult than others, it just has more steps.

If you can take a screenshot showing the path to your solution, go ahead and send that. If not, write your work and solution down on paper and submit it by Friday, 3:00 pm.  

 

Class Summary: September 22, 2014

Today we review the various types of equations covered so far. Lot's of practice problems for the class notes section of our notebook as we prepare for Wednesday's test. 

September 22, 2014

Video Links if You Need Additional Help

Most of the Mastery topics from Khan Academy have short videos explaining exactly how to solve those types of problems.  Here are some links to videos for our upcoming topics:

Evaluating Expressions 2 variables:  Here's the video 

Adding & Subtracting Negative Numbers:  Video Here 

Multiplying & Dividing Negative Numbers:  Watch Here

Order of Operations:  Select from 4 videos

Distributive Property:  Here

Combining Like Terms w/ Distributive Property: Video Here

Properties of Numbers 1:  Here, and Here, and Here

Good Luck, let me know if you're having trouble with a particular topic.

Khan Academy Updates

Week 1 of our Khan Academy assignments are due tomorrow evening by 7:00 pm.

 Here is a list of topics for week two.  These are due by the same time on September 28th.

* Two-Step Equations
* Equations with Variables on Both Sides
* Writing & Interpreting Decimals

Start early, bring any questions you have to class.

Class Summary: September 18, 2014

Sept. 18, 2014

Class Summary: September 17, 2014

It's all about equations..today, tomorrow & for the next 10-15 days at least. Today's focus was on fractional equations, and we reviewed concepts from our recent test.

View the slideshow below and get today's class work here.

September 23, 2013

Class Summary: September 16, 2014

Test # 1 today. We prepare for that nightmare and look ahead to some of the many types of equations we will be solving this year.

After today, it's equation mania for the next 2-3 weeks.  Slideshow is below. Check out the earlier post regarding the free software you may need.

 

September 16, 2014

Tuesday's Teaser

This week's teaser may look difficult, but it is very do-able. There is more than one way to solve this correctly, so just get started by putting operators between the numbers, and then you can adjust them as needed. Email or hand me your solution before the weekend for extra credit.

Class Summary: September 15, 2014

Reviewing for tomorrow's test is our main focus today.  Practice problems for everything that will be on the test in the warm up section. Other important information regarding Khan Academy included also.  Finally, our class work has practice problems for both this and the next test.  Get your copy here.

Sept. 15, 2014

Free Software for Slide Show Viewing

Reviewing the slideshow from certain class days can be a great way to review for tests, or to help if you are unsure of a particular topic.  But to get the most out of the slide show, you must view it in slide show mode.

Unfortunately, most of us don't have Microsoft Office on our computers. But there is a way around that problem with free software allowing you to view Powerpoint presentations in slide show mode. You do not need both of the programs. Choose the one which fits your needs. (You can get both, but you don't need to.)

A.  Free Powerpoint Viewer

This program allows you to view, but not create or change powerpoints.

B. Go-OO

Short for Go-Open Office, this free program is made to be fully compatible with Microsoft Office. You can create documents that work with Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, and open documents created with Microsoft Office.

If you only have text editor or some other lame word processing program, get this. If you'd like to create powerpoint documents, get this.  If you'd like to open documents created with Word, get this.

If you don't have Office, you should download one of the above.

After downloading, you will then install the program. Caution! The large download sites get paid by other software companies for trying to get people to download additional software, most or all of which you don't need. So, see below for step 2 of the install process:

Select decline and the install process will continue.

Khan Academy Topics for Week of Sept. 15-21

Here are the two topics for the week. (Most weeks there will be three topics.)  Continue to answer the questions until you have correctly answered 5 in a row (consecutive). Once you have answered 5 consecutive, you have mastered the topic and earned a 100%.

This week we will be reviewing sample questions from the second topic. If you try the problems and are confused, worry not, we'll practice them in class.

Get started early; either you'll finish early or you'll give yourself enough time to ask questions and learn the topic better.

Friday, September 12, 2014

We focused on equations today, as we will on many class days. Lots of information inside the slideshow. Download it if you like.

September 12, 2014

Algebra Connections Newsletter Available Now

Volume I of the v6math blog's 'newsletter' is hot off the digital press. Algebra Connections will cover all of the major topics we cover throughout the year. One of the main purposes of the newsletter is to summarize the key points of the topic we are practicing, Examples, tips, shortcuts and other bits of hopefully helpful information is included in either one or two pages.

Algebra Connections is a great study guide before a test. Everything you need to know in one or two pages. Get your copy right here before they're sold out!

Class Summary: September 11, 2014

We get ready for our first test on Tuesday by focusing on integers, order of operations, and translating & writing equations. A number of you have submitted your answers for this week's teaser; well done by all. Khan Academy topics to be posted soon.

Our class work for the day is found here.

September 11, 2014

Tuesday's Teaser

We begin our weekly teasers  with an extra credit opportunity for everyone.  Email your answer to me by this Friday. All correct answers receive credit.

Class Summary: September 10, 2014

Today's slideshow is stuffed with helpful information for everyone wanting (needing) to learn algebra. View it, download it, learn it!!

September 10 2014

Class Summary: Sepember 9, 2014

We covered a number of introductory topics today and looked at how algebra is really just a time-saving system for math problems.  Our first class work was assigned also. That document can be viewed and downloaded here.

September 9, 2014

How to Register and Use the Khan Academy

This video gives you step-by-step instructions for getting started at the Khan Academy. In order to do any of this, you must already have a gmail account. If you don't have your When getting your gmail account, make sure that the username includes your first  and name.

You may want to write the registration steps down as you watch, or have the Khan Academy open in a new tab so you can apply the steps right when you see them.

**Given the small size of the player, full screen mode is probably the best way to view.

 

A lot of information will be shared on Monday. As always, try to be in class as often as possible. You'll be doing yourself a huge favor.

Documents Available for Download

The Syllabus and Student Handbook are both important documents as they share the do's, and don'ts, and all the inside information you need to know.

Both documents can be downloaded.

The handbook can be found here, the syllabus here. 

Week in Review: Sept. 2-5

We eased, ever so gently, into the school year this week. We shared some information about algebra in general, and this class specifically. Monday we start the year already a bit behind; sleep well this weekend, we'll be busy next week.

September 3, 2014

Sept. 2 2014