Finishing Off the Year In Math

probability project

Students are currently working on their probability projects which are due on Friday May 9th. This project while not real difficult should be done carefully and very neat.

 

study-guide-1

study-guide-2

study-guide-3

study-guide-4

On Thursday May 8th students will be taking the test covering probability. The test will cover the probability learned in the investigations up through Tuesday the 6th

On Thursday May 15th the students will start their final exam. It will be given over 3 days; Thursday the 15th , Friday the 16th, and finishing on Wednesday the 21st. Students will be taking it in sections and allowed to work at their own pace, except that all questions must be answered by the end of class on Wednesday the 21st. The topics that will be covered on the final are:

1. Solving multi-step equations
2. Solving multi-step equations withvariables on both sides
3. Solving quadratic equations
4. Applying the Pythagorean Theorem
5. Finding the length of a segment (on dot paper)
6. Exponential growth (tables, graphs, & equations)
7. Operations with exponents(multiplying, dividing, powers-powers, zero exponents)
8. Simplifying square roots
9. Linear equations from tables
10. Graphing linear equations
11. Writing linear equations given (slope & y-int, 2 pts, slope & pt)
12. Writing linear equations in standard form
13. Writing equations in slope-intercept form
14. Writing equations of lines parallel and or perpendicular to each other
15. Solving & graphing linear inequalities in one variable
16. Graphing linear inequalities in 2 variables
17. Solving Systems of equations (substitution method & linear combinations method)
18. Multiplying binomials to get trinomials (expanded form)
19. Functions of graphs and of domain and range
20. Finding the slope
21. Writing equations from tables
22. Graphing from Ax + By = C
23. Working with sets (Union, intersection and Venn diagrams)
24. Parallel lines and transversals

Students should be prepared for a rigorous test of their math knowledge. At a minimum the final will count 15% (about 2 tests grades) of the students second semester grade. For those students who excel in demonstrating a mastery of the course standards they will be rewarded by being allowed to take their final exam grade as their grade for the second semester. This is the opportunity that many students have been looking for to bring up their grade to whatever level they desire. They just have to perform up to that level.

Above I have attached all of the study guides previously handed out this year and hi-lited the sections which are criticle for the final. As stated in class the study guides cover about 80% of what is on the final. The remainder of the material is covered in students notes and handouts. There are no multiple choice questions on the test and no trick questions. Students need to come prepared to demonstrate mastery of all objectives.

 

Shapes of Algebra Unit Test

The Shapes of Algebra unit test is scheduled for Thursday April 3rd. Students should be able to work problems in the following areas:

1. Write equations of circles with the center at the origin and a given radius
2. Determine if a point falls inside, on , or outside the circumverence of a cirlce
3. Be able tor write linear equations parallel and perpendicular to other lines
4. Find the midpoint of a segment given the segment endpoints
5. Write equations of lines in slope-intercept form and standard form.
6. Solve systems of equations graphically
7. Solve systems of equations using substitution
8. Solve systems of equations using linear combinations
9. Solve and graph inequalities in one variable (number lines)
10. Solve and graph linear inequalities in 2 variables (coordinate plane)
11. Solve and graph a system of linear inequalities

To help the students prepare for the unit test I have attached the study guide which they may print off. The students should complete all of the practice problems on the study guide prior to April 2nd. We will be reviewing on that day.

Study Guide for Shapes of Algebra Test 

In addition to the study guide I have attached a series of powerpoint presentations that may assist the students in understanding several of the topics covered in this unit:

Substitution Method

Linear Combinations Method

Graphing Systems of Equations

Linear Inequalities in 2 Variables

Solving Inequalities Powerpoint

The powerpoints are designed to be self paced so students will need to either hit enter or use the mouse to advance the slides at their own pace.

Assignment Calendar

Shapes of Algebra Assignment Calendar (3/17 thru 4/4)

This is the calendar for the remainder of the unit. This should take us right up to Spring Break. Students who are absent should attempt to do the work assigned in the calendar and come in for extra hep if they need it.

Assignment Calendar for Inv. 1 of Shapes of Algebra

Assignment Calendar

The Shapes of Algebra: Unit 6

Parent Letter

Mathematical Background

We will be starting our new unit on Monday February 25, 2008.  This semester of Math 8 is challenging and students need to be studying and practicing at home.  The test results from the previous unit were dissappointing.  I will again say that I am available before school each day for students to come in for extra practice or if they have questions.  I will also be conducting a help session after school on Thursday’s (3:45 - 5:00) for any students who are interested.

Study Guide for Unit 5 Test

Study Guide 

Students are welcome to come to my room for a study session at 7:30 any morning this week or stay after school Thursday till 5:00.   The unit test will be Friday February 15, 2008.

A recovery quiz for the solving equations quiz will be offered to students before school any day this week or after school Thursday.

2 Quiz Grades: Thursday 2/7

Rules for Solving Equations

A quiz taken during class on Thursday (solving equations and more)!

Second quiz grade Thursday:  Students were given a take home quiz which is due back at the beginning of class on Thursday.  They are to show all of their work on seperate sheets of paper and attach their answer sheet to their work. Answer sheets without supporting work that are 100% correct will receive a grade of 50%. Students need to show their work so that they can see where they err if for some reason the answer does not look correct to them.  I need to see their work so that I can assess what their thought process is as they work through the problem.

TAKE-HOME QUIZ

Website of the Month!

CoolMath.com is an excellent site that provides easy to follow notes, practice problems (”crunch some”), math games and much more.  Just use the links provided below to access four different topics that 8th grade students should master before the CRCT. 

 

Solving Equations:  http://www.coolmath.com/algebra/algebra-practice-solving.html

Exponents and Radicals:  http://www.coolmath.com/algebra/Algebra1/index.html#Algebra_1:_Exponents_&_Radicals

Lines:  http://www.coolmath.com/algebra/Algebra1/index.html#Algebra_1:_Lines

Functions:  http://www.coolmath.com/algebra/Algebra1/index.html#Algebra_1:_Functions

 

Unit 5: Say It With Symbols Assignment Calendar

Unit 5 Calendar

All assignments are checked the following day.  Students will receive a homework/classwork completion grade after every 10 assignments.  Be sure to look at Parent Connect to see the first two completion grades for your child and the first two quiz grades.  We wrapped up Quadratic Relationships for now so that we can move on to complete the other units before CRCT.  We will come back to quadratic relationships after CRCT for a more thorough look. 

If your child is struggling with mastering the concepts during class and/or completing the homework each night, please encourage them to come in before school to work with me (I am available each morning at 7:30).  Few students take advantage of this opportunity but those who do on a regular basis see significant gains in their understanding of the current concepts.  Many times, students just need someone to work with them one-on-one and classtime is limited in how much one-on-one time students get with the instructor.  CRCT is just around the corner and students need to be practicing their math skills on a daily basis.  Students were given the information on how to access practice CRCT tests for each subject.  The website is www.georgiaoas.org and the login ID and password is grade8.  You can have your child complete 10 question practice CRCT tests for each subject and receive immediate results!

New Unit beginning Thursday Jan. 24, 2008!

Parent Letter for Unit 5: Say It with Symbols

Parent Letter (Spanish)

Mathematical Background for Say It with Symbols (Unit 5)