Ms. Nelson's Class Blog

It has been a tough week. I think we were all so hungry and tired that we didn’t really blog as much as we had hoped. In fact we didn’t really comment either.

In any case – what a great experience! Many of us ate lunch together daily. We made our sandwiches, and talked about how much or how little we had left in our budget (if we wanted more food). Many of us noticeably missed certain snack foods, sweets, and vegetables.  Others are really tired of eating the same sorts of food daily.

Regardless, I think we all now have a better understanding of hunger and its effect on those in our community and elsewhere.  This week, and especially this season, as we reflect on our blessings, I know many of you will remember this experience. Don’t forget to consider donating your time and / or the money you would have spent on food to a local food pantry or shelter.  (And remember we are still in the middle of the peanut butter drive!)

Take Home Algebra Quiz Chp 2

I have fixed the typo for you guys. Good luck! Remember – no calculator or outside materials allowed!

We are clearly back into a routine. With today being a productive study hall period and the week gearing up for Hurricane Irene!

Geometry: Today in class we dusted off our algebra skills and tried to recall important information that will be necessary for future problem solving skills. Homework: Finish the algebra review problems today. You must have all 20 completed.  Also for Wednesday you must read 1-3 and 1-4 and do pp. 21-23 #1-5, 19-34.

Honors Algebra: Today in class we finished up the algebra review section. We will have a Quiz this week (a little bit bigger than a review quiz) on the review material.  We also began Chp 5 today!!! Tonight for homework you will need to do a worksheet on 10 final questions.  Do them accurately!

Algebra: Today in class we went over the review worksheet with 20 problems! You will have a quiz this week that will be a little bit bigger than a review quiz. The quiz will be on all the review material thus far.  Your homework will be a worksheet on % and decimals — write all of the “sentences” to earn full credit. We begin using our texts this week.

We finally survived our first week!!! Whew — it flew by.

Geometry Read pp. 1-6 and then do exercises p. #1-7. Its the Surfer and the Spotter problem. Remember to spend about 30-40 minutes on it.

Honors Algebra (83):  Do the five problems graded for accuracy and then if there is time remaining work on the rest of the review problems (20) from class.

Algebra (80): Finish classwork (Algebra Review Worksheet #2 and Review Worksheet #1-20).

Have a great weekend!

We have almost been in a school an entire week, and boy is that hard to believe.

Today in Geometry we had a great discussion about dimensions – what is 1 dimensional, 2 dimensional and so on. We also began some more abstract questions about postulates (Why can’t you prove that 2 points determine a line, or can you?) I challenge you all to really figure out who Euclid was, since you were really guessing by the end of class.  Homework:  Read 1-2, p. 15-17 # 1-23  and read set II and questions.

In Honors Algebra we went over last night’s review problems. We also discussed factorial, square roots, and cube roots. I am impressed that you guys are willing to take risks and try to figure out questions that you are not necessarily sure of. Keep asking!  Homework: The copier was down, if it works you will need to do worksheet review #1-20. If not you escaped homework tonight and are safe until tomorrow!

In Algebra we went over the worksheets from review (last night’s homework). We also started talking about graphing lines and inequalities on a number line. If the copier works you will have homework: Worksheet Alg Review #2.  If the copier is still down you, too, are free until tomorrow.

Today in class we had a wonderful opportunity to hear from everyone. Each student contributed 3 “tools” or what they brought to class, as well as telling us about their interests.  Lots of students love music, technology, the outdoors, reading, spending time with family, and traveling.

I particularly love this activity because I get to hear what students enjoy, but more importantly – what really matters. Students typically share family stories, where they have lived, what they believe in, what is ultimately really the backbone of who they are. Of course they don’t share everything, but even just a trinket allows students to see their peers in a different light.

Students also brought quotes that are important to them. I will post them this week – so check them out. They are pretty cool!!

MA 85 – Read p. 7 – 9, and do p. 10-11 #1, 2, 7-13, 15, 17, 18, 21-23

MA 83 – Review Worksheet #1 and #2 – both sides, show work

MA 80 – Review Worksheet #1 both sides and show work

Welcome to 8th grade math (Geometry (MA 85), Honors Algebra (MA 83), and Algebra (MA 80))!!

Today in class we went over basic logistical information (supplies, textbooks, etc).  We are going to have a great year and I look forward to working with all of you! In order to set the tone and really get to know you better, I would like for you to do the following for tomorrow’s class:

Bring 3 “Tools” and a “Quote” to class. Now remember, the “tools” are three objects that describe you. They might describe your strengths, your interests, or perhaps something about your character or personality.  Remember to be creative. I used one non creative example:  an expo marker to represent my affinity for color and brightness and to describe my personality.  I used one more creative example: a starfish, because they are one of the few organisms that regenerates itself and because of my favorite poem.  The more creative the objects the better!! Also, you need to bring a favorite quote or mantra that perhaps inspires you or speaks to you.  If you are really struggling to find a quote, you can use a song lyric.  Regardless, remember this is a chance for you to set the tone for the entire year.  Your parents might see your tools or quotes on parents night.

I am so looking forward to what you all come up with for tomorrow’s class. This is going to be a great year!!! (We will do official syllabi and math review beginning tomorrow). Welcome back!

Today in class we discussed how to graph parabolas from factored form (and how to find the vertex). We then discussed which equations are factorable.

HW – Worksheet 12-3 and 12-6 (front and back). And begin reviewing because you will not have time tomorrow night (Movie NIGHT).

TEST THURSDAY!

Today in class we went over the worksheet from last night (5-1-B and 5-2-A).  Be sure you understand all the concepts involved with multiplying, dividing, and simplifying algebraic fractions.