A Game Plan for the Winter Holidays

Happy Holidays to All!

Given the length of the break (11 days) it is imperative that students have a chance to interact with math content so as not to return to school completely out of practice. To this end, students will be greeted by two assessments upon their return on January 4th.

A. The first will cover content from the Algebra I text starting in Chapter 3 and extending through Chapter 6-5.
B. The second will cover Math Olympiads 9, 10 and 11 along with our most recent Calendar Questions (includes questions about pagination of a book).

The two assessments will be the first of the 3rd Term. The 2nd Term ended today.

How to study?
1. At the end of each chapter there is a chapter review and study guide.
2. At the end of each chapter there is a practice test.
3. All odd-numbered problems have solutions in the back of the text.
4. Students have their class notes.
5. Students have all tests and quizzes that have been returned over the course of the term.
6. We covered all the olympiad questions and calendar problems thoroughly in class.

Should students truly wish to perform well on their assessments upon return, it is as straightforward as following the above recommendations and reaping the benefits.

A Check-In at the Mid-Point of Chapter 6

Home Nugget #27
Assigned on Wednesday December 22, 2010
Due on Thursday December 23, 2010

In Algebra I text,

Page 321 # 1 - 30

Given that these problems constitute a mid-chapter quiz, accuracy of solutions is vital. Expect us to grade five of these questions in class tomorrow.

Our Last Summative Test of the 2nd Term

Assigned on Tuesday December 21, 2010
Due on Wednesday December 22, 2010

Students should finalize their studying for a summative assessment on chapter 5 - solving systems of equations. In addition to their notes, home nuggets, and the book itself, students should reference a practice assignment they completed less than a week ago titled Chapter 5 Test Form 2D. Tomorrow's exam will follow essentially the same format.

Journal Entry for the 2nd Term

Home Nugget # 26
Assigned on Friday December 17, 2010
Due on Tuesday December 21, 2010

Respond to the 18 Journal questions posed on the sheets I distributed in class today. Bear in mind that the journal counts for 10% of the overall term grade and therefore has a significant impact.

Journals are opportunities to write about mathematics in a narrative form, giving us a chance to reflect on content in a meaningful way.

Multi-Step Inequalities

Home Nugget #25
Assigned on Thursday December 16, 2010
Due on Friday December 17, 2010

In Algebra I text,

Page 298 # 38, 40, 42, 44 - 48

Page 306 # 38 - 45 and 48 - 50

FINAL REMINDER!

Math Media Clip Project is Due Tomorrow!

This project counts as a 75 point quiz grade.

A Practice Test to Tie Together Systems of Linear Equations

Home Nugget #24
Assigned on Monday December 13, 2010
Due on Thursday December 16, 2010

(late due date because of math predictive assessment on Tuesday and field trip on Wednesday)

From sheet labelled Chapter 5 Test Form 2D

ALL problems - all work should be completed on graph paper and solutions recorded on sheet itself.

**Final copy of media clip project due on December 17, 2010** WORTH a 75 point quiz grade.

Time to Apply the Right Strategy in Solving a System

Home Nugget #23
Assigned on Thursday December 9, 2010
Due on Monday December 13, 2010

Please note that this particular lesson will be graded on accuracy of solutions given the nature of the assignment.

In Algebra I text,

Page 286 # 13 - 14, 17 - 19

Page 287 # 27 - 29

Page 288 # 33 - 35

ALSO!

Your media clip and outline are due tomorrow! This will count for 10 of the overall 75 points of this mini-project.

Getting Systems of Equations Primed for Combination/Elimination

Home Nugget #22
Assigned on Wednesday December 8, 2010
Due on Thursday December 9, 2010

In Algebra I text,

Page 276 # 13 - 20, 23

Page 277 # 27, 30

**Please bear in mind that you owe both a copy of the media clip and an outline of your five questions and solutions this Friday, December 10.**

Solving Systems of Linear Equations Using Combination/Elimination

Home Nugget #21
Assigned on Tuesday December 7, 2010
Due on Wednesday December 8, 2010

In Algebra I text,

Page 268 # 3 - 6

Page 269 # 16 - 27


ALSO

Your media clip and outline are due this Friday!

Constructing Your Own Media Clip: An Alternative Assessment

Home Nugget #20
Assigned on Monday December 6, 2010

A. One part is due Tuesday December 7, 2010

B. The other portion is due on Friday December 10, 2010


A. Find solutions to the five questions I posed on my self-created media clip about price markups.

B. Bring your outline and actual media clip, all according to the directions provided today.

A Return to SAT Problems: A Rich Repository for Number Sense and Operations

Home Nugget #19
Assigned on Friday December 3, 2010
Due on Monday December 4, 2010

From SAT sheets pages 83 and 87

ALL problems

Please remember to complete all work in your home nugget notebook.

Substitution as a Pathway for Solving a System of Linear Equations

Home Nugget #18
Assigned on Thursday December 2, 2010
Due on Friday December 3, 2010

In Algebra I text,

Page 263 # 1 - 7, 20

Page 264 # 21, 25 - 27

Graphing Systems of Linear Equations

Home Nugget #17
Assigned on Wednesday December 1, 2010
Due on Thursday December 2, 2010

Use handouts labelled:

Practice 5-1 and Word Problem Practice 5-1 to solve ALL problems