Mrs. Accurso's Blog

Friday, September 30th

GPS Algebra Support Classes

I began class by using my Spiral Notebook to show you the 20 items that will need to be included in your notebook for the next Spiral Notebook Check that will take place at the beginning of next week.

I reviewed Factoring by taking out the GCF by doing three examples in class.  We then reviewed the number system by going back over the following sets of numbers:

1) Real

2) Irrational

3) Rational

4) Integer

5) Whole

6) Natural

You were then called up, row by row, to pick up a review handout and a notecard with a number on it.  Once everyone had their assignment and a notecard you were to work with the student(s) who had the same number as you. 

I will give you a little time at the beginning of class on Monday to complete this assignment.

Have a great weekend!

GPS Algebra Classes

When you entered the room, the solutions to the first page of homework were on the document camera.  We went over yesterday's entire homework assignment (page 79 # 13-21 all and page 80 #10-18 all) and all questions were answered.  I stressed the importance of making sure you understand Factoring by taking out the GCF before we begin the new notes for today as the lesson builds on the material taught yesterday. 

We then went through notes on Lesson 2.9, which is Factoring by Grouping.  This lesson begins on page 93 in your textbook.

The Unit 2 Quiz #1 was handed back and I went over the solutions, including the work, to both forms of the Quiz.

The homework assignment for today is: Page 95 # 1-12 all.

Have a great weekend!

GPS Algebra Homework Assignments

It is critical that you are consistently completing homework assignments in this class in order to practice the topics being taught in class.

I have stressed the importance of using your notes, which include examples, to help you as you work on your homework assignments.

If you take all of the notes from class, including writing down all of the steps for the examples, you should not have homework assignments that you cannot complete.  This does not mean that all homework assignments should be 100% accurate, but it does mean that the assignments should always be 100% complete.

As a reminder, I am available one morning and one afternoon each week for extra help.  The extra help sessions are:

Tuesday afternoons from 3:35-3:55 PM

Thursday mornings from 7:55-8:15 AM

It is your responsibility to make sure you are asking questions in class or getting the help necessary to be successful in GPS Algebra.  If you are not able to attend my extra help sessions, there are many others that offered.  To view them, click below:

Download Math Department Availability for Extra Help

Thursday, September 29th

GPS Algebra Support Classes

We finished writing the examples of Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, and Dividing Polynomials in our Spiral Notebook.  We ended yesterday with # 15 and finished # 16 and 17 today.

We then went reviewed The Binomial Theorem and Pascal's Triangle by writing the following in our Spiral Notebook:

18) Pascal's Triangle

19) The Binomial Theorem

20) An example where you had to expand a binomial using Pascal's Triangle and The Binomial Theorem

This concludes what we will be putting in our Spiral Notebook until next week.  The notebooks will be collected and graded early next week for the next Spiral Notebook Check.  There are 20 items total and they will each count 5 points.

I gave you one more example to work on in class that used Pascal's Triangle and The Binomial Theorem.  We went over the solution before class ended. 

You were given the remaining time in class to work on the GPS Algebra homework assignment (page 75 # 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, and 20) that is due today.

GPS Algebra Classes

Notes were given on Lesson 2.5, which is Factoring by using the Greatest Common Factor (GCF).  This lesson begins on page 77 in your textbook.

I then put up the worked-out solutions to yesterday's homework assignment (page 75 # 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, and 20).  I answered any questions you had.

The homework assignment for today is: Page 79 #13-21 all, and Page 80 # 10-18 all.

Wednesday, September 28th

GPS Algebra Support Classes

*Tomorrow is the last day to turn in your signed Six-Week Grade Printout for a passing grade.  This assignment was due on Monday (9/26).  For each day it is late, 10 points are being taken off.  If you bring it tomorrow you will receive a 70%.

Today we spent the class period writing examples of Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, and Dividing Polynomials in our Spiral Notebook.  We did a total of 15 examples.  These are to be numbered # 1-15 and the answer for each must be boxed-in.  We will continue with two more examples tomorrow.

GPS Algebra Classes

You were to pick up a copy of the notes as you walked in the classroom.  Today we went through Lesson 2.4, which is The Binomial Theorem and Pascal's Triangle.  This lesson begins on page 72 in the textbook.

We went through a PowerPoint and you were to follow along with your handout and then needed to write a few notes on your notebook paper.  We went through the example on the back of your notes handout as well as one other example in class.

We then discussed the homework assignment for today.  You have six problems total and we went through and listed the "a" and "b" for # 8, 11, and 14.  We then completed # 14 (the most difficult of the homework problems) together in class. 

*You should now have a total of three problems to look at and follow as you are working on your homework assignment.

The homework assignment for today is: Page 75 # 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, and 20.

Tuesday, September 27th

GPS Algebra Support Classes

You were given time to complete the Extra Practice Worksheet on Special Product Patterns.  This assignment was handed out yesterday in class.

We went over the solutions to this assignment and all questions were answered.

I answered any questions you had over the two review worksheets for the Unit 2 Quiz #1.

We spent some time reviewing the topics that will be on the Unit 2 Quiz #1.  You were then given an Operations with Polynomials Review Worksheet to complete for a grade.  Your answers were entered into iRespond.  We went over the solutions to this review assignment before class was over.

GPS Algebra Classes

Unit 2 Quiz #1

Unit 2 Quiz #1...

is tomorrow, September 27th, in GPS Algebra!

Monday, September 26th

GPS Algebra Support Classes

You were given time to complete the following assignment from the Notetaking Guide Workbook that we started on Friday:

Page 67 # 3, 4, 11, 12, 17, and 18

Page 173 # 6, 9, 10-12

Page 174 # 15 and 16

You were given the solutions to page 67 and questions were answered.  Page 173 # 6 and 9 as well as page 174 # 15 and 16 were presented on the document camera by students.  We went over the correct answers to # 10-12 on page 173.

You were given a handout that provided practice problems over the special product patterns.  I will begin class tomorrow by giving you a few minutes to complete this assignment and we will go over the solutions as well.

GPS Algebra Classes

As you walked in the room, there was a note on the document camera to pick up the solutions to the Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, and Dividing Polynomials Worksheet.  You were given time in class to check your answers for accuracy and rework any that you missed.  I put up the worked-out solutions for each of the problems on this assignment and then answered any questions that you had.

The Review Worksheet for Unit 2 Quiz #1 was handed out and you were given the majority of the class to work on this assignment.  We discussed each section on this assignment and completed # 1 together in class.  The solutions were given to you prior to class ending.  You had time to check your answers and ask questions, if necessary.

The homework assignment for today is to complete the Review Worksheet for the Unit 2 Quiz #1 if you did not complete it in class and to study and prepare for the Unit 2 Quiz #1, which is tomorrow.

Friday, September 23rd

GPS Algebra Support Classes

I began class by giving each of you a grade printout of your GPS Algebra Support grade for the first six weeks.  At the bottom of the grade sheet is a place for a parent/guardian to sign.  Please have a parent/guardian sign the grade printout and bring it back to class on Monday.  This is an assignment and will count as a grade.

We spent today reviewing multiplying and dividing polynomials.  We went through the following problems in the Notetaking Guide Workbook together in class:

Page 67 # 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 16

Page 173 # 4 and 5

Page 174 # 13 (using both long division and synthetic division)

You were then given the following assignment out of the Notetaking Guide to begin in class:

Page 67 # 3, 4, 11, 12, 17, and 18

Page 173 # 6, 9, and 10 - 12

Page 174 # 15 and 16

I will give you time in class on Monday to complete this assignment.

Have a great weekend!

GPS Algebra Classes

As you walked in the room there was a note on the document camera for you to pick up a Polynomial Practice Worksheet and begin.  You were given about 10 minutes to complete this warm-up before we went over the solutions.

While you were working on the warm-up assignment, I called you up to my desk to pick up a six-week grade printout.  You were told to check over all of your grades for accuracy and bring any question/concerns to my attention today.  You were also told to share this grade printout with your parents/guardians.

I then went over the solutions to yesterday's homework assignment (Dividing Polynomials Worksheet).  All questions were answered.

You were given the Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, and Dividing Polynomials Worksheet to work on in class.  We spent some time discussing this assignment.  For example, we discussed why you should not use synthetic division for # 7 and 24.  Be sure to look at each problem very carefully before deciding if you add, subtract, multiply, or divide.  For example, look at how similar # 9 and 12 look but # 9 is addition and # 12 is multiplication.  I worked out # 25 in class step-by-step.

The homework assignment for today is to complete the Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, and Dividing Polynomials Worksheet.

The Unit 2 Quiz #1 is this Tuesday, September 27th.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, September 22nd

GPS Algebra Support Classes

Your Unit 2 Warm-Up Assessment was handed back.  The correct solutions were written on your paper as well as called out in class.

You were given an Extra Practice on Long Division Worksheet that included five Polynomial Long Division problems on it.  We went through these problems step-by-step in class.

You were allowed to use the rest of the class time to complete and/or make corrections on the GPS Algebra homework assignment (Polynomial Division Worksheet) that is due today.

GPS Algebra Classes

We went through a PowerPoint Presentation that taught how to divide Polynomials using Synthetic Division as well as reviewed Polynomial Long Division.  Synthetic division is NOT in your textbook.

You were given a handout with detailed notes on Polynomial Synthetic Division.  On the back of the handout were three practice problems.  We went through each of these problems in detail using both Synthetic Divison and Long Division.

You were give the Dividing Polynomials Worksheet, which reviews all Polynomial Division (including dividing by a monomial and dividing by a binomial using both long and synthetic division).

The homework assignment for today is to complete the Dividing Polynomials Worksheet.

Wednesday, September 21st

GPS Algebra Support Classes

We began class with a five question warm-up over material from Unit 2.  For 2nd period, this warm-up was done using iRespond.  Due to technology problems in 1st period, this class completed the assessment using pencil and paper.  Students were able to use their notes from both the GPS Algebra Support class and the GPS Algebra class for this assessment.  The Notetaking Guide was also able to be used.

We used the rest of the class period to review what was taught in GPS Algebra yesterday.  We discussed, took notes on, and did examples for 1) Squaring a Binomial and 2) Multiplying a Sum and Difference.

GPS Algebra Classes

The solutions to yesterday's homework assignment (page 70 # 2-18 even) were on the document camera when you walked into class.  I went through both types of problems, called out the correct answers, and answered any questions you had.

We went through a PowerPoint Presentation over Lesson 3.7, which was on Polynomial Division.  This lesson begins on page 157 in the textbook.

You were given the Polynomial Division Worksheet and able to work on it for the last few minutes of class.

The homework assignment for today is to complete the Polynomial Division Worksheet.