C. Jones (Westside HS)

Greetings To All:

Hello!  A copy of the 3.12.2008 letter sent home to Pre-AP Algebra 2 students (with interactive links to resources) can be found here.   

A summary of the letter follows.     Best to you all.    C. Jones

______________________________________________________________ 

*If Spring 2007 data say that your child made below a 70 (failed to meet the standard), s/he cannot afford to just come to class and expect others to meet their individual needs.   S/he should come to tutorials, follow their customized Learning Goals Plan, and use the many free resources offered to help them INDIVIDUALLY succeed. *

*If Spring 2007 data have your child’s score at 71 through 85, s/he should still review objectives still needing mastery. To improve, s/he can use the state’s materials on the TEA site, the state Study Guide (on the TEA site and on our sites), TMDS (the State’s TAKS practice database), the SLEEK software trial I provided, and/or the Algebra 2 audio, video and Power Point materials provided.

*If Spring 2007 data say that your child passed TAKS with higher than an 87, s/he should work on their acceleration goals for Algebra 2 and Laying the Foundation Pre-AP tests.   Additional TEKS-aligned, LTF-aligned resources are available on our sites and on the Mastering McDougal site. (See the individualized Learning Goals Plan and Letter enclosed)

According to the data, more than 1/5th of all our Pre-AP students did not meet the passing standard for the Spring 2007 TAKS test.

Before this year, your child’s Spring 2007 data showed specific yet different needs.

Ideally, the 2007 data should have been available in August.   Noble Parents,  I can only bring this to your attention ASAP (now that I have the data) to help bring out the best in each.

This is an opportunity.  Let’s use the 2007 data to help each to solve issues specifically and where needed!                   

Best to you, C. Jones  (March 12, 2008)

Greetings Noble Parents and Students:

Lesson plans for the week to come are found here.

Please stay tuned for more Spring Break resources to support our wonderful learners in Pre-AP Algebra 2.

 Best,

C. Jones

Mathematics Department

Westside HS

Greetings Noble Parents, Students and Westside High School Community:

 Resources for Spring 2008 Pre-AP Algebra 2 can be located here.

 Best to you all in the Semester ahead,

 C. Jones

Greetings Superstars!   

There are no new quizzes to load.    If you review the old and catch up, use the Final Exam Review Resource site (http://dearecu.googlepages.com/), follow the GPVAN Process Packet, and Chapter Review Packet from class (Chapters 1-4), and complete and turn in all previously-assigned System 1 activities, you will be fine!  4.7, 4.8, and 4.9 will not be counted against you for the Six Weeks. 

I wish you well!

Greetings Noble Parents, Students and Colleagues:

Links to our review resources for Final Exams and related tools can begin to be found here and also here.  These are updated daily. 

Please also check the student resources blogsite housed on Blogger for additional PDF files and documents reviewing for McDougal Littell, Laying the Foundation Activities and for Exit Level TAKS Preparation.

Best,

C. Jones

Mathematics Department

Westside HS 

Greetings Noble Parents, Colleagues, Students and Visitors:

Hello!  Lesson Plans, Tools and Other Resources for the Week of November 19th, 2007 can be found here.

Best to you, 

C. Jones

Greetings Noble Visitors:

Lesson Plans for Pre-AP Algebra 2 during the week of November 5th, 2007 can be found here. 

Synopsis of Lessons Plans for the Week of November 5, 2007 (20 page lesson plans will follow):

Greeks, Romans and “Modern Romans”: I Can Apply Linear Programming In Two Variables and/or in Three to My Prepare My Future Path As Pre-AP
[Student Superstars complete Two Systems Tests for Pre-AP and Present Their Businesses]

1. MONDAY: Our “TEKS” Message (TEKS a.1, a.4, 2A.3.A, 2A.3.B)
Student-Friendly Objective: I can evaluate determinants of matrices and apply them to my business and its constraints.

• Linear Programming Extension in McDougal Littell;
• LTF Algebra 2 Activities: Systems of Linear Inequalities (Activity 5) and Optimization;
• TI-Youniversity (Technological Applications of Determinants). Class work:
  Using Matrices and Determinants to Decode and Solve our Sweet 16 (Problems).
• Homefun, MDL Notetaking Guide Section 3.7 Quizzes on Quizlab, Part I and Part II.
• LTF Algebra 2 Activities; Homefun: Solving Linear Systems of Inequalities with Solids.
• Y-Axis Homefun for Tutoring Algebra 1: “My Teaching Script”; Algebra 1 LTF Activities on Rate of Change and Slope (Linear Functions).
• PLC Practice with McDougal: 3.7 – Unit 3.7 Practice Problems (Led by Student Managers)

2. TUESDAY: Our “TEKS” Message (TEKS 2A.2.A, 2A.3.A, 2A.3.B, 2A.3.C)
Student-Friendly Objective: I can solve linear systems using inverse matrices and apply them to secret messages, cryptography, digital photo pixels and/or to my business and its constraints.

• Class work: Sweet Sixteen Problems (Pre-AP, LTF, TAKS and SAT Questions)
• LTF Activities: linking Analysis of Functions with Optimization, . Review Homefun (3.7)
• Unit 3.8 Notetaking Guide (my teaching script), Pre-AP 3.8 Quizzes available on Quizlab. LTF Homefun: Activities from Algebra 2 (Review and Analysis of Inverse Functions)
• 3-Variable System Pop Quiz (3.4).
• McDougal Littell PLC Math Practice:   GPVAN-applied Unit 3 exercises

3. WEDNESDAY or 11/07 (PLC Presentations; Entrepreneurs as Equals: GPVAN 500 and our Businesses through Linear Programming)

Our “TEKS” Message: (2A.1.A, 2A.3.A, 2A.3.B, 2A.3.C)
Student-Friendly Objective: I can solve linear programming problems and apply them either to my business and/or to that of my colleagues.

• Warm-Up: GT applications and connections: Math systems, business systems, Math rules and Math patterns, business patterns.
• Managers transition to Pre-AP Sweet 16 Questions.
• Class work: Review Sweet Sixteen of Problems (3.3-3.8);
• LTF Activity Connections to Optimization as Big Idea.
• McDougal, Cumulative Review Questions, End Chapter 3.

4. THURSDAY 11 /08 (PLC Presentations; Entrepreneurs as Equals: GPVAN 500 and our Businesses through Linear Programming)
Our “TEKS” Message: (2A.1.A, 2A.3.A, 2A.3.B, 2A.3.C);

Student-Friendly Objective: I can solve linear programming problems and apply them either to my business and/or to that of my colleagues.

• Warm-Up: GT applications and connections to Pre-AP: Math systems, business systems, Math rules; and math patterns, business patterns.
• Managers “teach” and touch on Sweet 16 Questions and Solutions.
• Class work: Sweet Sixteen Problems and Our Businesses (3.3-3.8);
• LTF Algebra 2 Activity Connections to Optimization.
• McDougal, Cumulative Review Questions, End Chapter 3.

5. FRIDAY 11/09
Our “TEKS” message: (TEKS 2A.1.A, 2A.3.A, 2A.3.B, 2A.3.C)
Student-Friendly Objective: I can apply concepts of matrices to solve various business and applied problems.

• Warm-Up: Sweet 16 questions and pop quiz.
  Class work: Final Presentations and Questions.
• Homefun: LTF Algebra 2 Activity due: Solving Linear Systems of Inequalities
• Introduction to Optimization via Non-Linear Functions.

4a. “YOUNIVERSITY AS INTERVENTION” : Review and Mastery of Matrix Multiplication: Inventory Control and Enhancements, Total Sales, and Other Applied Uses.

4b. “YOUNIVERSITY AS ENRICHMENT” – PLCS JUDGE BUSINESS NEEDS: LINEAR PROGRAMMING PRESENTATIONS: ENTREPRENEURS AS EQUALS: GPVAN 500; Building Our Business System of Linear Inequalities and Equations =- Rubric based, classroom-readiness presentations of our businesses (I. Store and product descriptions; II. Graphs; III. Inequalities and Equations; IV. Reflections on business investments and strategies). Differentiated Homefun: Make up your own Sweet Sixteen of 16 Unit 3-related problems: 3.1 (2); 3.2 (4); 3.3 (2); 3.4 (2); 3.5 (2); 3.6 (2); 3.7 (1); and 3.8 (1). Problems should be applied, and relate both to the Chapter Subsection Big Ideas and to the specific businesses set forth by your colleagues throughout our PLCs.
4c. Integrated throughout this week: TI-”YOUNIVERSITY”: Students learn both Greek (classical formulas and their application) and Modern Roman (Graphing calculator) methods for solving matrices, determinants, inverse and identity matrices.

Lesson Plans for Pre-AP Algebra 2 (Week of October 29, 2007)

Pre-AP Superstars will complete the last two sections of plans from last week as they move toward LTF and Algebra 2-aligned assessment of Absolute Value Functions and Transformations.  Please note that LTF activities are increasingly assuming that Pre-AP students can work with Algebra 2 concepts graphically, physically, verbally, analytically and numerically.  We continue our commitment to helping students meet these expectations.    Quite exceptionally, our Friday Mathematics test (LTF assessment) was postponed (by vote) until Monday, October 8th, 2007. 

For this reason, this week’s lesson plans will be posted on Monday, October 8th, 2007 (in PDF format).   For reference purposes, materials for Monday are linked here.   Students also have a range of new and current assignments and activities related to Algebra 2, Laying the Foundation and PSAT preparation uploaded and available through their confidential and individualized accounts on Quizlab.

Hello!  Welcome to a wonderful 2007-2008 School Year at Westside High School. 

Please note that communicating via blogs and podcasting is a preferred method for my classes.  You will find a wide range of resources, tools and materials relating to Pre-AP Algebra 2 at my other blogger sites.

I look forward to a rewarding school year!  

Best to you all.

Camille Jones

Westside High School

Pre-AP Algebra 2