Monday 9/30

Today in class we used notes #17 to learn how to solve multi-step equations. If you haven't done so already, please memorize these four steps, as you'll need to use them frequently and reliably:

1. Distribute
2. Move all variables to one side and combine
3. Move all constants to the other side and combine
4. Solve for the variable

Homework #29: TB pg 72 (#1-15, #29-33 odd) & pg 79 (#13-17 odd)
Please check your answers in the back of the book when finished

Here's a great website for those looking for some additional practice problems to gain complete proficiency.

Thursday 9/26

Today we closed the book on week 7 and our polynomials unit. Have no fear, polynomials will reappear in second semester.  Here is this weekend's extra credit:


If you are having trouble with the extra credit, you could always ask the community for help...

Wednesday 9/25

We spent today previewing for Common Assessment #2, which we'll be taking tomorrow.

Please be sure to spend sufficient time tonight studying and practicing. You have a host of different documents, assignments, notes, preview worksheets, and study guides to help you get prepared.

Also, as a reminder, we're launching our new online community where students will be able to both ask for and provide peer tutoring with the other eighth grade students of Cope. If you'd like to participate, please make sure you bring back your Google+ permission slip tomorrow so we can invite you to the community.

Homework #28: Finish the Common Assessment #2 Multiple Choice Preview sheet 
Solutions: CA #2 MC Preview key

Tuesday 9/24

Today we worked on the #27 Common Assessment #2 Preview worksheet
Answer Key

The following is a video that covers all the questions from the common assessment with different numbers. Remember to study tonight and ask questions tomorrow, the Common Assessment is on Thursday

If you can't watch the video in the browser, you can also download it here.

Monday 9/23

Today in class we used notes #16 to learn how to factor a polynomial in the form of ax^2 + bx + c by using the Super Magic "X" as a tool. We discovered that this is a very complicated process and requires a great deal of critical thinking and careful work.

Here is a rough outline of the steps we planned in class when encountering a polynomial in an ax^2 + bx + c format:

1. Factor out a GCF (if possible)
2. Draw a Super X
3. Multiply a and c together to get the ceiling (top number)
4. Put b in the basement (bottom number)
5. Think of two numbers that multiply to be the top number and add to be the bottom (hardest part)
6. Place an ax on top of both sides
7. Reduce each side like it's a fraction
8. Rewrite the reduced fractions as your factors

Assignment #26: TB pg. 401 (#1-27 odd)
Please check your answers in the back of the book when finished.

Friday 9/20

Six weeks down! Be sure to root for the Bears and against Mr. Vazquez's Steelers during Sunday night football.  Have a great weekend!!! Here is the extra credit:

Thursday 9/19

We worked on our preview test today in class to get ourselves ready for test 6 tomorrow! Study the preview worksheet and make sure you can do everything on it!

Homework #25: Test 6 Preview sheet
Solutions: Preview sheet solutions

You'll be able to use the following assignments for tomorrow's notes and homework quiz and test; please make sure to have them with you and fully ready to go:

Week 6
Warm-Ups
Notes #13
Notes #14
Notes #15
Assignment #21 (TB pg. 377)
Assignment #22 (TB pg. 397)
Assignment #23 (Factoring WS)
Assignment #24 (TB pg 398)

Wednesday 9/18

I apologize for the technical difficulties, the district network was down...

Today in class we continued to learn how to factor. We took notes #15, which taught us how to find the difference of a square. We then got a head-start on tonight's homework.

Assignment #23: Finish the Factoring worksheet
Solutions: Factoring answer key
Assignment #24: TB pg. 398 (#43-53 odd)
Please check your answers in the back of the book when finished.

Tuesday 9/17

We took notes #14 in class today, which covered how to factor a polynomial in the form of x^2 + bx + c by using the Magic "X" as a tool.

Homework #22: TB pg 397 (#1-29, 33-37 odd)
Please check your answers in the back of the book when finished.

Monday 9/16

Today we learned how to factor a polynomial by taking out the greatest common factor (GCF). Factoring (multiplying's worst enemy) is a main theme in Algebra and will be our focus for the next three weeks. Be sure you have written out all of Notes #13 and completely understand factoring out a GCF.

Here is a video from the publisher of our book explaining the process.

HW #21: P.377 #13-23, 35-39

Be sure to check your answers when you have finished!!!

Friday 9/13

Congratulations on completing your fifth week of the 8th grade. Remember to root for Da Bears this weekend while you complete the extra credit.

    (x² + 2x + 6)(x + 4) - (x³ + 6x + 3) + 2x(x² + 5) - x²

Thursday

Today in class we reviewed for our fifth test, which will cover multiplying a variety of polynomials (monomials, binomials, and trinomials) and combining like terms to simplify an answer.

Homework #20: Test 5 Preview sheet
Solutions: Preview sheet solutions

You'll be able to use the following assignments for tomorrow's homework and class work quiz; please make sure to have them with you and fully ready to go:

Week 5
Warm-Ups
Notes #10
Notes #11
Notes #12
Assignment #17 (TB pg. 377)
Assignment #18 (TB pg. 383)
Assignment #19 (Magic "X" 5)
Assignment #20 (Test 5 Preview)

Wednesday 9/11

We took notes #12 today in class, which revisited multiplying polynomials and also taught us how to square a binomial.

Homework #19: The Magic "X" 5
Solutions: Side A | Side B

Tuesday 9/10

Today we learned how to multiply two polynomials using either the distributive method or the box method.  Remember to pick the method that works best for you and stick with it.  Click the link to see the material and examples covered in Notes #11.

HW#18: P. 383 #5-29 odd

Monday 9/9

We took notes #10 in class today which covered multiplying monomials into polynomials. We use the distributive property to distribute the monomial to each of the individual terms in the polynomial.

Homework #17: TB pg 377 (#1-11, 27-31 odd)
Please check your answers in the back of the book when finished.

Friday 9/6

Congratulations on making it through the 4th week of the 8th grade.  Bear Down!!!
Here is this week's extra credit:

Thursday 9/5

Today in class we reviewed for our fourth test, which we'll take tomorrow and will cover all the polynomial skills we've learned this week.

Homework #16: Test 4 Preview sheet
Solutions: Preview sheet solutions

You'll be able to use the following assignments for tomorrow's homework and class work quiz; please make sure to have them with you and fully ready to go:

Week 4
Warm-Up
Notes #8
Notes #9
Assignment #13 (The Magic "X" 4)
Assignment #14 (Menu Math)
Assignment #15 (TB pg 48 & 373)

Wednesday 9/4

Today in class we began working with polynomials using notes #9.

We learned:

1. You can only combine hamburgers with hamburgers, french fries with french fries, x's with x's, and constants with constants.
2. The type of polynomial describes the number of terms it has. one term = monomial, two terms = binomial, etc.
3. To find the degree of a polynomial, find the highest exponent from a single term.
4. To put a polynomial in standard form, arrange the terms so that they are decreasing in exponents from left to right.

Homework #15: TB pg 48 (#15-19, 25-33, 37-43 odd) & pg. 373 (#25, 27, 31-37, 43-47 odd)
Please check your answers in the back of the book when finished

Remember, polynomials are the building blocks of algebra.  For another summary of polynomials from another teacher's perspective and ten extra practice problems, click here.

Tuesday 9/3

Today we learned how to write and simplify algebraic expressions using Menu Math on Notes #8. Remember, we can only combine "hamburgers with hamburgers, french fries with french fries, x's with x's, and constants with constants.

Assignment #13: The Magic "X" 4   Solutions

Assignment #14: Menu Math           Solutions