November has hit and so has the chilly weather. Schools around our own area have been fluctuating between hybrid education and going completely remote as needed due to Covid cases. These are challenging times for students, parents, and educators. Here at eMATHinstruction, we continue to try to help in as many ways as we can, including creating and posting more resources.
Our new middle school resources this month include the Unit Assessments for Unit 6 in each course and the Unit 6 SMART Notebook files for each course. As I’ve mentioned before, we are going to be publishing one or two unit’s worth of assessments per month until all units have been covered. We plan to publish both the Unit 7 and Unit 8 assessments in our December add-ons. We’ve gotten some questions from teachers about the SMART Notebook files and being able to open them. These files can only be opened by SMART Notebook, the primary software used for SMART Boards. The software is very nice and includes some math tools, like rulers, compasses, and protractors, which are very nice for geometry related topics. A free trial version of the software can be downloaded at the following link
For this month in Common Core Algebra I, we bring you a nice extended problem on linear function modeling for Unit 4 (Linear Functions and Arithmetic Sequences). In this activity, students model populations of two towns using linear functions. They then graph their models and algebraically determine the year when one population will surpass the other. This is a nice two page lesson/activity that could be given as an enrichment exercise that reinforces many of the important ideas behind using linear functions to model constant rate applications.
In Common Core Geometry this month, its all about Unit 4 (Constructions) assessments. First, we bring you a mid-unit quiz, both a Form A and Form B version, that can be given after Lesson #3. We then bring you the Form D Unit Assessment.
Our new Common Core Algebra II additions for this month include multiple mid-unit quizzes and some additional practice problems. First, for Unit 6 (Quadratic Functions and Their Algebra), we have a problem set on Parabola Practice. In this problem set, students find properties of parabolas, including intercepts and turning points, algebraically. They then choose an appropriate graphing window on their calculator to visualize the parabola. Both the standard form and vertex form of a parabola are used. We then have the Unit 6 Mid-Unit Quiz, both a Form A and a Form B version. Finally, we bring you the Unit 7 (Transformations of Functions) Mid-Unit Quiz, Form A and Form B.
In our final additions of the month, we have some additional assessments for Algebra 2 with Trigonometry. First, we have the Unit 5 (Complex Numbers) Mid-Unit Quiz, Forms A and B. We then bring you the Unit 6 (Polynomials) Form D Unit Assessment.
In exciting news, we are finally beginning the rewrite of Common Core Algebra I for the new Next Generation Math Standards in New York State. For those not in New York, these standards are based on the Common Core Standards, with some slight modifications. These modifications are mostly in terms of the extent to which topics should be taught. For example, completing the square is still required in Algebra I, but only when the leading coefficient is one and the linear coefficient is even. We are tentatively titling the new book, N-Gen Math Algebra I. My hope is that we will have an evaluation version ready for next year, although the standards do not officially go into effect until the autumn of 2022 (wow!).
That’s about it for now. I’m hoping that everyone reading this email stays safe, healthy, and happy, especially over the coming Thanksgiving holiday.