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Mr. Vega, Algebra I

Course Description

Algebra 1 introduces students to variables, algebraic expressions, equations, inequalities, functions, and all their multiple representations. In this class, students will develop the ability to explore and solve real-world application problems, demonstrate the appropriate use of graphing calculators, and communicate mathematical ideas clearly. This course lays the foundation for mathematical literacy that will help students be successful in every subsequent course in mathematics. 

Posts

Finals Week: 5/4 - 5/8

Hello all,
 
Math Stuff:
Finals week is this coming week! In math class, we finished our final exam last week and will start our final projects on Monday. These will be due on Wednesday, we will have all day in class Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to work on these.
 
Carnival:
Our Spring Carnival is coming up on May 28th, and one of the most anticipated highlights is our themed classroom baskets for the silent auction! These baskets are a major part of our fundraising efforts, and we’d love your help in making them truly special.
This year, our basket theme is Car Care.
Contributing is easy! We’ve created Amazon and Target registries (links are below) so you can simply click and purchase items. Even better—your items can be shipped directly to the school. If you prefer, you’re also welcome to shop on your own and drop off donations in the lobby during normal school hours.
Short on time? You can donate through the payment portal (please be sure to note which grade your donation is for), and we’ll take care of the shopping for you.
Please ensure all donations are received by Friday, May 22nd.
Thank you for helping us make this event a success!
 
Other Things:
Be on the lookout for permission slips for our Elitch Gardens and our Top Golf field trips coming later this month.
Thursday, May 21st is high school graduation. There is no school for the high school unless you want to come support the seniors!
Monday, May 25th is Memorial Day, there is no school.
 
Feel free to email me or any of the high school teachers if you have any questions about anything upcoming.

Algebra I: 2/17 - 2/20

Hello.
The algebra 1 students are rocking and rolling with their polynomials unit. This unit is truly a testament to how much they do know about math and operations. We just finished learning about how to factor quadratics and use the zero product property to solve quadratic equations.

Next week, we will finish the unit by solving polynomials completely using all of the strategies from this unit cumulatively. This unit comes to an end with a test on Friday.

A summary of the week is as follows:
Monday 2/16 - PRESIDENT'S DAY (NO SCHOOL)
Tuesday 2/17 - Solving Polynomials
Wednesday 2/18 - Solving Polynomials Practice
Thursday 2/19 - Unit 7 Review
Friday 2/20 - Unit 7 Test

Algebra 1: February 9 - 13

Hello.
This week has been such a productive week for us. We started our polynomials unit where we learned what a polynomial is and how to perform polynomial operations (adding, subtracting, and multiplying polynomials together).

Next week, we will finish off talking about how to divide polynomials and begin to factor them. We start with finding greatest common factors between monomials and moving to factoring quadratic expressions. By the end of the week, students will be able to factor and solve quadratic polynomials using factoring methods and the zero product property.

A summary of the week is as follows:
Monday 2/9 - The Zero Product Property
Tuesday 2/10 - Factoring Quadratics (a = 1)
Wednesday 2/11 - Factoring Quadratics (a = 2)
Thursday 2/12 - Factoring Quiz
Friday 2/13 - Kindness Day (HALF DAY - DISMISSAL AT 11:30)

Algebra I: 1/26 - 1/30

Hello! We are nearing the end of our first unit this semester, Unit 6: Exponential Functions. We have some end of unit assessments coming our way next week.

Our Unit 6 test will take place on Tuesday. Afterwards, we will do a group project where students have to model a real-world scenario with both an exponential function and a geometric sequence, and use their models to make some predictions.
 
Monday 1/26 - Review
Tuesday 1/27 - Unit 6 Test
Wednesday 1/28 - Exponential Functions Project
Thursday 1/29 - Exponential Functions Project
Friday 1/30 - Unit 7 Preview

Algebra 1: 1/19 - 1/23

Hello! Welcome to a new semester, we are at the halfway point! This year, we are starting off strong with our exponential functions unit. So far, we have talked about what exponential functions are, how to graph them, and how to write equations of them. We also did a lot of review about the rules of exponents such as what to do when multiplying or dividing two exponential expressions.

Next week, we will continue with the meat of this unit. We will solve equations with exponents in them, and we will define what a geometric sequence is and learn to model them with exponential functions.

We will have a project as well as a test at the end of the unit on the week of January 26th.
 
Monday 1/19 - NO SCHOOL - MLK Day
Tuesday 1/20 - Solving Exponential Functions
Wednesday 1/21 - Solving Exponential Functions Part 2
Thursday 1/22 - Geometric and Recursively Defined Sequences
Friday 1/23 - Geometric Sequences Part 2

Finals Week: 12/15 - 12/19

Hello! Next week is final exam week here in the Westgate high school. We have been preparing diligently in the past days/weeks. Next week is also spirit week for the whole school that the high school has organized. Below is a loose plan for the week as well as each day's spirit week theme:
 
Monday 12/15 - Finals all day - Pajama/Onesie
Tuesday 12/16 - Finals all day - Ugly Sweater
Wednesday 12/17 - Makeup Finals/Team Building - Anything but a Backpack
Thursday 12/18 - Avatar Day!!
Friday 12/19 - Visit from Supreme Court Justice/Winter Party - Dress to Impress
 
As we wind down and reach the end of the semester, I want to wish everyone a nice and relaxing winter break after this final stretch!

Algebra 1: 11/17 - 11/21

We are in the midst of our 5th unit in Algebra 1; it is all about solving systems of linear equations. So far, we've learned how to solve systems of equations by graphing and using substitution.

This coming week, we will learn how to solve systems using elimination, and we will determine when to use each strategy. Finally, we will learn how to solve systems of linear inequalities before our Unit 5 test on Friday before Thanksgiving break. Here is a tentative schedule for the week:

Monday 11/17 - Solving Systems using Elimination
Tuesday 11/18 - Solving Systems Practice
Wednesday 11/19 - Solving Systems of Inequalities
Thursday 11/20 - Unit 5 Review
Friday 11/21 - Unit 5 Test

Algebra 1: 11/10 - 11/14

We just wrapped up our graphing and writing linear equations unit with a project about planning a vacation. Ask your students about this project, it was a fun one!

This coming week will mark the start of our fifth unit in Algebra 1. During this unit, we will learn about systems of linear equations and the various tools we use to solve them. Here is a tentative schedule for the week:

Monday 11/10 - NO WCS (students still have FRCC classes!!!!)
Tuesday 11/11 - Unit Introduction - Unit 4 Project Synthesis / Finish
Wednesday 11/12 - What are Systems of Equations? Solving by Graphing
Thursday 11/13 - Solving Systems using Substitution
Friday 11/14 - Solving Systems using Elimination

Algebra 1: 11/3 - 11/7

November 3rd - November 7th

We are nearing the end of our 4th unit where we learned how to graph linear relationships, use technology to create trendlines and regression, and learned how to write formulas of arithmetic sequences.
 
This coming week, we are going to finish the unit with a lesson on piecewise functions. Then, we will work on an end-of-unit project as well as have a short test by the end of the week. Here is the tentative plan for the week:
  • Monday 11/3 - Piecewise Functions
  • Tuesday 11/4 - Family Vacation Project
  • Wednesday 11/5 - Family Vacation Project
  • Thursday 11/6 - Family Vacation Project / Review
  • Friday 11/7 - Unit 4 Test
We have a half day on Friday 11/7, students will be released at 11:30.

Algebra 1 - Unit 4

October 27th - October 31st

We are rocking and rolling on our 4th unit that we started on Monday when we returned from fall break. 
 
Unit 4 - Writing Linear Functions
This unit focuses on writing linear functions in both slope-intercept and point-slope form. We write equations given many things such as two points, a graph, a table, etc. We also are learning to deduce what a point or slope or y-intercept looks live given a real-world context.
 
This coming week, we are going to start by writing equations of parallel and perpendicular lines. Then, we are going to focus on modeling datasets using linear functions. We are going to dive into correlations, accuracy, and technology tools used for modeling using linear functions.
  • Monday 10/27 - Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
    • Homework 4.3
  • Tuesday 10/28 - Scatter Plots and Lines of Fit (Regression)
  • Wednesday 10/29 - Analyzing Lines of Fit
    • Regression of a Data Set (In-Class)
  • Thursday 10/30 - Practice
    • Homework 4.4
  • Friday 10/31 - Arithmetic Sequences
    • Homework 4.6 (Due Friday 11/7)

Algebra 1 - Unit 2

We made it through our first unit! We finished our test on Friday, August 22nd.
 
Today, we started our first lesson in Unit 2 which is all about inequalities. This unit will move pretty quick, and I am anticipating our next test will be within two weeks.
 
We will talk about:
  • Inequalities and associated Symbols
  • Performing operations to Inequalities
  • Solving multi-step inequalities
  • Solving inequalities with variables on both sides
  • Inequalities with no solutions or all real number solutions
  • Compound inequalities
  • Inequalities of absolute value expressions

Algebra 1 - Unit 1

We are well under way in our first unit in Algebra 1, and it's a nice short one. I plan to have our first test THIS FRIDAY (8/22), so it is coming very soon! We have spent a good amount of time on solving multi-step equations and equations with variables on both sides. We have also talked about proportions and unit conversion. We will finish off the unit with a lesson on absolute value (and how to solve multi-step absolute value equations) and a lesson about literal equations - these are equations with more than one variable.