Algebra Review in Geometry

Alright mathys ... I could use your help.

As most of you know, I've got Geometry this year. It's not your normal Geometry ... it's like Intro Geometry. These kids will go into "Full Geometry" in the Spring (since we're on block). This is just to build their skills before they get into regular Geometry. So, as you can imagine, it'll be the lower kids with fewer skills (or so I am guessing). So, it's not a full blown Geometry class - just the highlights!

I think that I want to spend the first week doing an Algebra I Review. Make sure they've got some key concepts down before we go into the Geometry. I've got the time, so why not?

I've put together this list of Algebra I Concepts necessary for Geometry (or so I think). I haven't taught Geometry in four years (and when I did, I was a first year teacher, so I don't count that). Will you look at my list and add or take off things?

• Solving Linear Equations
• Solving Linear Inequalities
• Writing Linear Equations
• Simplifying Radicals
• Systems of Linear Equations
• Factoring
• Solving Quadratic Equations
• Rational Expressions
• Literal Equations

What's missing? Or, what do I need to take off?

Thanks in advance!

First Day Blues

I've always struggled with what to do on the first day. @Fouss came up with some great ideas and I have enjoyed reading what everyone else is doing. I'll be honest, I did slightly steal Kristen's idea. But, I'll own up to it, so it should be okay! :)

I spent four days of my summer at a SMART Notebook Training and learned a lot of cool tools that I either didn't know existed OR I had never played around with. So, I figured I would make my first day presentation in SMART Notebook. I have no clue how to embed an interactive SMART Notebook file into my webpage, so I used Jing to video it - with me moving things. Obviously, this two minute video will last WAY longer in my classroom (hoping for 90 minutes!) but it gives you an idea of what I plan on doing. This video is for my Honors Algebra II Class. You'll see it's not 100% done as I don't have a textbook in front of me to make their assignment and the blog is no where near ready. But, it gives you an idea. Also, I love the attachments tab in SMART Notebook because you can upload all necessary docs (or URLS) for your presentation right there, so it's one (easy) click away.

See it here.

The other class I have is Foundations of Geometry. I will be going over the same basics ... they will take the same quiz and create their own numbers. Then, I'm going to have them walk around and get to know each other with this worksheet. But, then I am going to have them write on an index card (in five or less sentences) what they think Geometry is. And, then I am going to have them write down words they associate with geometry on post-it notes. We'll put them up on the board (probably into categories - my units?). Then, they will work on the Who I Am worksheet and we'll wrap up.

Well, there's day #1. How about the other 89 days?