Wed. 10/21 – Aleks.com

Hello.  It was nice to finally meet most of you yesterday, face to face.  I hope you found the day productive.

From today moving forward, this class will be quite a bit different.  We won’t be using Moodle too much, because we’ll be using Aleks.com.

If you haven’t already, you should have:

1. Signed in
2. Changed your password – it will prompt you
3. Complete the tutorial
4. Complete the assessment

By the way, the assessment is tough because it’s all Algebra 2 stuff.  So if you don’t know how to do a problem, just hit the “I don’t know” button.  But try to do all that you can.  The more you get right, the less work you’ll have to do in the future.

Once you complete this assessment, it will give you a look at your “Pie”.  You can always access this Pie through the “My Pie” link.  When you move the mouse over the pie you will see different objectives that correspond to each color of the pie.  Most of your pies will be pretty empty, meaning that you still have to learn most of the Algebra 2 objectives.  For now, pick a color and try to tackle all the objectives.  I have no idea how long it will take.  Use the “Explain” button when you don’t know how to do the example.  The more examples you do correctly, the quicker it will move you onto the next objective and the quicker your pie will get darkened in.

I will be able to monitor your progress.  For now, you will need to spend 1 hour per day (or 5 per week) working in Aleks.  So you should get in 3 hours this week and then 5 hours next week and so on.

More to come on this next week, let me know if you have any trouble.

Mr B

Module 2 Test, Aleks, and COS Summit

Module 2 test should be completed, I have received 3 out of 5 so far.  Zoe and Austin, I need yours.

Aleks – Today you should be logging into Aleks, completing the tutorial and the assessment.  Check your email for login and password.

Leadership Summit Tuesday 10/20 – Clovis Online School – All students are expected to attend, so there will not be any assignments for this class on Tuesday.  We will begin the work in Aleks on Wednesday. 

You will receive an assignment grade for your attendance at the summit.  I will be meeting with all 5 of you at some point during the day tomorrow.  If you cannot make it, you will need to email me so that you can receive all of the information that I pass out about the class.  Topics I plan on addressing:

• Grades
• Homework, feedback
• Daily work/Daily assignments
• Aleks
• Anything else you wish to discuss

Mr B

Monday 10/12 – Module 2 review and test

Welcome to another week!  This week you will be completing the Module 2 reviews (review 1 and 2 in the packet) and taking the test.  Please have the test done by Sunday afternoon.

Also, Review 1 is large.  If you would like to just do the evens, that is fine with me.  But if you see any odd problems that look like they would be good to practice, please work them out too.  The main goal is to prepare for the test.

Again, email me those and request that they be checked.  I’ll either check them or send you the key to do it.

Starting next week, we’ll be using Aleks.com.  My next blog will expain what you will need to do to get signed up.  I need you to follow those directions to get registered (I pre-registered each of you but you’ll need to login on your own.  Please get this done as soon as you can once I post the blog. 

Thanks, JB

Thurs 10/8 Elluminate 3-3:30

You can find the link in the Information Station of Moodle.

Please utilize the Elluminate sessions and come in to ask some questions.

Module 2 packet and worksheets

There is an updated Module 2 packet now in Moodle.  You will also see the “Assignment sheet” link in there too.  Most worksheets are in the packet but not all.  If you don’t see the worksheet in the packet then there will be a link provided in the Module 2 area for that worksheet.

Beginning in Module 3, we will be using Aleks.com for our instruction.  I am a first time user to Aleks so I’m trying to learn as much as I can and set it up for our class so that we don’t run into too many bumps in the road.  Aleks will provided instruction, assignments, quizzes, and the assessments (tests).  So it should be pretty nice. 

Beginning on Monday 10/5, I will have you login into Aleks and find our class.  So be on the lookout for a message or blog from me with login instructions.

Also next week…  You will be completing item 6 and 7 from the Module 2 packet (the new one).  For 2.06 (item 6) you will complete WS 2.06 which is not in the packet to you’ll find a separate link for that one.  For 2.07, you will do WS 7  from the packet. 

Hope this is all clear, if not, just email me.  Have a great weekend!

JB

2.04 and 2.05 lessons

Lesson 2.04 and 2.05 assignment directions will be found here, not on the Module 2 assignment sheet (packet).

2.04 is “Graphing Linear Inequalities”.  You will need to find a video and/or tutorial for this – use those three words in a search on teachertube or youtube and you should find some decent videos pretty fast.

Then graph:

1.  2x – 3y < 12

2. y <= 1/2x + 2

3. x < 5

4. y >= 2

2.05 is “Graphing a system of linear inequalities”.  The only difference here is that you will be graphing two or three inequalities on the same graph, and your final shaded area is the space where all the shades overlap.

Find a video and/or tutorial (teacher tube is always great but google can find you some good stuff too).  Then graph:

1. 2x + 5y > 10 and y <= 2/3x – 1

2. x>3 and y <= 3x -2

3. y >= -1 and x – y < 3

4. x > 2 and y < 3 and 4x + 5y < 20

You’ll need to email me these two assignments by Monday 10/5.  It would be best if you could somehow scan them or take a digital picture and email it to me.  If this is not possible, contact me by email and we will figure something out.

Some confusion on Module 2 – my fault

The assignment list that is on the cover of your module 2 packet has some book assignments on it.  I knew you didn’t have a book but I really didn’t think about it too much.

So, for every book assignment, I am trying to find a worksheet that will cover the same stuff.  So far I have 2.01, 2.02, and 2.03 covered — and those are the ones that are due by Sunday 9/27. 

These new worksheets are located in Moodle, in the Module 2 area.

This is what you need to do:

For 2.01: worksheet 1 from the packet PLUS the Slope 2-1 worksheet

For 2.02: the Graphing 2-2 worksheet

For 2.03: worksheet 3 from the packet.

The best way to turn stuff into me is to scan your work and email me the file.  If you don’t have that capability, then type your answers the best you can into a word doc and send that.  Some problems are graphs, so you’ll have to explain your graph to me (y-int is __, x-int is __, slope is __, etc).

Let me know if you have any questions.  Sorry for the confusion.  We will soon be using a web-based company for all of our instruction.  I’m just waiting on the big-boss-man to give me the go ahead…  that’s why things are a little unorganized right now.

JB

Module 2 begins

You should begin Module 2 this week.  Please note that there are no due dates shown in Moodle at this time.  To know when assignments are due, you have to read this blog on a daily basis.

Here are the due dates for Module 2 – you can download and print the packet from Moodle:

2.01, 2.02, 2.03 – Due Sunday 9/27

2.04, 2.05, 2.06 – Due Friday 10/2

2.07, 2.08 – Due Friday 10/9

2.09 and TEST – Due Friday 10/16

There are some notes in the packet that will help you with some assignments.  You will also need to search the web for additional help.  If you have any trouble finding good videos or tutorials, let me know and I’ll forward you some websites.

Module 1 Test

I went ahead and put the test in Moodle.  You’ll find it under the Information Station.

Download, print, work it out.  Then email me your answers by Sunday afternooon.  Email to jeremybrandl@cos.cusd.com

by SUNDAY AFTERNOON!!!

Elluminate today 3-3:30, Test tomorrow

I will be available today for Instant Message between 2-3pm, and I will be in Elluminate between 3-3:30.

Main topic for discussion will be the Module 1 Test.  I will make the test available on Friday morning and it will be due by Sunday afternoon.

Elluminate link is in the Information Station.