Khan Academy/Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions
Lesson Outline
We set up Hunter with a Khan Academy account, and I assigned him several Geometry topics that he can work on independently.
We continued with Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions. This is an extension of what we did last week. When you have 2 fractions that are being multiplied together, you can factor the numerators and denominators, then simplify by reducing common factors. The same works when you are dividing fractions, but you must first take the reciprocal of the second fraction and change the operation to multiplication. Hunter started exercises on a practice sheet.
Hunter will complete his webpage's about page by adding in staff images, names, and titles. The remaining part of the class will be used for Hunter's portfolio page. Hunter will have to
proofread his project description paragraphs, check for spelling errors, grammar errors, and overall flow.
Hunter will finish up the second of five parts of his portfolio. Hunter's work can be viewed at: http://23c.654.myftpupload.com/student-hub-about-page/
Assignment
n/a
Session Minutes
30
Minutes Student Attended
30
Lesson Comments
I am concerned that Hunter is more focused on his cellphone than completing his assignment.
Hunter continued his work on factoring and simplifying rational expressions. He completed problems 17-28 on the practice sheet. Sometimes he needs hints on where to start the factoring. Once he starts, if he stays focused, he does a great job. We finished the session with a few tangram puzzles.
Session Minutes
120
Minutes Student Attended
120
Lesson Comments
Hunter and I are slowly trudging through the work. As usual, he can be really hard to motivate, keep focused, and keep on task. It seems like he should be able to finish more than 10 - 15 problems during a class period! I don't feel like I am doing a very good job with it, but I suppose I should be satisfied that we area at least accomplishing something!
Hunter and I spent this class period reading aloud and answering guiding questions. We also discussed writing prompts based on "Of Mice and Men" that he will respond to after finishing the first essay he began this morning. We discussed continuing themes in the novella - loneliness, responsibility, dreams. Hunter related which character he liked best and why. We read and discussed the death of the puppy and the murder of Curly's wife.
I reviewed with Hunter how to factor binomials and trinomials. We then looked at rational expressions where the denominator and numerators could be factored. When we have common factors in the numerator and denominator, they divide out to equal one. The rational expression is then simplified. He did p. 511 (1-6) and 16 problems from a practice sheet.
I reviewed How to Write an Essay with Hunter this morning. We discussed step-by-step strategy to tackle the essay. We discussed making an outline or diagram with support of thesis and then formulating the introductory paragraph and conclusion at the end. We also read about ways to formulate the thesis statement, which often "stumps" Hunter. We looked to several high school essay writing prompts, including an SAT example wherein he would write about how an author strengthened his or her argument. He read over prompts, chose one, and began structuring his essay. We will need to continue in our next class.
