Getting Started

January 4-13, 2023

During this first week together (January 4-6) we've reviewed and developed a mastery of some all-important rules for manipulating terms with exponents. In doing so, we've worked on simplifying exponential expressions and honed our ability to solve some simple equations involving exponents. Next week, we'll extend these concepts to a brand new type of exponent: rational, or fraction exponents. Students will learn to see radical terms, such as square roots, as exponentiated terms instead. I think we'll all find it easier to solve certain types of equations using exponents instead of radicals (although radicals are still useful!)

By the beginning of the week, students should have rounded up the supplies they'll need this semester. It is critically important that they have a 1 inch binder well-supplied with notebook paper. Additionally, they should have a composition book which will serve as a math journal; it is in this journal that they will do their daily practice problems, so it should be completely dedicated to their math class.  Additionally, a supply of pencils, pens, and dry erase marker will serve them well along the way.

As of this writing, and barring any unforeseen events (snow, flood, famine, etc.), our first major test will be on Tuesday, January 17, 2023. Additionally, there will be at least one quiz, tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, January 11, 2023.