1. Journal #28 Assigned 3/9/15 Due 3/13/15
Suppose a friend is having trouble with exponents and asks you to review some worked problems. Look over the problems and (a.) correct any mistakes. (b.) Explain the errors in the students reasoning.
1.) )
3.)
4.)

2. a.) Draw a diagram that represents this situation.
JOURNAL #29 Assigned 3/16/15 Due 3/20/15
The height of a painting is twice its width x. You want a 3 inch wide wooden frame for the painting. The area of the frame alone is 216 square inches.
a.) Draw a diagram that represents this situation.
b.) Write a variable expression for the area of the frame alone.
c.) What are the dimensions of the frame?

3. Journal #30 Assigned 3/30/15 Due 4/3/15
A classmate is having trouble factoring special-case polynomials. Point out the errors she has made, and write a brief suggestion to help her with similar problems. Use complete sentences.
a. 4a
= (2a - 10)(2a - 10)
= (2a - 10)2
b. 81m4 + 72m2n + 16n2
= (9m2 + 8n)(9m2 + 8n)
= (9m2 + 8n)2
c. a10b4 - 16
= (a5b2 - 16)
= (a5b2 - 4)(a5b2 + 4)
d. 4d2 + 36d + 81
= (2d + 9)(2d - 9)

4. Journal #31 Assigned 4/6/15 Due 4/10/15
A four-sided building has an
area of 36x2+ 48x + 16.
Explain how to find a possible length and width of the building. hint: solve and explain
What is a possible shape of the building? Explain how you know this using complete sentences.
3. Explain how factoring the trinomial helps you solve the problem.

5. Journal #32 Assigned 4/13/15 Due 4/17/15
In your own words using complete sentences, explain what is accomplished by factoring.
(a.) As part of your explanation, write a sample problem in which you factor a monomial from a polynomial.
(b.) Then write and factor another problem that is a quadratic expression.
(c.) Check your solutions by multiplying after you factor.

6. Journal #33 Assigned 4/20/15 Due 4/24/15
Find the area of the larger square. Write your answer as a trinomial.
2. Find the area of the smaller square.
3. Find the area of each triangle in terms of a and b.
4. The area of the larger square equals the sum of the area of the smaller square and the areas of the four triangles. Write this equation and simplify. What do you notice? Write in complete sentences. a b b a c c c c b a a b

7. Journal 34 Assigned 4/27/15 Due 5/1/15
A rectangular blacktop with a length of 5x and a width of 3x has been erected inside a rectangular field that has a length of 12x and a width of 7x.
What is the area of the part of the field that is not blacktop?
There is a circular fountain in the rectangular field that has a radius of 3x. What is the area of the part of the field that does not include the blacktop or the fountain? Factor your answer.
Draw a diagram of the problem.
Show ALL work.

8. Journal #35 Assigned 5/4/15 Due 5/8/15
Looking back of the year, describe the following
using complete sentence.
5 things you liked about this class.
4 things you wish you had done differently.
3 things you think I (as the teacher) should
continue doing next year.
2 things you think would have help you be a
better student.
1 thing you know you will never forget that will
help you high school.

9. Journal #36 Assigned 5/11/15 Due 5/15/15
A 7th grade student ask for your advice on taking Algebra I next year, what would you tell them?
Write in complete sentences, make sure to share what you feel they need to have master in 7th grade to be successful in Algebra I. Include any warnings you may have for them. Be honest!!