Accelerated Math 7
I received an e-mail two days ago from a parent complimenting me on the amount of material my Accelerated Math 7 class had covered in a relatively short amount of time. I'm afraid I can't take much credit for our progress. I really do have an exceptional group of students this year. In the topic of simple equations, they have excelled. Although I'm willing to bet that most of them would argue with the term "simple" to describe the problems they've been solving. Our definition of simple equations simply means equations including a variable whose exponent is 1. But even given that simple restriction, they have been solving large and formidable looking problems for weeks now. At the present, we are hovering at the top of this particular mountain of a topic. I would like them to drill on these problems a little longer before we move on.

Accelerated Math 8
Our current topic in the Accelerated Math 8 is solving systems of equations. I wanted to begin by giving them a visual representation of their work. Therefore, they have drawn dozens of graphs in order to discover points of intersection. In the last few days we have moved on to the more difficult topic of solving those same problems without the use of pictures or graphs. We call this solving systems algebraically. It is a very difficult and abstract concept for young students but this class has made the transition beautifully. Sometimes I wish my high school math students could see this class in action. They get so excited about their work and in asking questions that they sometimes forget to show any class courtesy. But if my biggest problem with this group is that they're so excited to talk about math that they forget to raise their hands before they shout out their questions, and I think it's best I learned to live with it.

Accelerated Math 7
Every day this year I come face-to-face with my future and my past. In the morning, I see the mature educated confident faces of the ninth graders who were in my Accelerated Math 8 class last year. In the afternoon, I look into the eyes of the naïve but eager students who chose to join my current Accelerated Math 7 class, each of them armed with only a pencil and a dream.

After our current work on scientific notation, we will spend many weeks on solving simple equations.


Accelerated Math 8
We wasted no time in the first weeks of Accelerated Math 8 as we worked on several types of questions from the New York State Algebra Regents. I chose the topic of solving quadratic equations graphically and I think my math 8 students have already begun to feel more confident about their upcoming end of the year exam. This year I have the simple goal of preparing all of my eighth-graders to pass the state algebra exam. After a brief review of last year's material, we will focus on solving quadratic equations using a variety of methods. If you would like to hear an example of their work, ask them to sing "Pop goes the weasel."

Accelerated Math 7
In Accelerated math 7 we will be spending our last weeks reviewing the material we have studied this year. The goal of my math 7 class has been to make my students proficient in at least 60% of the material they will need to know for their Integrated Algebra regents exam next year. Thanks to this year's very special and very intelligent seventh graders, we have surpassed that goal. I hope that all the students in my Accelerated math 7 class decide to continue their challenging work into math 8. Given their current level of maturity and discipline, I have no doubt they will do well.

Accelerated Math 8
The exam we have been preparing to take for the last two years is only a few days away now. We have done nothing but practice and review in the last month. I have run out of questions in their green review books and have chosen to move on to problems that are rarely on the exam because of their level of difficulty. Based on their recent grades and their behavior in class I am expecting a terrific result when these Accelerated math 8 students finally take their tests. Good Luck to you all.