Archive for March, 2015

I love me my technology, but I think I am reaching a saturation point. I say this as I am hooked on my Mahjong app and spend way more time than I should. So much has changed since I bought my first computer (Apple GS2) in 1989 – minus a hard drive because I didn’t need one. Years of carrying floppy discs and then their smaller brothers. But I think I am at my limit of devices. I  don’t use all the capability of a smartphone – I still want it to be a phone. I did have to get a new external drive to back up everything on the iMac. Last time I did that was three years ago on a different computer, so I had to buy a new one – a terabyte, which I’m sure 3 years ago wasn’t planned.

Because of the novel and the digital work, I can’t afford to lose stuff. I still don’t completely understand the cloud, but I know if there’s a fire, I grab the external hard drive and I have my computer files. This has led me to try and understand more about managing files and the cloud and storage and disaster preparation. Once again I can turn to the internet to see what’s available and inform myself.

I’m the IT gal – I still find it interesting sales people talk to hubby when I’m the one with the questions. The Apple store Genius Bar can usually answer all my questions. So I’m not sure I need a company for IT….but I’ve been investigating disaster recovery, like with Calisto (http://calitso.com/).

This intrigues me, because I’m of the generation that has most of those forms in paper and in a metal lock-box. But it’s worth thinking about a different storage system.

Now I will never be a big player online, even though we’ve been selling through the internet since 1998 (makes us ancient). But that doesn’t mean I can’t be knowledgeable. FileCloud (http://filecloud.pro/) brought up an interesting point…..

Why would I want to store information offshore? Canadian readers, you’re all set. I need to do more research on storing within the US….now to pack the chargers and assorted cords for the devices as we go on the road to visit friends and family in northern Arizona….and batteries, too…..

Oy, we are in the midst of serious boxes…and packing. A little each day, sort and clean and plan ahead. Lots going into the recycling can! We do not know what we will have for accommodations on the other end, but we anticipate it will be considerably smaller space. We are looking into some of the senior living communities in Chittenden County, of which there are many,. We are on the waiting list for several – the one we would like has a two-year waiting list, and we’ve been on the list since this past September. Trust the universe – it worked out perfectly for our last move!

Once again I can turn to the internet to check out what accommodations are like for senior living around the country – and Canada, should we decide to go even further north and east. If nothing else, we get great ideas on possible amenities and questions to ask. For example: Wallace Living  (http://wallaceliving.ca/)– a place in Nova Scotia – an area we are seriously contemplating. Since it will be COLD next winter, it’s nice to see that a lot of complexes are including all utilities.

AND NOW –  for the SALE!!

For sale: A gorgeous hutch (you can tell we are collectors, but we are getting tired of moving this large piece. 4 glass shelves with plate grooves, lighted top and bottom. Asking $200.00

Baker’s Rack – 4 plexiglass shelves, great for indoors or out – asking $35  SOLD!!

Hoover vacuum cleaner – with bags – asking $35 – SOLD!

Two desks that can be re-purposed for craft tables, asking $5 for the small one and $10 for the large one.

Large one SOLD!

Lamps – two hand-turned wooden lamps with shades (which could stand to be replaced), asking $25 for both

Lamps – two smaller bedstand lamps in a coral shell motif – asking $15 for both

One blue loveseat, microfiber, sits two easily – comfy – asking $50

One filing cabinet – asking $5 SOLD!!

One white dresser, 4 drawers – old, painted, (would be great refinished) – asking $25.00 SOLD!!

2 dining chairs, roll on the floor, lean back in them – asking $20.00 for the pair

2 desk chairs – larger black chair is free, small one is $5 (see picture of large desk)

television (needs a speaker repaired) – free (Phillips model, “old-style)

2 ladderback chairs with woven seats – asking $20 for both

Send a message via the blog or email us at deanm at marbledfab.com.

Brief note: a time-out from art-related items to post an assignment for a Coursera class for assessment by peers.

Unit: Exponential Relationships

click for link to image

9th grade, but 8th graders are welcome!

Investigation 1: Exponential Growth

Welcome to our new unit in Connected Math, Exponential Relationships! We have five different investigations, and you will find yourself doing a lot of comparisons of exponential relationships with linear relationships. (Told you linear would never go away!) You can see an overview of the unit by clicking on the link above to see the parent information letter. DO NOT WAIT TO GET YOUR NEW UNIT BOOK from your district office – you don’t want to get behind!!

Here are two key pieces we will focus on:

• * Is the relationship between variables an example of exponential growth or decay? Why?
• • How can this relationship be detected in a table, graph, or equation? What is the growth factor?
• • What table, graph, or equation would model the data or the pattern in a graph relating the variables?
• • How could I answer questions about an exponential situation by studying a table, a graph, or an equation of the exponential relationship?
• • How does this exponential relationship compare to other relationships between variables I have studied?

(All of the above from Connected Math 2: Growing, Growing, Growing)

Stuck? Email: ***************@***************

Now to the fun stuff: Investigation 1

• You will need: scissors and a sheet of paper (regular paper is fine, and you might be happier with a blank sheet)
• Your journal for record-keeping, notes, and solving problems
• A new anchor chart for vocabulary on a separate page in your journal – use a stickie tab on the page for easy reference to it.
• [Reference for peer readers on anchor charts – http://www.julieballew.com/A_Literate_Life/Photos/Pages/Anchor_Charts.html. Students will have other samples, since what I use I cannot share publicly (only in a classroom/online teaching setting) because of proprietary agreement with past employer)].

(Students have experience with anchor charts, and throughout the online lessons, I will have links to the unit anchor charts.)

1. Read on page 5, 1.1 Making Ballots and complete the short experiment.

2. Answer questions in your journal from page 6. Remember to indicate the investigation, number of the problem, and use complete sentences!

3. Upload your problem to the dropbox by ____________ for feedback from Mrs. Moran. (This should take no more than 1 day.)

4. Begin working on homework problems for this investigation: Practice problems on page 11 – 18: Everyone do #1-14, and then 3 others of your choice. Everyone do #33 – 38. (Due at the end of the week.)

Stuck? Email: ***************@***************

5. Read on page 6, 1.2 Requesting a Reward and add the new vocabulary to your anchor chart for this unit.

6. Complete the “Getting Ready” on page 6 in your journal.

7. Complete problem 1.2 on page 7 in your journal. Remember to indicate the investigation, number of the problem, and use complete sentences!

8. Upload your problem to the dropbox by ____________ for feedback from Mrs. Moran. (This should take no more than 1 day.)

9. Continue working on homework problems for this investigation: Practice problems on page 11 – 18: Everyone do #1-14, and then 3 others of your choice. Everyone do #33 – 38. (Due at the end of the week.)

Stuck? Email: ***************@***************

10. Read on page 8, 1.3 Making a New Offer and add the new vocabulary to your anchor chart for this unit.

11. Answer questions from page 9 in your journal.  Remember to indicate the investigation, number of the problem, and use complete sentences!

12. Upload your problem to the dropbox by ____________ for feedback from Mrs. Moran. (This should take no more than o1 day.)

13. Check out this video and try experimenting with values. Think about what you notice and try and make a connection between the video and the investigation.

Stuck? Email: ***************@***************

 

14. Continue working on homework problems for this investigation: Practice problems on page 11 – 18: Everyone do #1-14, and then 3 others of your choice. Everyone do #33 – 38. (Due at the end of the week.)

15. Log onto the class discussion forum (*******************address) and complete two responses. a) What are you discovering so far about exponential growth? and b) what differences do you notice between linear and exponential growth? (Due by the end of the week.) (Rubric http://www.mtsu.edu/ltanditc/docs/Discussion_Board_Rubrics.pdf)

16. Check out this video and see about exponential growth in real-world examples. You might get a few ideas for your Mathematical Reflection.

17. Start your draft of your mathematical reflection on page 19.

18. Read page 10, 1.4 Getting Costs in Line.

19. Answer questions from page 10 in your journal.  Remember to indicate the investigation, number of the problem, and use complete sentences!

20. Upload your problem to the dropbox by ____________ for feedback from Mrs. Moran. (This should take no more than 1 day.)

21. Upload your homework problems to the dropbox by ___________ for feedback from Mrs. Moran. (Due end of the week.)

Extra video – if you want to dig a little deeper and are interested in growth in businesses –

22. Complete your mathematical reflection on page 19. Use your word processor to complete the assignment. Use complete sentences – FOLLOW THE RUBRIC you already use for these! This is due by the end of the week – allow yourself two days for draft and final copy.

23. Breath Deeply and congratulations! You’ve made a major start in understanding a very practical application of algebra!!!!

Deadlines:

Investigation 1.1 should be completed within a day.

Investigation 1.2 should be completed within a day

Investigation 1.3 should be completed within a day.

Investigation 1.4 should be completed within a day.

Homework Problems due  end of the first week.

Discussion forum responses due the end of the first week.

Mathematical Reflection due the end of the first week.

STATE STANDARDS:

• HS.F-LE.A.1a. Distinguish between situations that can be modeled with linear functions and with exponential functions.
• HS.F-LE.A.1b. Prove that linear functions grow by equal differences over equal intervals, and that exponential functions grow by equal factors over equal intervals.

Mathematical Practice Standards:

• 1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
• 2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
• 3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
• 4.Model with mathematics.
• 5.Use appropriate tools strategically.
• 6.Attend to precision.
• 7.Look for and make use of structure.
• 8.Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

Copyright notice: all links are public domain and links are included by clicking on pictures. This unit is directly from Connected Math 2, published by Pearson. The conversion to an online format is the work of the instructor, Linda Moran, and cannot be reproduced without permission of the instructor.