iSchoolPolymath

Below is a list of videos over algebra content by unit.   If you see a typo in a video, please let me know! Or if you would like a video over a topic not listed here!  

Unit 1: Beat the Basics 

 Number Sense – 

Fractions – Fraction Review

Percents  – Decimal and Percents Review 

Rates 

Unit 2: Solving Equations  

SEQ gateway- Solving Equations Gateway

Modeling –

Literal Equations- 

Unit 3: Graphing Linear Functions  

Graphing Lines-  Slope Video,  Finding the slope Algebraically,  Horizontal and Vertical Lines 

Writing linear functions- Putting an equation in Slope-Intercept Form,  Writing from a Graph, Writing from the slope and one point, Writing from two points,  Writing an equation from a Parallel or Perpendicular Line 

Linear Modeling-  

Linear Function Notation- 

Intro to Class-  Syllabus 

Origami Task – due sept 19th         origami-fun.com

Sliceform + Stackform Task  Due October 10th

Pop Up Task– Due November 6th

Roller Coaster Task – not doing q1

Final Reflection: Make a copy of this google doc and complete all parts. Share with Ms. P.  due november 7th – in class.

Phase 1:  Bridge Basics 

Day 1: Intro to Class :  Syllabus + gum drop bridge challenge.  HW:  Use the internet to fill out Bridges Worksheet 1!

Day 2:  NYC Bridges Documentary (you tube video, must watch at home if absent) + Worksheet 2 documentary

Day 3:  Complete the following worksheets using the websites:

NYC DOT site  + Worksheet 3 – DOT                  PBS site,+ Worksheet 4 – PBS

Day 4: Tacoma Narrows+Bridges of the World Mini Poster Assignment

Day 5: Quiz + work time on Posters

Day 6: Present Posters + Bridge Basics: Take notes on the first two sites,then explore the third.

25 Bridge Building Tips 

Different Truss Designs

Practice Truss Bridge Design

Phase 2: Design your Bridge 

Day 7: Building 101

Days 8-9:Bridge Building Software + Bridge Building Software Packet

Day 9: Design your Bridge and make Blueprints.  Bridge Design and Blueprint Guidelines

Phase 3: Build your Bridge 

Days 8-21 : Build your bridge!

Phase 4: Break your Bridge 

Peer Evaluations: students grade each other’s bridge designs.

After school:  Bridge Breaking Info

FINAL: turn in: Final Project Report,  1 copy of Blueprints and Data Page

                   Pinterest Inspiration Page                      Paper Syllabus

ORIGAMI TASK                                                                                    SLICEFORM TASK

STACKFORM TASK                                                              PAPER ROLLER COASTER TASK

LIGHT UP + PUSH OUT CARD TASK

ISTE MASTERY Document

Task Timeline 

TASK RUBRIC

Final Paper Engineering Reflection 

Maker Show Table Tents Template

NYC iSchool Maker Show:

Hi!  Ms. P. is short for Sarah Prendergast!  I grew up in the suburbs of Cleveland where I attended South High School in Willoughby.   I was a math nerd all though school but also played varsity softball and volleyball, was a member of the National Honor Society and spent my time going to concerts and working at starbucks.   I worked very hard in high school and was the valedictorian of my class.

After high school I attended Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio.  Kenyon is a very small private college in the middle of nowhere- as in, there are corn fields around campus- and I loved it!  At Kenyon I studied Mathematics and Religious Studies.   I met some amazing people and made wonderful memories.   I also spend a lot of time in college volunteering at local elementary schools working with kids and during the summers I worked at an academic summer camp- The Summer Institute for the Gifted teaching math and physics!

After graduating from college I accepted a Math for America Teaching Fellowship and moved to New York City to start my masters at New York University  in Math Education.  I was lucky enough to be randomly placed as a student teacher at the iSchool and I’ve never looked back!   After student teaching at the iSchool I was hired as a full time math teacher in 2010 and have been there ever since!

I love the iSchool and can’t imagine teaching anywhere else.  The school has become my second home, the teachers – my friends and the students – my kids! It’s an amazing place.  I teach mostly Algebra 1 with some other amazing electives mixed in including: Bridge Building,  Pop Up Design, Paper Engineering, Critical Thinking in Psychology, Personal Finance, Mathematical Art and a short stint of a Math in the Movies Module.   I am also the Senior Project Coordinator, I love seeing what the seniors come up with each year!!

Personally, I live in Manhattan with my husband, Zach and our pup Murph!   My spare time is spent playing softball and volleyball, cooking fancy things (and baking for my students), making crafty paper art, riding my bike, going to costco, reading and binge watching new tv shows.

Reach Ms. Prendergast at sprendergast@nycischool.org

The NYC iSchool is a small, public high school in lower Manhattan. Founded in 2008, the school is based on a belief that students should be working on developmentally appropriate, interdisciplinary, real-world work.

With this in mind the teachers at the iSchool create and teach Modules –  courses like Sixteen, iNews, Medical Mysteries, and Poetry Cafe-  in which the students work collaboratively to engage in real world like scenarios to execute a final product that has an outside, authentic audience.

Students also take traditional classes- like Algebra, US History and Writing,  as well as quarter long elective classes- like Bridge Building, Paper Engineering, Shakespeare, Robotics, Physics of Super Heroes, Painting NYC etc-.

Our school has a strong advisory program, where groups of 10-15 students are paired with one teacher and stay with that teacher through their four years at the iSchool.  Advisors act as advocates for their advisees, cheerleaders, homework helpers, as well as other rolls.

Check out this gallery of real iSchool students and what they say is their favorite part of the iSchool:

Each Algebra section meets four times a week.    Algebra D meets on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and Algebra E meets on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  The calendar below shows the schedule for each week! 

Algebra Mastery is the most important part of Algebra 1 at the iSchool!     Algebra is broken up into topics and learning targets.  Students will be given a mastery level  for each learning target.  Please check Jupitergrades to track individual student progress. The possible mastery levels are:

High Mastery –   student has total mastery of the material!

Mastery– student has understanding of the material, but may make a small mistake. Student may retake the assessment to earn high mastery if they wish, but do not need to complete the corrections activity.

Approaching Mastery – student has almost mastered the material, only needs a little more work.  Student may complete the corrections activity and retake the assessment if they desire higher mastery.

Low Mastery– student shows a basic understanding of the material but needs to complete the corrections activity and must retake the assessment.

No Mastery– student has not demonstrated mastery of the material.  Student must complete the corrections activity and must retake the assessment.

Please reference the class  Learning Targets document to get more information about the topics.

Unit 1: Beat the Basics

Unit 2: Solving Equations

Unit 3: Graphing Linear Functions

Quarter 1 Review

Unit 4: Inequalities

Unit 5: Systems of Linear Functions

Unit 6: Exponents and Radicals

Quarter 1 & Quarter 2 Review

Unit 7: Polynomials

Unit 8: Factoring

Unit 9: Quadratic Functions

Unit 10: Algebraic Fractions

Quarter 1, 2, 3 REVIEW

Unit 11: Operations with Functions

Unit 12: Data Analysis

Regents Review

Algebra 1 is the first course of the traditional high school math curriculum.   At the iSchool, Algebra 1 is a year long course, that meet four times a week and is worth two math credits.  The course culminates in the New York State Common Core Regents Exam.

There are 2 main promotional criteria to complete the course:  earn a 75+ on the Regents Exam and earn 65+ of the Mastery Points for the course.

This course is a blended class, which means that there is a substantial online component to the class.  Students are expected to complete homework four times a week and watch three-four videos outside of class.   Students are expected to have internet access at home to complete these portions of the class, or utilize the computers at school.

More course information can be found in the Syllabus