Kimberly Coulter Makes Math Cool With Pre-Algebra (The Remix) 2

Featured Author: Kimberly Coulter 

Bio: 

Kimberly S. Coulter is a lifelong learner and currently completing a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Policy and Change. She received her master's degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Educational Administration from the University of Michigan-Flint. While there she earned the prestigious Martin Luther King/César Chávez/Rosa Parks Future Faculty Fellowship. Coulter is the owner of Coolin and Schoolin, an educational consulting firm that provides comprehensive services to schools and produces audio and visual educational products uniquely designed for today's urban educators, parents and students. She is also the author of Pre-Algebra (The Remix)2. Prior to her work at Coolin and Schoolin, she was an elementary and middle school principal. Photos: Contact information: Coolin and Schoolin Kimberly Coulter P.O. Box 7162 Flint, Michigan 48507-0162 (810) 835-8727

Title: Pre-Algebra (The Remix)2 

Sample: Pre-Algebra (The Remix)2 

Why Pre-Algebra (The Remix)2? ALGEBRA!? It’s worse than saying “boo.” Most people are scared to death of algebra and flunk it in their minds before they even step foot in the class. Why? You hear it from everybody: parents, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles.

 “Ah man you’re about to take algebra?”

Well the next time that someone asks you that, surprise them and say, “Yes and I am about to get paid too!”

Hmmm how?

 Well, algebra is the gateway to higher levels of math which means higher paying jobs.
 Here’s your first equation:

 More math + More practice = More $money$

 Pre-Algebra (The Remix)2 will help you master certain pre-algebraic skills that will prepare you for Algebra 1 and higher levels of math so that your life can be that music video.

Table 1: Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Careers Average Salary Profession (Job) Average Annual Salary

• Computer Programmer $71,380 
• Software Developer $90,530 
• Computer and Information Research Scientist $100,660
•  Aerospace Engineer $97,480
•  Architect $72,550
•  Biomedical Engineer $81,540
•  Chemical Engineer $90,300
•  Drafter $47,880 
• Environmental Engineer $78,740 
• Surveying and Mapping Technician $37,900
•  Mathematician $99,830 
• Statistician $72,830
•  Actuary $87,650
•  Physician $166,400+ 
• Veterinarian $82,040 
• Electrician $48,250 

 http://jobsearch.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=jobsearch&cdn=careers&tm=47&f=10&tt=11&bt=7&bts=5&zu=http%3A//www.bls.gov/search/ooh.asp%3Fct%3DOOH

 Track 4: Combine Like Terms:  Momma Said Go Clean Your Room!

Combine like terms?

 This means to put everything that is the same together just like you would if your Momma told your sister to tell you to clean your room. You would put all of your hats together, all of your shoes together and all of your games together (if you did not want to get on punishment or get a whopping). In Pre Algebra, you do the same thing.
 Look at this expression. 4h + 7n + 8n + 2h

Each of these terms has either an “h” or “n”. To combine like terms put all of the h’s together and put all of the n’s together. 4h + 2h=6h and 7n + 8n=15n. Those same expressions will now look a little something like this: 6h + 15n Try this one and don’t get scared because now you see a subtraction symbol. 9y - 2t + 6t+ 3y Let’s do the y’s first. 9y + 3y=12y right? Now to the t’s. -2t + 6t = 4t (If you are confused about this part, skip to the Interlude Adding and Subtracting Integers on page 28.)

 p. 16 So after combining like terms the expression will be: 12y+4t

 Last one. 

Watch how this problem disappears. 2y-15g+4w-2y+15g-4w 
Do the y’s first.
2y-2y=0
Let’s do the g’s next.
 -15g+15g=0 The only ones left are the w’s.
 4w-4w=0

 0+0+0=? You tell me.

 It’s Game Time… p. 17 Combining Like Terms Game Time Show What You Know Sheet Directions: Combine like terms of each expression. Double check and then triple check your work.
1. 8l+6l-2d+5d
2. 5h-7g-4g-3h
3. 16u-8p+9u+4p
4. -11b+5c-2b+5c
5. 21x+21f+41x+5z+55x
6. 7t-6n+45t-3n
7. 88w+91w-6s+18e-2w-7s
8. 14a+31k+13k-7a-6k
9. 67j+12t-25j+14t-8g

 Track 5 Order of Operations (O.O.O.):

Can I speak to Shalaycia?

You and your boy Darnell are trying to call your friend Shaylacia.
Her phone number has 7 digits: 230-0821. You must dial the digits in order if you want to talk to her, right?
But what will happen if you accidentally dial 230-0812.
``You have the wrong number.” [Click]
What about 230-0182?
“Shalaycia doesn’t live here.” [Click]
 230-8210?
“WHO?” [Click] 
As you can see, there are many different ways to use the right numbers.
Pre-algebra is the same way.
There are many different wrong answers you can get if you do something out of order.
The correct order of solving Pre-algebraic equations is called Order of Operations.

 Look @ this expression. 1+9X5-3 There are many parts to this expression and many ways to figure it out. You could get at least three different answers from this one problem and only one of the answers is right. So what do you do? Usually everybody wants to do the easiest part first.

I can hear you now “Ooh ooh. I know 1+9= 10. I’ll start there.”

NOPE!

Don’t be fooled or tricked into getting the wrong answer by doing the part that you think that you should do first. If you do you will get the wrong number.
The correct order, Order of Operations (O.O.O.), is simple.

Check it.

Table 6: Order of Operations (O.O.O.)
Step 1 Parenthesis 
Step 2 Exponents from left to right 
Step 3 Multiply and Divide from left to right
Step 4 Add and subtract from left to right 

The way that I was taught to remember the order was by memorizing:
Parenthesis= Please
Exponents= Excuse
Multiplication= My
Division= Dear
Addition= Aunt
Subtraction= Sally

But I don’t have an Aunt Sally. 

 You can use that method or the
Coolin and Schoolin model:
Parenthesis= PLAN on
Exponents=EARNING
Multiplication= MORE
Division= DOLLARS
Addition AND Subtraction= SAVING some

The book can be purchased from:
www.reallycoolmath.com
www.iamcoolinandschoolin.com 
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/179-2196456-2777830?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=%22pre-algebra%20the%20remix%22http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pre-algebra-kimberly-coulter/1119638528?ean=9781615394876