My Dearest Algebra 2 Students....

Thought I was done didn’t you? Well, I’m not. Don’t pack up yet. I still have 5 minutes! Ha! Ha! I know we've had some rocky times with y'all not doing your part of the deal, but please know it is because I love you and want the best for you. I think the world of all of you and wish you luck in all your future endeavors.

Here’s an inspirational story for you as you part from my loving, nurturing, safe & secure classroom. This is for all you guys who have overcome some type of hardship, be it my incredibly challenging class, a breakup with a significant other, or the loss of a loved one, I’d like for you to ask yourselves: “Which one am I? The carrot, egg or coffee bean?”

Carrot, Egg, or Coffee Bean?

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, “Tell me, what do you see?” “Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied. She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they got soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, “What’s the point, mother?” Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity---boiling water---but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water. “Which are you?” she asked her daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?”

Which one are you?Are you the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do you wilt and become soft and lose your strength?

Are you the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did you have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have you hardened and become stiff? Does your shell look the same, but on the inside, are you bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

Or are you like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain? When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor.

If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. I know it’s cliché’, but what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.

When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest, elevate yourself to another level. Remember this when things get tough---you survived my class….what could be more difficult?

Congratulations! You’re officially finished! YEAH!!! Have a great second semester!

Love,
Ms. Chan

Final Exam Review (one last FINAL (no pun intended) time!)

(4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17)

(18, 19, 20, 22, 23)

(25, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)

(30, 32, 34, 35, 36)

(13, 21, 31, 33, 39, 40, 43, 44, 46)

(48, 50, 53, 54, 55)

(49, 51, 52, 56, 57)

(58, 59)

(60-66)

(67-75) new problems!!!

be as detailed as possible in this last assignment!!!!! SHOW ALL your work for every problem!!! do your work in NEAT boxes!!! TRUST ME, I am going to make it worth your while....