Algebra 1

Teacher: Cindy Baker

Required Textbooks: Jacob’s Elementary Algebra student textbook (This text may be purchased from Master Books or Rainbow Resource.) Additional Materials: a scientific calculator, ruler, graph paper (4-5 squares per inch), and several wide-ruled spiral notebooks or composition books.

Course Description: Algebra is the foundation for upper-level math and science courses as well as a means of developing problem solving skills that can be used in many everyday applications. In this course we will begin with a review of basic operations and continue on to study functions and graphs, integers and rational numbers, equations with one and two variables, polynomials, quadratic equations, and more.

Classroom Work: lass time will be used to introduce new concepts using hands-on projects as much as possible with the goal of developing mathematical understanding.

Homework: Daily homework will include watching a short explanatory video (approx. 10 min.), reading 2-3 pages from the textbook, completing and checking exercises, and taking a 3-5 question quiz. Weekly challenge problems will be available for those who want to stretch their mathematical abilities.

Time Expectations: 1hr. daily

Pre-Requisites: Students should have a solid understanding of pre-algebra concepts. They should be able to perform basic math skills including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers, negative numbers, fractions, and decimals. In addition, students should be able to graph points on an x-y coordinate plane. A skills test must be passed before beginning this class.