Algebra I (offered in 2022-23)
Why study Algebra 1?
“How far will that baseball travel if I hit it this hard?” “What is the relationship between how many hours I work babysitting and how much money I will make?” “How does the value of my car depreciate over time?” These are all common questions that we encounter each day and the study of Algebra gives us the tools to answer these and many more real-world questions.
Algebra is the backbone of all upper level Math and Science classes. They may not realize it, but children have been exploring algebraic reasoning through-out their elementary education and even their day to day lives. Now is the time to sharpen these Math skills and explore more in-depth mathematical concepts.
Course summary
In Algebra 1 we will incorporate an “interactive classroom” to discover the topics of Algebra. We will not only work through problems and worksheets, but we will also take real-life situations, hands on activities and experiments and the concept of a “flipped classroom” to keep the student’s interest and excitement in the material.
Topics covered
Review:
Real/Natural/Whole numbers
Integer operations
Order of operations
Ratios/rates/proportions
Variables
Functions
Expressions
Linear Equations – writing, solving
Graphing Linear equations
Linear Inequalities
Graphing
Solving
Systems of Equations and Inequalities
Exponents and Exponential Functions
Polynomials and Factoring
Quadratic Equations and Functions
Radicals and Geometry Connections
Rational Equations and Functions
Probability and Data Analysis
Skills developed
The fundamentals of Algebra
Strong mathematical thinking
Perseverance in mastering challenging and cumulative content
Independent work ethic and organization
Textbook
Algebra I: McDougall Little / Copyright 2007
ISBN-13: 978-0618594023 / ISBN-10: 0618594027
Algebra 1: Practice Workbook, McDougall Little, Paperback – Student Edition, March 2, 2006
Prerequisites
Following is a list of prerequisites for Algebra 1.
Critical Skills (required for entrance into the class)
Basic multiplication facts with some speed (through 12’s)
Order of operations
Fractions: performing all 4 operations; converting to mixed numbers and decimals
Decimals: performing operations; rounding; conversion to fractions; terminating vs. non-terminating
Percents
Setting up proportions (e.g. in word problems)
Exponents: evaluating; performing operations
Area, perimeter/circumference, volume
Important Skills
Unit conversions (simple)
Computing simple averages
Working with the concept of rates (e.g. price per lb., speed, etc.)
Word problems with any of the above
Assessment and Questionnaire
An assessment test of basic math skills and a parent questionnaire are required before students may enter this course.