Class Description

This is a course offered to those who had relative difficulty with math in grade school or do not feel the need for algebra. It is similar to Algebra I but it has more of a review flavor and slower pace, covering the basic math skills and introducing some algebra in the second semester. Often students will take Pre-Algebra first for a year before they begin the Algebra-Geometry sequence. The work for the course involves daily assignments which provide the bulk of the evaluation for the course.

Class Expectations

Materials Needed:

* Pencil
* Paper/Notebook
* Textbook

Daily Work:

* Students will receive an assignment almost everyday but test day. Most days the students will receive about 10-15 minutes in class to work on their assignments. This provides them the opportunity to ask questions. Each assignment will be worth 5 points.

Testing Information:

* Tests will be given after each chapter, and some quizzes will be administrated throughout the year.

Miscellaneous:

* If the student is struggling, please ask for help as soon as possible. I will be available after school for any questions, and we can easily make arrangements for a peer tutor or resource help.

Final Grade:

* Daily Homework = 20%
* Tests = 60%
* Quizzes = 20%

Class Outline

Algebraic Expressions and Integers

Variables and order of operations
Evaluating expressions
Integers and absolute value
Adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing integers
Inductive reasoning
The coordinate plane

Solving One-Step Equations and Inequalities

Properties of numbers
The distributive property
Simplifying variable expressions
Variables and equations
Solving equations
Inequalities and their graphs
Solving inequalities

Decimals and Equations

Rounding and estimating
Mean, median, and mode
Using formulas
Solving equations
Using the metric system
Simplify the problem

Factors, Fractions, and Exponents

Divisibility and factors
Exponents and simplifying fractions
Prime factorization and greatest common factor
Rational numbers
Exponents and multiplication
Exponents and division
Scientific notation

Operations with Fractions

Comparing and ordering fractions
Fractions and decimals
Operations with fractions
Using customary units of measurement
Solving equations
Powers of products and quotients

Ratios, Proportions, and percents

Ratios, unit rates, and proportions
Similar figures and scale drawings
Probability
Fractions, decimals, and percents
Proportions, percents, and equations
Percent of change
Markup and Discount

Solving Equations and Inequalities

Solving two-step to multi-step equations
Multi-step equations with fractions and decimals
Solving equations with variables on both sides
Solving two-step inequalities
Transforming formulas
Simple and compound interest

Linear Functions and Graphing

Relations and functions
Equations with two variables
Slope and y-intercept
Writing rules for linear functions
Scatter plots
Solve by graphing
Solving systems of linear equations
Graphing linear inequalities

Spatial thinking

Introduction to geometry: points, lines, and planes
Angle relationships and parallel lines
Classifying polygons
Congruence
Circles
Constructions
Symmetry and reflections
Translations and rotations

Area and Volume

Area: parallelograms, triangles, trapezoids and circles
Space figures
Surface area: prisms, cylinders, pyramids, cones, and spheres
Volume: prisms and cylinders, pyramids, cones and spheres

Right Triangles in Algebra

Square roots and irrational numbers
The Pythagorean theorem
Distance and midpoint formulas
Write a proportion
Special right triangles
Sine, cosine, and tangent ratios
Angles of elevation and depression

Data Analysis and Probability

Frequency tables and line plots
Box-and-whisker plots
Using graphs to persuade
Counting outcomes and theoretical probability
Independent and dependent events
Permutations and combinations
Experimental probability
Random samples and surveys

Nonlinear Functions and Polynomials

Patterns and sequences
Graphing nonlinear functions
Exponential growth and decay
Polynomials
Adding and subtracting polynomials
Multiplying a polynomial by a monomial
Multiplying binomials