Algebra Course Overview



BCMS 8TH GRADE UofM ACADEMY

Algebra (Regular 8) Syllabus
Instructor:  John Martin

Grade Level:  8 Junior High                                 
Subject Area:  Mathematics
Course Number:  M303051
Course Title:  Algebra (Reg 8)
Course Length: 1 Year
Prerequisite:  Pre-Algebra

Course Description:

This course covers the first half of a traditional Algebra 1 course.   It reviews pre-algebra skills and extends through linear functions, linear inequalities, and systems of linear equations.  Topics covered include:

1. Foundations for Algebra – variables and expressions, operations with real numbers, introduction to functions
2. Equations – solving equations, proportion and percent
3. Inequalities – solving simple and compound inequalities
4. Functions – function concepts, applying functions5. Linear Functions – characteristics of linear functions, using a variety of forms of linear functions
6. Systems of Equations and Inequalities – solving systems by graphing, substitution, and elimination


Grading:

1.  Daily assignments – This includes book work, printed worksheets, and other assignments that are to be completed either in class or at home.  This is a participation score;  homework is not formally assessed.  Daily assignments will be listed on the assignment board.  20%

2.  Skills bank – This is a record of the skills that the student has mastered.  Each skill will be demonstrated either in formative or summative assessments a minimum of three times in order to be considered "competent."  Skills will be assigned a value, from 1 to 4, based upon the complexity of the solution.  Skills must be mastered during the grading period for progress report evaluation, but students may at any time make up missed skills.  60%

3.  Projects – During the course various project-based assessments will be completed.  These are intended to provide a "big picture" view of how the individual skills relate to real-life problems.  Grades will be determined based on a competency rubric.  20%



Please take the "Algebra 1 Commitments" list seriously.  These are the attributes that students who are successful in algebra bring to class.

All UofM team expectations are to be followed. 
REMEMBER, ALWAYS FOLLOW DIRECTIONS