COURSE
OF
MATHEMATICS
DEPARTMENT
REVISED
AUGUST 2006
BY
JILL WINEGAR
PURPOSE AND PHILOSOPHY
The
Bridge to Algebra/Algebra I course is designed to aid students in developing
their mathematical abilities to fill in identified gaps in knowledge and
complete the Algebra I curriculum in a single year. Students will be engaged in
a double period, intensive class incorporating classroom experiences and a self
paced computer laboratory for the entire school year. Assessment and review of
previous knowledge will allow students to identify their needs while enriching
experiences will provide an intensive Algebra experience. Given the successful
completion of this course, students will be prepared to undertake Geometry.
Students who are unsuccessful or who need further experience may choose to
reenroll in a traditional full year Algebra I course.
STUDENT OUTCOMES
Ø
Major
Goals
v
To
help students truly understand the fundamental concepts of arithmetic,
mathematics and Algebra.
v
To
foreshadow the important concepts of Geometry, Advanced Algebra and Statistics.
v
To
show how algebra can be used to model real-life problems.
v
To
develop students' ability to communicate mathematics orally, in written form
and visually
Ø
Evaluation
To evaluate student progress, both formal and
informal assessment will be used. Homework, quizzes, performance based
assessment, computer lab based assessment and tests will compose the formal
assessment while group work, notebooks, and technological explorations will
comprise the informal assessment. Students will be provided ample opportunity
to practice across a variety of learning styles.
OBJECTIVES
This
course will cover basic arithmetic topics as well as Algebraic topics.
These
topics will include:
Ø
Operations
with Fractions and Mixed Numbers (4-1 .B) Integers (4-IB) Algebraic Problem
Solving (4-3.B) Probability and Statistics (4-4.B) Solving Inequalities (4-4.B)
Graphs and Functions (4-2.C, 4-3.B) Linear Equations and their Graphs (4-2. C,
4-3 B) Systems of Equations and Inequalities (4-3. C) Exponents and Exponential
Functions (4-1 B) Polynomials and Factoring (4-3.D) Transformations (4-2. B)
Counting Methods and Permutations (4-4. C) All topics incorporate Standard 4-5.
In
addition review of the following topics previously taught will be embedded in
the class to provide a firm mathematical basis for all students:
Ø
Number
Sense and Algebraic Thinking
Ø
Fractions
Ø
Decimals
Ø
Ratios
and Proportions
Ø
Percents
Ø
Geometric
Figures and Their Properties
Ø
Area
and the Pythagorean Theorem
Ø
Number
Systems
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
In
order to develop mastery of stated objectives, the following may be used:
Ø
Extra
practice problems
Ø
Reinforcement
exercises
Ø
Transparencies
Ø
On-line
applets for motion and development problems
Ø
Maintenance
of a notebook and organizational material
Ø
Computer
assisted instruction
Ø
On-line
quizzes and exercises
Ø
Group
explorations and chapter projects
Ø
Self
assessments
Ø
Graphing
calculator explorations
ASSESSMENT
To
evaluate student progress, homework will be checked by teacher and by peers,
written quizzes and chapter tests will be given, projects will be presented,
notebooks will be evaluated and a final examination in June will be
administered.
ENRICHMENT
There
are extensive enrichment readings and instructional materials on line for
students who wish to pursue the study of a related concept in greater depth.
SOFTWARE
Students
will be engaged on the Bridge to Algebra Software in the computer lab on a
regular basis (at least 30% of class time) throughout the entire school year.
This software is AI based and will allow students to work at their own pacer
supplying both remedial skills and enrichment based on the student's needs.
TEXTBOOK
Bridge
to Algebra. Carnegie Learning (Book, student assignments and accompanying
software) 2006.
Algebra
I. Pearson Prentice Hall (Book and workbook) 2004.
www.phschool.com is available to all
students at all times and is keyed to the specific lessons in the Algebra I
text.
Additional
resources are available to the teacher including Solutions Guides,
Transparences, Enrichment Resources.
www.southjerseyacademy.com is a
rich website for projects and activities that are standards and research based
and ready for presentation.
Addendum:
The
7th, 8th and 9th grade curriculums were mapped and, as a result, streamlined to
free the teacher from repeatedly teaching the same concepts while running out
of time for other concepts because of ordering in the textbooks. As a result of
this mapping, the topics were divided into those that must be taught and those
that must be reviewed/assessed. It is recommended that the review/assessment be
done using performance activities rather than traditional testing.
For
this course the following topics must be taught: Bridge
Units
3, 7, 8, 11, 13, 15 Algebra 1
Chapters
3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 4-6, 12-8, 12-9
The
following topics have been taught as part of the 7th grade curricula and need
only be reviewed/assessed briefly. All of these topics are presented and
reviewed in their entirety in the "Bridge to Algebra" software.
Bridge
Units
1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 14 Algebra I
Chapters
1, 2, 4
Chapters
10 and 11 are covered as new topics in their entirety in Algebra II.