MATH SUPPLIES!  Many students are out of loose leaf paper, pencils! Please be sure that your green folder has your current homework (completed and to be completed) only.

Please look at "THIS WEEK'S ASSIGNMENTS" to get your homework for this week.

Thank you,
Mrs. Clark

Algebra I Syllabus

Algebra I is a rigorous high school course for which the student does not receive high school credit.  I have taught this class for many years at both the high school and the 8th grade level, and we will be moving at a very fast pace.  I will be communicating with you as well as your student should he/she fall behind.

In general we will briefly review Pre-Algebra topics and build to an understanding of linear equations and inequalities along with systems of equations the first semester, and then we move on to the study of quadratic equations in the second semester.  These are the two “big ideas” in the Algebra I course and will be revisited in more depth when your child takes Algebra II as a sophomore.

Student grades are weighted as follows:

Homework 30%
Quizzes/Tests 70%

*Algebra students will have a semester exam and a final exam.

The book we are using this year is the Prentice Hall Algebra. We will be completing approximately 1 section per day.

Semester 1
Chapter 1
Tools of Algebra - Pre-Algebra review, including graphing, using variables, order of operations, and computation with integers and real numbers.

Chapter 2
Functions/Graphing Functions - Review of coordinate plane and graphing using tables, graphs, simple equations, and writing function rules, along with some probability review.

Chapter 3
Algebraic Concepts Modeling and solving 1-step and 2-step equations, combining like terms, using the distributive property.  We will revisit probability and working with percent equations.

Chapter 4
Equations and Inequalities - Building on solving more difficult multi-step equations and transfer strategies learned to solving and graphing inequalities.

Chapter 5
Graphing/Writing Linear Equations - Slope, rate of change, direct variation, writing linear equations in different forms, and writing equations for lines. 

*Chapter 6
Systems of Equations and Inequalities Solving systems of equations by graphing, substitution, and elimination.  Solving and graphing systems of inequalities.
*We will probably start Chapter 6 in the first semester and finish it in the second semester.


Semester 2
Chapter 7
Quadratic Equations - Graphing quadratic functions, using square roots, solving quadratic equations, and using the quadratic formula.

Chapter 8
Exponents and Exponential Functions - Introduction to exponential functions, exponential growth and decay.  We introduce zero and negative exponents and computation with powers.

Chapter 9
Right Triangles and Radical Expressions - Simplifying radicals, computation with radicals, solving radical equations, and the Pythagorean Theorem.

Chapter 10
Polynomials - Simplifying polynomials, computation with polynomials, and solving polynomials by factoring.


CMP  8B Syllabus

I have piloted and implemented CMP in school districts in Northern Wisconsin and North Carolina in both the 7th and the 8th grade, and I love this way of learning!   CMP emphasizes reasoning and communication, which in turn help students to internalize and retain valuable math “big ideas.” By the end of the 8th grade, students will have an excellent foundation for Algebra I in high school.

Student Grades are weighted as follows:
Class Work: 50% - Includes Participation, Homework, Notebook, Projects
Unit Tests and Quizzes: 50% - Includes partner quizzes, Check Ups, Unit Tests


We will be using 7-8 of the CMP books this year.

Semester 1
Thinking with Mathematical Models - Introduces functions and modeling, finding the equation of a line, inverse functions and inequalities.

Looking for Pythagoras - Wok with the Pythagorean Theorem, square roots, connections with coordinates (x, y), slope, distance, and area.

Growing, Growing, Growing - Recognizing and representing exponential  growth and decay in tables, graphs, words, and symbols, along with rules of exponents and scientific notation.

Frogs, Fleas, and Painted Cubes - Recognizing and representing quadratic functions in tables,  graphs, words, and symbols, along with factoring simple quadratic expressions.


Semester 2
Say It with Symbols - Working with equivalent expressions, combining  expressions and substituting in expressions, solving quadratic equations, using the quadratic formula.

Shapes of Algebra - Coordinate geometry, solving inequalities, standard form of linear equations, solving systems of linear equations, and inequalities.

Samples and Populations - Use samples to reason about populations and make predictions, compare samples and sample distributions, basically data and statistics.

Kaleidoscopes, Hubcaps, and Mirrors - Symmetry and Transformational geometry, congruence, and congruence rules for triangles.