Algebra 1 Express Class FLEX

Keep in mind that, because this class is designed to take an entire year of Algebra 1 in half of the time, it is for a more advanced student who likes math and picks up concepts quickly. 

In this class students will learn:

Week 1: One-Step Equations and Two-Step Equations
Week 2: Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides and The Distributive Property
Week 3: Solving Absolute Value Equations and Combining Like Terms
Week 4:  Slope and Graphing Linear Equations and Changing from Standard Form to Slope-Intercept Form of an Equation
Week 5: Solving Inequalities Using Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, & Division and Solving Compound Inequalities
Week 6: Solving Inequalities with Absolute Value and Graphing Inequalities 
Week 7: Solving a System of Equations by Substitution and Solving a System of Equations by Graphing  
Week 8: Solving a System of Equations by Elimination and Solving Systems of Equations by Graphing  
Week 9: Adding and Subtracting Polynomials and Multiplying and Dividing Polynomials
Week 10: Multiplying Binomials and Multiplying Polynomials
Week 11: Factoring Using the GCF and Factoring Trinomials with a Coefficient of 1
Week 12: Factoring Trinomials with Other Coefficients and Factoring Special Products
Week 13: Simplifying Rational Expressions and Solving Proportions Containing Rational Expressions 
Week 14: Multiplying Rational Expressions and Dividing Rational Expressions
Week 15: Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions with The Same Denominators and Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions with Different Denominators 
Week 16: Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions with Binomial Denominators and Solving Equations Involving Rational Expressions
Week 17: Simplifying,  Adding , Subtracting, Multiplying and Dividing Radical Expressions and Solving Equations Involving Radicals and Rationalizing the Denominator
Week 18: The Distance and  Midpoint Formulas and Quadratic Equations

A video will be posted at the beginning of each week.  Students should have paper and pencil while watching the videos as time will be added within the video to complete practice problems. 

A discussion question or math riddle will be posted in the classroom each week and students will be encouraged to join in the discussion by answering the question(s) or riddle and replying to other students.  I will also be participating in the discussion. Math articles may also be used occasionally to facilitate class discussions.

In addition to homework problems, a quiz will be provided each week which students can turn in for grading and feedback. A picture of the quiz can be sent to me by uploading it to my Dropbox folder through the link I will give you. You do not have to have a Dropbox account to upload the homework to my folder.  

I use the gradual release method of teaching: " I do, we do, you do" 
- First, I demonstrate how to do it (using several examples).  
- Next, the students do some problems along with me.
- Finally, they complete some problems on their own that I will check for accuracy and give more guidance if needed. 

I believe repetition is the key to learning Algebra, so we do many problems together during each session (through the video).  Then, when I ask them to do a problem on their own (again, through the video), I  go over it afterward, so they can see any errors they may have made.  I find that this reduces any anxiety some students have about math.

Practice homework will be provided along with a full answer key for checking the answers.  However, there will be no answer key provided for the quizzes since I will be grading them to offer feedback. I always include every step in my answer keys so students and parents can see where any errors were made.