Algebra 1 Level 1 | Cool! I Get It! | Evaluate, Simplify Equivalent Expressions

With Algebra, mastery has to be the goal. And the right teacher knows she can get your learner there.

This is a self-paced class, so there are no live lessons. I will have two video lessons a week for four weeks which will be integrated into Nearpod (no login necessary).  Nearpod is extremely interactive, so your learners will not only be able to see me teach the concept and do the problem examples, but the Nearpod technology will allow them to put in their steps and I then work a problem together with them.  And, as teachers LOVE to do in the classroom, we use the format of "I do", "we do", "you do".  Nearpod allows them to interact with my video on the "we do" and then show me the steps on the "you do". And then show me results of their practice work right there in Nearpod.

The material I cover along with the content of the videos is very much like the live classes I teach on the same topic.  I have had many students and parents tell me they love my style of teaching and interacting with the students, but one of two obstacles get in the way of signing up for or staying in the live classes.  Either there is a scheduling conflict, or the student wants to move at a more accelerated classroom pace   than I can do in a live class because I believe so strongly in making sure all students are reaching mastery.   With the self-paced format, students can go as fast or as slow as is appropriate for their learning needs.

I teach each concept thoroughly and with positive energy so that students stay engaged.  As I teach the content, I have the learners interact through Nearpod so that they are fully involved like they would be in a live classroom.

Links to the Nearpod meetings will be posted to the Outschool classroom page each week on Monday and again on Thursday.  The classroom page will be used for class administration discussions and any specific questions about methodology.   The other discussions and communication points will be done in Nearpod.  

The course is called, "Cool! I've Got it! Algebra I Foundations Level 1 - Evaluating Expressions" 
In it, we cover the following topics-- (two topics a week which is twice the frequency of the ongoing class with the same content).

Week One
Topic A: Order of Operations
Topic B: Evaluating Expressions with 1 Variable

Week Two
Topic C: Evaluating Expressions with 1 Variables and Fractions
Topic D: Evaluating Expressions with 2 Variables and Decimals or Fractions

Week Three:
Topic E: Combining Like Terms
Topic F: Using Combined Like Terms in Reasoning

Week Four:
Topic G: Equivalent Expressions
Topic H: Dividing by Zero

Where this class fits within my Algebra I classes.  
My Algebra I classes fall into 3 trimester groupings:  "Cool, I got it" (Algebra Foundations- with the green background), "Boom! I nailed it" (Linear Algebra- with the red background), and "Wow! I Rocked it" (Quadratic Equations with the blue background).

"Cool, I got it" has two levels. This one is the first and is titled "Evaluating Expressions". In it, your student will learn how to evaluate, manipulate and solve expressions and equations.    The second level is "Solving Equations". 

During the ½ of each week devoted to one lesson, the student will be guided through Nearpod to watch a lesson while interacting at specific points. The learners will go at his/her own pace and will be prompted so that he/she first watches as I do, then gets prompted when "we do" together, and then gets promoted with "you do".  Specific office hours will have the instructor checking the page and responding to inquires so that students can interact let me know what's working and what doesn't work.