Discovering Algebra One (Part 4 Of 4)

This Algebra curriculum is divided into 4 parts. My personal belief is that algebra should be taught over 1-2 years depending on your child. In each of these parts your child will be taught the skill and then asked to apply the skill in a discovery lesson. Skill learning will be circular within each part. Meaning a skill that you learned in Part 1 will be retaught with further learning in another part. Below is a breakdown of what you will see in this class.
In this class we will be working with Polynomials and quadratics. By the end of this course your learner will be able to:
add and subtract polynomials
multiply polynomials
divide polynomials
solve polynomial equations in factored form
factor equations
factor special products
factor polynomials
Solving quadratics by graphing
solving quadratics by factoring
solving quadratics by completing the square
solving quadratics by the quadratic formula
interpret the discriminant

The break down for this class will be (subject to change): Part 4
Week one-two: Review polynomials,  Dividing polynomials
Quiz one: Polynomials
Week three: Review of factors and common factors
Week four: Graphing quadratics using numerical models, factoring quadratics
Quiz two: factoring
Week five and six: finding the parts of a Quadratic function(Vertex, axis of symmetry, intercepts) and projectile motion
Project one: Parabola by definition
Week seven: Completing the square and Quadratic formula
Quiz three: Solving quadratics
Week eight: Simplifying rational expressions (Bonus topics: Cubic functions graphically and transformations of quadratics)
Quiz 4 cumulative


Before this class your child should know the following
•	How to add whole numbers
•	How to subtract whole numbers
•	How to multiply whole numbers
•	How to divide whole numbers
•	How to add decimals
•	How to subtract decimals
•	How to multiply decimals
•	How to divide decimals
•	How to add fractions
•	how to subtract fractions
•	How to multiply fractions
•	How to divide fractions
•	perform order of operations with all types of rational numbers
•	solve squares and square roots
•	how to graph points
•	How to graph linear lines
•	What the inequality symbols mean
•	How to graph inequalities on a number line
•	How to solve one-step and two-step equations

I like to show the students the way math rules work so that it is easier to remember them. This way the curiosity of knowing how something works will move the gears of critical thinking. After I have shown them a pattern and why it works. I will ask them to apply it to a hard problem. If they can use these skills in different ways, I know they have mastered the concepts. I believe to memorize math is not understanding, but to apply math is not only understanding but fluency! To obtain this level of understanding, I will lead the students on a journey to discovering math through discussion, observation, and application of the math being used. If this is the kind of math class, you want then I am the teacher for you. 

I am a homeschooler, and I enjoy the freedom of figuring out how my child is assessed. I will give suggested practice problems each class and provide homework videos. Whether or not the practice problems are mandatory and graded is up to the parent. I will give in-class assignments such as discovery labs and discussion word problems. If you want an assignment done on your learner at the end of class, it will be the job of the parent to contact me within the first week of class so that I can send them my due dates for assessment work.