Visualizing Algebra: An Algebra Foundations Course

This course is for beginning algebra students, students who need a refresher on the basics, or students who want to get a jump on learning algebra. 

Students MUST be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide: decimals, fractions, and positive and negative numbers before taking this course. 

For the best class experience students are required to come to class with their cameras and microphones on. 

The material for this course is from the Math Learning Center. This is a problem-solving, inquiry-based course. Meaning I will not lecture and students will discover the rules, and patterns of Algebra through the activities. 

This is a hands-on, and visual course. Students will be required to fully participate in all activities. Activities such as using virtual manipulatives, drawing pictures, problem-solving, and sharing their thinking through in-class discussion. 
This course will go at a slower pace and the schedule may change based on student need*. Each week will cover one topic in great detail and homework will be assigned after class. 

At the beginning of class, students can ask questions or have help on the previous homework assignment. 
Students will be expected to do the homework each week and turn it in for private feedback. I keep detailed notes on all learner progress and will send an individual transcript with strengths and weaknesses. 

Please note this is not a complete algebra curriculum. This is a foundations course that covers many algebra topics in great detail.


The course will cover the following topics*: 
Week 1-3: 
Understanding equivalence
-writing expressions
-working with variables
-graphing equations
-simplifying expressions and equations
-working with the distributive property 
-using area and perimeter to understand properties of whole numbers and exponents
-solving one, two-step and complex equations

Week 4-5
-writing equations and expressions with positive and negative numbers
-simplifying, distributing, and factoring expressions and equations
-writing equations from word problems 
-squares and square numbers
-linear equations and graphing 
-simplifying and solving complex equations
-writing equations from word problems