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

This is a self-placed 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 1:  Solving Linear Equations with Variables on One Side 
                         (with and without Decimals and Fractions)
Topic 2:  Solving Linear Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Week Two
Topic 3: Determining the Number of Solutions
Topic 4: Solving Linear Equations with Unknown Coefficients

Week Three:
Topic 5: Solving Inequalities
Topic 6: Solving Compound Inequalities

Week Four:
Topic 7: Rate Conversions
Topic 8: Using Units to Model a Solution and Solve Problems



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 second and is titled "Solving Equations".  In it, your student will learn how to solve one variable equations with many variations (with variables on one or both sides, with parenthesis, with decimals and fractions, and with unknown constants), and how to solve inequalities (one variable inequalities and compound inequalities).    This level two follows a Level 1 course which covers "Evaluating Expressions". Together these two flex classes will give your student a solid foundation in Algebra.

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.