In Algebra 1, the student will be introduced to all of the prerequisite topics for Algebra 2 a/o Geometry 1. As the student moves through each topic, (s)he will be building a strong mathematical foundation, setting him/her up for success in his/her mathematical studies. Each week the student will review the previous topic, do a quick warm-up, be presented a new topic, and then, participate in the application of the topic. In order to build a reference library, one in which the student can use when working on homework, (s)he will be required to take notes. This will greater ensure success when the student is working independently. It is an interactive class, one in which the student will be able to freely ask and answer questions. Therefore, to this end, students will need to have a working camera and microphone. 
 
This class meets three times a week. Each session is 45 minutes in length. It is important to note that this is part one of a two-part course; it is broken into a semester format. *Students are welcome to take one or all three of the trimesters. The topics for each trimester are noted below. 
 
Trimester One:
Variables
Exponents: Basic Rules
Order of Operations
Evaluation
Polynomials: Definitions & "like terms"
Simplifying with Parentheses
Polynomials: Adding and Subtracting
Polynomials: Multiplying
Simple Factoring 
ex:  2x + 6 = 2(x + 3)
Exponents: Negative
Simplifying with Exponents
Scientific Notation
Engineering Notation
Polynomials: Dividing

Semester Two:
x,y-Plane (plotting points)
Midpoint Formula
Distance Formula
Solving Linear Equations
Solving Literal Equations
Ratio and Proportion
Cancelling (or Converting) Units
Translation: How to translate word problems into math problems
Word Problems:
-Age
-Geometric
-Money Problems
-Distance (d = rt)
- Uniform Rate 
-Simple-Interest (I = Prt) 
-Investment
-Mixture
-Number (Integer) 
-Percent of
Inequalities: Linear
ex: 2x < 4
Graphing Linear Inequalities
ex: y < 2x + 3
Graphing Absolute-
Value Equations
Solving Absolute-
Value Equations
Radicals (square roots, cube roots, etc)
Exponents: Fractional
Solving Radical Equations
Graphing Radical Equations


*Students who opt to take the second semester will have to take a proficiency test at the start of the semester. The test will indicate if there are topics that need to be reviewed. 

Evaluation
Participation
A: Comes ready to learn, has everything ready at class time (notebook, completed homework, pencil, paper, calculator, eraser, etc.), asks/answers questions, strives for comprehension 
B: Comes ready to learn, has almost everything ready at class time (notebook, nearly all of the completed homework, pencil, paper, calculator, eraser, etc.), asks/answers questions, strives for comprehension
C: Comes ready to learn, usually has everything ready at class time (notebook, most of the completed homework, pencil, paper, calculator, eraser, etc.), asks/answers questions, strives for comprehension
Notebook: 
A: Notes are legible, organized and can be used by someone else as a reference tool.
B: Notes are legible, mostly organized, and can be used by someone else as a reference tool.
C: Notes are mostly legible, somewhat organized and can be used, with a little difficulty, by someone else as a reference tool.
Mastery
A: Demonstrates great proficiency in each topic
B: Demonstrates great proficiency in nearly every topic
C: Demonstrates proficiency in most every topic

Materials:
Students will need a notebook, pencil, scratch paper, and a basic calculator to check the accuracy of their work.

Parents are asked to sign off on student’s homework. This means: a signature indicates that the problem sets were worked, and the student used a calculator to check for accuracy. And, if needed, when the student did not fully comprehend a topic, the student wrote down questions to ask the teacher. Note: the parent is not required to teach, or reteach. The parent’s signature is strictly checking to ensure that the student did his/her work as directed.