Course Description: This course is designed to prepare the student for the first course in algebra. He will begin to become familiar with the language, symbols, and basic operations of algebra.
Goals: The student will be prepared for the transition from arithmetic to algebra. He will learn the basic symbols and operations of algebra. He will learn to solve equations, from the most basic to more complex. The student will learn to manipulate numbers. He will learn how to graph linear equations and to improve his critical thinking skills.
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Unit |
Competencies |
Assessment |
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Unit 1 Basic Operations with Signed Numbers |
The student is introduced to the number line and the idea of numbers and their opposites. The student will explore the idea of combining positive and negative numbers, rather than "adding or subtracting." The student will also learn to multiply and divide signed numbers, emphasizing the opposite nature of these two operations. |
Homework Classroom Work Quizzes Unit Test |
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Unit 2 Combining Like Terms |
The student is introduced to the idea of a variable, a coefficient, and a variable expression. The student will learn to combine positive and negative terms and to recognize a simplified variable expression. |
Homework Classroom Work Quizzes Unit Test |
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Unit 3 The Distributive Property |
The student is introduced to the distributive property and its use in simplifying algebraic expressions. The student will learn to combine two procedures when simplifying an expression: the distributive property and combining like terms. |
Homework Classroom Work Quizzes Unit Test |
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Unit 4 Evaluating |
The student will learn to calculate the value of an algebraic expression when variables are assigned differing positive and negative values. Students will discover a more "concrete" meaning or value for seemingly abstract algebraic expressions |
Homework Classroom Work Quizzes Unit Test |
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Unit 5 Multiplying Algebraic Terms |
The student will be introduced to the meaning of an exponent and its effect on a variable. Students will reinforce their understanding of coefficients. Students will learn the basic rules for multiplying simple algebraic terms. Students will successfully combine these rules with the distributive property. |
Homework Classroom Work Quizzes Unit Test |
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Unit 6 & 7 Simplifying Algebraic Expressions With Exponents |
Students will further learn to recognize like terms, combining their knowledge of variables, exponents and signed numbers. Expressions will be simplified employing the rules of multiplying algebraic terms, the distributive property, like terms, and signed numbers. |
Homework Classroom Work Quizzes Unit Test |
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Unit 8 Combining Terms With Fractional Coefficients |
The student will employ his existing knowledge of adding and subtracting fractions to combine terms with fractional coefficients. The student’s skill in using a lowest common denominator, borrowing, and combining numbers with opposite signs will be reinforced. |
Homework Classroom Work Quizzes Unit Test |
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Unit 9 Multiplying & Combining Terms With Fractional Coefficients |
The student will employ his existing knowledge of multiplying fractions to successfully multiply terms with fractional coefficients. The student will reinforce their skill at converting mixed numbers to improper fractions, canceling terms, and simplifying answers. The student will learn to successfully solve problems involving two steps: multiplying terms with fractional coefficients and then combining like terms with fractional coefficients. |
Homework Classroom Work Quizzes Unit Test |
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Units 10 - 14 Solving Basic Equations |
Students are introduced to the idea of an equation. Students discover the basic rules for solving equations. Students learn to solve the most basic linear equations and progress in their skills to solving linear equations with multiple terms, grouping symbols, and the variable on both sides of the equation. Students develop confidence in their answers by learning to verify their answers through "checking." |
Homework Classroom Work Quizzes Unit Test |
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Unit 15 Solving Linear Equations By Graphing |
Students are introduced to coordinate planes, horizontal and vertical axes, coordinates, ordered pairs, and the idea of the graph of an equation. Students learn to graph equations with two variables by plotting points on a coordinate plane. Students are also introduced to the concept of graphing inequalities in one variable on a number line. |
Homework Classroom Work Unit Test |
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Unit 16 Solving Basic Word Problems |
Students are introduced to a four step process for solving basic word problems involving one variable. Students enhance their reading comprehension skills and improve their level of precision in expressing ideas mathematically. |
Homework Classroom Work Quizzes Unit Test |
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