Algebra I (STAR) Syllabus

Course description

A workshop-oriented, limited-enrollment introduction to algebra that integrates the core components of Algebra I with strategies for succeeding in math throughout the high school curriculum.  Topics covered include: patterns, operations, functions, proportions and mathematical reasoning, exponents, radicals, graphing on the coordinate plane, and probability.

Syllabus

Unit I: Patterns and sequences

Using differences to find patterns

Other methods of finding (and building) sequences

Famous and not-so-famous sequences

Unit project: TBA

        Skill builder: Succeeding in this class and future math courses

        Skill builder: Using the whole textbook

        Skill builder: Building a math vocabulary

Unit II: Working with real numbers

What's a real number?

Prime and other special numbers

The four basic operations

"Invented" operations

Order of operations

Mean, median and mode

Estimation

Making sense out of fractions and decimals

Playing the percentages

Unit project: TBA

        Skill builder: Getting the most out of your calculator

        Skill builder: How to prepare for a math test

Standardized test preparation:  MCAS

Unit III: Solving equations

Simplifying algebraic expressions

Distribution

Solving one-step algebraic equations

Solving multi-step algebraic equations

Unit project: TBA

        Skill builder: Problem-solving strategies, part I

        Skill builder: How to succeed on a multiple choice quiz

Standardized test preparation:  MCAS

Unit IV: Proportions and reasoning

Ratios

Using proportional reasoning

Graphing data

Other data displays

Modeling

Unit project: TBA

        Skill builder: Problem-solving strategies, part II

        Skill builder: Taking the mystery out of text problems

Standardized test preparation:  MCAS

Unit V: Linear functions and the coordinate plane

Graphing points on the coordinate plane

Linear functions and graphs

Defining slope

Slope-intercept form

Parallel and perpendicular lines

Unit project: TBA

        Skill builder:  Using the graphing calculator

        Skill builder:  Using the carpenters' calculator

Standardized test preparation:  MCAS

Unit VI: Exponents and radicals

Multiplying monomials

Powers and products

Dividing monomials

Negative and zero exponents

Scientific notation

Estimating radicals

Simplifying radicals

Solving radical equations

Unit project: TBD

        Skill builder: Using web resources

        Skill builder:  Note-taking in math

Standardized test preparation:  MCAS

Unit VII: Probability

Geometric probability

Independent and dependent events

Combinations and permutations

Unit project: TBA

        Skill builder:  Foundation skills for Geometry

Standardized test preparation:  MCAS

Copyright 2005-9 Kris Wm. Chvatal.  May not be reproduced without consent.