Mathematics 8, Sections 1 & 3 Home
Algebra 1
The course begins with a review and reinforcement of the
student's basic mathematical skill set. A solid understanding of basic
math concepts as well as computational speed and accuracy are critical to
a student's successful launch into this algebra course. Beyond expanding
their knowledge of set theory and the real number properties, students
learn how to write, simplify, solve, and graph linear and non-linear
equations and systems of equations. Throughout the course, students will
be working in teams using problem-solving strategies to solve real-life
problems that will reinforce the mathematical concepts.
Mathematics is not a spectator sport. Practice, assuming
underlying understanding, does make perfect. This said, students will have
homework every night and frequent informal and formal individual assessments
to track progress. One individual unit test and one team test
will occur during each unit and will be cumulative in nature.
Students who take responsibility for their own progress will be high
achievers.
The SSAT will be given to 8th grade students
in November. The exam is given again in January for those boys
who would like to improve upon their scores. While we will be reviewing
weekly the types of problems which appear on the SSAT, a 6-week review
session will be provided starting in late September to help prepare
students for this high school entrance requirement.
Requirements
The course moves at an accelerated pace because it is essentially a high
school Algebra 1 Course. While good attendance
goes without saying, a student must always come prepared with pencil, math
binder, and textbook. Calculators are provided
for in class work.
What do we value? In an Algebra
CPM course, we value the following.
• Mathematical Understanding:
Understanding is a prerequisite to remembering, connecting and using
mathematics.
• Skill Proficiency: Skills are
necessary to succeed at the mathematical tasks that students will encounter
in these courses and beyond.
• Problem Solving: Our students need
to learn to use what they know and think logically about problems to devise
effective strategies to find solutions.
• Communication: Our students need to
be able to use mathematical language and talk and write about their ideas
effectively.
• Justification: Our students should
be able to give logical arguments to defend their reasoning both orally and
in writing.
• Mastery Over Time: We expect our
students to continue to build broader and deeper understanding of the ideas
in each course as the year progresses.
• Multiple Ways of Seeing: We value
breadth of thinking. Our students should seek, find, hear and understand
multiple ways to think about a given mathematical task.
• Cooperative Learning: In order to
achieve many of the above-mentioned goals, our students need to work
together. They need practice talking about mathematics and building deeper
understanding by listening to the reasoning of other students. Therefore, it
is essential that we place high value on students learning to work
cooperatively.
Assessment
Our students learn what we
value primarily by observing what we assess. In the CPM Algebra course, we
value a broad range of skills and abilities. It is therefore crucially
important that we use a broad range of assessment strategies.
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Homework/Homework Quizzes -- nightly homework
will be assigned and checked for completion and effort the next day. Homework
will be self-corrected in class. On an unannounced basis, I will be
checking for accuracy by giving a homework quiz. It is
imperative that students show all of their work in arriving at the
solution to a problem. "I did it in my head" will not be accepted.
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Team Tests -- Towards the end of the
unit a Team Test will be given for the students to work together,
teach each other, and gauge their own progress.
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Individual Tests/Quizzes -- a comprehensive
Test is given at the end of each unit chapter. Tests will be
cumulative in nature building upon earlier learned concepts in
addition to the material just studied.
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Participation Quizzes, Class Observation,
Audience Participation, Student Presentations -- in order to maintain
a dynamic learning environment that is community-based, students need
to actively participate in daily class activities and discussions. Students along with
their team will be expected to present from time to time the material
they are learning or have learned.
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After-School Help
Algebra 1 can be conceptually challenging.
After-school help is available Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 3:20pm
to 4:05pm. I urge students to take advantage of this time to clear up
any difficulties they may be experiencing. This is also a good chance
to come in and work on nightly homework with the benefit of the teacher's
presence. I am also available by appointment in the mornings
before school.
If you have any questions about your son’s progress
in math, please contact me at school by phone at 921-3747 extension #141
or by email. I look forward to working with you and your son throughout
the year.
Welcome to 8th Grade Algebra
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