Course Description

The fundamental purpose of Algebra I is to formalize and extend the mathematics that students learned in the middle grades. The critical areas, organized into units, deepen and extend understanding of functions by comparing and contrasting linear, quadratic, and exponential phenomena. The Mathematical Practice Standards apply throughout each course and, together with the content standards, prescribe that students experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to make sense of problem situations. The pacing suggested below will allow students to gain a foundation in linear, quadratic, and exponential functions before they are brought together to be compared/contrasted in Unit 5. Although units 2, 3, and 4 look lengthy in terms of the number of standards, only their application to one function type per unit will be addressed. As key characteristics of functions are introduced in unit 2 and revisited within units 3, 4, and 5, students will gain a deeper understanding of such concepts as domain and range, intercepts, increasing/decreasing, relative maximum/minimum, symmetry, end behavior, and the effect of function parameters. Unit 5 will also provide an excellent opportunity for review of many concepts in preparation for the administration of the Georgia Milestones EOC assessment.

Click HERE for a link to descriptions for each 9th grade math unit. 

Class Materials                                                                                                       

Contact Information                                                                                           

• Bridges.Christen.M@muscogee.k12.ga.us
• 706 – 565 – 2998 (school)
• Canvas (learning platform)
• Infinite Campus (grades portal)

Expectations for Virtual / Online Learning

• Participate in class at the designated time - sign into Zoom 10 minutes before  start  time to ensure you are ready right when the class starts. 
• Check announcements every day.
• Read directions! The directions for completing assignments are written in the course!
• Read teacher feedback for assignments. There may be times where you are asked to  re-submit an assignment.
• Do your own work! Plagiarism is not acceptable and could make you fail the course.
• Use a calendar to schedule reminders for assignments and due dates.
• Communicate with your teacher routinely.
• Stay organized. Save all the files for the course in one folder.
• Don’t get behind. You will eventually become frustrated and overwhelmed.
• Breathe! We are all in this together. I'm here for any questions you have. 

Typical Day's schedule 

*** My goal this year is to record lessons / notes for students before the class. I want students to watch the video and take notes outside of class time (students will be provided instructions on how to do this). This may not happen every time, but I’m going to try my best. I want to be available as possible for students to ask questions and for us as class to discuss the lesson. 

• Check in / Smart Start (Zoom: 10 – 15 minutes)
  • I will post a question via the zoom chat or in Canvas asking students about what they learned from the video.
  • I will answer any questions students have about the lesson.
  • I will go over class announcements such a due dates of upcoming assignments, misunderstanding I noticed in the practice session.

• Work session (Sometimes Zoom/ Sometimes out of Class: 30 – 60 minutes)
  • This is where students will practice the concept. I and other students will be available for assistance during this time.
  • Throughout the practice session, I will ask students to share their thoughts and explanations of certain problems.
  • If students don’t finish the practice during the work session, they are more than welcome to finish before the next class period.

• Out of Class work 
  • Usually the next day’s lesson videos or practice (daily)
  • IXL – certain skills will be assigned during the week (weekly)
  • POW (Problem of the Week) – assigned on a Monday and due on Friday regardless if students are to attend class on Friday or Monday. (weekly)
  • Study guide and/or review material (per unit)
  • Other tasks associated with the lesson (sometimes assigned every few lessons to reinforce learned concepts and provide additional practice, remediation, or enrichment)

Students should check the agenda and Canvas calendar each week / day to make sure they are on track with expectations and assignments.

Grading Policy                                                                                                            

35% - Formative—practice, classwork, homework, mini quizzes, problem checks, problem of the week (POW), etc. 65% - Summative— (any assignment where students are to demonstrate mastery) - unit tests, 9 weeks tests, quizzes, projects, tasks, problem of the weeks (POW), etc.