District 11 Division of Operations & Instruction
Mathematics



 

Accelerated Math 8 Algebra 1-2: Course Overview
Course Number: MAM.ALG1 - MAM.ALG2

Overview
This course is designed to meet the NCTM standards. It is a formal study of algebra including applications. Students are expected to have mastered the content of Math 7 and Math 8. They use computers, calculators, and manipulatives in their study of the real number system, its properties and operations. This course will include solving first- and second-degree equations, operations on polynomials, and applications of algebraic methods of problem-solving.
Prerequisite: None
Course Length: 2 Semesters   Period Length: 1   Grade Level:  6-8   Credit per Semester: 0

Semester 1 Semester 2
 

Enduring Understandings - important ideas that students should carry with them years beyond the instruction received this year.

  • Numbers can be represented, ordered, and communicated in many different forms.
  • Algebra is a language.
  • Data can be used to draw conclusions and make predictions.
  • Computation, reasoning, and estimation are vital mathematical tools.
  • There are different ways of estimating.
  • Computational strategies are connected to algebraic thinking.
  • Geometry builds our world.
  • Measurements are used to compare. 

  • Formulas are used in the real world.

  • Dimensional change affects geometry.

Essential Questions - most important “big picture” questions students should be able to answer after completing learning activities.

  • What are different representations of equivalent numbers?
  • What methods would you use in solving equations?
  • How do you translate between languages?
  • How would you organize and construct displays of data?
  • What conclusions would you make from a variety of data organizers?
  • How would you determine which measure of central tendency best represents a set of data?
  • How would you analyze data and predict future outcomes?
  • How is the order of operations similar to following the rules of a game?
  • How do you decide what strategies to use to solve a problem?
  • How do you decide if the "correct" answer is an appropriate solution?
  • How do you match an algebraic representation to an appropriate word problem?
  • How do you justify the reasonableness of a solution?
  • How do you use the attributes of two- or three- dimensional shapes?

  • How would you solve problems involving area, circumference, or surface area?

  • How would you transform figures to determine congruency?

  • How would you decide which procedure and formula to use to solve area problems?

  • How does dimensional change affect the attributes of a polygon?

  • How do you choose appropriate units and tools to create congruent figures?

Quarter 1 Big Ideas: Graphs and Data Analysis, Algebra, Decimals
Quarter 2 Big Ideas: Fractions, Geometry, Measurement
Quarter 3 Big Ideas: Ratio, Proportions and Percents, Integers, Probability
Quarter 4 Big Ideas: Surface Area and Volume of Right Prisms, Algebraic Thinking, Order of Operations, Integers

CSAP Standards: Highest Frequency High Frequency Other Standards and E-Skills

Standard 1:  (Number Sense)  Students develop number sense and use numbers and number relationships in problem solving situations and communicate the reasoning in solving these problems.
1.1 Use exponents to show how many times a base are used
1.2 Read and write large whole numbers. Read, identify, and utilize place value with large numbers.  Locate decimal values on a number line

Standard 2: (Algebra and Functions) Students use algebraic methods to explore, model and describe patterns and functions involving numbers, shapes, data, and graphs in problem-solving situations and communicate the reasoning used in solving these problems.
2.1 Recognize, extend and use geometric, numeric, linear, or visual patterns to solve a problem.  Using the rule for a pattern to represent it in a table, graph, and problem solve.  Recognize an equation that models a given situation.
2.5a Solve simple equations
2.5b Translate English expressions and algebraic expressions
2.2 Recognizing, describing, and extending a pattern and function using tables and graphs in a problem solving situation.  Using a table to find a constant/unit rate.
2.5 Substituting in a formula to compute a value. Solving a simple linear equation in a problem solving situation. Using a linear function given in a context to solve a problem.

Standard 3: (Statistics and Probability) Students use data collection and analysis, statistics, and probability in problem-solving situations and communicate the reasoning used in solving these problems.
3.1a Construct a histogram and stem-and-leaf plot
3.1b Read, interpret and draw conclusions from histograms and stem-and-leaf plots
3.1b Read, interpret and draw conclusions from circle graphs
3.1 Read, interpret, and draw conclusions from line graphs, bar graphs, histograms, and circle graphs

Standard 4: (Geometry) Students use geometric concepts, properties, and relationships in problem-solving situations and communicate the reasoning used in solving these problems.
4.5b Solve problems involving area of circles, triangles, and parallelograms
4.5c Solve problems involving surface area of rectangular prisms
4.6a Reflect, translate, and rotate figures to determine congruency

Standard 5: (Measurement) Students use a variety of tools and techniques to measure, apply the results in problem-solving situations, and communicate the reasoning involved in solving these problems.
5.4a Solve problems involving area of trapezoids, regular hexagons, and regular octagons

Standard 6: (Computation) Students link concepts and procedures as they develop and use computational techniques, including estimation, mental arithmetic, paper-and-pencil, calculators, and computers, in problem-solving situations and communicate the reasoning involve
6.2 Order of Operations (Parenthesis, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction; PEMDAS Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying and Dividing with whole numbers, exponents, decimals, fractions, mixed numbers, and integers.
6.2 Recognize format of equations with one or more variables. Introduce 1 step equations

Sample Units

District 11 Diamond Units/Lessons Overview - includes information about the purpose, goals and structure of these sample instructional units:

Assessment
Math Mastery Review - 1.2.pdf   Math Mastery Review - 1.3.pdf

Parents

There are many ways to help bring relevance to the concepts your  teenager will be learning this quarter. While shopping, ask your child to determine the savings for items that are reduced by specific percents. Explain the process you use to calculate the savings. When eating out, ask your child to calculate an appropriate amount for a tip based on the percentage you determine. Relevant cross-over skills that involve using a grid include skills such as finding locations on Mapquest and other maps.

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