Algebra A

2022-2023

Teacher
Richard Blatherwick
[email protected]
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 7:45-8:25

Course description

In Algebra A, we will build upon the ideas established in Math Foundations and continue
developing our understanding of proportionality in geometry, sequences, and real-life
scenarios. We will generate linear equations to describe patterns that occur in real life and use
them to predict the future. We’ll start the year with the exploration of proportional
relationships in ratios, geometry, and graphically, and develop an understanding of slope. We’ll
craft equations from graphs and real-life data, manipulate equations from slope intercept to
standard form, and determine shared solutions between equations. Lastly, we’ll create linear
models from real-life data and apply our understanding.

Course Standards
These standards are assessed for mastery throughout the year (M = mastery, AM =
approaching mastery, DC = developing competence, NDC = not demonstrating competence),
and they are unique to this course/subject area.

1. Proportionally scale ratios and percentages

2. Apply exponent laws to generate equivalent expressions and equations
3. Use scientific notation to represent numbers
4. Determine congruence between figures through transformations (rotations,
translations, reflections) and apply it to figures
5. Determine similarity between figures through dilations and apply it to figures
6. Use the Pythagorean Theorem to determine unknown values in geometric shapes and
on the coordinate plane
7. Graph linear equations on a coordinate plane and create a linear equation from a graph
8. Create linear equations given a scenario and craft scenarios to match a linear equation
9. Create linear equations given a series of points and generate a series of solutions when
given a linear equation
10. Solve systems of equations by graphing, substitution, and elimination
11. Define the properties of a function, determine which functions are linear and
non-linear, and describe the properties of a function
12. Organize categorical data, and use models to describe associations between variables
 Student Skills Standards
These standards are assessed for consistency throughout the year (most of the time, some of
the time, and not currently), and they are consistent for every course/subject area and every
grade level.

1. Preparedness: Comes to class or activities ready to learn

2. Engagement: Takes part in their own learning
3. Independence: Initiates work, solves problems, and seeks support on their own
4. Responsiveness: Communicates with others, responds to direction, and incorporates
feedback
5. Citizenship: Contributes to a productive and respectful learning environment

Course Policies and Expectations

Conversation is crucial to the development of mathematical understanding, and each of our

classes will be structured so that you will be expected to share your thoughts and
understanding of the problem. These moments will be opportunities for me to share feedback
with you and for me to adjust our learning to meet your needs.

Weekly Practice will be assigned on a two-week schedule that includes a cycle of a Wolf and
a Wild Weeks. Practice will consist of traditional paper set problems and practice on Khan
Academy and will be sequenced according to the content covered in class.

I don’t expect you to complete practice perfectly. I do, however, expect you to try it. If you are
stuck on a problem, refer back to your notes from class as well as the provided homework
helper. You can also visit me during Office Hours to discuss the areas of challenge that you will
all come across on your journey.

Khan Academy content can be completed directly on the website, and traditional paper set
problems are submitted to Google Classroom. When you don’t submit your Practice work by
Friday, I will email you a reminder during the week, and I’ll copy your parents/guardians on the
email.

Accommodations
If you have approved accommodations, which are formally documented in your Wildwood
Learning Plan, please take note of the following section.

It’s your right to ask me to use any approved accommodation.

If you have extended time, I will email you a heads up before major assessments (demos,
in-class writing, etc.) with the information for that assessment (for example, the date, length of
time for the assessment, etc.). You will have two days to let me know whether you plan to use

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your extended time for that specific assessment and when you’ll use it (my email will give you
some options to choose from).

If there’s a surprise/unscheduled assessment (like a pop quiz), you will get your extended time
after class, and we will coordinate a time for that.

Materials and Access

We will be using the Eureka Math 7th and 8th-grade textbook to guide our journey through
Algebra A. Students will be provided a copy of guided notes and homework as well as have
digital access on google classroom and in-classroom access to the homework helper.

Students will be provided a binder for their math work. We will practice organization strategies
and actively maintain the binder throughout the year.

Assessment Practices

In addition to Weekly Practice, I will also use mini-activities in class, demos, video assignments,
and 3+ major projects to assess your skills. All assessments and projects will prioritize your
ability to verbalize your understanding over accuracy in your calculations.

Over the year, we will take the MAP diagnostic test three times to determine your skills
growth.

Academic Integrity

Please refer to the “Issues of Academic Integrity” section of the M/U Wildwood School
Middle/Upper Student and Family Handbook for our school’s definition of and consequences
for issues of academic integrity.

Course Schedule or Outline

Unit 1: Percents and Proportional Relationships

You will deepen your understanding of ratios and proportional relationships by solving a
variety of percent problems. You will convert between fractions, decimals, and percents to
further develop a conceptual understanding of percent and use algebraic expressions and
equations to represent and solve multistep percent scenarios.

● Prices Now and Then: You will investigate historical prices to determine inflation

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Unit 2: Integer Exponents and Scientific Notation
We will expand on knowledge of operations on numbers to include operations on numbers in
integer exponents. You will learn to express the magnitude of a positive number through the 4
use of scientific notation and to compare the relative size of two numbers written in scientific
notation. You will choose appropriately sized units as you represent, compare, and make
calculations with very large quantities and very small quantities.

Unit 3: Congruence and Similarity

You will learn about translations, reflections, and rotations in the plane and how to use them to
precisely define the concept of congruence. You will continue with the definition of dilation,
properties of dilations, and compositions of dilations. The overarching goal of this module is to
replace the common idea of “same shape, different sizes” with a definition of similarity that can
be applied to geometric shapes that are not polygons, such as ellipses and circles.

● Miniature Los Angeles Project: You will miniaturize a famous building in Los Angeles

Unit 4: Pythagorean Theorem

You will develop an understanding of irrational numbers, square roots, and cube roots through
the geometric application of the Pythagorean Theorem

Unit 5: Linear Equations

You will extend what you already know about unit rates and proportional relationships to
linear equations and their graphs. You will understand the connections between proportional
relationships, lines, and linear equations in this module. Also, you will learn to apply the skills
you acquired in Grade 6, symbolic notation and properties of equality, to transcribe and solve
equations in one variable and then in two variables.

Unit 6: Linear Functions

In Grade 6, you worked with data involving a single variable. This module introduces you to
bivariate data. You will be introduced to a function as a rule that assigns exactly one value to
each input. In this module, you will use your understanding of functions to model the
relationships of bivariate data. This module is important in setting a foundation for your work in
Algebra I.