-PRE - ALGEBRA-

COURSE DETAILS:
Instructor: Mr. Christian R. Mills, B.S. Weber State University, Mathematics & Physics Education
Office: Room 504, Cody Middle School, 2901 Cougar Ave., Cody Wyoming 82414
Phone: (307)587-4273 ext 5323 - FAX (307)587-3547
Email: cmills@park6.k12.wy.us
Office Hours: M-F 7:15-8:10, 3:12-4:30
Website: http://www.teachanddiscover.net/education/schools/prealg.html
Main Site: http://www.teachanddiscover.net/
OFFICIAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is a two-semester course study of Pre - Algebra. The course will cover 1) basic topics such as number operations and measurement, 2) general topics such as properties of algebra, graphing, data analysis, and geometry, and 3) problem-solving/critical-thinking topics such as solving equations, applied statistics, lines and equations of lines, and probability. This class meets all of the Wyoming Mathematics Standards and Benchmarks for 8th grade. A student must pass the Middle School Pre - Algebra class in order to move on to Algebra 1 at the high-school level as a freshman. No high school credit is awarded for passing the class and advancing. Attending and successfully completing Pre - Algebra in 8th grade allows a student to add more advanced mathematics and science classes to his or her high school schedule and transcript.
MORE ABOUT THIS COURSE:
This course is designed to help students fulfill 8th grade core requirements as well as to prepare for and be successful on state standardized PAWS tests and the national standardized SAT test and the ACT test. The course will also prepare students for 9th grade Algebra I, if the student successfully completes this Pre-Algebra course.
CLASS DISCIPLINE:
The classroom rule is "Respect." If you wish to be respected by your teacher and peers you must learn to respect your teacher, peers, classroom, and other's personal belongings. Failure to uphold the standard will result in verbal warnings, written warnings, lunch detentions with Mr. Mills, or referrals to the office and a visit to the assistant principal. This year is considered a transition year for you and must be treated as such. You will be expected to act as young adults, to be responsible for your own actions, to give an honest effort, and to be self-motivated.
DAILY EXPECTATIONS:
Each day you attend class you will be expected to bring your laptop computer (unless otherwise notified), a hand calculator, and a 3-ring binder full of paper in which you will record notes and important facts, complete homework assignments, answer questions to daily class starters, complete practice exams, and compile project and activity data. A textbook will be sent home the first week of class for home reference but does not need to be brought to class (unless otherwise notified). Parents should be encouraged to follow your progress by referencing this page, you notebook, and your textbook.
PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES:
Each unit of this course that is attached to the state standards and benchmarks will have a project/activity attached to it. These must be completed by the student in order to receive credit for them. These scores are reported to the district and to the state to demonstrate proficiency.

HOMEWORK:
As a teacher, I feel that it is important for students to practice problems similar to those they will encounter on Unit Tests, State Standardized Tests, and on the Final Exam. However, homework is the student's opportunity to demonstrate responsibility and self-motivation to learn and to seek understanding. Homework will be concise and to the point. Students will be iven in-class time to examine solutions to homework problems, and are encouraged to ask questions to achieve understanding.

UNIT EXAMS:
Each unit will have a series of exams that the students will be required to complete for their course grade. There will also be standards & benchmarks exams required by the district at the completion of each whole unit. The scores for these exams will be reported to the district and the state to demonstrate proficiency.

FINAL EXAM:
Besides the PAWS test that will be given out in January and in March, as well as the standards and benchmarks exams given out at the completion of each unit, there will be no comprehensive final exam at the end of each semester or at the end of the school year.
GRADING:
Grading will be done in the following manner:

The students will be given a percentage grade based on points earned divided by points total, and the students will also receive a performance and proficiency grade on assignments wich meet Wyoming State Science/Math Standards.

  • Homework: 10 pts. Each Asignment
  • Projects: 50 pts. Each Activity
  • Unit Exams: 50 pts. Each Exam
  • Dist. Assessments: 100 pts. Each Assessment
PLAGIARISM & CHEATING:
Plagiarism is defined as "presenting as one's own work the work of another person -- words, ideas, data, evidence, thoughts, information, organizing principles, or style of presentation -- without proper attribution."  While we will talk about the dangers of plagiarism in class, it is your responsibility to be aware of what is and what is not plagiarism, whether intentional or not. Your instructor has a variety of tools at his disposal for testing written work for plagiarism, ample experience at detecting it, and a low tolerance for it. If you have questions about whether you are adequately citing or attributing work, please ask your mentor or instructor. Also, cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Students caught cheating will receive a zero for that assignment, assessment, or exam and will lose the privledge of making up the grade in question. These students will also be sent to the assistant principal to be disciplined accordingly. These offenses (plagiarism and cheating) care considered serious offenses in my classroom.
Forms & Documents:
The following forms are for download and are available in .pdf format for easy download and viewing on any platform.

Pre-Algebra Course Syllabus
COURSE OUTLINE:

  1. Unit A - Data Analysis and Presentation (Approx 2.5 Weeks)
    1. Line Plots (1-1)
      • Homework: pg. 9, 1-4 all
    2. Mean, Median, and Mode (1-2)
      • Homework: pg. 15, 1-5 all
    3. Bar Graphs and Line Graphs (1-4)
      • Homework: pg. 26, 1-4 all
    4. Scatterplots and Trends (1-7)
      • Homework: pg. 45, 1-4 all

  2. Unit B - Addition and Subtraction of Integers. (Approx. 2.5 Weeks)
    1. Addition of Integers (2-2)
      • Homework 001 - Write an integer to represent each description.
      • Homework 002 - Put the integers in order from least to greatest.
      • Homework 003 - Add the integers.
      • Homework 004 - Fill in the blank with an appropriate integer.
      • Homework: pg. 70, 4-14 all, and 17-22 all
    2. Subtraction of Integers (2-3)
    3. Addition and Subtraction Together.

  3. Unit C - Multiplication and Division of Integers. (Approx. 1.5 Weeks)
    1. Multiplication of Integers.
    2. Division of Integers.
    3. Multiplication and Division Together (2-4)
    4. Simplifying Integer Expressions (2-5)

  4. Unit 1 - Number Operations and Concepts. (Approx. 5 Weeks)
    1. Students represent and apply numbers in a variety of equivalent forms (such as changing from percent to decimal to fraction, etc.) and in a problem-solving context:
      1. Prime Factors, Factors, Multiples.
      2. Rational Numbers & Proportions.
      3. Square Roots, Powers, and Exponents.
        • Homework: pg. 333, 2-11 all - Find the GCF of the following pairs of numbers.
        • Homework: pg. 338, 2-11 all - Find the LCM of the following pairs of numbers.
        • Homework: pg. 367, 2-16 all - Square numbers and square roots.
        • Homework: pg. 99, 3-22 all - Evaluating powers and exponents.
    2. Students extend understanding and use of basic arithmetic operations on rational numbers.
      1. Simplify numerical expressions using the order of operations. (2-5)
      2. Order rational numbers expressed in a variety of forms.
    3. Students explain their choice of estimation and problem- solving strategies and justify results of solutions in problem-solving situations involving rational numbers.
    4. Students understand properties of operations with rational numbers.

  5. Unit 2 - Algebra.
    1. Students evaluate algebraic expressions and formulas given integer values for variables. (3-1 and 3-2)
      • Homework: pg. 125, 1-14 all, and #17. (Evaluating Formulae given integer values for the variables)
      • Homework: pg. 130, 2-17 all. (Simplifying expressions using substitution property and order of operations)
    2. Students translate word phrases, which involve the four basic operations to mathematical expressions. (3-3)
      • Homework: pg. 135, 1-11 all. (Writing algebraic expressions.)
      • Homework 026 - Write algebraic expressions frm sentences.
    3. Students solve one- and two- step linear equations each with an integer coefficient and integer solutions. (3-4, 3-5, and 3-6)
      • Homework: pg. 143, 7-22 all. (Solving equations with addition and subtraction.)
      • Homework 027 - Solve equations with addition.
      • Homework 028 - Solve equations with subtraction.
      • Homework: pg. 148, 7-26 all. (Solving equations with multiplication and division.)
      • Homework 029 - Solving equations with multiplication and division.
      • Homework: pg. 153, 7-22 all. (Solving two-step equations with all four operations.)
    4. Using simple linear equations, students create a table, and graph the solutions on the coordinate system. (4-1, 4-2, and 4-3)
    5. Supplemental Lessons (P.A.W.S. Preparation) - Understanding Slopes of linear equations. (4-4)

  6. Unit 3 - Geometry.
    1. Students classify and describe one-, two-, and three-dimensional geometric objects, including:
      1. lines, rays, segments, and angles;
      2. parallel and perpendicular relationships;
      3. circles and spheres;
      4. regular polygon types;
      5. right prisms, cylinders, cones, and pyramids.
    2. Students make conjectures about geometric objects based on knowledge of geometric transformations, congruence, and similarity.
    3. Students use geometric formulas including the Pythagorean Theorem.
    4. Students communicate the reasoning used in identifying geometric relationships in problem-solving situations appropriate to grade level.
    5. Students represent geometric figures using a rectangular coordinate plane.

  7. Unit 4 - Measurement.
    1. Students apply estimation and measurement of weight/mass to content problems and convert within U.S. customary and within metric units (mg, g, kg).
    2. Students apply estimation and measurement of capacity/volume to content problems and convert within metric units (ml, l).
    3. Students select and use the appropriate methods, tools, and units to solve problems involving angle measure, perimeter, circumference, area (including circles), and volume of rectangular solids.

  8. Unit 5 - Data Analysis & Probability.
    1. Students systematically collect, organize, describe, analyze, and represent data using tables, charts, diagrams, and graphs.
    2. Students calculate mean, median, mode, and range for data sets and use in a real-world setting appropriate to grade level.
    3. Students predict, compare, and calculate probable outcomes of experiments or simulations.
    4. Students communicate about the likelihood of events using concepts from probability such as impossible, equally likely and certain appropriate to grade level.

* All homework assignments not found in links from this page are found in the Middle School Math - Course 3 (Scott Foresman - Addison Wesley) Textbook.
** All unit labels in parentheses (1-1) refer to corresponding sections in the classroom textbook mentioned above (see *).
HELPFUL LINKS:
http://www.edhelper.com/middle_school_math.htm

PAWS Math Reference Sheet - PAWS Test Geometry reference sheet.

Graph Paper Sheet (6 Graphs)
Graph Paper Sheet (12 Graphs)
Graph Paper Sheet (1 Large Grid)

Interactivate! - A website with lots of interactive games and activities to help learn mathematics.
Interactivate! Activities Menu Page. - Note: Disable "Open Using Rosetta" in Get Info options, and allow pop-ups.
UNIT EXAMS:

Exam 1 - Number Operations & Concepts - Please insert your name on top with your class period. You have the class period to finish the exam. At the end, click the "Submit" button only once. You may use a pencil, a calculator, and the scratch paper I am providing to you. Turn in your scratch paper to Mr. Mills when you finish. If the bell rings before you finish, scroll down, press the submit button, and all problems not answered will be counted wrong. Multiple test submissions will be counted as zeros. Anyone caught cheating will automatically receive a zero. You may begin!

Exam 4 - Algebra - Please insert your name on top with your class period. You have the class period to finish the exam. At the end, click the "Submit" button only once. You may use a pencil, a calculator, and the scratch paper I am providing to you. Turn in your scratch paper to Mr. Mills when you finish. If the bell rings before you finish, scroll down, press the submit button, and all problems not answered will be counted wrong. Multiple test submissions will be counted as zeros. Anyone caught cheating will automatically receive a zero. You may begin!

Exam 2 - Geometry - Please insert your name on top with your class period. You have the class period to finish the exam. At the end, click the "Submit" button only once. You may use a pencil, a calculator, and the scratch paper I am providing to you. Turn in your scratch paper to Mr. Mills when you finish. If the bell rings before you finish, scroll down, press the submit button, and all problems not answered will be counted wrong. Multiple test submissions will be counted as zeros. Anyone caught cheating will automatically receive a zero. You may begin!