PRE-ALGEBRA
COURSE OVERVIEW

COURSE GOAL:
To provide students with a foundation in the properties, computations and applications of mathematics as preparation for advanced-level mathematics, including algebra, geometry and trigonometry.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
During the course, students will:

(Math EALR?s are in parentheses following each objective.)

• work with operations and applications of fractions (1.1, 2.3, 5.3)
• use measurement tools and work with precision (1.2, 5.3)
• convert between decimals, fractions and percents (1.1, 5.1)
• apply decimal and percent to solving problems 1.1, 5.3)
• use ratio and proportion to solve problems (1.1, 5.3)
• calculate mean, median, mode and range and solve problems (1.1, 1.4, 5.3)>
• use scientific notation for very large or small numbers (1.1, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3)
• apply the four operations to integers (1.1)
• use concepts and vocabulary of geometry, including definitions, properties of plane figures, solving problems involving area, perimeter and volume (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 5.2, 5.3)
• work with powers and roots of numbers (1.1, 1.5)
• use the Pythagorean Theorem to solve problems involving right triangles (1.1, 1.3, 5.3)
• use a variety of strategies to solve problems including patterns, tables, diagrams, guess and check (1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.3, 5.3)
• read and/or construct bar graphs, line graphs and pie graphs (1.4, 2.1, 2.3, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.3)
• plot points on the coordinate plane (1.3)
• work with symmetry, lines of symmetry, and the transformations of flips, slides and rotations (1.3)
• learn the basic properties of algebra: identity, commutative, associative, equality, distributive, and order of operations (1.1, 1.5,) 
• use the properties to simplify algebraic expressions and solve equations (1.1, 1.5, 5.3)
• write algebraic expressions from words (1.5, 4.3, 5.1, 5.3)
• solve problems with equations (1.5, 4.3, 5.1, 5.3)

MATERIALS:
Teacher prepared texts and handouts; adapted equipment for use with visually impaired students.

GRADING:
Attendance and daily assignments:  50% >

Class participation: 20% Tests: 30%

TIME LINE:
Time lines are approximate and depend on the readiness and ability levels of the students.

4 WEEKS: Operations with and applications of fractions.

3 WEEKS: Inter-relatedness of fractions, decimals and percents.

2 WEEKS: Using decimals and percents to solve problems, calculate mean, median, mode and range.

2 WEEKS: Solving problems using ratio and proportion. Apply the four operations to integers.

1 WEEKS: Using measurement tools, measurement is approximate.

4 WEEKS: Geometry concepts.

2 WEEKS: Powers, square roots, Pythagorean Theorem, use scientific notation.

4 WEEKS: Tables, graphs, plotting points.

2 WEEKS: Symmetry and transformations.

2 WEEKS: Basic algebraic properties of equality, commutative, associative, identity, distributive, order of operations. Use a variety of strategies to solve problems.

4 WEEKS: Use the properties to simplify expressions and solve multi-step equations in one variable.

2 WEEKS: Write algebraic expressions from words.

4 WEEKS: Solve word problems by writing equations and solving.

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