Course Syllabus

Syllabus  Algebra 1B

Mizzou Academy

 Welcome

We are pleased that you selected this course to fulfill your unique educational needs. You are now a member of the Mizzou Academy's global student body.

 Course Overview

Algebra 1 is the the first step into mathematics after essential arithmetic. This course will help you build your skills to describe a situation with words, symbols like x², pictures, and data tables. The course will also provide you with the perspectives and tools to analyze a situation in order to understand patterns and relationships, to turn the unknown into the known, and to make predictions.

You have done this already. In grade-school math, a lot of problems were of the form of "2 + 3 = what?" In algebra, the unknown thing will be tangled in more complicated relations like "2 times something plus 4 = 10."

The first half of Algebra 1 explored relationships with a constant rate of change, "equal to" situations, linear graphs, and inequalities. The second half of Algebra 1 extends these ideas to nonlinear functions. This second half moves on to dealing with situations such as compound interest, population growth, and the height of falling objects. These graph as curves instead of lines.

The skills to describe and analyze such mathematical situations are handy for more than these common practical applications. Algebra 1 skills are fundamental for subsequent mathematics courses and understanding business, construction, and technology.

Is algebra useful? Clearly, millions of people now and throughout history have lived happy and productive lives without mathematical skills much beyond 2 + 2 = 4. It may surprise many people to learn that algebra is not primarily about numbers. Algebra is about relationships: equality, inequality, relationships that increase, relationships that go downhill—and in this second half unit, relationships that go down and then come up again. Numbers and arithmetic help describe relationships.

Algebra is also about representations. You can describe a thing with words. You can describe a thing with a picture. Other representations include tables and the time-saving "x > y" language of math. Most things in life are better understood if we see them from different perspectives.

Algebra is also about problem solving. Problem solving often involves guessing, trying, failing, and trying again with an improved strategy. If you can stick through factoring polynomials, you will gain insight and stamina to build houses, to run a business, to settle disputes, and to succeed in other journeys that take more than one step.

Algebra is also about patterns and prediction. If you can see a pattern, you can predict what is yet to come.

Catalog Description: This course reviews the essential skills of arithmetic as they relate to the study of algebra, building upon the concepts learned in Algebra 1A. Topics covered include solving and graphing linear inequalities, systems of linear equations and inequalities, exponents and exponential functions, factoring polynomials, and quadratic equations and functions.

Lead Teacher Introduction

  Brennan Ransdell

  Teacher

  RansdellB@mail.missouri.edu

  Mathematics Division Chair

 Pacing

This course can be completed in as few as six weeks or take up to 6 months (180 calendar days). The six weeks are counted from the date of the first lesson submission and not the date of enrollment.

 Required Materials

TEXTBOOK

Larson R. & Boswell, L. Algebra 1. Erie, PA: Big Ideas Learning, LLC, 2022. [ISBN: 978-1-64432-864-4]

Digital Textbook

The digital version of the textbook is integrated into the course online. Select the Big Ideas Math textbook link from the course navigation menu. You do not have to purchase a hard-copy of the textbook unless you so desire. Please review the   Big Math Ideas System Requirements page to confirm that your device, browser, and browser settings meet the textbook system requirements.

MATERIALS

• Students should maintain an Algebra 1 Notebook to organize notes, practice exercises, and do other work. A three-ring binder is best because it allows the insertion of printouts and other loose materials. Is your notebook graded? Not directly. But from years of observing students, we know that students who practice these habits get good grades, and students who don't practice these habits get poor grades. The commentary will explain how to use a notebook to save brain cells and succeed in this course. After this initial advice, you are on your own in keeping up your notebook.
• Students should have Microsoft Word to render MathType. (This is not necessary, but is highly recommended.)
• Students will need to use 2, 5, or 10 mm, or similar, graph paper. Graph paper can be purchased in many stores or printed from   online sources. The following PDF files can be printed to make graph paper. Any of these sizes are suitable for this course, but most students will prefer the 5 mm grid. Lines may appear uneven when viewed on the screen, but they should print satisfactorily.
•   2 mm grid
•   5 mm grid
•   10 mm grid
• Students should have access to a graphing calculator when studying. Though not directly assessed, some instruction and homework exercises will involve technology. We urge that you use the Texas Instruments TI-84, graphing calculator (or newer). For this course, you will be viewing examples from the TI-84. The TI-84 graphing calculator is preferred for Mizzou Academy mathematics courses. These are widely used in U.S. schools, demonstrated by this course's textbook and lesson commentary, and available in retail stores. These types are permitted on many standardized tests that allow calculators. Though not all the features will be used in beginning courses, subsequent courses (through college graduation) will exploit more and more features of these calculators. These calculators are sturdy, so you should be able to find acceptable used ones. "Scientific calculators" and other calculators without the ability to graph a function and display tables are not adequate for all parts of this course. Computer tools have advantages, but you need practice with the tools you are allowed to use on some exams. Students may not use a scientific or graphing calculator on the exams. Only a basic functions calculator is allowed on these assessments.

† Materials used in connection with this course may be subject to copyright protection.

 Exams

You are required to take two proctored exams for this course.

See the "About Exams" in the policies section for additional information on exams at Mizzou Academy.

 Technical Requirements

The most up-to-date requirements can be found here: 

•   Computer Requirements
•   Browser Requirements
•   Proctoring Requirements
• Microphone (external or internal)
• Webcam

Additional requirements for the course are below: 

• audio and video recording capabilities (e.g. smartphone, camera)

 Accessibility

If you anticipate barriers related to the format or requirements of this course, please let   Mizzou Academy know as soon as possible. If disability-related accommodations are necessary (for example, a scribe, reader, extended time on exams, captioning), please   contact Mizzou Academy.

 Grades

Your final grade will be based on the number of points you earn on submitted work and exams. The available points are distributed as follows:

 Canvas and Technical Support

Canvas will be used as the primary platform for accessing course materials and assignments for this class.

• Access Canvas through the Tiger Portal   https://mizzouacademy.missouri.edu/
• For assistance with Canvas, passwords, or other technical issues, submit a ticket by selecting Help from the Global Navigation menu on the left in Canvas. Additional information is provided in the following Canvas Guide:   How do I get help with Canvas as a student?
• For questions about enrollment, access to courses, exam proctoring, or billing, contact our Support Services Team at (855) 256-4975 or   mizzouacademy@missouri.edu.