Course Syllabus

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Syllabus Algebra 1A

Welcome

Welcome to Algebra 1A! We’re so glad you’re here.

Every lesson is designed to help you grow as a thinker, problem solver, and global learner. As a Mizzou Academy global student, you will complete lessons and assignments on your own schedule, interacting with course content, participating in interactives, and completing practice activities, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams.

To stay on track, we recommend using a pacing guide. You can find more information about pacing in the Course Resources section, along with helpful tools, technology support, and tips for online learning success.

As you begin, remember that online learning requires both independence and communication. Be curious, stay organized, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your teacher if you need support.

We’re excited to learn with you, and we’re happy you’re part of our Mizzou Academy community! 

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.

This course is asynchronous, meaning you can complete lessons and assignments at your own pace.

Most students spend approximately 10 hours per lesson interacting with course content, participating in interactive activities, and completing practice exercises, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams. Your time may vary depending on your goals and learning style. 

We encourage you to work at a consistent pace, allowing time to absorb new ideas, build skills, and reflect on what you’ve learned. Use a pacing guide to plan ahead, stay organized, and finish strong. 

Course Description

Algebra I 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 such as 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 "2 + 3 = what"? In algebra, the unknown thing will be tangled in more complicated relations such as "2 times something plus 4 = 10."

Another important theme of this course is dealing with situations with a constant rate of change, such as a car that goes down the road at a constant speed. The graph of distance traveled is a straight line. The graph, a table, or the linear equations can tell us where the car is at a given time or what time it is when the car has traveled a given distance. Fuel costs, payments on the car, and other concerns also have linear relations.

The skills to describe and analyze such mathematical situations are handy for more than these common practical applications. These skills are fundamental for subsequent mathematics courses and understanding situations where relationships are not described by straight lines.

Is Algebra Useful?

A former student, who years earlier had completed Algebra I, told me, "Ha, I never used any of that algebra stuff about slope. I never built a roof or used a wheel chair ramp."

I replied, "Great! How's it going for you generally?"

"Not bad," he said. "I've got a good job as a manager. I got a good raise the last two years, but the kids' expenses go up even faster."

"Well," I grinned, "You just compared rates of change. That is the same thing as comparing slopes. I'm glad math class prepared you for the real world. You'll do fine."

Catalog Description: This course reviews the essential skills of arithmetic, as they relate to the study of algebra. Lesson topics include solving expressions, equations, and functions; exploring real numbers and their properties, solving linear equations; graphing linear equations and functions; and writing linear equations.

Course Essential Questions

 

 Essential Question

How do we solve equations, inequalities, and systems, and why are these solutions useful?

 

Course Overview

Lesson

Objectives

Quiz

Assignment

1: Solving Linear Equations

1.1a Apply properties of equality to produce equivalent equations.
1.1b Solve linear equations using addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division.
1.1c Write linear equations that model real-life situations.
1.2a Apply more than one property of equality to produce equivalent equations.
1.2b Solve multi-step linear equations using inverse operations.
1.2c Write multi-step linear equations that model real-life situations.
1.3a Use ratios to solve real-life problems.
1.3b Use rates to solve real-life problems.
1.3c Convert units and rates.
1.4a Choose an appropriate level of accuracy when calculating when measuring to solve real-life problems.
1.4b Determine where to round numbers to find estimates.

20 multiple-choice questions 

 

No Assignment

 

2: More with Writing and Solving Equations

2.1a Apply properties of equality using variable terms. 2.1b Solve equations with variables on both sides.2.1c Recognize when an equation has zero, one, or infinitely many solutions. 2.2a Write two linear equations related to a given absolute value equation.2.2b Solve equations involving one or two absolute values. 2.2c Identify special solutions of absolute value equations. 2.3a Identify a literal equation. 2.3b Use properties of equality to rewrite literal equations. 2.3c Use rewritten formulas to solve problems.

20 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

3: Inequalities in One Variable

3.1a Write word sentences as inequalities. 
3.1b Determine whether a value is a solution to an inequality. 
3.1c Graph and interpret inequalities. 
3.2a Apply the Addition and Subtraction Properties of Inequality to produce equivalent inequalities. 
3.2b Solve inequalities using addition or subtraction.
3.2c Use inequalities to model real-life problems.
3.3a Apply the Multiplication and Division Properties of Inequality to produce equivalent inequalities.
3.3b Solve inequalities using multiplication or division. 
3.3c Recognize when to reverse an inequality symbol while solving and inequality. 
3.4a Use more than one property of inequality to generate equivalent inequalities.
3.4b Solve multi-step inequalities using inverse operations.
3.4c Apply multi-step inequalities to solve real-life problems. 
3.5a Write word sentences as compound inequalities.
3.5b Solve compound inequalities.
3.5c Graph solutions of compound inequalities.
3.6a Write a compound inequality related to a given absolute value inequality.
3.6b Solve absolute value inequalities.
3.6c Use absolute value inequalities to solve real-life problems.

20 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

4: Functions and Function Notation

4.1a Determine whether a relation is a function. 4.1b Find the domain and range of a function. 4.1c Distinguish between independent and dependent variables. 4.2a Estimate intercepts of a graph of a function. 4.2b Approximate when a function is positive, negative, increasing, or decreasing. 4.2c Sketch a graph of a function from a verbal description.
4.3a Identify linear functions using graphs, tables, and equations.
4.3b Graph linear functions with discrete and continuous domains.
4.3c Write and solve real-life problems that correspond to discrete or continuous data.
4.4a Evaluate functions using function notation.
4.4b Interpret statements that use function notation.
4.4c Solve and graph functions represented using function notation.

20 multiple-choice questions 

Assignment 1: Lessons 1-4 

There are 4 questions on this assignment, ranging in value from 3 points to 13 points each, for a total of 25 points.

5: Graphing Linear and Absolute Function

5.1a Graph equations of horizontal and vertical lines. 5.1b Graph linear equations written in standard form using intercepts. 5.1c Solve real-life problems using linear equations in standard form. 5.2a Find the slope of a line5.2b Use the slope-intercept form of a linear equation. 5.2c Solve real-life problems using slopes and y-intercepts.5.3a Identify a transformation of a linear graph. 5.3b Graph transformations of linear functions.5.3c Explain how translations, reflections, stretches, and shrinks affect graphs of functions. 5.4a Graph absolute value functions. 5.4b Find the domain and range of absolute value functions. 5.4c Describe transformations of absolute value functions.

20 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

Midterm Exam

6: Writing Linear Equations

6.1a Find the slope and y-intercept of a line.6.1b Use the slope and the y-intercept to write an equation of a line. 6.1c Write equations in slope-intercept form to solve real-life problems. 6.2a Use a point on a line and the slope to write an equation of the line.6.2b Use any two points to write an equation of a line. 6.2c Write a linear function using any two function values.6.3a Identify parallel and perpendicular lines from their equations.6.3b Write equations of parallel lines. 6.3c Write equations of perpendicular lines. 

20 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

7: Analyzing Date, Arithmetic Sequences, and Piecewise Functions

7.1a Read and interpret scatter plots. 7.1b Identify correlations between data. 7.1c Write and interpret an equation of a line of fit. 7.2a Use residuals to determine how well lines of fit model data. 7.2b Use technology to find lines of best fit and correlation coefficients. 7.2c Use interpolation and extrapolation to make predictions.
7.2d Distinguish between correlation and causation.7.3a Write the terms of arithmetic sequences.7.3b Graph arithmetic sequences.7.3c Identify arithmetic sequences. 7.3d Write arithmetic sequences as functions. 7.4a Evaluate piecewise functions.7.4b Graph piecewise functions.7.4c Write piecewise functions.

20 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

8: Systems of Linear Equations

8.1a Determine whether an ordered pair is a solution of a system of equations8.1b Graph a linear system.8.1c Approximate the solution of a linear system by using a graph. 8.2a Solve a system of linear equations by substitution. 8.2b Solve a linear equation in two variables for either variable. 8.2c Solve real-life problems using substitution.8.3a Add or subtract linear equations. 8.3b Solve a system of linear equations by elimination.8.3c Explain why the elimination method produces a valid solution.
8.3d Solve real-life problems using elimination.
8.4a Determine the number of solutions of a system.
8.4b Solve a system of linear equations with any number of solutions.

20 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

9: Linear Inequalities and Systems of Linear Inequalities

9.1a Solve a linear equation by graphing.9.1b Solve an absolute value equation by graphing.9.2a Determine whether an ordered pair is a solution of a linear inequality in two variables. 9.2b Graph linear inequalities in two variables. 9.2c Interpret the solution of a linear inequality in two variables in a real-life situation.9.3a Determine whether an ordered pair is a solution of a system of linear inequalities. 9.3b Graph systems of linear inequalities.9.3c Write systems of inequalities from a graph.
9.3d Solve real-life problems using elimination.
9.4a Determine the number of solutions of a system.
9.4b Solve real-life problems using systems of linear inequalities.

20 multiple-choice questions 

Assignment 2: Lessons 6-9

There are 6 questions on this assignment, ranging in value from 2 points to 12 points each, for a total of 25 points.

10: Exponents and Exponential Functions

10.1a Evaluate and simplify expressions involving zero and negative exponents.10.1b Simplify expressions using properties of exponents.10.2a Find nth roots. 10.2b Evaluate expressions with rational exponents.10.2c Solve real-life problems involving rational exponents.10.3a Identify an exponential function. 10.3b Evaluate and graph an exponential function.10.3c Write exponential functions.
10.3d Model real-life problems using exponential functions.

20 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

Final Exam

 

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:

Source Available Points
Lesson Assignments 50
Lesson Quizzes 200
Midterm Exam 187.5
Final Exam 187.5
Total 625

 

Textbook & Technology Requirements

To fully participate, make sure you have:

  • A computer that meets our Mizzou Academy technology requirements
  • A microphone and webcam for recording audio and video assignments
  • Any other required textbooks or materials for the course

Textbook

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

 

Digital Textbook Option

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 other work. A three-ring binder is best because it allows 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 lesson 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. 
  • Students should have access to a graphing calculator when studying. 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-83 and TI-84 graphing calculators are preferred for Mizzou Academy mathematics and science 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. NOTE: A graphing calculator is not necessary, but is highly recommended. Graphing calculator activities lead to a deeper understanding of the concepts, but are NOT ALLOWED on exams.
    • "Scientific calculators" are adequate for most parts of this course. Computer tools have advantages, but might not always have access. Again, however, scientific calculators are NOT ALLOWED on the exams.
    • A "four-function" calculator is recommended for both the midterm and final exams. While not necessary, it will help in speeding up basic calculations to reach final solutions.

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

 

Technology

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

Additional requirements for the course are below: 

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

If you ever have trouble accessing course materials or recording tools, reach out to your teacher for support. We are here to help!

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.

Canvas Technical Support

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

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due