Mathematics Department

Essential Knowledge and Skills

Students in Algebra I will study: algebraic terminology, symbols and properties. Students will learn to apply their mathematical knowledge and skills to both rational and irrational numbers. In addition, students will learn to recognize mathematical relationships in various forms including tables, graphs, equations and inequalities. The students will learn the foundations of mathematical relationships, including functions and function notation. In particular, the students will explore linear relationships and learn to apply proportionality. The students will learn to relate mathematical concepts to real life experiences using physical models, visual models and technology.

Indicators of Student Learning

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

• Describe and explain the concepts they have learned using appropriate symbols and terminology.

• Identify how and/or when the mathematical concepts they have learned can be used to model real world phenomena.

• Evaluate the reasonableness of answers to questions and problems. These indicators will be apparent in the following ways:

Problem Solving

• Choose from and employ a variety of problem solving strategies including: diagrams lists and tables, looking for and identifying patterns, eliminating possibilities, solving a similar problem, guessing and checking.

• Choose appropriate operations

• Estimate solutions to problems and determine the reasonableness of their answers by relating their answers to the estimates.

• Solve a variety of multi-step problems and extended problem-solving projects.

Reasoning and Proof

• Explain and justify problem-solving procedures.

• Make and investigate mathematical conjectures.

• Realize that a mathematical conjecture does not constitute a proof

Communication

• Negotiate their understanding of mathematical concepts to others correctly and clearly in both written and oral form.

• Utilize mathematical symbols, notation and terminology in an appropriate manner.

• Establish and describe connections between mathematical expressions, physical models and real-world situations.

Technology

• Use a calculator efficiently and accurately for computation and modeling a variety of mathematical concepts, as well as graphing and interpreting functions.

Assessment

Upon completion of this course students will:

• Demonstrate competency in problem solving by using appropriate methods and techniques, generating a solution and checking the reasonableness of that solution.

• Demonstrate competency in communication by expressing mathematical concepts and results, in a clear manner using correct terminology.

• Demonstrate competency in technology by using graphing calculators