Syllabus: Algebra 1

Miss. Laura Rodriguez

Monday Friday
8:00am 9:00 am
Course Objective: The purpose of this course is to satisfy the Algebra 1 requirement of the
Common Core Mathematics Standards for the state of California. This course fits into an overall
program of mathematics studies with a rigorous academic core by extending what students have
learned in the introductory-level mathematics courses as well as introducing more advanced
topics. These advanced topics include understanding our number system, solving, graphing, and
writing linear equations and inequalities, linear systems, exponents, quadratics, polynomials, and
factoring.
Course Text: California Algebra 1 by Allan E. Bellman, Sadie Chavis Bragg, Randall I. Charles,
Basia Hall, William G. Handlin Sr. and Dan Kennedy
Office Hours: Monday- Friday: 7:00am-7:55am and 3:05pm-4:00pm
Course Goals:
Review of operations, percent conversion, decimals, fractions, and other pre-algebra
concepts.
Manipulate and simplify real numbers.
Solve, graph, and write linear equations, inequalities, and functions.
Solve linear systems in two variables by graphing, substitution, and elimination methods.
Manipulate and solve quadratic functions by graphing, factoring, finding square roots,
and using the Quadratic Formula.
Manipulate exponents and exponential functions.
Factor polynomials.
Perform mathematical operations on polynomial expressions.
Students will be expected to demonstrate skills that will be valuable not only in this
course but in future educational and vocational settings including (but not limited to)
reading for comprehension, writing coherently, oral presentations, and technology usage.
Classroom Rules:
If a student is caught cheating, the assignment/test/project will receive no points
No late assignments will be accepted and no makeup tests will be given.
Students who are late will not be permitted to enter the classroom without turning in an
essay stating the reason for tardiness.
If at any time a student fails an exam he/she must attend mandatory tutoring or they will
not be permitted to take the exam that follows.
Grading Sections

 Tests: 60% (total of 4 exams each semester)

Projects: 20%(total of 5 each semester)
Homework: 10%(collected weekly)
Course Overview (We will cover all material in the total of two semesters)
Chapter 1: Tools for Algebra (using variables; exponents and order of operations; adding,
subtracting, and multiplying real numbers; distributive property)
Chapter 2: Solving Equations (solving two step and multi-step equations; equations with
variables on both sides; ratio and proportion)
Chapter 3: Solving Inequalities (inequality graphs; solving inequalities using addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division; solving multi-step inequalities; compound inequalities)
Chapter 4: Graphs and Functions (graphing on the coordinate plane; relations and functions;
function rules, tables, and graphs; writing a function rule; direct and inverse variation)
Chapter 5: Linear Equations and Their Graphs (rate of change and slope; slope-intercept
form; point-slope form and writing linear equations; parallel and perpendicular lines)
Chapter 6: Systems of Equations and Inequalities (solving systems by graphing, using
substitution, and by using elimination; applications of linear systems; systems of linear
inequalities)
Chapter 7: Exponents (zero and negative exponents, scientific notation, multiplication
properties of exponents, division properties of exponents)
Chapter 8: Polynomials and Factoring (adding and subtracting polynomials; multiplying and
factoring; multiplying binomials; factoring trinomials of different types)
Chapter 9: Quadratic Equations and Functions (exploring quadratic graphs; quadratic
functions, finding and estimating square roots; solving and factoring quadratic equations; using
the quadratic formula; using the discriminant)
Chapter 10: Radical Expressions and Equations (simplifying radicals; Pythagorean theorem;
operations with radical expressions; solving radical equations; graphing square root functions)
Chapter 11: Radical Expressions and Equations (simplifying rational expressions; multiplying
and dividing rational expression; dividing polynomials; adding and subtracting rational
expressions, solving rational equations)