Honors Pre-algebra

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Course Description

Description

This is a full-length online Honors Pre-Algebra course for accelerated students. This course is aligned to both Grades 7 and 8 Common Core Mathematics Standards offered in a full year. In this course, students will be introduced to algebraic concepts through both theory and applications. Modeling and real-world problems are introduced throughout the course. This course focuses on the study of algebraic manipulation and graphical interpretations, and covers topics normally taught in middle school for preparation of Honors Algebra I.

Online course materials, such as videos, notes, interactive webpages, and practice problems with solutions, are provided for the student. Students progress through the course at their own pace and are expected to watch videos and review notes regularly. Each student is assigned to a CTY instructor to help them during their course. Students can contact their instructors via email with any questions or concerns at any time. Live one-on-one online review sessions can be scheduled as well to prepare for the graded assessments, which include homework, chapter tests, and cumulative exams.

Instructors use virtual classroom software allowing video, voice, text, screen sharing, and whiteboard interaction. Students are strongly encouraged to work on the course at least 1 hour a day, 5 days a week (for a 6-month enrollment), and email their instructors at least once per week.

Topics include:

• Variables, Expressions, and Arithmetic Review
• Solving Equations
• Problem Solving with Equations and Inequalities
• Exponents
• Rational Numbers and Applications
• Geometry
• Data Analysis and Statistics
• Probability
• Square Roots and the Pythagorean Theorem
• Relations and Functions

Please see the "List of Topics" tab for the full scope and sequence.

This course has synchronous virtual class meetings, but participation is optional. Students may also schedule one-on-one virtual meetings directly with the instructor to answer questions or concerns. View the schedule on the Group Session tab for class meeting times. Meetings will be recorded for students who are unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts.

Virtual classrooms, and student activities in the classroom, may be recorded and added to the course as an ongoing asset for all class students to review. Students may be invited to interact in CTY community spaces that include students and instructors and potentially specially invited guests that are not enrolled in their course. Videos from YouTube or other web providers may be present in the course. Video recommendations or links provided at end of videos are generated by the video host provider and are not CTY recommendations. Student contributions (e.g., projects, forum posts, etc.) may remain in the course after the student completes the course. These artifacts may be preserved to showcase student work or to continue important conversations.

Materials Needed

A graphing calculator is required. 

List of Topics

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to demonstrate mastery over the following topics:

Variables, Expressions, and Arithmetic Review

• Variables and Expressions
• Translating Between Words and Math
• Introduction to Integers
• Arithmetic Operations of Integers
• Absolute Value of Integers
• Introduction to Exponents
• Using the Order of Operations
• Factors, Multiples, and Equivalent Fractions
• Multiplying and Dividing Fractions and Mixed Numbers
• Adding and Subtracting Fractions and Mixed Numbers
• Adding and Subtracting Decimals
• Multiplying and Dividing Decimals

Solving Equations

• Properties
• Simplifying Algebraic Expressions
• Translating Between Tables and Expressions
• Equations and Their Solutions
• Solving Addition and Subtraction Equations
• Solving Multiplication and Division Equations
• Solving Equations Containing Integers
• Solving Equations Containing Fractions and Decimals

Problem Solving with Equations and Inequalities

• Writing and Solving Two-Step Equations
• Writing and Solving Multi-Step Equations
• Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides
• Inequalities
• Solving Inequalities by Adding or Subtracting
• Solving Inequalities by Multiplying or Dividing
• Solving Two-Step Inequalities

Exponents

• Product and Power
• Properties of Exponents
• Quotient Properties of Exponents
• Zero and Negative Exponents
• An Application of Exponents: Scientific Notation

Rational Numbers and Applications

• Rational and Irrational Numbers
• Working with Rational Numbers
• Percents
• Rational Number Word Problems
• Ratios and Unit Rates
• Proportional Relationships
• Proportions in Equations
• Interest
• Estimating with Percents
• Percent Increase and Decrease

Geometry

• Triangles, Quadrilaterals, Polygons
• Angles Formed by Transversals
• Circumference and Area of a Circle
• Area
• Volume
• Surface Area
• Volume and Surface Area of Spheres
• Reflections
• Translations
• Rotations
• Congruent Figures
• Dilations
• Similar Figures

Statistics

• Collecting Data
• Interpreting Data
• Organizing Data
• Bar Graphs and Histograms
• Box-and-Whisker Plots
• Scatter Plots

Probability

• Introduction to Probability
• Probability and Odds
• Experimental Probability
• Probability of Compound Events

Square Roots and the Pythagorean Theorem

• Square and Cube Roots
• Simplifying Roots and Operations with Roots
• Pythagorean Theorem
• Structure of Numbers
• The Distance and Midpoint Formulas

Relations and Functions

• An Introduction to Functions
• Linear Equations in Two Variables
• Working with Functions
• The Slope of a Line
• Graphing Linear Equations
• Writing Linear Equations
• Direct Variation
• Linear Systems in Two Variables

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Honors Pre-Algebra Group Session

Group Session

Each week, all students are invited to Honors Pre-Algebra Group Session run by a rotating staff. Students are encouraged to come with questions or just to meet other online students. Topics reviewed vary each week.

The Group Session meets each Wednesdays from 7–8 p.m. ET.

Technical Requirements

This course requires a properly maintained computer with high-speed internet access and an up-to-date web browser (such as Chrome or Firefox). The student must be able to communicate with the instructor via email. Visit the Technical Requirements and Support page for more details.

Zoom online virtual classroom
This course uses an online virtual classroom which can be used for instructor-student communication if the student has any questions about the course or curriculum. The classroom works on standard computers with the Zoom desktop client and also tablets or handhelds that support the Zoom Mobile app. Students will need a computer with the Zoom desktop client installed to watch any recorded meetings. The Zoom desktop client and Zoom Mobile App are both available for free download.

This course uses Respondus LockDown Browser proctoring software for designated assessments. LockDown Browser is a client application that is installed to a local computer. Visit the Respondus website for system requirements.

While Chromebook can be used to progress through the course, all exams must be completed on a PC or Mac.