Syllabus
Algebra 1- PUMP
Welcome to the PITTSBURGH URBAN MATHEMATICS PROJECT or PUMP for short! This year you will be participating in an exciting and interesting new approach to learning and teaching Algebra 1. Since this course is crucial for most jobs and further study in many different disciplines including physical science, biological science, social science, economics, business, medicine and nursing, engineering, and mathematics, we are taking a new approach in order for all students to be successful.
Some of the new aspects include:
- Cooperative learning in which you will be encouraged to work together with other students to solve problems
- Mathematical modeling where we will use mathematical equations as "models" of problem situations
- Scientific and graphics calculators to enable us to work with "real world" numbers
- Intelligent Computer Tutors which you will be working on about 40-50% of the school year.
- Writing to learn mathematics where you will be expected to write about the mathematics that you are doing
- Student presentationswhere you will present your work or your group's work to the class
- Family Algebra Night (FAN) where students will bring their parents to school for an evening of algebra
- New Course Materials that are designed for you to write on
These are just some of the new features you will see this year. This class will also be different from traditional mathematics classes in that there will be less of an emphasis on memorizing rules and more emphasis on thinking, problem solving, reasoning, and understanding mathematics.
During the first quarter we will focus on the following topics:
- Number Patterns
- Variables
- Algebraic Rules
- Tables of Values
- Graphs of Algebraic Rules
- Problem Situations and their Mathematical Models
- During the second quarter we will focus on the following topics:
- Using Positive and Negative Numbers
- Solving Equations
- Finding slopes and intercepts
- Graphing linear functions
During the third quarter we will focus on the following topics:
- Solving systems of linear functions - algebraically and graphically
- Graphing systems of Linar Equations
- Statistics and statistical analysis
During the fourth quarter we will focus on the following topics:
- Quadratic functions
- Solving quadratic functions
- Graphing quadratic functions
- Systems of quadratic and linear functions
Each student will be responsible for the following during each quarter:
- Homework Assignments - approximately 25
- Tests - approximately 3
- Quarterly Examination
- Quarterly Portfolio Projects
- Compiling an Individual Portfolio
- Student Notebook
- Contributing to their group
In addition, each group will be responsible for the following:
- completing daily in-class assignments
- presenting the group's work
- completing and presenting the group's solutions to the Problems of the Week
- following the guidelines for effective group work
Your teacher may have additional assignments, tests or responsibilities for you or your groups as the year progresses. Your teacher will be issuing to you notebooks, notebook dividers, highlighters, and calendars. You will be expected to keep ALL of your daily classwork, homework, tests in your notebook, and to compile an individual student portfolio of your work for the year.
We hope that this will be a highly productive and interesting year for all of us, and that this course will provide for you the foundation for a long and rewarding relationship with the fascinating world of mathematics.
Algebra 1 - Who Needs It?
Algebra 1 is one of the most important courses you will take in high school. This is because a majority of careers require the concepts and skills that are taught in Algebra 1. Today, over 75% of all jobs require proficiency in algebra and geometry. Success in algebra is the key to your future. The Math-Science Network through a grant from Chevron determined that one needs:
