Bluebonnet Home Scholars Collaborative

Flower Forth

Algebra 1

Level:

Subject(s):

Description:

In this course, students study algebra through imaginative applications and clear problems derived from the real world. Technology tools are used to assist with time-consuming calculations and to integrate graphing and problem-solving skills. Students will study expressions and equations, operations with negative numbers, distributing: axioms and other properties, harder equations, some operations with polynomials and radicals, quadratic equations, expressions and equations containing two variables, linear functions/scattered data/probability, properties and exponents, more operations with polynomials, rational algebraic expressions, radical algebraic expressions, inequalities, functions, and advanced topics.

To add to the wonder and creative problem-solving side of math, the instructor will supplement the traditional textbook approach adding in substantial amounts of curated supplemental material for enrichment and extension, along with practice standardized test problems. These challenging problem-solving activities are integrated to help students hone their mathematical and critical thinking skills and apply concepts across a wide range of situations and scenarios.

Materials:

Families should purchase the following required supplies:

  • Pearson Texas, Algebra 1, Student Text (ISBN 10: 0133300633; ISBN 13: 9780133300635)—New or used is fine, but it must be the correct ISBN.
    • Shopping suggestion 1: Amazon has several used copies in very good condition for around $30.
    • Shopping suggestion 2: Follet Learning
  • Homework packet, to be ordered by & purchased from BHSC ($53—to be billed to Parent Portal accounts in August.)
  • A three-ring binder with lined/graph paper and dividers—or—a notebook (graphing or lined) with a 1.5″ binder (with lined/graph paper and dividers)
  • Pencils & Erasers
  • 1 black/blue and 1 red non-erasable pen
  • 1 ruler (a small one is fine)
  • A few color pencils or colored erasable pens (3 colors other than black)
  • Graphing Calculator*

*Since graphing calculators are allowed and recommended for most standardized tests, it is advisable to invest in one. It is important for students to feel comfortable using one, especially on a timed exam. Recommended calculators can be found on the college board site here. Mrs. Panam prefers TI-89 and up (with CAS).