With the adoption of Common Core State Standards, high school math will be changing and as such, the traditional Algebra 1 class has become integrated. Algebra 1, geometry, and algebra 2 are now rearranged into math 1-3. All of the concepts are still present, only the order has been adjusted to create a better progression.
The new Common Core State Standards, especially the Standards for Mathematical Practice, require students to reason and think critically about mathematics, with an emphasis on how it applies to the world around them. It is important to note that the Common Core State Standards do not remove any content objectives, but rather add emphasis on conceptual understanding and application of the mathematics studied. It is a redefinition of rigor. The following mathematical practices are emphasized throughout instruction:
Mathematical Practices
- Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
- Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
- Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
- Model with mathematics.
- Use appropriate tools strategically.
- Attend to precision.
- Look for and make use of structure.
- Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning
Course Outline
Chapter 1 – Solving Linear Equations
- Solve multi-step linear equations with variables on both sides
- Unit analysis
- Identify equations with many or infinite solutions and identify extraneous solutions
- Solve absolute value equations
Chapter 2 – Solving Linear Inequalities
- Write linear inequalities and sketch graphs of linear inequalities
- Write and solve multi-step inequalities
- Graph and solve compound linear inequalities in one variable
- Solve absolute value inequalities
Chapter 3 – Graphing Linear Functions
- Find domain and range. Identify independent and dependent variables
- Identify linear functions using graphs, tables, and equations in two variables
- Use function notation
- Find slopes of non-vertical lines
- Translate, reflect, shrink, and stretch graphs of linear functions and combine transformations of graphs