Well-Trained Mind Academy

Algebra 1 - Thinking Algebraically

Fall 2016-Spring 2017

Instructor: Heather Quintero
Class Meetings: Monday/Wednesday 11:00 AM Eastern Time, Tuesday/Thursday 2:00 PM ET
Email: hquintero@wtmacademy.net
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesdays 1-2 pm ET and Tuesday and Thursday 3-4 pm ET by appointment. Other times available by appointment and mutual agreement.

Required Texts:
Rusczyk, Richard; Introduction to Algebra. Alpine, CA: Art of Problem Solving Incorporated, 2010 *Text covers both Algebra I and Algebra II topics. This course will cover chapters 1-10.
Freeman, Sara; Algebra II. Dayton, OH: Milliken. 2002

Supplemental Text:
Rusczyk, Richard; Introduction to Algebra Solutions Manual. Alpine, CA: Art of Problem Solving Incorporated, 2010

Prerequisite: Completion of AoPS Prealgebra or a similar rigorous pre-algebra course. Students should complete the following readiness test to determine whether they should take the class. Students should complete the readiness test without a calculator and without help. If a student is unable to complete at least 80% of the Fundamentals section or fewer than half of the Problem Solving section correctly, please consider a Pre-Algebra class.

Art of Problem Solving Introduction to Algebra Pretest

Course Description: Prepares the student for challenging upper level courses such as Algebra 2, Number Theory, Geometry and other exciting classes. Algebra 1 focuses on problem-solving, logic, and engagement with upper-level math to foster in-depth understanding and enjoyment. The class will strengthen the student’s ability to wrestle with tough problems and explain answers in words. Topics include but are not limited to: evaluation of multi-variable expressions, distribution and factoring, single and multi-variable linear equations, ratios and percents, direct, inverse, and joint proportion, graphing lines using slope formula, intercepts, inequalities, and quadratic equations.

Students are expected to come to class prepared to discuss problems and to work individually and in groups to solve assigned problems.

Note: Students must be able to save and upload documents to Blackboard in PDF format.

Course Assignments: Assignments consist of problems from the text to be completed at home and submitted via Blackboard as well as online problems. Several problems each week involve a proof-type response where a written solution must be given. In addition, students will participate in regular discussion challenges. Extra practice will be given as needed to aid learning. Regular tests consist of no more than 15 problems, similar to those found in the texts. Active participation during the weekly class times is expected and will be counted for a percentage of a student’s overall grade.
Sample problems are found here:

Introduction to Algebra Sample Problems

Grading, Correcting and Accommodations: Solutions to online problems will be provided. Students will be expected to rework problems they have missed and resubmit. This may be done twice within the assignment availability date with no penalty. Assignments will be available for a minimum of 10 days. Late work is not accepted. Students are responsible to seek help when needed and the instructor is available to meet with students for extra help by appointment. If a student has a disability that may have some impact on work in this class and for which he or she may require accommodations, please contact the instructor prior to the first week of class.

Attendance: According to Well-Trained Mind Academy Policy, students may not miss more than 25% of the total classes each semester. Excused absences are not counted in this total. If a student will be absent during a planned lecture, please notify the instructor as soon as possible so that a plan may be made to keep the student on track.

Attendance is recorded at the beginning of class. Students who are late to class without prior arrangement are marked absent. It is the student’s responsibility to submit notes in order to change their status to present.

Delayed students who watch the recordings of the classes must submit class notes weekly to receive attendance and participation points.

Archiving work: Students are responsible for keeping an archive of all work completed for this course, including work posted to Blackboard. 

Grades will be based on:

Weekly Assigned Problems - 30%
Proof Problems - 20%
Discussion response questions - 10%
Class Engagement and Participation - 10%
Regular Tests/Exams - 30%

Class Lecture Schedule 
(Subject to frequent change, check Blackboard for up-to-date assignments)