This document provides information for parents and students about ensuring success in an algebra course. It discusses: 1) The increased standards of high school algebra compared to middle school math. Grades will be included in the student's GPA and transcript. 2) How the teacher will use readings, notes, practice problems, reviews, and assessments including weekly quizzes and tests to teach algebraic concepts like functions and relationships between equations. 3) Recommendations for moving a student to an easier math course if they earn below a certain grade by specific progress report dates to help ensure success in algebra.

1. Ensuring Your Student’s Success in Algebra

2. Academic
Considerations This Is High School – What does that mean?
Lesson Process How I Teach Your Student
Ensuring Success What It Takes for a Successful Year
Q&A Your Questions

3. • Middle school math was essentially 50% review and 50% new
• Algebra is 10% review and 90% new material
• Part of your student’s permanent transcript.
• Everything is to a higher standard

4. • Algebra is a high school credit course
• Algebra students are held to a higher standard
• Pre-AP students are held to an even higher standard
• Algebra grades are included in their G.P.A.

5. • Algebra is abstract concepts
• Algebra requires critical thinking skills
• Students should have intellectual curiosity

6. •There is NO math gene!
•It takes time, effort, and practice to do math well.

7. • Algebraic thinking & symbolic reasoning
• Function concepts
• Relationships between equations & functions
• Tools for algebraic thinking
• Underlying mathematical processes

8. • We will watch every student closely the first
marking period.
• We do not want any student to have a grade of
less than 80.

9. • At Second Progress…
• Any student with below a 75 average will be recommended for an
immediate move to 8th Grade G-T Math
• At The First Marking Period…
• Any student with under an 80 average will be recommended for an
immediate move to 8th Grade G-T Math.

10. • October 26th…
• FBISD’s FINAL DAY for moving from Pre-AP Algebra to 8th Grade G-T Math.
• After this day students must stay in Algebra.

12. Read & Notes
Lessons typically begin with a
reading assignment.
Students will read and take notes
over one or two sections of the text.
This prepares the students for the
next day’s classroom discussion.

13. Class Lesson
A new concept or lesson is based on
what students read the previous
evening.
They already have begun their notes
and only need to fill in the blanks
when taking class notes.

14. Home Practice
Daily practice assignments are
based on the day’s lesson.
It will generally take about 45 to 60
minutes.
We encourage students use a 20
Minute Rule when doing their
practice.

15. Review
At the beginning of class we review
and discuss selected problems with
which students have had some
difficulties.

17. • There are 3 levels of problems
• Level A – Learn the concept; practice speed
• Level B – What everyone should be able to do
• Level C – Higher level – stretch the skills
• Students choose which problems to do, BUT they
must do some from each level.

18. • Assessment Every Week
• Quiz, Quiz, Test
• Classroom quizzes & tests
• Computer-based online quizzes taken at home.
• Assessments are timed
• You should have a grade every Monday. Check for it!

19. • An end-of-course exam that covers the
Texas-mandated curriculum
• The test will be timed
• 15% of final course grade (possibly)
• No need to take a grade level assessment

20. • We will be using the TI-Nspire CX Handheld
• We will have a wireless network with …
• collaborative activities, questioning,
• document transfer, quick polls, assessments
• student lesson activities
• I strongly suggest your student have one at home

21. • Weekly Update and Calendar
• Video Lessons, Instruction sets,
• Forms, Graph paper, Information packets, etc.
• Practice Sets and Assessments
• Other good stuff
• http://qvamath.net

22. • Preparatory lessons for algebra
• Students are expected to know this material
• It is suggested they be done more than once
• Online at http://qvamath.net

23. Parents Student Teachers

24. Success!

25. When the gates are down and the lights are flashing;
And the whistle is blowing in vain;
If you sit on the tracks, ignoring the facts;
Then you can’t blame the wreck on the train.
Don McLean

26. Don’t Blame the Train

28. qvamath@gmail.com