a-g Algebra 1
CP5037, 5037.2, CP5038, 5038.2, CP5031, 5031.2
Location: Online
Please review the CWCS Master Class Syllabus that will be used in the Parent/Student Orientation course.
Instructor: Elizabeth Opena
Email: eopena@cwcharter.org
Office Hours: Thursday, 9:30 - 10:30 AM by appointment only. (Please email me to save the date)
Class Information:
Class Time
First Online Class Meeting via Canvas Conference (BigBlueButton): Monday, August 19, 2024
Last Day to Add or Drop is 9/9/24 (Students will be charged the full price of the course if dropping the class after this deadline.)
First Online Class Meeting: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 (via Canvas Conference BigBlueButton)
Last Day to Add or Drop is 1/21/25 (Students will be charged the full price of the course if dropping the class after this deadline.)
CWCS’s a-g Algebra 1 online course offers students the opportunity to study at home while employing technology as a learning tool, meeting with other students in a virtual classroom, and receiving live instruction from a teacher.
Course Overview
This is an a-g course. Students should expect to spend a considerable amount of time each day (1-1.5 hours, on average) on the assigned sections. Much of the learning is done independently by the student, as the class meets only three times a week for CP5037/5038 and once a week for CP5031.
Many students find it helpful to have a personal tutor or take advantage of drop-in coaching at the learning centers, to assist with homework questions.
During the online sessions, an overview is given of the week’s instruction, students work through practice problems, and some time is allowed for student questions. Homework is done daily and will be submitted through my.hrw.com or through Canvas as assigned. Quizzes & tests are completed when assigned and submitted to the instructor through Canvas or my.hr.com. These are assessments of the students’ understanding of the material. Submissions via email will not be accepted or credited.
A proctored final exam will determine the formal assessment portion of the overall semester grade. The final exams will be proctored on a specific day at various testing locations (see below for details).
Prerequisites (key basic skills needed for this course)
Pre-Algebra skills, including the following:
-
-
-
Simplify algebraic expressions involving the distributive property
-
Perform operations with integers
-
Solve multi-step equations in one variable
-
Graph linear equations (y = mx + b) and inequalities
-
Solve systems of equations in two variables using substitution or elimination
-
Solve quadratic equations by factoring, completing the square and using the quadratic formula
Study skills
-
-
-
Ability to read the text and take notes
-
Maturity to seek help, when necessary, to understand difficult concepts
Algebra Readiness testing is recommended to help determine readiness for this course. Consult Mrs. Gray, CWCS Math Specialist, mgray@cwcharter.org, or your ES for details
Curriculum
Required curriculum may be available at the Learning Center on a first come basis. If needed, ESs can order curriculum using the OPS catalog which will have the most up-to-date pricing.
Materials: The students will need the following:
-
-
-
Text: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Algebra 1: Analyze, Connect, ACE) (Vendor # 16160) Student Interactive Worktext, ISBN: 9780544206991
-
Online Student Edition with Personal Trainer Access ISBN 9780544258907 (Allows access to online videos and lessons, what you will be using to turn in some homework assignments)
-
Solution Key, ISBN: 9780544207271
-
(Optional): Practice and Skills Fluency Workbook ISBN 9780544470811
-
Scientific Calculator (TI-36X Pro recommended)
-
Graphing Calculator (www.desmos.com) - no handheld graphing calculator will be needed)
-
Headset for online sessions
-
1” Binder
-
Binder Paper
-
Index Cards or Notecards
-
Graph Paper
-
Ruler
-
Colored Pencils if desired.
-
Spiral Notebook or Composition Book for personal notes and homework assignments.
-
Writing utensils
Requirements
-
-
-
Class textbook/workbook
-
Gmail Account and ability to open/create word documents and pdfs (Adobe Acrobat Reader)
-
Reliable Internet access
-
Grading
Overall course grade
Assignments are weighted by groups calculated based on graded assignments.
Group Weight
Participation, Attendance, Project 25%
Daily Homework, Classwork, Assignments 25%
Tests & Quizzes 25%
Final Exam & Performance Assessment 25%
Grading Scale: Grade 8 through High School:
90% and above A
80%-89% B
70%-79% C
60%-69% D
below 60% F
Attendance
Attendance is required. The Truancy Policy applies to Canvas courses. An unexcused absence may be counted as a truancy.
-
-
-
Excused Absence is defined as:
The parent shall notify the teacher by phone of the absence at least 24 hours* prior to the time the class meets.
-
Unexcused Absence is defined as:
An absence that does not accompany a parent phone call to the instructor at least 24 hours* prior to the time the class meets.
*If there are extenuating circumstances that do not allow for at least 24 hours, then the teacher must still be notified prior to the start of class; allowances may be made depending on the circumstances. Examples of extenuating circumstances: car accident, sudden illness, etc. Students should arrange a "back up plan" in case of unexpected computer problems the day of the class (i.e. make pre-arrangements to go to a neighbor, friend, relative, library, etc.)
When students are absent, they must contact the instructor via email or contact another classmate to obtain the homework assignment. The student is responsible for all the assignments for the day of their absence(s).
Absent/Late Work
Attendance credit for excused absences will be granted by the instructor based on the quality of the make-up work. To make up a missed class session, the student must view the recording of the session (which will be posted as a link on the Canvas website shortly after the session ends). The student must then email the instructor with responses to the following:
-
-
-
Write a summary of what was discussed during this session.
-
Write a paragraph explaining one concept that was discussed in the session.
-
What section are you currently working on in the textbook?
-
List any questions you have regarding this week’s lessons
-
Submit your response to the above 4 points via the class CANVAS inbox within 1 week of the missed class session.
Attendance credit will not be given for unexcused absences.
Daily Homework
The tentative Pacing Guide outlines the lessons and topics that will be covered each week. Weekly assignments will be posted each week in Canvas. The assignments are given a week at a time. Students should manage their own time to complete the assigned exercises by the end of the week and be prepared for online or in person class sessions. As students read through the lessons & view the online modules, they should take notes in a composition book or spiral notebook and complete the assigned exercises.
The weekly textbook homework assigned in the pacing guide should be completed in a separate notebook, in an organized manner, with all necessary work shown on the paper. This work, along with weekly notes, is shown to the ES during learning record meetings. The student, parent, ES or tutor should check the assignments so that mistakes can be corrected. The ES will send a homework/notes grade (Progress Report) to the instructor on a quarterly basis. The ES should give this grade based on both completion and mastery of the material. Additionally, students are responsible to submit a text response (in Canvas) when HRW homework has been completed; as well as scan/picture of each paper assignment as assigned on Canvas in order to receive homework credit.
Many of the assignments will involve online learning modules or assessments. The grades earned on assigned learning modules will become part of the student's homework and classwork grade.
All homework will be submitted through Canvas. You can submit a Word document, PDF or Google Doc (download as a PDF and upload to Canvas). Emailed assignments will not be accepted. All communication will be made through Canvas’ email feature.
Tests & Quizzes
All tests will be posted on Canvas and should be taken in HRW throughout the semester. Specific instructions for the quizzes and tests will be given in class and in Canvas, including procedures for submission and due dates.
Late work will NOT be given full credit. A late penalty of up to 10% per week will be deducted from the student’s score.
Math Department classes will not accept late work after the close date of the test. Tests will not be accepted more than ten days past the due date. Due dates and cut-off dates will be posted for each test on the Canvas assignment page. Make-Up tests will have to be scheduled within the semester or during the finals week.
Final Exam & Performance Assessment Test
A comprehensive final exam will be generated each semester.
The final exams will be proctored at various testing locations, yet to be announced. These exams are mandatory for a-g courses, so mark your calendars, and notify the instructor immediately if you have a conflict with the final exam schedule.
Details of the semester project will be given in class.
-
-
-
-
a-g Finals are scheduled at proctored test sites ~TBA
Note that daily assignments are subject to change ~Check Canvas regularly for updates. The Pacing Guide is meant to give you an overview of the coverage of this course. Download a copy for your reference.
Additional Resources
FALL DATES
-
- Important Dates: 2024-2025 (see also 2024-2025 School Calendar Final)
- Aug. 12: First day of school
- Aug. 19: First day of fall Canvas Classes
- Sept. 2: NO CLASS -Labor Day
- Sept. 9: Add/drop Date
- Oct. 10 -11: NO CLASS (Fall Break)
- Nov. 11: NO CLASS: Veteran’s Day
- Nov. 22- 29: NO CLASS: Thanksgiving Break
- Dec 16 - 20: a-g Finals week
- Dec. 20: Last Day of the Fall Semester
- Winter Break
-
-
SPRING DATES
- Jan. 7: First day back to school (First day of Spring Canvas Classes)
- Jan. 20: NO CLASS: MLK Holiday
- Jan. 21: Add/Drop date
- Feb. 14 - 17: NO CLASS: President’s Day Observance
- March 21 - 28: NO CLASSES THIS WEEK: SPRING BREAK
- CAASPP Testing
- May 12 - 16: a-g Finals Week
- May 23: Last Day of School
The syllabus page shows a table-oriented view of the course schedule, and the basics of
course grading. You can add any other comments, notes, or thoughts you have about the course
structure, course policies or anything else.
To add some comments, click the "Edit" link at the top.