Course Syllabus

CWCS Master Class Syllabus

Intensive Algebra 1A Pacing Guide

 

2506/2508 Intensive Algebra 1A (Yr. 1 of 2)

Online

Instructor: E. Opena

Email                 eopena@cwcharter.org

Office Hours:   Friday, 11:30 am - 12:30 PM by Appointment only. 

(Please email me to save the date).

 

Class Information

Synchronous Sessions  Class Time

CP2506 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

 

      • Semester 1 - First Synchronous Class Meeting

          • CP2506 Tuesday, August 19th @ 1:30PM

Last Day to Add or Drop is 9/3/25 (Students will be charged the full price of the course if dropping the class after this deadline.)

      • Semester 2 - First Synchronous Class Meeting

          • CP2506 Tuesday, January 13th @ 1:30PM     

Last Day to Add or Drop is 1/23/26 (Students will be charged the full price of the course if dropping the class after this deadline.)

Course Overview

This Algebra course was developed as part of the CWCS High School Intensive (HSI) Program.  Since the course meets only three times a week online, much of the learning is done independently by the student with an additional two hours of one-on-one online tutoring built into the course.  This year-long course (Algebra 1A) covers the first half of Algebra 1. 

          • FALL Semester        Units 1A & 1B
              • Modules 1 - 5
          • SPRING Semester   Unit 2A
              • Modules 6 - 9

Students will earn 5 credits each semester.  Students must also complete Algebra 1B to fulfill the Algebra Graduation Requirement. 

As an Intensive course, there are several specific scaffolds and supports in place to help students successfully master the Algebra 1 standards:

      • Students will receive two hours per week of one-on-one tutoring in addition to three hours of instruction

      • Content is spread out over two years

      • Students will use individualized interventions in IXL to close learning gaps

These supports built into the course, are part of the student’s grade, and are not optional.

Prerequisites

Successful completion of Math 8 or Pre-Algebra.

Curriculum

This course will be based on Units 1A - 2A (Modules 1 - 9) of the following text: 

Algebra 1 Analyze, Connect, Explore, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 9780544206991

          • FALL Semester      -Units 1A & 1B
              • Modules 1 - 5
          • SPRING Semester -Unit 2A
              • Modules 6 - 9

Materials

      • Working external headset with mic (computer speakers do not work successfully with the Canvas setup).
      • Plug-in headsets (rather than Bluetooth) work best with Canvas. After the third week of class and no headset, students may begin to lose participation points for the class. Class is much more engaging if all students can participate in class. Suggested:  Office Depot Logitech Clear-Chat 
      • Binder Paper
      • 1" Binder with dividers
      • Pencils & Erasers
      • Index Cards (Any Size) for notecards (Flash cards)
      • Composition Notebook
      • Low Odor Dry Erase Markers (for in-class whiteboard practice)
      • Scientific Calculator (no specific calculator is needed; a cell phone or computer calculator will be sufficient)
      • Graphing Calculator required (www.desmos.com - no handheld graphing calculator will be needed)
      • Graph Paper and Notebook Paper
      • Ruler

Requirements

      • Class textbook/workbook: 

        Algebra 1 Analyze, Connect, Explore, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 9780544206991

      • School Google Account - you will use this to log in to various learning platforms such as Canvas BigBlueButton, Desmos and Khan Academy, and to complete Google Apps for Education-based assignments

      • Reliable Internet access

      • Canvas Login link: https://cwcs.instructure.com/login/canvas

Math Department Webpage

Grading

The EE will determine the overall course grade and enter it in SIS by the report card deadline. The overall grade will be determined according to these categories and weights:

          Class Attendance and Participation.          10%

          Tutoring Attendance and Participation.    10%

          Unit Tests and/or Module Quizzes.            30%

          Final Exam.                                                      10%

          RTI Intervention Usage.                                 20%

          Homework/Classwork                                  20%

 

          Grading Scale:

          90% - 92%     A-          93% - 96%     A            97% - above       A+ 

          80% - 82%     B-          83% - 86%     B            87% - 89%          B+

          70% - 72%     C-          73% - 76%     C            77% - 79%          C+

          60% - 62%     D-          63% - 66%     D            67% - 69%          D+

          0-59%            F

Class Attendance and Participation (10%):

The class will meet three times per week online via the BigBlueButton.  The link can be found on the class Canvas website.

Attendance is required.   The Truancy Policy applies to Canvas courses. An unexcused absence may be counted as a truancy.  Full attendance credit will not be given for unexcused absences.

      • 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.)   

Not only will the students receive instruction during these sessions, but they will participate in answering questions and working out problems.  Students may be asked to enter a response to an “Attendance Quiz” or other attendance activities to earn attendance credit for that day’s class.  This gives the instructor an opportunity to identify strengths and weaknesses of the students and identify concepts that need more instruction.  Points will be earned for each class session, depending on promptness and participation in the class session.  

Making Up a Missed Class

Attendance credit for excused absences will be granted by the instructor based on the quality of the make-up work. To make up for 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) and complete a make-up attendance assignment as posted on Canvas.  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.

Tutoring Attendance and Participation (10%):

Tutoring sessions will be held two times per week online via FEV’s online meeting platform.  The link can be found on the class Canvas website. Attendance is required.  Not only will the students receive targeted instruction during these sessions, but they will participate in answering questions and working out problems. Points will be earned for each class session, based on the tutor’s regular progress report of the student’s promptness and participation in the tutoring session.  

Making up a Missed Tutoring Session:

Always inform your tutor whenever you are not able to attend your tutoring session. Remember, the time is saved for you. Missed tutoring sessions must be rescheduled and made up within 48 hours. You are responsible to make arrangements with your tutor to reschedule so that you are able to complete the required 30 hours of tutoring for the semester. 

Module Quizzes (30%)

Quizzes will be given at the end of each Module.  The quizzes will be posted on Canvas and will be assigned in HRW.  Specific instructions for the quizzes and tests will be given in class and on Canvas, including procedures for submission and due dates.  Due dates will be posted for each test on the Canvas assignment page.  Late submissions will not be accepted without a request for extension BEFORE the due date. For test scores less than 70%, students may retake tests to earn a grade up to 70%.

 

Final Exam (10%)

Students will take a final exam each semester that will be proctored by their instructor during an online class session.

 

RTI Intervention Usage (20%)

      • Option 1: Student will work in the iReady adaptive support program for a minimum of 45 minutes per week in the corresponding subject until the student is at or above level. The grade will be based on the percentage of the required time that the student completed.

      • Option 2: Student will enroll in corresponding Developmental Class targeting specific skills and standards based on student’s iReady diagnostic assessment. The Developmental Class instructor will complete a progress report for the student quarterly.

 

Homework/Classwork (20%)

      • All assignments should be submitted via Canvas or HRW. Emailed assignments are not accepted.

      • The ES does not need to submit a Quarterly Progress Report.  

      • This grade reflects the daily homework and learning activities that the student is completing according to the assignments posted on Canvas.

      • Homework activities include assignments on my.hrw.com and other instructional activities posted on Canvas or given in live class sessions.

      • Running homework grade will be updated from my.hrw.com onto Canvas at the end of each Module.

 

Late Work

Math Department classes will not accept late work after the close date of the assignment. 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.  

 

Additional Resources

Fall Dates

      1. August 11, 2025 - First day of school
      2. August 18, 2025 - First day of classes
      3. September 1, 2025 - Labor Day
      4. October 23-24, 2025 - Non School Days
      5. November 11, 2025 - Veterans Day
      6. November 21-28, 2025 - Thanksgiving Break
      7. December 8-12, 2025 - A-G Finals (tentative)
      8. December 19, 2025 - Last Day of Semester 1

Spring Dates

      1. January 6, 2026 - First Day of Semester 2
      2. January 19, 2026 - MLK Day
      3. February 13 & 16, 2026 - Presidents Day
      4. March 20-27, 2026 - Spring Break
      5. April 13-17, 2026 - Likely CAASPP (tentative)
      6. May 11-15, 2026 - A-G Finals (tentative)
      7. May 22, 2026 - Last Day of School

Intensive Algebra 1A 2025-2026 Pacing Guide