Course Syllabus

2502.2 Intensive Pre-Algebra 

2026 SPRING SEMESTER

Instructor: E. Opena

Online

Instructor: Elizabeth Opena

Email: eopena@cwcharter.org

Office Hours: FRIDAY 11:30 AM- 12:30 PM  (By APPOINTMENT only)

 

Please review the CWCS Master Class Syllabus that will be used in the Parent/Student Orientation course.

 

Class Information: Class Time

Online Sessions:  Tuesdays, Wednesdays,  Thursdays 9:30 am-10:30 am

 

    • Semester 1 - First Online Class Session 8/18/25

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 Online Class Session TUESDAY 01/13/26     

Last Day to Add or Drop is Monday, 01/26/26 (Students will be charged the full price of the course if dropping the class after this deadline.)

Course Overview

This Pre-Algebra course was developed as part of the CWCS High School Intensive (HSI) Program.  The course meets three times a week online, with an additional two hours of one-on-one online tutoring built into the course. 

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

    • Students will receive two hours per week of one-on-one tutoring in addition to three hours of instruction
    • Students will use individualized interventions IXL to close learning gaps

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

Curriculum

Textbook: Go Math! 8, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 9780544206984

    • Semester 1 will be based on UNITS 1 - 3 
      • Modules 1 - 8
    • Semester 2 will be based on UNITS 4 - 6
      • Modules 9 - 15

Materials

    • Binder with dividers
    • Binder Paper
    • Scientific Calculator (no specific calculator is needed; a cell phone or computer calculator will be sufficient)
    • Graphing Calculator (www.desmos.com). - no handheld graphing calculator will be needed)
    • Working external headset with mic (computer speakers do not work successfully with the Canvas setup). Plug-in headsets (rather than Bluetooth) work best with Jigsaw. 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 talk in class using their mic. Suggested:  Office Depot Logitech Clear-Chat
    • Graph Paper and Notebook Paper
    • Geometry set (compass, protractor, metric ruler) & scissors
    • Pencils, colored pencils, & erasers
    • Index cards for vocabulary & concept flash cards
    • Spiral Notebook or Composition Book

Requirements

    • Class textbook/workbook
    • School Google Account - you will use this to log in to various learning platforms such as Jigsaw, 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

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           15%

Tutoring Attendance and Participation     10%

Module Tests                                                  30%             

Final Exam                                                       10%

RTI Intervention Usage (IXL)                       10%

Homework/Classwork                                 25%

 

Grading Scale:

90 - 93% = 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 meeting platform.  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 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 follows:

Absent/Late Work

 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 an 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:

Missed tutoring sessions must be rescheduled and made up within 48 hours. 

You may use the time to work on your assignments.

Make it a priority to keep your tutoring appointments. Your tutor reserves the time and days for YOU. If for some important reason(s) you are unable to make it to your appointment, please let your tutor know at least 24 hours in advance, if possible, and make arrangement to complete your tutoring hours. 

A total of 30 tutoring hours are counted towards your FINAL GRADE!

Module Quizzes (30%)

Quizzes will be given at the end of each Module.  The quizzes will be posted in Canvas for the students to download or will be assigned online.  Specific instructions for the quizzes and tests will be given in class, 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 ~IXL (20%)

    • Student will work in the IXL 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.

Homework/Classwork (20%)

    • 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

    • Deductions of 10% per week is applied to late submissions.
    • Math Department classes will not accept late work after the close date of the assignment.

Important Dates

    1. January 6, 2026 - First Day of Semester 2 (no online class sessions this week but please post recordings and work)
    2. January 12, 2026 - First Day of classes
    3. January 19, 2026 - MLK Day
    4. February 13 & 16, 2026 - Presidents Day
    5. March 20-27, 2026 - Spring Break
    6. April 13-17, 2026 - CAASPP (no class sessions or homework)
    7. May 11-15, 2026 - A-G Finals (non-a-g classes will hold class sessions this week)
    8. May 22, 2026 - Last Day of School

 

Intensive Pre-Algebra 2026 Spring Pacing Guide