Course Syllabus

HSI Pre-Algebra 2025-2026 Pacing Guide

CWCS Master Class Syllabus

HS Intensive Pre-Algebra 

CP2502

Location: Online

Instructor: Elizabeth 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

Class Time

Synchronous Sessions CLASS TIME

CP 2502 Pre Algebra  Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday  9:30 - 10:30 AM
    • Semester 1 -
      • First Class Meeting via Canvas Conference BigBlueButton:
        • TUESDAY, August 19, 2025
        • 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 Class Meeting via Canvas Conference BigBlueButton:  
        • TUESDAY, January 13, 2026    
        • 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 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 and RTI (IXL) intervention path each week built into the course.  Students are expected to spend a considerable amount of time (at least 1 - 1.5 hours) each day. Much of the learning is done independently by the students. 

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

    • Students are assigned a tutor and will receive two hours per week of one-on-one tutoring in addition to three hours of instruction. Tracking tutoring time is included in the course requirements.
    • Students will use individualized interventions (IXL) to close learning gaps. Students will be assigned a pathway based on the assessment test. 
    • Students may take advantage of the drop-in coaching at the learning centers to assist with any homework questions.

These supports are built into the course, are part of the student’s grade, and are not optional. This class does not fulfill Algebra 1 high school graduation requirement, but it does count toward math units required. 

Curriculum

This may be available at the Learning Center on a first-come basis. If needed, ESs may order the curriculum using the OPS catalog which will have the most up-to-date pricing.

Textbook: HMH Math 8, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 978-0544206984 Student Edition worktext. 

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

Prerequisites

    • In high school with an initial iReady diagnostic score below grade level.
    • Study skills:
      • Ability to read text and take notes.
      • Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers, integers, fractions, and decimals, working towards mastery and fluency with tutor concurrently during course.
      • Ability to graph coordinates, working towards mastery and fluency with tutor concurrently during the course.
      • Understanding of middle school academic math vocabulary, working towards mastery and fluency with tutor concurrently during course.

Materials

    • Binder with dividers
    • Binder Paper
    • Scientific CalculatorLinks to an external site. (no specific calculator is needed; a cell phone or computer calculator will be sufficient)
    • Graphing Calculator (www.desmos.comLinks to an external site. - 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 Canvas Conference (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
    • My HRW

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%

Unit Tests and/or Module Quizzes            30%

Final Exam                                                      10%

RTI Intervention Usage                                10%

Daily Homework/Classwork                       25%

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 (15%)

The class will meet three times per week online via Canvas Conference, 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 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 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 (10%)

    • Option 1: Student will work in the IXL adaptive support program for a minimum of 50 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 (25%)

    • 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

Pre-Algebra 2025-2026 Pacing Guide