Ms. McKenna's Algebra Class

About Algebra I for 8th Graders [Challenge]

What have I gotten Myself into?

 

Algebra Challenge is a course for grade 8 students who excel in math and would like to accelerate their learning for the next 5 years.  The end result is an opportunity to take Calculus, a college level course, as a senior in high school.

 

The Algebra Challenge curriculum is similar to that taken in 9th grade, with a little more rigor and with a stated expectation placed on student outcomes in the course.  For example, all students are expected to maintain an  85% average all year as well as achieve 85% mastery on the NYS Integrated Algebra Regents.

 

Students in the Algebra Challenge course are often surprised by the fact that they are indeed "challenged" to work harder than they ever have in math before.  They quickly realize that High School courses are not the same as middle school and studying for math is not so much an option anymore. 

 

 

Philosophy:

 

Students tend to learn as much about themselves as they do about their math knowledge. They start the year with a messy  "junk drawer" full of a smattering of skills and processes  they've learned in math.  The hope is that as the year goes on they organize and fine tune these skills & procedures into a neat, organized  and accessible "mathematics tool box".

 

 Algebra Challenge -pdf

 

Reference Pages for the Course:

• "Exploring with the TI-83" tutorial (pdf)

• Graphing a Linear Equation (pdf)

• Parabola Fact Sheet (pdf)

• Solving Quadratic Equations (pdf)