Algebra 1 Syllabus

Mary Brannan
mbrannan@mesquiteisd.org
Office: 200 Main Street
Mesquite, TX
972-882-5200
Welcome to Algebra 1! My name is Mary Brannan and will be your
instructor this semester. I attended Texas Tech University and have
been teaching high school math for 6 years.
You will not need a text book for this course, as all the information will
be provided on line through the class website or through links to
resources on the class website.
About the Course
During this course you will be expected to complete assignments,
assessments, and discussions. Late work will receive a deduction. Each
week there will be links to video lessons over the given topic. These
videos will follow the outline of the notes provided for that week. The
videos will be posted under that weeks tab in the course website. After
reviewing the video if you have questions or need clarification, you may
post your questions under the discussion for that topic to receive help
from your peers. You may also schedule a Skype conversation during
my daily office hours for tutoring. You will then complete a branch
assessment of the weeks topic. In order to complete these assignments
you must have a Google account. The branched assignment will be
posted in the class website, but will direct you to a Google document.
For subtopics that you do not show mastery in you will be directed to
additional resources on those specific topics. Once you have exhibited
mastery in all areas you will be finished with that assessment. You may
start an assessment and return to it later. When you have successfully
completed the assignment I will automatically receive your assignment.
Feel free, in addition to reviewing the resources that I provided, to find
your own reliable resources on the topic and to seek clarification from
your classmates. You will also be required to participate in discussions
with your classmates weekly. These discussions will be conducted in
multiple ways, including partner projects, discussion boards and

Voicethread. When participating in activities involving others in the

class, please be proactive and do not procrastinate. If you are working
with a partner be sure to be considerate of their time and effort. These
activities will be graded on your thought process and the effort that is
exhibited in the posts, projects or presentations. The last component of
this course will be a comprehensive assessment. This assessment will be
online and timed. You will not be able to start the assessment and then
return at a later time, to ensure that when you are ready to take the final
you have a good Internet connection, no distractions and all the
materials you need to complete the final.

Objectives
To be able to solve equations
To be able to identify parts of a graph and interpret its meaning
To be able to identify slope from multiple representations
To be able to identify linear equations and its components
To be able to identify if an equation is direct variation and be able
to solve for missing variables and identify the constant variation
To be able to identify if lines are parallel or perpendicular from
their graphs and their equations
Instructional Modules

Week 1: Solving EquationsThis week we will begin our discussion on solving equations. We will
start by solving two-step equations and multi-step equations. Please
review the video on solving equations and then start on the branched
assignment. A branched assignment will direct you to resources
when you miss a question, it will then provide a new question to
ensure you were able to rectify any misconceptions. After completing
the assignment it will send me your results. Some of the resources in
the branched assignment will be as simple as a formula or a hint of
where to start. Other questions may provide more in depth resources
such as additional video lessons, Wikipedia pages explaining a topic,
a website with math games or example problems. For this weeks
discussion activity you should go to the class websites discussion
page and introduce yourself to your classmates. You must also post
two questions or statements related to solving equations. These

questions should be regarding any points of confusion, any tricks

you use to remember steps or how it could be applied.
Objectives:
To be able to solve two-step equations
To be able to solve multi-step equations
Tasks:
Review lesson video
Complete branched assignment
Post an Introduction in the class website discussion board
Post two questions related to solving equations
Week 2: Solving Equations Continued
This week we will continue our discussion on solving equations. We
will advance to solving equations with variables on both sides and
applying solving equations to real world problems. Please review the
video on solving equations and then start on the branched
assignment. A branched assignment will direct you to resources
when you miss a question, it will then provide a new question to
ensure you were able to rectify any misconceptions. After completing
the assignment it will send me your results. Some of the resources in
the branched assignment will be as simple as a formula or a hint of
where to start. Other questions may provide more in depth resources
such as additional video lessons, Wikipedia pages explaining a topic,
a website with math games or example problems. For this weeks
discussion activity you will be paired with a partner. I will email your
partners name and contact information. You will contact your
partner via email or phone and decide on an online collaboration
tool. You and your partner will provide a product that demonstrates
your knowledge of all the steps for solving equations. There will be a
list of suggested tools included in the email, including Popplet and
Interactive WhiteBoard. Once you have created your product post a
link in the class website for your classmates to review.
Objectives:
To be able to solve equations with variables on both sides
To be able to apply solving equations to real world
situations
Tasks:
Review lesson video
Complete branched assignment

 Create an online product demonstrating the steps to solving

equations
Post a link to your product on the class webpage
Week 3: Attributes of Graphs and Functions
This week we will explore graphs and their meaning. We will
examine the variables of our graphs and interpret their meaning. WE
will also compare and contrast discrete and continuous data. Please
review the video on attributes of graphs and then start on the
branched assignment. A branched assignment will direct you to
resources when you miss a question, it will then provide a new
question to ensure you were able to rectify any misconceptions. After
completing the assignment it will send me your results. Some of the
resources in the branched assignment will be as simple as a formula
or a hint of where to start. Other questions may provide more in
depth resources such as additional video lessons, Wikipedia pages
explaining a topic, a website with math games or example problems.
For this weeks discussion activity you will find a graph in the real
world. You may find the graph online or in print and scan it to your
computer. You will then identify the independent and dependent
variables of the graph, describe what is happening in regards to the
data in the graph and identify whether the graph is discrete or
continuous. You will then post a link to your graph in the class
website and review and comment on three of your classmates graph
interpretation.
Objectives:
To be able to identify independent and dependent variables of
a graph
To be able to interpret the trend of the data in the graph
To be able to identify if the data is discrete or continuous
Tasks:
Review Lesson video
Complete branched assignment
Find a graph in the real world and interpret the graph
Post your graph and review three of your classmates graphs
Week 4: Slope
This week we will explore slope or rate of change. We will examine
what slope represents and the four types of slope. We will also calculate

slope from graphs, tables and ordered pairs. Please review the video on
slope and then start on the branched assignment. A branched
assignment will direct you to resources when you miss a question, it will
then provide a new question to ensure you were able to rectify any
misconceptions. After completing the assignment it will send me your
results. Some of the resources in the branched assignment will be as
simple as a formula or a hint of where to start. Other questions may
provide more in depth resources such as additional video lessons,
Wikipedia pages explaining a topic, a website with math games or
example problems. For this weeks discussion activity you will create a
VoiceThread summarizing everything you have learned about slope. In
your VoiceThread you will include examples of the four types of slope
and how to calculate slope from multiple representations. You will then
post a link to your VoiceThread. You must review at least two
classmates VoiceThreads and comment regarding the content, questions
or missing information.
Objectives:
To be able to identify slope and its representation
To be able to calculate slope from a graph
To be able to calculate slope from a table or coordinate point
Tasks:
Review Lesson video
Complete branched assignment
Create a VoiceThread containing the four types of slope and
examples of how to find slope in graphs, tables and coordinate
points
Post a link to your VoiceThread and respond to classmates
VoiceThread
Week 5: Linear Equations and Graphing
This week we will explore linear equations and how to graph from a
linear equation in slope-intercept form. We will learn how to transform
an equation into slope-intercept form by solving for y. We will also
graph linear equations using the slope and y-intercept. Please review
the video on linear equations and then start on the branched
assignment. A branched assignment will direct you to resources when
you miss a question, it will then provide a new question to ensure you
were able to rectify any misconceptions. After completing the
assignment it will send me your results. Some of the resources in the

branched assignment will be as simple as a formula or a hint of where to

start. Other questions may provide more in depth resources such as
additional video lessons, Wikipedia pages explaining a topic, a website
with math games or example problems. For this weeks discussion
activity you will post in the class website discussion. Your post should
include your understanding of linear equations and two questions
related to linear equations. You must also review your classmates posts
and answer at least two of their questions.
Objectives:
To be able to write equations in slope-intercept form by
solving for y
To be able to graph equations using the slope and y-intercept
Tasks:
Review Lesson video
Complete branched assignment
Post a comment in the class website discussion including your
understanding of linear equations and two questions
Review classmates questions and answer at least two
Week 6: Families of Lines
This week we will explore family of lines. WE will start by identifying
direct variation and learn to find our constant variation. We will then
explore parallel and perpendicular lines. Please review the video on
families of lines and then start on the branched assignment. A branched
assignment will direct you to resources when you miss a question, it will
then provide a new question to ensure you were able to rectify any
misconceptions. After completing the assignment it will send me your
results. Some of the resources in the branched assignment will be as
simple as a formula or a hint of where to start. Other questions may
provide more in depth resources such as additional video lessons,
Wikipedia pages explaining a topic, a website with math games or
example problems. For this weeks discussion activity you will create a
math problem involving parallel lines, perpendicular lines or direct
variation. You will then post your math problem in the class website and
solve two other equations. Post the answers to other classmates
equations and if someone disagrees with you, be prepared to defend
your answer.
Objectives:
To be able to identify and solve direct variation

 To be able to identify parallel and perpendicular lines from a

graph or equation
Tasks:
Review Lesson video
Complete branched assignment
Create a math problem and post to website
Answer two classmates problems
1) Final Assessment
Grading
Weekly Assessments
Weekly Discussions
Final Cumulative Assessment
Total

50 pts.
50 pts.
100 pts.
700 pts.