Stage Two: Curriculum Map

Lee Wilkinson

I have chosen to examine the progression and assessments for the 8th grade algebra class.  In past years, this class has progressed through the textbook since the textbook seems to mirror the curriculum fairly well.  Textbook resources have been used for practice and for testing.  Currently, the assessments being used, whether text book made or teacher made, are short answer questions where the students have to solve an equation or simplify an expression, showing all of their work needed to justify the solution.  Application problems are included on some quizzes and on each unit test.  I feel that more frequent formative quizzes can be used to help students clear up common misconceptions before taking the summative assessments at the end of each unit.  These formative quizzes can be scored and returned to students with “comments only” to enhance the students’ benefit from the feedback.   Unit tests will be more closely analyzed to ensure alignment with learning goals and items will be added in an effort to assess complete understanding rather than just procedural knowledge.  Cooperative group activities with built in peer editing have been incorporated to break up the routine of “lesson followed by homework”.   Whole class problem-solving and small group problem-solving will be used as informal assessments.  These informal assessments  will also encourage students to share ideas and learn from each other.

 

 

February 2007

March 2007

April 2007

Content

 

1.       Inequalities

2.       Compound Inequalities

3.       Absolute Value Equations

4.       Absolute Value Inequalities

5.       Inequalities in 2 variables

 

 

1.       Systems of Linear Equations

2.       Systems of Linear Inequalities

 

 

1.      Simplifying algebraic expressions with exponents

2.       Exponential Functions

3.       Scientific Notation

 

Skills

 

1a.    Solve inequalities with one variable

1b.    Represent the solution of one-variable inequality as a graph on a number line

2a.    Solve compound inequalities

2b.    Differentiate between Union and Intersection as it applies to compound inequalities written with the conjunction “and” or “or”

2c.    Represent the solution of a compound inequality by using a graph on a number line.

3a.    Understand that an absolute value equation may have 2 solutions, 1 solution, or no solutions

3b.    Identify the number of possible solutions of a given absolute value equation.

3c.    Find all possible solutions of an absolute value equation (in one variable) by writing and solving two corresponding equations.

4a.    Understand that an absolute value inequality may have an infinite number of solutions, one solution, or no solutions

4b.    Identify the number of possible solutions of a given absolute value inequality.

4c.    Solve an absolute value inequality and represent that solution by using a graph on a number line.

5a.    Graph a linear inequality in 2 variables.

5b.    Model a real-life situation using a linear inequality in 2 variables.

 

 

1a.    Find the point of intersection of 2 lines in the coordinate plane by 3 methods. (graphing, substitution, and linear combination)

1b.    Choose an appropriate method for finding the point of intersection based on the format of the two linear equations.

1c.    Understand that the point of intersection of 2 lines is known as the solution of the system of equations.

1d.    Determine when the solution of a system of equations is a single point, an infinite number of points, or does not exist.

1e.    Write and solve a system of linear equations to solve a real-life problem.

2a.    Solve a system of linear inequalities by graphing.

2b.    Model and solve a real-life problem by writing a system of linear inequalities and graphing the solution.

2c.    Interpret the solution as it applies to the real-life problem.

 

1a.    Use properties of exponents to simplify algebraic expressions with exponents

1b.    Understand that any number a (except when a = 0) to the zero power is 1

1c.    Simplify expressions which have negative exponents

2a.    Identify the graph of an exponential function

2b.    Differentiate between exponential growth and exponential decay

2c.    Model a real-life problem by writing and graphing an exponential function

3a.    Convert between scientific notation and decimal notation for large and small numbers

3b.    Add, Subtract, Multiply, and Divide numbers in scientific notation with and without a calculator.

3c.    Identify real-life situations in which scientific notation would be used

Assessment

 

·        Homework assignments

·        Self Quizzes from text book

·        Formative quizzes

·        In-class problems solved by students on paper or at the chalkboard

·        Unit Test

 

·        Homework assignments

·        Self Quizzes from text book

·        Cooperative group activity (using graphing calculators to solve a system of equations)

·        Formative quizzes

·        In-class problems solved by students on paper or at the chalkboard

·        Unit Test

 

 

·        Homework assignments

·        Self Quizzes from text book

·        Cooperative Group Activity (compound interest and depreciation)

·        Formative quizzes

·        In-class problems solved by students on paper or at the chalkboard

·        Unit Test

 

Ohio 
Academic
Content Standards

 

·       Solve linear equations and inequalities graphically, symbolically and using technology

·       Use symbolic algebra (equations and inequalities), graphs and tables to represent situations and solve problems

 

·       Solve 2 by 2 systems of linear equations graphically and by simple substitution.

·       Solve and interpret the meaning of 2 by 2 systems of linear equations graphically, by substitution and by elimination, with and without technology

 

 

·      Apply order of operations to simplify expressions and perform computations involving integer exponents and radicals

·      Describe problem situations (linear, quadratic and exponential) by using tabular, graphical and symbolic representations

·      Use formulas to solve problems involving exponential growth and decay

·      Use scientific notation to express large numbers and small numbers between 0 and 1.

·      Add, subtract, multiply, divide and compare numbers written in scientific notation

 
 
LINKS
Lee's Portfolio 
EPSY 590ASA Project Description
Stage 1 
Stage 3
Stage 4