Essentials for Algebra Overview

Welcome to Essentials! We will be using two textbooks this year, one to be kept at home (Glencoe Algebra Readiness, a hardback text) and one to be brought to school each day (SpringBoard Mathematics with Meaning, a paperback text/workbook).

Springboard Mathematics is a highly engaging, student-centered, standards-based instructional program. SpringBoard is the College-Board's official Pre-AP program, developed to provide a roadmap for attaining the knowledge and skills students require for success in Advanced Placement courses and in college-level work. 

In this course, students will learn to solve complex math problems using a variety of mathematical knowledge and skills, collaborate with others to complete a task, and communicate effectively using the language of mathematics. Students will explore the "big ideas" in mathematics and develop the critical thinking skills needed to apply and communicate concepts in real-world situations.

Students will extend their mathematical knowledge by:
  • writing algebraic models from a variety of physical, numeric, and verbal descriptions
  • solving equations using a variety of methods
  • justifying answers using precise mathematical language
  • relating constant rate of change to verbal, physical, and algebraic models
  • using technology to solve problems
  • reinforcing and extending the vocabulary of probability and statistics.