Algebra - 6

Because you are literally skipping 2 or 3 years of math classes, we need to make sure your Pre-Algebra skills are on-point and you are ready to go next school year.

This assignment is meant to shore up your skills and help you be ready to learn on day 1 in an advanced Algebra 1 course.

Be sure to complete your assignment before the first day of school August 19, 2025.

Part 1: Get Your Supplies

General Supplies

Here are the supplies that you will need for Algebra starting on the first day. These are the supplies that you will be using EVERY DAY!

Required

Composition Book: You will need at least 1. Most students will use 2 for the entire year. Must be bound, no spirals or perforated sheets because you need these to last! Perforations are the tiny little cuts made into paper that make it possible to tear them out cleanly from a notebook. Notebooks with perforations will fall apart! You can choose from lined, grid, blank, dot grid, whatever type you like to use.
Folder: This can be one pocket of an accordion folder, a separate folder, or a pocket in your notebook. You just need someplace to store handouts that are not taped or glued into your notebook.
Pencils with good erasers

Optional (nice to have, but not necessary)

Colored pencils, pens or markers
Highlighter
Scissor
Glue Stick or Tape
Graph Paper

There are no additional or specialty supplies needed for Algebra 1.

Please note that we are serious about this notebook! You can think of it as your Algebra textbook.

We will do periodic checks to make sure you are maintaining it throughout the year, for a grade.

This is a notebook with perforated sheets. These are terrible for this class. If you insist on getting one of these, invest in some tape!

Part 2: Unit Descriptions

Below is a list of all of the different units with links to the needed documents. I've also put all of the documents in a Google Drive folder you'll see after the units.

Some of the units have problems sets and some are just notes or videos. When presented with notes or a video write down important concepts and examples from them, even if you think you generally know the concept. There are seemingly tiny details that can really mess you up in Algebra if you ignore them... see "Most Missed Concept in Algebra 1" and where those parentheses are placed!

The material for each of the units can be found in the drive at the bottom of this page.

You do NOT need to print out the pages.

I expect to see notes and problems worked out in your notebook.

The keys are attached.

Most are at the end of the problem set, but some are separate files.

Unit 1: Setting Up Your Notebook and Leveling the Playing Field

This section is super-required for new students! You will be setting up your notebook, doing a pre-Algbra activity on data, and looking at some specific information needed for Algebra 1 that Kealing students learned last year.

a. Set Up Your Notebook:

Watch a video showing you how to set up your Algebra notebook and then actually set up your notebook. This notebook is where you will put the rest of your summer assignment. You will continue using this notebook during the school year. Be sure to put YOUR NAME in the notebook, not mine. Use the correct year too, I didn't remake this video. You don't have to make the pocket. You can use a folder instead.

b. Jumping Jacks:

A data collection and graphing activity. All of the students who spent their 6th grade year at Kealing did this type of data collection activity either in math or science. The activity contains some important vocab and concepts from graphing and data. We reference the concepts from this activity when we study functions. Link to Select Answers.

c. Number Systems and Special Notation:

A review of the set of real numbers and the important subsets. Pay attention to any special symbols used. They show up in class all of the time and you need to know what they mean.

d. Why Algebra 1 Prefers Fractions:

Just some notes on why you need to embrace improper fractions over mixed numbers and decimals. In Algebra we prefer to work with exact, simplified values and the improper fraction is the easiest form to work with when solving equations and applying exponents. Decimals are terrible!

e. A Few Random Bits

Just a few things that were commonly missed on the math placement test. We just want to make sure everyone knows the math facts behind these items.

Unit 2: The One About Operations

The order of operations is the foundation of Algebra and the source of a lot of errors. For most of you the order of operations is going to be review, but some of the practice problems might be more challenging than you are used to and there might be some new vocabulary. Make sure you understand the concepts in this section. Sometimes you will find notes and tips at the end of the document, so be sure to scroll.

The problem sets are optional. You can do all of them or you can just select a few that look tricky. But, just because the exercises are optional, that doesn't mean you are excused from knowing how to do them. Remember this is all considered review. We expect you to be able to successfully work all of the exercises.

a. The Order of Operations :

A review and caution against PEMDAS. This includes Ms. Hill-Level problems, along with some common misconceptions and mistakes. This is the foundation of Algebra 1 so you have to KNOW IT WELL. 99% of mistakes made by Algebra 1 students can be traced back to the order of operations!

b. Implied Operations and the Vinculum:

What are the implied operations and how do they appear in expressions? What is a vinculum and what does it do?

c. Absolute Value:

The definition of Absolute Value and notation used. It is not "switching signs."

Unit 3: The One About Exponents

This is all notes. You'll be using exponents in the first unit and you have not know more than the basic definition. The practice exercises are all optional. PAY SUPER ATTENTION TO "The Most Missed Concept in Algebra 1." It will come back over and over again!

a. Basics of Exponents:

Video reviewing vocab around exponentiation and the basic ideas behind the operation. Our first unit uses exponents, and not just the nice ones.

b. The Most Missed Concept in Algebra 1:

The depth and nuances of notation, especially when we put signs and fractions into the mix. Not Joking either, this is the number 1 source of error in Algebra 1. It is an order of operations, implied operations and exponent issue all wrapped into one.

c. The Zero Exponent:

A portion of a video that gives the definition of the zero exponent. It is a simple concept, but one you must not forget.

d. The Negative Exponent:

This video defines what negative exponents are. It is important that you understand what these are.

e. Optional Practice Problems with Exponents and The Most Missed Concept.

Unit 4: The One About Rational Numbers

This is going to be review for most of you and feel free to skip any practice exercises in topics that you know you have mastered. Remember, the problem sets are optional but knowing how to complete them is not! Practice what you feel you need to practice.

Be sure to read the notes for tips and reminders. Some will appear after answer keys, so scroll through to make sure you didn't miss anything.

a. Working with Signed Numbers:

Arithmetic Review: add and subtract then multiply and divide positive and negative numbers

b. Improper Fractions:

Fraction Concept Review: includes converting negative mixed numbers into improper fractions

c. Working with Fractions:

Arithmetic Review: add & subtract then multiply & divide positive and negative fractions

d. Canceling:

A Short-Cut: Taking advantage of math properties to simplify while you work, instead of at the end

e. Converting Decimals into Fractions:

We have calculators that can do most of this for us now, but here are some techniques for turning terminating and repeating decimals into fractions

Unit 5: The One About Equations and Expressions

This might be review, it might be new. If this is new, work through it completely. If you've solved a billion one and two step equations, skip them. Once again, read through any notes and tips, some of which appear after the answer key. Remember, the problem sets are optional but knowing how to complete them is not! Practice what you need to practice.

a. The Properties of Equality :

This is why we do what we do when solving equations. In our Algebra classes we want you to know more than just algorithm and procedures. We want you to know as many of the whys and hows as we can teach you in Algebra 1. This video is about what the PoEs are they and how we use them to solve equations (1-step, 2-step, unknowns on both sides.)

b. Proportional Reasoning:

A foundational math concept, proportions. This is a review of setting up and solving proportions. Notice how important the units are in the word problems.

c. Simplifying Expressions:

This is what everything thinks Algebra is. This reviews often used techniques of simplifying algebraic expressions. It defines Like Terms and how to combine them. Also reviews the Field Axioms and how we use them, especially the distributive property. The "Field Axioms" make algebra work so those properties are important.

A Special Note About Next Year

Next year, AISD middle and high schools will continue a 9-week grading cycle. Each semester will consist of two 9-week grading periods. During each grading period, you will be given 2 progress reports: one at 3-weeks, the other at 6-weeks.

For high school credit classes, semester averages will be calculated using the 40%, 40%, 20% scheme, with the semester exam worth 20% of the semester average and each grading period counting as 40%.

Instead of a grade-level math STAAR test, you will be taking the Algebra 1 EOC instead. The EOC is the STAAR test for Algebra 1 and it is important. Passing the Algebra 1 EOC is one of the requirements of graduating high school in the state of Texas. We teach you Algebra, not a test. We really don't talk about the STAAR Algebra 1 EOC until after spring break and mainly to make fun of its poorly written questions and how take advantage of the tech they let you use.

Our Algebra 1 course is considered "advanced" and for the purposes of GPA will be weighted on a five-point scale.

Your grade in Algebra 1 will be recorded onto your high school transcript.

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