Grade 8 Algebra 1
Grade 8 Algebra 1 is aligned with the current Connecticut Core Standards Algebra 1 course. This course can be taken in the Middle School in either 7th grade or in 8th grade, or at Darien High School. The prerequisite course for Algebra 1 is PreAlgebra. The fundamental purpose of this course is to formalize and extend the mathematics that students learned in three years of middle school mathematics. Because it is built on the middle grades standards, this is a more ambitious version of Algebra I than has generally been offered. This course examines the behaviors of a variety of functions, through examining patterns of data, graphs, and solving equations and inequalities. The critical areas deepen and extend understanding of linear and exponential relationships by contrasting them with each other and by applying linear models to data that exhibit a linear trend, and students engage in methods for analyzing, solving, and using quadratic functions. Our assessments include a variety of quizzes, weekly challenges, tests, projects, homework and/or class participation.