Algebra 1 FAQ

1. What supplies should I bring to class?

In order for you to learn efficiently, you are recommended to bring the following with you to each class: 

• Multiple pencils and erasers, highlighters (3 different colors): All math assignments must be completed in PENCIL ONLY and turned in on time! 

• A 3-ring binder & 3-hole puncher: to organize notes and classwork to serve your learning needs.

• A math composition notebook: is used to take extra notes, do your classwork and homework, as well as Do Now and Exit Ticket.  It is where you record your strategy and process, as well as solutions that definitely help you review and study for exams. 

• Red pens: must be used to check and correct your wrong answers before the assignments are turned in to make sure you learn from your mistakes.

• A planner: is used to write down a list of to-dos for the assignments and their due dates.

• A TI-84 Plus CE calculator: for graphing purposes ONLY. You are expected to know how to solve a problem both by hand and by a graphing calculator since there are some questions required you to solve by using a graphing calculator during STAAR. 

• A school-issued Chromebook or laptop: is used to access the notes and do online activities during class. 

• Loose-leaf lined paper and loose-leaf graph paper. 

• A box of tissues (class donation, big thank-you)

• If you could donate a box of copy paper, it would be highly appreciated. 

2. Can I borrow the school calculator for home use?

No. This is school property and is only used at school. You will be assigned a graphing calculator for the whole school year to use during class and you must turn it in before you leave class. You may purchase one to practice at home. Many questions on the assessments and STAAR require you to use a graphing calculator to solve. It is much convenient if you are proficient in using a calculator, so you can ace the tests easily. This calculator is accepted for all exams like STAAR, PSAT, SAT, ISEE, ACT... So, owning a calculator now is a wise long-term investment.

3. Is there any resource for me to review Prealgebra?

Yes. If you want to reinforce your concepts and skills that you missed from Math 7, please click here, Math 8, please click here.

4. Is there any resource for me to learn Algebra 1 online?

Yes. If you want to reinforce your concepts and skills from Algebra 1, please click here.

5. What is the Algebra 1 curriculum?

Please check out the Scope and Sequence adapted from HISD here.

6. Is there any online tool for me to employ to learn Algebra 1 efficiently?

Yes. It is called Desmos. Please access Desmos graphing here, Desmos calculator here, Desmos scientific here, and try to play around to be familiar with this platform.

7. Is there any tutorial videos for the entire Algebra 1 curriculum?

Yes. Please check out the whole bunch of tutorial videos here. You better watch them before and after class to enhance your understanding of concepts and skills.

8. How much homework will I have from this class?

Math is one subject that usually requires homework. Homework is not intended to make life miserable. It is simply necessary if you want to develop good reasoning and problem solving skills. One of the biggest problems students have when completing math homework is that they don't study the notes associated with the assignments and then just give up when they can't see how to do it.

"Studying notes and doing your homework consistently can always help obtain achievements." 

I expect you to do your own assignments. My goal is that you have a daily practice so that no one falls behind in my class. You are expected to have an assignment for each class consisting of classwork and homework. Homework should be completed at home and checked & corrected wrong answers with keys in class. However, evidence showed that my students finished both classwork and homework in class since they paid attention, followed directions, and worked productively. We also have the study guide to prepare for each assessment. The study guides are crucial and usually handed out prior to the exams for you to prepare. So please, don't procrastinate or you definitely feel overwhelmed. 

"Many great things can be done in a day if you don't always make that day tomorrow."

9. How to learn math more efficiently?

Learning math takes attitude, perseverance, and courage: Many people have trouble learning math because they never develop the particular study habits which are conducive to success in math. If you practice the following suggestions, they should prove invaluable to you.

•  Listen in class.

• You must pay careful attention to class discussion in order to know what is going on.

• You must participate in class discussion. Try to answer all questions silently, even those not directed to you. Keep your mind on what is going on at all times.

• Copy assignments in your math notebook. Be sure you understand the assignment.

• Read carefully and deliberately.

• You must read slowly, absorbing each word.

• It is sometimes necessary to read a discussion or problem many times before it begins to make sense.

• In reading mathematics, each word or symbol is important because there are many thoughts condensed into a few statements.

• Think with a pencil and scratch paper.

• Always have a pencil in hand and scratch paper ready to use when you read and study math.

• Test out the ideas on paper that the authors are discussing.

• Try to answer proposed questions before going on.

• Work out the illustrative examples for yourself on scratch paper.

• If in attempting to solve a problem, you have nothing written on scratch paper, then certainly you have not yet exerted enough effort to justify seeking help.

• Take time to reflect.

• You must take time to do some reflective thinking about material covered over the last few days or weeks.

• It takes time for some ideas in math to soak in.

• You may have to live with some ideas and do reflective thinking about them before they make sense.

• You may find that copying your notes will help the material make sense.

•  Concentrate on fundamentals.

• Do not try to learn math by memorizing illustrative examples.

• All mathematics is based on a few fundamentals, principles, and definitions. Some of these must be memorized.

• Each new topic is just a reapplication of the fundamental principles.

•  Be independent.

• To gain the maximum benefit from your work, study the notes diligently and try to complete each assignment without help.

• You must ask questions when necessary.

• Do not be afraid that your question may sound “dumb.” The only dumb action is to fail to ask questions about a topic that you really tried to grasp and still do not understand.

• Persevere.

• Do not give up if a topic or problem baffles you at first. Stick with it!

• If you don’t seem to be making any progress after working on a problem for some time, put it aside and attack it again later.

• There is a tremendous sense of satisfaction in having been persistent enough and creative enough to solve a problem independently that has given you a great deal of trouble.

•  Be neat and accurate.

• You must deliberately practice neatness and accuracy before they become a habit.

• Keep your work organized.

• Keep your homework papers in the same place every day so that you can turn to it immediately. No excuses for not having your homework will be accepted (even though they may be true!).

•  Take time to do your work and do it on time.

• You must do your homework regularly and make up the work missed when you are absent. NO SYMPATHY WILL BE GIVEN TO ANYONE FAILING TO DO THEIR HOMEWORK - AND NO EXTRA HELP WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU IF YOU DON’T DO IT.

• If you spend just enough time to get the “answers” and do not take time to get the underlying principles, you will soon become confused.

• Learning math is not an activity for the intellectually lazy. It requires strong and steady effort.

• Mathematics is not a spectator sport - you must become actively involved. Do not expect to sit idly by and watch your teacher do the work.

• There will be no extra compensation given for working hard or conscientiously doing your homework. This is something you are expected to do.

• Study notes and keep practicing

• Never skip any notes nor any assignments since they positively impact your academic achievement; 

• Try to employ different methods to approach the same problem; 

• Keep practicing unassigned problems after each note. "Practice makes perfect!" If you want to become better at working math problems, you have to practice working math problems!  The more you practice, the more perfect your skills are. Like learning a new language or musical instrument, becoming proficient in math takes practice, not just understanding and innate ability. 

10. Do I need to show work on my assignments?

Yes. You must communicate your process used to arrive at solutions to earn full credit. With that being said you need to show your step process and can verbally explain yourself like what I did in the notes since every step has a grade associated with it. All that said, I expect you to demonstrate your understanding of the material taught in class. It is not about finding the "correct answer." Furthermore, your assignments must be neat and legible with the answers clearly indicated. Use scratch paper for preliminary computations and submit only polished work. Your homework will be graded based on accuracy rather than on completion because I want you to build your strong foundation of work ethic to grow on. In addition to accuracy, neatness will be taken into account. Your work must be checked with keys by using a red pen before you turn in to earn full credit. Be sure your name is on your submitted work.     

11. Do I need to learn different methods to solve the same problem?

Yes, of course. The more methods you learn, the more proficient you are. In class, I always encourage you to employ different methods to approach the same problem. In the exams, you will be asked to solve the same problem with two different methods. It definitely helps you a lot during the exams if you are stuck on this method, you can try different ones as long as you arrive at the solution. Especially on the ISEE, PSAT, and SAT exam, you should be able to spend less than 90 seconds/question to complete the test on time. For example, There are 3 common methods to solve a linear system called substitution method, elimination method, and graphing method. You must know all three methods to benefit you from getting the solution fast and correctly.

12. Are "Do Now" and "Exit Ticket" for grades?

Yes. They all will be graded and counted towards your classwork grades (30%). "Do Now" is used to check for your understanding of the concepts learnt from previous lessons. "Exit Ticket" is used to check for your understanding of the concepts learnt from current lessons. So, you must actively pay attention and use time wisely during class. I strongly encourage you to take time to work on "Do Now" and "Exit Ticket" seriously because they can help you obtain a lot of achievements, one of those is upcoming STAAR test.

13. How do I turn in my assignments?

All assignments must be turned in in person before the class starts. Don't turn in your assignments on Canvas.

14. Where can I access the textbook?

A physical copy of textbooks will be distributed at the beginning of the school year.

15. What can parents do to support their child at home?

• Please follow announcements via Remind and check to make sure that your child is completing their homework seriously as instructed. Assignments are given in each class. 

• Encourage your child to watch videos, study the notes, make extra notes as necessary for clarity, and study the examples.

• There are also instructional videos on my YouTube in case they are absent or just want to have the materials presented again.

• Help your child to ask questions in class, on Canvas, and in tutorials. "I don't understand this!" is NOT a question. "Can you help me see where I made a mistake in working problem #5?" is something we can work with.

• Help your child to take a serious approach to forming a study group with other serious students. Pizza can be a powerful lure to entice study-ers to your house. More than four students can become a party instead of a study group. Students can also meet in Zoom study groups.

• Help your child to organize his or her time and prioritize tasks.

• Encourage your child to persevere in spite of challenges. This might be the first course in which your child really has to struggle to master the material. Remember that it is better to learn how to struggle now than when they are off by themselves in the future.

• Encourage your child to actively stay involved in academics throughout the school year to prepare for the STAAR EOC, which will take place in May. 

16. When are tutorials?

Information is on my homepage. Don't be shy about asking in class since our classroom is a risk-free environment. Ask for help if you need it. Use your teacher, classmates, or parents if necessary to get your learning needs supported. Do not wait until the last minute to get help. Math is cumulative. So if you miss a concept, you are likely to get behind quickly. 

17. Do you offer extra credit?

Yes. I offer a lot of extra credit. Extra credit could be the following:

Test/Quiz Corrections

• Students must follow the guidelines in the test/quiz correction form.

• Students must correct their mistakes and explain why the correct answer is right.  You must do it seriously to earn extra credit. If you are not sure about the answers, please clarify with me.

• Corrections should be submitted within a specified time after receiving the graded test or quiz.

• Partial credit can be awarded based on the thoroughness and accuracy of the corrections.

• Your final grade shouldn't be higher than 95.

Study Guide Preparation

• Students create a comprehensive study guide covering key concepts, terms, and potential test questions.

• The study guide should be well-organized and visually appealing, using bullet points, charts, or diagrams.

• It can be individual or group work, depending on the class size and dynamics.

• Students must complete the study guide if it is given, correct wrong answers, and turn in before the test. 

Bonus Questions on the Test

• There could be 1 or 2 bonus questions on each quiz/test.

• Bonus questions are optional and but frequently more challenging than the standard test questions.

• They can cover advanced topics, encourage your critical thinking, or connect concepts from different units.

• The points from bonus questions can either boost the your score beyond 100% or compensate for missed questions.

Challenging Problems

• They are more complex or require deeper analysis than standard assignments.

• They could be math Olympiad questions or challenging problems integrated into the concepts/units you are learning.

• You must explain your thoughtful process and reasoning in detail to me in person.

Mathematics Competitions

If you are participating in mathematics competitions, such as UIL, American Math Competition, Rice Math Tournament, UH Math Contest, A&M Math Contest, Math Madness, or any of these mathematic competitions, you will earn extra credit. These competitions are a fantastic opportunity to challenge yourself, apply your math skills in creative ways, and potentially earn bonus points toward your final grade. Extra credit will be awarded toward your midterm/final exams.

• Participation: 5 extra credit points. 

• Placing in the top 10%: 10 extra credit points. 

• Winning: 20 extra credit points.

18. Can I retake a test/quiz/midterm/final exam?

There is no retake for a quiz. Also, per HISD guidelines, under no circumstance will a student be allowed to retake a midterm or final examination to improve his/her grade. However, students will have an opportunity for reassessment for Test #1 when the grade received on an assessment is below a 70. All reassessments must be completed within one week from the time the assessment is returned to the student. Students must complete and turn in the retake request form and test correction form before retaking the test. A student’s grade in the gradebook for any reassessment will be an average of the original and the retake grade and must not be higher than 70. (i.e., if the original grade = 60; the retest grade = 85, then the average grade = 73, you will receive a 70. If the original grade = 68; the retest grade = 60, then the average grade = 64, you will receive a 64.)

19. What if I violate the Academic Dishonesty Policy?

Per HISD Code of Student Conduct, cheating, plagiarism, or copying the work of other students, which includes failure to comply with test security procedures and use of cell phones, smart watches, and electronic devices during testing, all violate the Academic Dishonesty Policy.

Cheating means gaining unfair advantage by using unauthorized materials/notes/information relating to all assignments (homework, classwork, quiz, project, test...). Cheating includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• copying in part or in whole, from someone's assignments;

• copying answers from the internet;

• allowing someone to copy your work or test answers.

• discussing answers or test/quiz related information after the test when the test questions have not been yet released without permission;

• obtaining the answer keys or test questions from someone beforehand;

• revealing the answer keys or test questions after taking the test to someone;

• using cheat notes, cheat sheets, or any kind of unauthorized devices considered inappropriate under the prescribed testing condition;

• collaborating with another or others in work to be presented without permission;

• changing your answers when correcting or grading your assignments in class;

• misrepresenting work done by others as your own work. It is considered as plagiarism.

• knowingly and intentionally assisting another student in any of the above.

Consequences for cheating depending on the severity of the infraction may result in, but are not limited to, the following:

• receiving a zero on the assignments;

• being referred to an administrator;

• having a teacher-parent conference;

• having a lunch detention/after school detention;

• having a notation made in school discipline record;

• receiving a "Poor" conduct in citizenship for that cycle/semester.

As you know, cheating will not be tolerated and severe consequences may be applied if you violate the academic integrity. So, please be aware of your action, make a wise choice. If you are unsure about what you are going to do, please ask your teacher for clarification. 

"If you can’t explain what you wrote down, then you are cheating." 

20. What to do when I missed a class?

Be aware of attendance, late work, and make-up policies. There are multiple ways to keep you updated. It is your responsibility to check out the Canvas immediately for notes and assignments on that day, check out my website for tutorial videos to help you get your homework done, check out the Remind for up-to-date announcements, turn to your classmates for information about what happened in class and ask if they can share more information. If you have any more questions or concerns, please email me as soon as possible.

Be reminded that Math is a very sequential subject. What you learn today builds on what you learned before and is required to support your future learning needs. It is like building blocks. If you miss any of the building blocks, you cannot progress. This is why it is so easy for students to fall behind if they miss school or don't complete homework on time. 

21. Do you accept late work?

• Late work will be accepted for up to two-class cycles after the due date of the assignment. 

  • One class cycle following the due date: 30-point deduction from raw score. 

  • Two class cycles following the due date: 50-point deduction from raw score.

  • Beyond two class cycles following the due date: no credit awarded.

• You are fully held accountable for late assignments and the deadline of the cycle. That being said, no grade changes can be made after the gradebook is locked. Normally,  at the end of each cycle, I either inform you in class or send out an email to let you know about the last date to accept late work. Assignments turned in after the deadline will not be accepted. Please keep checking your email to get updated information from teachers and school.

• When you turn in late work within the cycle, you must notify me via an email by sending a screenshot of late assignments with your name included in and cc'ing your parents/guardians. Your email should be in a respectful and professional tone by following the Email Etiquette . Please keep in mind that disrespectful emails will result in no response. 

22. What Math STAAR will I take?

You will take the Algebra 1 STAAR EOC (State Test)  and Final Exam (District Test). 

23. Where do I find STAAR resources to prepare for the Algebra STAAR EOC?

• You can find released Algebra STAAR EOC here: Released Algebra STAAR EOC.

• STAAR Practice: Student: Login, Please Sign In (cambiumtds.com)

Instructions:

Step 1: Click on the link above and bookmark it.

Step 2: Hit the green “Sign In” button

Step 3: Hit the drop-down menu at Student Grade Level to select your grade level:

      Algebra 1 students: Pick EOC

      Geometry students: Pick 8

Step 4: You can pick one of the tests under the following to practice:

      2021 STAAR New Item Types

      STAAR Released and Practice Tests

• HISD Interim Assessment/STAAR Resources: https://www.houstonisd.org/staarinterim

• TEA Interim Assessment Resources: https://tea.texas.gov/student-assessment/testing/staar/staar-interim-assessments

24. How do I get a perfect score on the exams and STAAR?

Being a member of the 100 Club is not very easy and requires a lot of determination. In addition to the assigned problems in each chapter, you are encouraged to 

• (1) document, organize, and study the notes well, 

• (2) attempt some of the related unassigned problems in each assignment to reinforce your understanding of the material, 

• (3) go over all notes and homework assignments as well as past quizzes & common assessments to learn from your mistakes, 

• (4) practice Mathia, Delta math, and Khan Academy as much as you can,

• (5) ask questions to clarify your confusion,

• (6) do all practice problems at the end of each note, 

• (7) Last but not least, never skip any problems in the Study Guide and must review all assigned notes to prepare well before the exam. 

It will be your advantage to write out your solutions in detail, carefully, and neatly.  

25. What is new about STAAR 2.0?

• State and federal laws require a redesign of Texas’s state summative assessment (STAAR), effective 2022–2023, that will ensure STAAR is more aligned with how students are learning in the classroom. 

• One component of the redesign is the addition of new, non-multiple-choice questions to meet a 75% cap on multiple-choice questions. 

• The following new question types may be included in the specified Mathematics tests starting in Spring 2023. 

  • Equation editor: Student can write responses in the form of fractions, expressions, equations, or inequalities. 

  • Text Entry: Student responds by typing a brief string of text such as a number, word, or phrase. 

  • Graphing: Student selects, points, draws lines, drags bar graphs, and perform other functions to independently create different types of graphs. 

  • Number line: Student selects a point, an open or closed circle, and a direction arrow to demonstrate a solution set on a number line.

  • Inline choice: Student selects the correct answer(s) from one or more drop-down menu(s). 

  • Hot spot: Student responds by selecting one or more specific areas of a graphic. 

  • Drag and drop: Student evaluates a given number of options (words, numbers, symbols, etc.) and chooses which response(s) to drag to a given area (a diagram, map, chart, etc.).

  • Match table grid: Student matches statements or objects to different categories presented in a table grid.

  • Multiselect: Student can select more than one correct answer from a set of possible answers. 

• Follow instruction in Question 27 above to practice new question types about the STAAR redesign to prepare for the real STAAR.

26. How do I check my STAAR score?

Please click HERE.

27. What is the STAAR Progress Measure?

The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) progress measure provides information about the amount of improvement or progress that a student has made in a subject area. This measure is based on a comparison of a student’s test score in the previous year with his or her score for the current year. For STAAR, progress is measured as a student’s gain score, the difference between the score a student achieved in the previous year and the score a student achieved in the current year. 

28. How to understand the STAAR performance levels?

Your child’s scores include performance scores for each subject area. Here are the performance levels and what they mean according to TEA:

 Masters Grade Level: This outstanding performance shows mastery of the course content — student is on track for college and career readiness.

 Meets Grade Level: This performance shows strong knowledge of course content — student is prepared to progress to the next grade.  While there is room for improvement, your child doesn’t need a lot of extra help in this subject. 

 Approaches Grade Level (Passed): This performance shows some knowledge of course content but may be missing critical elements — student may need additional support in the coming year.

 Did Not Meet Grade Level (Not Passed): This performance shows a lack of basic understanding of course content — student needs significant support in the coming year.

29. Is there any mathematics contests that I can take?

Yes. Check out Texas mathematics competitions here.

30. How do I obtain a recommendation letter?

If you would like me to write a recommendation letter for you, please follow these guidelines:

• You must have been my student for a full academic year before the year you seek a recommendation.

• Please give me at least 3-week notice by writing me an email using your school email and following up in person. The further in advance you ask, the more it works in your favor. Your email must be in the proper email etiquette.

• Make sure not to list my name or email as your recommender until I have confirmed with a "yes" either in person or through email.

• In your email, please include the following details:

  • Which course(s) did you take with me?

  • What motivated you to enroll in these course(s)?

  • How did these course(s) affect you?

  • What academic achievements are you particularly proud of?

• If I agree to write your recommendation, please provide me with your resume to enhance the quality and impact of the letter.

• All recommendation letters will be submitted through Schoolinks.

• If you need me to mail a physical copy of the recommendation letter, you must supply a stamped envelope with all the necessary information written on it.

31. What does the Demos version for Digital Algebra 1 STAAR EOC exam look like?

Please check out the following link for the Desmos version on the Digital Algebra 1 STAAR EOC Exam.