Overview
Pre-AP Algebra 1 focuses deeply on the concepts and skills that are most essential for college and career success. Therefore, mastery of linear relationships is a major focus of this course.
Linear equations and functions are the basic building blocks of many advanced topics in math. Pre-AP Algebra 1 is streamlined to give students the time and space to thoroughly master these concepts and skills.
The course emphasizes these essential practices for building math muscle and confidence:
- Building conceptual understanding
- Building procedural fluency
- Using and making mathematical models
- Crafting mathematical arguments
In Pre-AP Algebra 1, students will:
- Work with their peers to build math knowledge, persevering through challenges and making important conceptual connections.
- Use authentic applications of math to solve real-world problems.
- Acquire the tools needed for making, testing, refuting, and supporting mathematical arguments.
Instructional Shifts
The Pre-AP Algebra 1 instructional resources focus on the following key instructional shifts:
- Emphasis on linear equations and linear functions: Students develop deep and robust understanding of linear relationships in procedural, conceptual, and applied settings.
- Focus on authentic applications: Students employ mathematics to model and explain authentic scenarios.
- Concentration on creating mathematical arguments: Students use evidence to craft mathematical conjectures and prove or disprove them.
Course at a Glance
The tabs below show the four main units in Pre-AP Algebra 1, the recommended length for each unit, and the key topics in each.
Linear Relationships / Nonlinear Relationships
Unit title: Linear Equations and Functions
Timeframe: 9 weeks
Key topics:
- Slope and rate of change
- Linear functions
- Graphs of lines
- Linear equations
- Scatterplots and lines of best fit
- Function notation
- Linear inequalities
Unit title: Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities
Timeframe: 5 weeks
Key topics:
- Solving systems of linear equations graphically, with a table of values, and algebraically
- Modeling with systems of linear equations
- Solving systems of linear inequalities graphically
- Modeling with systems of linear inequalities
Unit title: Quadratic Equations and Functions
Timeframe: 9 weeks
Key topics:
- Building quadratic expressions from linear expressions
- Modeling with quadratic functions
- Graphing quadratic functions
- Writing equations for quadratics
- Solving quadratic equations graphically
- Solving quadratic equations algebraically
Unit title: Exponents and Exponential Functions
Timeframe: 5 weeks
Key topics:
- Exponent rules
- Geometric sequences
- Exponential growth and decay
- Modeling with exponential functions
- Roots of real numbers
Underlying Unit Foundations
These big ideas are addressed across units:
- The structure of real numbers
- Functions
- Linear functions
- Quadratic functions
- Solutions
Instructional Resources
- A course framework and targeted lessons for key topics within each unit provide teacher support and student scaffolding for implementing the instructional shifts and shared routines.
- Local school and district materials can be used alongside these supporting lessons during the rest of the unit with continued infusion of instructional shifts and shared routines.
- Units include recommendations for targeted Khan Academy practice to support students in building foundational skills across the units.
Assessments and Feedback
Each unit contains:
- Assessments: Short, digital formative quizzes, or learning checkpoints, offer opportunities for actionable feedback within each unit.
- A performance task (assignment): This performance-based task is scored by the teacher. It features a multistep real-world problem that builds readiness for free-response questions on the AP Exam.