Grade 8 Algebra with Mr. Lawrence

Eighth Grade Mathematics

Algebra

Instructors: Mr. Lawrence (glawrence@mustardseedschool.org)
Mr. Choi (schoi@mustardseedschool.org)
Ms. Postema (mpostema@mustardseedschool.org)
Ms. Wu (gwu@mustardseedschool.org)

Mustard Seed School
Hoboken, New Jersey

Course Description: 

This course is designed to cover algebra topics in a fairly traditional way. The instructional design recognizes that eighth grade students are at different developmental levels. It also recognizes that students will have different mathematics foundations to build on, and different learning needs as they proceed through the year. Each student will progress rapidly from her/his individual starting point. By the end, all students will be ready for a successful entry to high school level mathematics, whether that be Algebra I, Geometry, or another advanced or honors level mathematics course.

Algebra can be thought of as the “science of reduction and comparison”.  The course is underpinned by some essential questions, such as:
--What is "the science of reduction and comparison"?
--What does an "=" mean?
--What is a solution?
--How do algebra and geometry inform each other?


Topics to be covered include:

Variables

Expressions and equations

Transformation of equations

Operational laws (commutative, associative and distributive laws)

Exponents and roots

Polynomials, combining like terms 

Multiplying polynomials

Factoring polynomials

Linear equations in two variables

Solving systems of linear equations

Quadratic equations, the quadratic formula

Cartesian plane and graphing

Inequalities and their graphs

Set theory

This class meets six times per week for periods averaging 55-60 minutes.

Homework Expectations:

There will be daily homework. Assignments are geared to take approximately 30 to 45 minutes, understanding that students work at different speeds. 

A class rule is that students may stop work after 45 minutes of solid effort. If a student cannot complete an assignment in that time, she/he should:

--Make sure that the writing in the graph pad reflects 45 minutes of effort. 
--If the student has not made much progress, then a couple of thoughtful sentences should be written in the graph pad: What have you tried? Where do you get stuck? What questions do you have?
--A parent signs the graph pad confirming that the student worked for 45 minutes.

Tests:

Tests will occur at the end of each unit of study. This generally happens every three to four weeks, so there will be about three tests during each marking period.

When tests are graded and returned, students will be asked to do a review sheet to reflect on their work and their learning: Identify the types of problems missed. Did you simply make calculation errors, or was the concept confusing? What additional review or support would be helpful?

Assessment and Grading:

A student’s grade will reflect the understanding and mastery of the topics covered. During each marking period, students have many ways to demonstrate their understanding:

Class participation: questions can be as important as answers!

Quizzes

Homework Quality

Exhibition in the spring

Tests

In addition to grades for concept mastery and computation, there will be a math homework grade. This is an opportunity to recognize a student’s faithfulness doing nightly homework. It is an opportunity to reward the noteworthy effort many students put forth when they do homework to the best of their ability.

Texts:

Many units of study will come from Algebra I by Paul A. Foerster published by Addison-Wesley. A newer copy will be kept at school. Students will be loaned an older copy to keep at home so there is no need to lug an Algebra book back and forth.

In addition some units of study may be drawn from Passport to Algebra and Geometry by McDougall Littell.  While this text does not cover the content of an Algebra I course, it treats many topics well, and helps prepare students for high school level work.

Building a "mathematics culture" …

A continuing opportunity for students and for Mustard Seed School

Dr. Hoyun Cho is a Professor in the Education Department at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. Eight years ago, as a Ph.D. candidate in Mathematics Education at Columbia Teachers College, his thesis topic was the use of cartoons as a teaching tool in the middle school.  

As part of his research, he served as an intern with Mr. Lawrence, and worked closely with pre-algebra and algebra students. Dr. Cho observed classes, helped students with their learning, and designed cartoon-based lessons. The hope was that students would be engaged with mathematics in new and interesting ways, and that their motivation and enjoyment would increase. 

The work was very successful and supported Mustard Seed’s continuing efforts to help students find joy and meaning in mathematics studies. We persist in this work, focusing on creative problem solving, I Love Math Day events and eighth grade exhibitions.

Dr. Cho and Mr. Lawrence have run workshops and presented their findings at domestic and international mathematics conferences since 2012. They have been invited to present their work at the Nashville, TE conference of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) in October, 2019.