Grade 8 Algebra Course – St. Joseph School
General Course Description:
Algebra is the foundation for all higher level mathematics. This class is mainly structured around families of linear and
quadratic functions and multiple ways to represent them. It will include direct instruction, small-group and class collaboration
as math skills and concepts are developed and applied to the real world. There is almost daily homework to reinforce class
content, approximately three formal tests a quarter, usually one cross-curricular project per year and one midterm and final
exam. This class aims to provide a safe environment for students to actively engage, participate, explore and question.
Standards: Common Core PLUS:
“In Grade 8, instructional time should focus on three critical areas: (1) formulating and reasoning about expressions and
equations, including modeling an association in bivariate data with a linear equation, and solving linear equations and systems
of linear equations; (2) grasping the concept of a function and using functions to describe quantitative relationships; (3)
analyzing two- and three-dimensional space and figures using distance, angle, similarity, and congruence, and understanding
and applying the Pythagorean Theorem.”
(page 54 http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/K-2_MI_Math_Standards_REV_470033_7_550413_7.pdf)
Goals and Skills:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Write, create tables, graph, and evaluate expressions, solve one-variable and two-variable linear equations and
inequalities.
Understand and apply properties to simplify expressions including the associative and commutative properties of
addition and multiplication, inverses and identities of addition and multiplication, distributive property.
Understand and write ratios, rates, unit rates and proportions. Solve proportions using multiple methods with an
emphasis on cross products.
Understand slope as a rate of change and compare how the intercepts and slope change the graph. Use slope to
identify parallel and perpendicular lines. Use function notation. Apply all to solve real-world problems.
Write linear equations in slope intercept, point-slope and standard forms. Find lines of best fit from scatter plots of
data to model and make predictions of real-world problems.
Write, solve and graph one-variable and two-variable compound and absolute value inequalities
Solve linear systems and systems of inequalities by graphing, using substitution or elimination.
Understand and apply the exponent properties and use zero and negative exponents. Graph and write exponential
function rules; include exponential growth and exponential decay.
Factor and solve polynomials using a variety of techniques and apply to solve real-world problems.
Solve quadratic equations by factoring, graphing, using square roots, completing the square and using the quadratic
formula. Solve systems of quadratic equations. Identify and compare whether data is a linear, exponential or quadratic
model.
Add, subtract rational expressions with like and unlike denominators; use polynomial long division.
•
Use data analysis and probabilities to understand samples, populations, and data distributions. Identify potentially
biased data. Calculate probabilities of simple and compound events. Apply to real-world problems.
•
Use a graphing calculator to graph scatter plots, linear functions, exponential functions, quadratic equations, and
systems of linear and quadratic equations.
Textbook and digital resources: Holt McDougal Larson Algebra 1, 2012; https://my.hrw.com