The online textbook can be accessed at https://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com! The login name is Brownmath8th and the password is eagles8th Follow the link to the student edition of the green book. It may take a minute to load.  The pages in the online book do not match the pages in our textbook.

As Pre-Algebra students are getting ready for a computational quiz tomorrow, many are asking for some problems to practice with. One of my favorite online quiz sites may be the answer. The site is thatquiz.org and the great thing about the site is that the levels and types of questions are completely adjustable.

The word algebra is a Latin variant of the Arabic word al-jabr. This came from the title of a book, Hidab al-jabr wal-muqubala, written in Baghdad about 825 A.D. by the Arab mathematician Mohammed ibn-Musa al-Khowarizmi.
The words jabr (JAH-ber) and muqubalah (moo-KAH-ba-lah) were used by al-Khowarizmi to designate two basic operations in solving equations. Jabr was to transpose subtracted terms to the other side of the equation. Muqubalah was to cancel like terms on opposite sides of the equation. In fact, the title has been translated to mean “science of restoration (or reunion) and opposition” or “science of transposition and cancellation” and “The Book of Completion and Cancellation” or “The Book of Restoration and Balancing.”
Jabr is used in the step where x – 2 = 12 becomes x = 14. The left-side of the first equation, where x is lessened by 2, is “restored” or “completed” back to x in the second equation.

Muqabalah takes us from x + y = y + 7 to x = 7 by “cancelling” or “balancing” the two sides of the equation.

Eventually the muqabalah was left behind, and this type of math became known as algebra in many languages.
It is interesting to note that the word al-jabr used non-mathematically made its way into Europe through the Moors of Spain. There an algebrista is a bonesetter, or “restorer” of bones. A barber of medieval times called himself an algebrista since barbers often did bone-setting and bloodletting on the side. Hence the red and white striped barber poles of today.

from https://www.und.nodak.edu/instruct/lgeller/algebra.html (Sept. 26, 2018)

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As co-teachers for your child’s Pre-Algebra Math classroom, Mr. Brown and Ms. Beydoun would like to welcome your child to Room 31. The start of the school year holds the promise of new discovery and learning, as well as the prospect of personal growth in all areas. We look forward to an exciting, productive year working with you and your child.

Course Objective:
The objective of this course is to help students to improve and excel in math according to Middle School standards. The courses and schedule are designed to emphasize study skills, organization, time management, and self-control. They also provide the student with knowledge and development of skills needed for group projects, presentations, and research.

Instructional Objectives: At the end of the school year, the successful student will be able to:
• Master basic math skills according to Middle School standards
• Apply study skills to everyday classroom situations, assignments, tests, and homework
• Improve organizational skills in everyday classroom and home situations
• Develop the required skills in order to eventually transition into high school

Instructional Content/Course Outline:
All classes will be working in the following areas:
• Rational and Irrational Numbers
• Multi-step Equations
• Linear Functions
• Scatter Plots
• Volume of 3-D shapes
• Pythagorean Theorem
• Transformations

Grading Criteria: Students will be graded using the percentage scale below.
100-98 = A+ 97-93 = A 92-90 = A-
89-88 = B+ 87-83 = B 82-80 = B-
79-78 = C+ 77-73 = C 72-70 = C-
69-68 = D+ 67-63 = D 62-60 = D-
59 – Below = E

There are 2 parts to your student’s grade.

Part 1 – Formative Assessments (Homework and Classwork)
Formative Assessments are worth 20% of the grade.
Homework may be assigned three to four days a week. It is due at the beginning of each class. Late work must be turned in before the summative assessment for the material covered in order to avoid a grade of ‘zero’ for each assignment.   Missing work due to absences is to be turned in within 3 days of return. Class work is to be turned in no later than the following day unless informed otherwise by Mr. Brown or Ms. Beydoun

Often, homework will be graded on a four-point rubric that includes timeliness, completeness, accuracy, and incorporating the lessons taught prior to the assignment

. Part 2 – Summative Assessments (Tests and Quizes)
Summative assessments are worth 80% of the grade.
Summative assessments are to be completed in class during the allotted time given unless it is an “at home” assessment. Any assessments missed due to absence must be made up by making arrangements with Mr. Brown or Ms. Beydoun.  You have one week, upon returning from an absence, to make up any assessments. Retakes will be given for summative assessments before school, as long as there are no missing assignments.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Beydoun or Mr. Brown by phone (313) 827-6850 or e-mail (brownm@dearbornschools.org) (beydouf2@dearbornschools.org) or post a message on our blogs.

Sincerely,

Mr. Brown Ms. Beydoun

Dear Parents/Guardians,

My name is Mr. Brown and I would like to welcome your child to Room 31.  The start of the school year holds the promise of new discovery and learning, as well as the prospect of personal growth in all areas.  I look forward to an exciting, productive year working with you and your child.

Course Objective: The objective of this course is to help students to improve and excel in math according to the state standards set for Algebra I.

As this course is for achieving high school credit, the students must pass a comprehensive Midterm and Final exam.  These two exams will be averaged together and the student’s placement the following year (9th grade) will be as follows:

78% or better will automatically be placed into an Honors Algebra 2 course the following year..

70-77% with strong Standardized test scores will be placed into an Algebra 2 course the following year.

Below 70%  will be placed into an Algebra 1 course the following year.

Instructional Objectives: At the end of the school year, the successful student will be able to:

• Master advanced math skills according to Algebra I course standards
• Apply skills and knowledge to real-world situations, assignments, tests, and homework

Instructional Content/Course Outline: All classes will be working in the following areas:

• Solving Equations
• Solving Inequalities and Proportions
• Graphing and Functions
• Linear Equations
• Systems of Equations and Inequalities
• Exponential Functions
• Polynomials and Factoring
• Quadratic Equations and Functions

Grading Criteria: Students will be graded using the percentage scale below.

100-98 = A+                     97-93 = A               92-90 = A-

89-88 = B+                       87-83 = B               82-80 = B-

79-78 = C+                       77-73 = C               72-70 = C-

69-68 = D+                      67-63 = D               62-60 = D-

59 – Below = E

Often, homework will be graded on a four-point rubric that includes timeliness, completeness, accuracy, and incorporating the lessons taught prior to the assignment

There are 2 parts to your student’s grade.

Part 1 – Formative Assessments  (Homework and Classwork) Formative Assessments are worth 20% of the grade. Homework will be assigned three to four days a week.  It is due at the beginning of each class.   Late work must be turned in before the summative assessment for the material covered in order to avoid a grade of ‘zero’ for each assignment. Missing work due to absences is to be turned in within 3 days of return.   Class work is to be turned in no later than the following day unless informed otherwise by Mr. Brown.

Part 2 – Summative Assessments (Tests and Quizes) Summative assessments are worth 80% of the grade. Summative assessments are to be completed in class during the allotted time given unless it is an “at home” assessment.  Any assessments missed due to absence must be made up by making arrangements with Mr. Brown.  You have one week, upon returning from an absence, to make up any assessments.  Retakes will be given before school only for summative assessments, as long as there are no missing assignments.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me by phone (313) 827-6850 or e-mail (brownm@dearbornschools.org) or post a message on my blog.

Sincerely,

Martin Brown

Email address

Email address

Dearborn schools accept a parent’s assertion that he or she needs language assistance without requiring additional corroboration. For free help with understanding the content of this document, please call the Student Services office 827-3005 for translation/interpretation assistance.

Arabic تؤكد مدارس ديربورن على توفير خدمات الترجمة بدون أي شرط.للحصول على هذه الخدمة المجانيّة ولفهم هذه الإستمارة  يرجى الإتصال بمكتب خدمات الطلاب على الرقم 3005–827.

French: Les écoles de Dearborn vous offrent le service de traduction sans aucune condition. Si vous souhaitez avoir le service gratuit pour comprendre le contenu de ce document, prière d’appeler le bureau de Services aux Etudiants 827-3005.

Spanish: Las escuelas de Dearborn acepta la afirmación de un padre que él o ella necesita ayuda con el idioma sin necesidad de corroboración adicional. Para obtener ayuda gratuita con la comprensión del contenido de este documento, por favor llame a la oficina de Servicios de los Estudiantes 827-3005 para recibir asistencia de traducción / interpretación.

Romanian: Scolile orasului Dearborn accepta orice declaratie parinteasca care atesta nevoia copilul de assistenta cu limba engleza fara nici o dovada suplimentara. Daca aveti nevoie sa intelegeti acest document da-ti telefon la oficiul serviciilor scolare la numarul 827-3005 pentru a primi asistenta cu translatia sau interpretarea lui.