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Math Classes

Recommended Sequence:  Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus
BUAC math courses cover a wide range of material. While they differ greatly in content and level of difficulty, they are similar in structure and in the following components:
·         development and mastery of specific skills
·         integration of new skills with old
·         focus on understanding of mathematical concepts 
·         application of skills in the “real world”
·         critical thinking and problem-solving

Students in all math classes will be required to complete daily assignments designed to provide sufficient practice of new skills.  In addition, they must check and correct completed assignments in order to identify and learn from mistakes.  Quizzes and tests will be given periodically to assess mastery.

Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 should be taken in sequence as each builds on the concepts learned and skills mastered in the previous course.  While Geometry may seem like a detour between Algebra 1 and 2, it requires mastery of Algebra 1 and enhances the students’ understanding of Algebra 2.  It is also strategically placed to help the student progress from concrete to more abstract relationships and principles. 

Students should only progress from one class to the next upon confident completion of the previous course.  Students who have not completed a BUAC math course will be required to take a math placement test. This will be done prior to registration.

Pre-Algebra  –  Angela Schanding, Instructor
​angela.schanding@gmail.com
​
​​​This course reviews the tools learned in arithmetic and begins the journey of using them to find the elusive x of algebra.  Re-acquaint with old friends such as decimals, fractions, percents, and integers in every size and form and make new friends in geometry and statistics.  Practice operations like exponentiation, multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction with Dear Aunt Sally, then learn to do them in reverse to discover x in a wide variety of applications. 
 
Pre-Algebra meets twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students should expect to spend 4 - 6 hours per week on assignments outside of class. Time will vary in direct proportion to the student’s confidence, ability, previous experiences in math, and general sense of adventure.  Extra help is available through email and weekly office hours using Zoom.
 
Enrollment for Pre-Algebra is limited to students who turn 12 by October 1. An assessment is required.
 
Text:  McDougal Littell Middle School Math, Course 2. Larson, Boswell, Kanold, and Stiff.   
ISBN #0-618-50815-5
Calculator:  TI-30XIIS

Algebra 1 – Beth Augsburger, Instructor
bethaugsburger@gmail.com
​
This course focuses on the principles of algebra, covering the following topics: the rules of algebra, linear equations, inequalities, systems and constraints, powers and roots and radicals, exponential growth and decay, quadratic equations, polynomials and factoring, proportions and rational equations, and functions.
 
Algebra 1 meets twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students should expect to spend 6 to 8 hours per week on assignments outside of class. Time will vary depending on the student's confidence, ability, and previous experience in math. Extra help is available through email and weekly Office Hours using Zoom.
 
Enrollment for Algebra 1 is limited to students who turn 13 by October 1. An assessment is required for students not taking Pre-Algebra at Core.
 
Text: McDougal Littell Algebra 1, Larson, Boswell, Kanold, and Stiff.  ISBN #0-395-93776-0
Calculator: TI-30XIIS (or TI-83 or TI-84 Graphing Calculator, which will be needed in Algebra 2 and Pre-Calculus.)

Geometry – Beth Augsburger, Instructor
bethaugsburger@gmail.com
This course focuses on the principles of geometry, covering the following topics: deductive reasoning, proofs, triangles, (trigonometry and Pythagorean Theorem), quadrilaterals and other polygons, congruence and similarity, circles, area and perimeter of a plane figure, surface area and volume of a solid, coordinate geometry, and constructions.
 
Geometry meets twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students should expect to spend 6 to 8 hours per week on assignments outside of class. Time will vary depending on the student's confidence, ability, and previous experience in math. Extra help is available through email and weekly Office Hours using Zoom.
 
Enrollment for Geometry is limited to students who turn 14 by October 1. An assessment is required for students not taking Algebra 1 at Core.
 
Text: McDougal Littell Geometry, Larson, Boswell, Kanold, and Stiff.  ISBN #0-395-93777-9
Calculator: TI-30XIIS (or TI-83 or TI-84 Graphing Calculator, which will be needed in Algebra 2 and Pre-Calculus.)

Algebra 2 – Beth Augsburger, Instructor
bethaugsburger@gmail.com

This course uses Algebra 1 as a springboard for more advanced studies in Algebra. Topics include linear equations and inequalities, graphs and functions, polynomials and factoring, rational expressions and equations, radicals and complex numbers, quadratic equations and inequalities, systems of equations, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometry.
 
Algebra 2 meets twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students should expect to spend 6 to 8 hours per week on assignments outside of class. Time will vary depending on the student's confidence, ability, and previous experiences in math. Extra help is available through email and weekly Office Hours using Zoom.
 
Enrollment for Geometry is limited to students who turn 15 by October 1. An assessment is required for students not taking Algebra 1 or Geometry at Core.
 
Text: McDougal Littell Algebra 2, Larson, Boswell, Kanold, and Stiff.  ISBN #0-618-25020-4
Calculator: TI-83 or TI-84 Graphing Calculator

Pre-Calculus - Angela Schanding, Instructor
angela.schanding@gmail.com​

This course builds on the skills learned in Algebra 2 as well as introducing new studies in math. Feast at a banquet of functions: polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric.  Expand your knowledge of conic sections beyond the parabola and learn the ellipse and hyperbola.  New fun topics include matrices, sequences, series, and mathematical induction.  Best of all, get a preview of the math that makes our modern life possible:  Calculus!  (Yes, we really do use this stuff!)
 
Pre-Calculus meets twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students should expect to spend 7 to 9 hours per week on assignments outside of class. Time will vary depending on the student's confidence, ability, and previous experiences in math. Extra help is available through email and weekly Office Hours using Zoom.
 
Enrollment for Pre-Calculus is limited to students who turn 16 by October 1. An assessment is required for students not taking Algebra 2 at Core.
 
Text: Lucid Education Pre-Calculus Note-Taking Guide (2021), Owens and Bandy.  Information to come on how to order this guide.
Calculator: TI-83 or TI-84 Graphing Calculator

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