Algebra I, Honors

Course Description: 

This class is designed to help homeschooling families succeed in their study of algebra by providing quality instruction and objective evaluation using Foerster’s Algebra I (Pearson Prentice Hall:  2006).   Students will be expected to spend roughly an hour and a half on homework daily.  Class will meet two days per week for one hour and five minutes each session for instruction.  Since this is a homeschooling tutorial, parents will have the certain responsibilities as stated below.

Understand that this is an honors level class and not designed for the struggling or lazy math student.  Students will be expected to complete homework assignments before the subsequent class, participate in class with a working microphone, and proactively seek help when not understanding the material.

Testimonial:

Thank you so much for your time and effort in teaching Algebra One. Although you have other math classes, students and family obligations, [my son] felt individual attention and care was provided to him as with a face-to-face course. You are certainly to be commended for your patience with the students in working through problems, eliciting participation and providing the much-needed accolades with challenging material. [My son] absolutely loved the class and looks forward to taking math courses with Liberty Tutorials in the future.

Mother in Virginia

Prerequisites: 

Students need to have successfully completed a course in pre-algebra or 8th grade math.
It is recommended that students be at least 12 years old, entering at least 8th grade.
Parents of younger students should contact the instructor before registering for the class.

Materials:

  • Textbook:  Algebra I  by Paul Foerster (Pearson Prentice Hall; CLASSIC EDITION:  2006).  New and used copies are available through Amazon.  New copies are available through the publisher Savvas. Be sure to purchase the Student Edition with ISBN 9780131657083.
  • TI-30XS Multi-View Scientific Calculator available through Amazon.
  • Pencil & Eraser (No Pens)
  • Notebook:  Spiral Bound or Loose-Leaf*
  • Graph Paper*

*Students may want to use a Graph Ruled Spiral Notebook for all of their work so they can draw graphs beside their calculations.

Technical Needs:

  • Adobe Acrobat Reader DC:  Download available free through Adobe.
  • Headset with Microphone

Student Expectations: 

Students will be expected to attend and participate in class, taking notes on the material covered.  They will be expected to complete homework assignments at home and grade them or have their parents grade them, using the answers in the back of the book.  Students will be expected to correct any missed problem—not just change the answer, but find the mistake in their solution and fix their work.  Students will be encouraged to ask questions about any problems they do not understand, either by email or during class.  Students are expected to present themselves appropriately and treat others respectfully.

Teacher Expectations:

The teacher will begin class on time.  She will review homework and answer questions students have regarding missed homework problems.  If there is not enough time to answer all homework questions during class, she will ask students to ask any remaining questions through email.  She will then teach the new material, incorporating class participation in solving problems, as appropriate.  She will prepare and grade student tests, notebook quizzes, and test corrections.   She will give semester grades and evaluations.  She will contact parents and students by way of email when necessary.  She will be respectful and patient with the students, encouraging an atmosphere of respect for one another.

Parent Expectations:

It is the parents’ responsibility to determine that this class meets the legal homeschooling requirements of their state or over-sight group.  They are expected to pay for the class by the given deadline and to obtain the needed materials.  Parents will also administer the closed book, closed notes tests.  Parents will either need to grade the homework or make sure their students are not simply copying answers from the back of the book if they are allowed to check their homework themselves.  Parents must take this responsibility seriously because it is through the homework that students truly master the material.  If a student is having a problem showing respect to the teacher or his classmates, the parent will be notified so he can deal with the problem.  If such a problem persists, the parent must realize that the student will not be permitted to return to class.  No reimbursement of payments will be made under such circumstances.

Grades:

Tests (5-6 per semester):  100 points per test
Notebook Quizzes:  100 points per semester
Semester Exams:  200 points per exam

Class Times:

2019-2020  Monday and Wednesday 11:00am — 12:05pm  ET
2020-2021  Tuesday and Thursday 11:00am — 12:05pm  ET
2021-2022 Monday and Wednesday 12:30pm – 1:35pm ET
2022-2023 Tuesday and Thursday 12:30pm – 1:35pm ET

Class Dates:

Last full week in August — Last week in May.  Please see the Algebra I Homework Calendar for exact dates and scheduled class cancellations.

Cost:

The cost is $450 per year per student, if a family enrolls in only one class.  Families enrolled two or more classes will receive a $50 discount per class.
Make payment by check payable to Liberty Tutorials.
Half of the payment is due with registration and will not be refunded if the class is dropped. The other half is due August 15th.

Registration:

Registration for the upcoming school year begins February 1st for currently enrolled students and their siblings.  Registration is open to all other families on February 15th.
Click here to register.

Contact Information:

info@libertytutorials.com

Teacher Credentials:

Math teacher Karena Flynn has a love of mathematics that stems from her appreciation of its orderliness and logic as well as her love of God, its Creator. She received a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in mathematics and minor in education from James Madison University. She maintained a 4.0 GPA in her math classes and graduated summa cum laude. Karena regularly tutored math during high school and college. She taught at a private Christian school for one year and in subsequent years has been homeschooling her children. Since 2010 she has been teaching math through Liberty Tutorials.