Instructions for Using the

Algebra Concepts iCurriculum™

 
In order to effectively use the Algebra Concepts iCurriculum follow these simple steps:
  1. Register for an account ID by completing the online registration form. Teachers who register by June 30, 2002 will receive a complimentary registration for 1 year.
  2. Test your account by trying one of the activities and checking your email.
  3. Assign students to specific assignments as deemed appropriate.
  4. Review work submitted by students.
  5. Provide review instruction for students who fall below your satisfactory performance goal.
 
 Please send any comments or questions to Ventura Educational Systems.
 
There are many way to use Algebra Concepts. The program consist of three major instructional components, a CD-ROM with interactivities and projects, a web-based curriculum and a book or teacher's guide with reproducible activities. The materials can be used in many effective ways. Here is one suggestion of how a lesson sequence could be organized for studying Variables and Expressions. To complete this lesson sequence it is assumed that the CD-ROM software containing the Algebra Concepts program (AC software) has been installed on a computer and that the computer has access to the internet and can get to the Algebra Concepts iCurriculum (AC iCurriculum) at http://www.venturaes.com/curriculum.

Day 1 (School Work)

  1. Student launches AC software and enters student identification information. (Choose New Student from File Menu.)
  2. Student selects Variables and Expressions from Topic Menu.
  3. Student selects Lesson from Activity menu and reads lesson.
  4. Student uses Glossary function to find definitions for any difficult terms used in lesson.
  5. When lesson is completed student chooses Comprehension Check from Activity menu and answers quiz.
  6. If score on Comprehension Check less than 70% student reads lesson again and retakes quiz.

Day 1 (Independent Lab Work or Homework)

  1. Review material at home by using an internet browser and logging on to http://www.venturaes.com/curriculum. Once the website has been access the student should select Variables and Expressions from the Chapter's Menu. (AC_Chapter1.html)
  2. For extensions to the lesson the student might enjoy visiting some of the websites linked to the online lesson.

Day 2 (Vocabulary for Variables and Expressions)

  1. Review the vocabulary and material presented in the Variables and Expressions lesson by selecting Variables and Expressions in the Topics menu and then choosing Identification Game from the Activity Menu. (This is a discovery approach, teachers may prefer to reverse steps 1 and 2 here.)
  2. Use the Probe activity to review the terms and to read descriptions and see the examples.
  3. Duplicate the corresponding page from the teacher guide. Students write answer on reproduced activity sheet. (Teacher's Guide - Page 42)

Day 2 (Independent Lab Work or Homework)

  1. Review the vocabulary from Variables and Expressions by completing online Vocabulary Building Activity #1. If possible students can use the Probe from the AC software and uses it with AC online.

Day 3 (Review Terms and Key Concepts)

  1. Use the Quiz Machine to match terms and key concepts.

Day 3 (Homework)

  1. Assign students to do the first of the Computational Exercises, "Evaluating Expressions 1".