Pre-Algebra is traditionally a middle school math course that prepares a student for Algebra. Our 6 “Beginning Algebra” units in the Dev Math sequence are more for students who do not have a math background beyond arithmetic (the first 6 units of our curriculum). Beginning Algebra may cover some of the same concepts as a pre-algebra course but in a different way.
The NROC Dev Math course does cover these Pre-Algebra broad subjects:
- Review of natural number arithmetic
- New types of numbers such as integers, fractions, decimals and negative numbers
- Factorization of natural numbers
- Properties of operations (associativity, distributivity and so on)
- Simple (integer) roots and powers
- Rules of evaluation of expressions, such as operator precedence and use of parentheses
- Basics of equations, including rules for invariant manipulation of equations
- Variables and exponentiation
Pre-algebra often includes some basic subjects from geometry (which we have in the Dev Math course), mostly the kinds that further understanding of algebra and show how it is used, such as area, volume, and perimeter.
If you use NROC's Dev Math course components to teach a Pre-Algebra course, we would appreciate your feedback and any ideas you have to share with other instructors. Please join the NROC Math group and share your ideas and questions.
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