About the Algebranomicon
The Algebranomicon is collection of resources for teaching secondary algebra. We are currently in the process of rolling out our Algebra 1 textbook (featuring short explorations, explanations, and worked examples) and an ever-expanding catalog of extended explorations, in-class activities, problem sets, and problem-solving tasks. In all our materials we aim to highlight the connectedness of algebraic ideas, to treat concepts (and students) with sophistication, and to make a quality curriculum available for free.
The Algebranomicon is connected.
Mathematical ideas build upon one another in a beautifully logical way, and the sequence of topics in the Algebranomicon is designed to highlight these connections. We are committed to challenging the notion that mathematics is just a set of arbitrary rules and procedures that must be memorized and applied in a rigid, mechanical way. Rather, the Algebranomicon aims to show how one algebraic idea leads naturally — almost inevitably, in some cases — to the next.
The Algebranomicon is sophisticated.
We've created a challenging curriculum that treats mathematical ideas rigorously and regards students as capable of mastering sophisticated material. Some sections will require time and effort to understand, and not all of the problems can be solved in ten easy seconds. There is glory in the struggle to learn, and the Algebranomicon celebrates this journey.
The Algebranomicon is free.
All of our materials are provided for free. We believe that education is a fundamental human right and that students deserve access to quality materials, independent of the textbooks their schools can afford to adopt. We're doing our part to offer a free Algebra curriculum to students, their teachers, and their parents.
The Algebranomicon is connected.
Mathematical ideas build upon one another in a beautifully logical way, and the sequence of topics in the Algebranomicon is designed to highlight these connections. We are committed to challenging the notion that mathematics is just a set of arbitrary rules and procedures that must be memorized and applied in a rigid, mechanical way. Rather, the Algebranomicon aims to show how one algebraic idea leads naturally — almost inevitably, in some cases — to the next.
The Algebranomicon is sophisticated.
We've created a challenging curriculum that treats mathematical ideas rigorously and regards students as capable of mastering sophisticated material. Some sections will require time and effort to understand, and not all of the problems can be solved in ten easy seconds. There is glory in the struggle to learn, and the Algebranomicon celebrates this journey.
The Algebranomicon is free.
All of our materials are provided for free. We believe that education is a fundamental human right and that students deserve access to quality materials, independent of the textbooks their schools can afford to adopt. We're doing our part to offer a free Algebra curriculum to students, their teachers, and their parents.
All materials copyright 2014 by Patty C. Hill and Jason L. Ermer. The Algebranomicon is published by Deliciously Evil Publications, a division of YeardleighCorp Industries, and made available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.
About the authors
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With nearly 30 years of mathematics teaching experience between them, Patty Hill and Jason Ermer are the proud parents of the Algebranomicon. Patty and Jason began their collaboration in 2002 as teachers in the Kealing Middle School Magnet Program in Austin, Texas. During their time together at Kealing, they crafted the honors-level Algebra curriculum (an early version of the Algebranomicon) and produced two cartoons, including Meat-A-Morphosis: An Introduction to Functions. Both Patty and Jason have been awarded the Edyth May Sliffe Award for Distinguished Junior High School Mathematics Teaching by the Mathematical Association of America. In 2010 Patty and Jason were among the founding members of the Mathematics Teachers' Circle of Austin, a professional development organization coaching mathematics teachers to incorporate authentic, open-ended problem solving and mathematical inquiry in their teaching.
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Patty Hill still teaches Algebra at Kealing, where she is also the chair of the department of mathematics and an instructional coach. In addition to co-creating the Algebra 1 curriculum, she developed the Algebra 2 program, created electives showcasing the connection between math and the arts, and coaches Kealing’s state and national championship winning Quiz Bowl teams. Patty won the William Dahlgren Teacher of Excellence Award and The National Quiz Bowl Awards Middle School Quiz Bowl Coach of the Year in 2012. In 2013 she flipped her math classes which helped inspire her to start the Algebranomicon Project. She does presentations around Texas about the benefits of teaching in a flipped classroom. In 2014 Patty was chosen as a Demonstration Classroom Teacher for Austin ISD. She currently trains and mentors other teachers who want to implement the flipped teaching model.
In addition to teaching Algebra at Kealing, Jason Ermer also created and taught elective courses on computer programming and the mathematics of cryptography. He later joined the faculty of UTeach Natural Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin. In his role as Clinical Assistant Professor, Jason coached future secondary mathematics, science, and computer science teachers to use inquiry- and problem-based teaching approaches. He was also an instructor in the mathematics department at UT, leading courses for future elementary school teachers on the foundational concepts mathematics. In 2012 Jason won a Teaching Excellence Award from UT's College of Natural Sciences. From 2010 to 2012 he served on the faculty of the Sally Ride Science Academy. Jason currently lives in Seattle, Washington where he is a STEM teacher at Westside School.
In addition to teaching Algebra at Kealing, Jason Ermer also created and taught elective courses on computer programming and the mathematics of cryptography. He later joined the faculty of UTeach Natural Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin. In his role as Clinical Assistant Professor, Jason coached future secondary mathematics, science, and computer science teachers to use inquiry- and problem-based teaching approaches. He was also an instructor in the mathematics department at UT, leading courses for future elementary school teachers on the foundational concepts mathematics. In 2012 Jason won a Teaching Excellence Award from UT's College of Natural Sciences. From 2010 to 2012 he served on the faculty of the Sally Ride Science Academy. Jason currently lives in Seattle, Washington where he is a STEM teacher at Westside School.
