Algebra II Syllabus

Course Title:   Algebra II
Grade Level:   11-12

Guiding Standard: You, the math student, and me, the math teacher, will both always strive to give our best. Regardless of how we may feel on a given day, we owe it to your parents never to let up.

Major Concepts/Content: Course Description:  As Algebra I is the beginning of academic mathematics, Algebra II is can be considered the core of advanced mathematics. . It examines advanced algebra concepts such as systems of equations, advanced polynomials, imaginary and complex numbers, quadratics, and introduces the study of trigonometric functions. The contents of this course are important for students’ success on both the SAT and college mathematics entrance exams. A solid understanding of Algebra II is fundamental in any future areas of the student’s studies in mathematics or science.

Common Core: The focus of Common Core is the student understanding of complex mathematical concepts. It is this connection of mathematical formulas and theories to real-life application and reasoning that drives the curriculum. Its goal is to transcend the prior limited academic study of mathematics and prepare students for the real-life experience of mathematics.

Essential Expectations: The focus of the course is outlined within the individual  modules.

•  Polynomial, Rational, and Radical Relationships
  Polynomials—From Base Ten to Base X
  Factoring—Its Use and Its Obstacles
  Solving and Applying Equations—Polynomial, Rational, and Radical
  A Surprise from Geometry—Complex Numbers Overcome All Obstacles
• Trigonometric Functions
  The Story of Trigonometry and its Contexts
  Understanding Trigonometric Functions and Putting them to Use
• Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
  Real Numbers
  Exponential and Logarithmic Functions and their Graphs
  Using Logarithms in Modeling Situations
  Geometric Series and Finance
• Inferences and Conclusions from Data
  Probability
  Modeling Data Distributions
  Drawing Conclusions Using Data from a Sample
  Drawing Conclusions Using Data from an Experiment

PARCC:  (The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers)  These exams are intended to be used as indicators of student needs and progress for teachers to identify and address. Students solve multi-step math problems that require reasoning and address real-world situations. This requires students to reason mathematically, make sense of quantities and their relationships to solve real-world problems, and show their understanding.   PARCC Link

Major Instructional Activities: Instructional activities include teaching students to plan, organize, and complete various activities using as many real-world models as possible . This course involves inductive reasoning, extended projects, classroom presentations by students, open-ended investigations, and written justification by students of the solution to the problems. Cooperative learning techniques and appropriate technology should be utilized throughout the course.

Major Evaluative Techniques: Many evaluative processes will be used to assess student’s written and oral work.  These include but are not limited to multiple-choice, short-answer, discussion, or open-ended questions; homework; projects; and class presentations. Students will also be required to successfully complete written tests, which present problems with a range of difficulty based upon expectations for the course.  Testing formats will include restricted time tests, and take-home tests.  Assessment methods can be supplemented by student-produced analysis of problem situations, solutions to problems, and reports on investigation.  Students will be provided the opportunity to do chapter projects that capture the concepts and skills presented throughout the chapter unit that emphasizes real world situations.

Required Materials: Students are expected to bring appropriate materials to each class.  They will need a three-ring binder to maintain their course materials. Students should also have a ruler, some colored pencils and a highlighter. Math students should always have a pencil ready.  🙂

Grading Policy: 90-100: A;  80-89: B; 70-79: C;  60-69: D;  59 or below: F. The lowest grade given for a failing “attempted” assignment is 50%.

Weight: Generally homework will only count about 5 percent of your grade, participation will be 10 percent,while classwork will be 15 percent.  Finally, the assessment tests will make up the following  70 percent.

Lunch Studies:  The day before a quiz or test, all students are welcomed to have lunch with me in my classroom. This would be an informal gathering for eating and reviewing.

Being Successful : There will be at least one quiz given each week in addition to approximately two tests per quarter. If students do poorly on a quiz, they can request a second attempt to obtain a passing grade. The primary goal is to do whatever can be done to enable the student to achieve success.

Note Taking: One piece of preparing for high school and college is to take appropriate notes in class. Rare is the student who takes well organized notes who is unsuccessful in class.  Parents are encouraged to periodically check their child’s notebook for organization and neatness.

Homework Policy: Late homework will only be accepted with a valid and substantial excuse from home.

Attendance:  It can not emphasized enough how important your daily attendance is.  Unless you are seriously ill, or you have a family emergency, try your best to come to class.  If you are not there , we will miss you.  🙂

Tardy Policy:  This is a very rigorous course in mathematics, and students are required to be in class, on time and prepared to learn.  Students will be marked tardy if they arrive to class without their textbook, notebook, or pencil.

Basic Rules:  Very simply, be attentive and be courteous. Feel free to hold me to the same standard.  Me as a high school teacher and you as a math student,  both know what is acceptable and not acceptable in a classroom.  Let’s have a good year.

Tutoring / Extra Help: All students are encouraged to schedule time for extra help during their seminar period.

Infinite Campus: This is a web-based program that enables parents and students to log-in to view grade and attendance data for the student. Both parents and students are encouraged to monitor the student’s academic progress often. Parents must register at Infinite Campus to establish a personal access account.

Showing Your Work: As with any math class today, a correct answer is not the sole end in the grading process. The process in math is important. There could be many valid ways to arrive at a solution, yet showing your method is critical to your answer gaining full credit. Therefore – Show your work…

Contact: If there is an issue or concern, parents are encouraged to email me. chucklevie@yahoo.com

Finally, the Ultimate Goal: