Algebra II
Course Syllabus
Beverly Campbell
ATCO HIGH
422-3267
Student’s Name______
Parent’s signature______
(I have read this syllabus and do not have any questions.)
In this Algebra II – Honors course, you are expected to learn techniques to answer questions or solve problems related to the following major objectives: (Note: each major objective includes numerous minor objectives)
Ø Analyze Linear Relations and Functions
Ø Graph Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities
Ø Determine and Use the Nature of Graphs
Ø Use Matrices
Ø Explore Polynomial and Radical Expressions
Ø Explore Quadratic Functions and Inequalities
Ø Analyze Conic Sections
Ø Explore Polynomial Functions
Ø Explore Rational Expressions
Ø Explore Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
The instructor will use many of the following methods for meeting learning objectives in this course:
1) Demonstration of Example Problems
2) Explanation of Example Problems
3) Procedural Steps
4) Guided Practice
5) Independent Practice
6) Mathematical Vocabulary Use
7) Discussion / Communicating Mathematics
8) Reading / Writing
9) Partners
10) Cooperative Learning Groups
11) Applications / Connections
12) Projects
MATERIALS NEEDED:
Ø A 3-ring notebook with 1½ inch rings with at least 200 sheets of notebook paper.
Ø 2 pencils daily (NO PENS on test)
Ø Dividers
Ø Textbook with book cover on it
Ø A highlighter
Ø A ruler
Ø Colored pencils
Ø Graph paper
Ø Notebook hole-punch (optional)
CLASS EXPECTATIONS: You are expected to:
q Be proud of yourself and your accomplishments
q Ask questions whenever you need to (others may have the same question)
q Listen and participate during class
(Do not shout out answers)
q Study daily (extremely important!)
q Read your math book.
q Be on time everyday
q Bring necessary items for class
q Begin work quickly
q Be positive and respectful
q Give help when asked
q Not cheat
q Keep your area clean
GRADING POLICY:
ü 55% -- Test Grades – The following will be scored in the area of test grades.
¨ Quiz (1 test grade) and Major Test (2 test grades)
¨ Benchmark Test for Progress Reports
¨ Reading and Writing Average = 1 test grade per 9 weeks
¨ 2nd / 4th* Nine Weeks Test (counts as three test grades each)
¨ *Classes without EOCT will have a Final and not the 4th Nine Weeks Test
ü 40% -- Daily Grades
v Daily Effort Grades - These grades will be the homework assignments given for new learning. A score of 0 – 5 will be used. (Odd problems must be checked before returning to class).
v Daily Accuracy Grades - These grades will be from daily assignments, beginning of class assignments, and group/cooperative learning assignments. All of these assignments will be given after the effort assignment has been made and there has been an opportunity time for questions to be asked.
v Vocabulary
ü 5% -- Participation/Work Ethics
q Every 9 weeks begins with a 100 grade for each student. Points will be deducted from this grade of 100 when criterion is not met. Areas for criteria are related to proper participation in the class and work ethics that can be used in work areas outside of school. At the end of each grading period, the grade earned by each student will be recorded.
ADDITIONAL HELP:
1) Additional help is available after school. You may stay to get extra help. I am in my classroom after school from 3:00 until 4:15 on most afternoons. Please let me know when you will be staying. On some days I may have to leave early.
2) Tutoring is also offered by ACHS before and after school –Schedules are posted when the program begins and will be provided to you.
TARDIES TO CLASS:
1ST: WARNING
2ND: 2 points work ethic deduction or After School Detention
3RD: 4 points work ethic deduction or After School Detention
4TH or more: OFFICE
RESTROOM:
***Your BOLLO pass must be used. ½ point will be given for each passed not used
CLASSROOM RULES:
1. Come to class prepared.
2. Appropriate talking only
3. No class disruptions
4. Do as directed.
5. Only respectful behavior is allowed
Serious Offense: OFFICE Referral
Consequences:
ü 1st infraction – Warning
ü 2nd infraction – 2 points work ethic deduction or 30 minutes after school detention (ASD)
ü 3rd infraction – 4 points work ethic deduction or 2 days of 30 minutes ASD
ü 4th infraction – Office referral
CLASS POLICIES:
v Class information
v Show all work or no credit will be given.
v Work all assignments as if they were going to be graded.
v Any practice work started in class, but not finished in class must be finished before returning to class the next day.
v I will dismiss the class after making sure the room is clean and orderly.
v All assignments are due on time. Late work may be accepted if requested. It must be done in a timely manner.
v Do not leave papers in your textbook. Any papers over 24 hours old will be thrown away.
v Dress Code violations will be sent to the office using the school’s referral form.
v I do not discuss individual grades of students during class time. You will need to see me before or after school.
v Absences
v When you are absent and have returned you must immediately turn in the assignment due on the day you were absent.
v Get the assignment you missed due to your absence from me before or after class.
v You may not work on missed assignments during any class learning time
v Before entering
v Have all materials
v Please wipe your feet
v Upon entering the classroom
v Mark problems you have questions about on the board,
v Sharpen pencils (Bring 2 each day.)
v When the tardy bell rings, you should have already started on any assignment from the overhead or white board.
v Open your book and notebook to the appropriate places.
v During each lesson
v When questioning the class, I will wait before calling on someone to answer, thus giving all students time to think about the question.
v Follow-up questions will also be asked.
v You are expected to pay attention and answer questions.
v Raise your hand to be acknowledged before answering any questions.
v Ask questions as soon as it is evident that you do not understand. Others probably have the same question so please ask.
v Notes are to be taken anytime information is written on the overhead or the marker board.
v When working within a small group setting, specific directions will be given.
v Accelerated Math may be used in this class. All of this work should be kept in your notebook.
v SAT practice is offered after school.
YOUR NOTEBOOK:
(Syllabus, Standards, and Assignment/Grade sheets must be kept in the front of your notebook).
ü You are required to have and keep a 3-ring notebook with all of your work in it. It may be divided into sections: 1) Vocabulary or Word Book, 2) Notes/Assignments, 3) Test 4) Standardized Test Practice
ü Notebooks will be checked and graded as a two grades during each grading period.
ü Your notebook may be turned in and counted as a test grade at the end of the semester. (Optional).
Guidelines for your notebook
· A clean sheet of paper must be used for each day of new notes.
· When new notes are given and they must be dated in the right hand corner with the date highlighted.
· Notes may use the 2/3 and 1/3 rule (2/3 for what I write and 1/3 for what I say)
· Ask me to repeat any necessary information by raising your hand.
· Anything written on the overhead or whiteboard must be put into your notes.
· It is best to underline/highlight each example problem I work on overhead.
· Label problems from the book that are used as examples.
· Circle all answers.
· Never work assignments on the same paper where notes were taken.
· In the vocabulary section: Number vocabulary. Underline/Indent/Highlight vocabulary.
Word Problems
1) Read the word problem and summarize it, giving all necessary information.
2) On your paper skip a line and show your work for solving the problem.
3) Circle your final answer(s).
4) Skip another line and write an explanation about your method for solving it.
YOUR ASSIGNMENTS:
ü Assignments should be worked in pencil.
ü Each assignment must have your name, date and assignment at the top right of your paper. (10 point deduction for each one that is missing.)
ü Answers must be circled.
ü When problems are assigned from the book, you must check assigned odd problems before coming to class.
ü Each correctly answered odd problem must have a check by it.
ü Each incorrect problem must have the correct answer by the problem # located in the margin (not in the answer position!) along with some indicator that you have questions about it.
DURING TESTING:
ü Write in pencil only.
ü Put your name, number and date on the test paper given to you. Points will be deducted for each one omitted.
ü All work must be shown and answers must be circled.
ü You must use a cover sheet and keep your work/answers covered. Points will be deducted when cover sheet is not being used correctly.
ü If you write on your own paper then answers must not be put on the test paper!!!
ü If you need to sharpen your pencil, get permission to do so and cover all of your work before leaving. Points will be deducted.
ü Test should be finished in a timely manner. In general, when the first student turns in his/her paper the remaining students have an additional 60% of the time already passed to complete their test. Test time will be called after this additional time and all test will taken up for grading.
ü Staple any work or scratch work to the back of the test.
After the test you must read or do assigned work (due the following day).
YOUR TEXTBOOK:
ü Must be covered at all times.
ü Must be brought to class everyday.
ü Must not have “papers” jammed, folded, stuffed, etc in it. (Will be thrown in trash)
Odd answers are in the back and you must check assigned odd problems each day before coming to class. Each correctly answered problem must have a check by it and each incorrect one must have the correct answer by the problem # and some indicator that you have a question (?) about it. You will mark these problems on the board as you enter the classroom.
Textbook Reading
o Reading a math textbook is a challenge!
o Math textbooks present more concepts per word (vocabulary!), sentence and paragraph than many other types of textbooks.
o Math has a vocabulary all its’ own. It also uses much symbolic notation.
o Your math textbook has chunks of information presented in bullets, boxes, illustrations, paragraphs, or examples.