Mr. KempenAlgebra 2/Trigonometry
Room 214Phone:393-2442
Email:
Web: www2.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/maast/kempen/kempen.html
Mathematics Policies and Procedures
Grading Breakdown:
80% Benchmark/Skill QuizzesA90-100%
20% Homework/Classwork/ProjectsB80-89%
C70-79%
D60-69%
All grades will be available electronically through Parent and Student Assistant.
Required Supplies:
Textbook
Binder with spiral notebook or looseleaf paper for notes and vocabulary
Pen/Pencil
Looseleaf paper for homework
Graph Paper
Ruler
Protractor
A graphing calculator (particularly a TI-83 or 84, though TI-80, 81, 82 or equivalents such as CASIOs will be fine) is highly recommended for the course to assist in any work or study done at home. Graphing calculators will be available for classroom use, but they must be returned in a functional manner (with batteries). You will need a calculator for use on the ACT or SAT, so now’s a good time to get one.
A Flash drive is also highly recommended for use in all of your classes to make sure you don’t lose files.
Quizzes:
-Quizzes will be on a frequent if not daily basis, usually given at the beginning of class for about 10-15 minutes.
-Each quiz will usually cover 4-8 skills/benchmarks which we will identify with a number and title. Ex: Skill #1 may be on identifying basic geometric terms, skill #2 may be on midpoints, etc.
-Each skill will have a question or set of questions associated with it and be graded on a 0-4 scale: 0 indicates no relevant response, 4 indicates a perfect response, scores of 1-3 are in between.
-The benchmark and skill quiz points will be based out of a maximum of 5 points for each skill. Your highest result for each skill will be what counts toward your grade.
-To earn a maximum 5 for a skill, you must earn scores of 4 for that skill on two different quizzes. Once you have earned a 5 for a skill, you are exempt from questions pertaining to that skill on future quizzes. The second quiz question on a skill will be harder so I can be sure that you have truly mastered it.
-Quizzes for specific days may not be made up. Instead, when you come in for help, we will focus on remediating skills that you have not mastered (those where you don’t have a 5). Once you’ve practiced that skill, I can give you a mini-quiz on that skill which will be graded and counted like any other quiz. Only one attempt per skill per day, though.
QUIZ EXAMPLE:
Suppose the first quiz covers skills 1-4 and a student earns the following:
Skill #1 - 4 pointsSkill #2 - 3 pointsSkill #3 - 4 pointsSkill #4 - 2 points
On the second quiz, this student will have the opportunity to master (earn the 5) on skills 1 and 3. Suppose the next day skills 5 and 6 are added and the student earns:
Skill #1 – 3 pointsSkill #2 – 4 pointsSkill #3 - 4 pointsSkill #4 - 3 points
Skill #5 – 4 pointsSkill #6 – 3 points
We keep the highest score for each skill, so skill #1 will remain at 4 points. The skill #2 score goes up to a 4, while the score for skill #4 moves to a 3. Since the student has earned a second 4 on skill #3, it is mastered and the score gets changed to a 5, while scores for skills 5 and 6 get added to the gradebook.
Suppose that the next quiz deals with skills #2-7. Since our student here has mastered skill 3, he or she can cross it out on the quiz and focus on the other problems. This student can also come in for help on skill #1 to get that skill up to a 5.
Classwork/Homework/Projects:
-You are expected to and will be graded for completing these activities in a satisfactory manner. If you are absent, you will be responsible for making up the work.
-Homework will be assigned and will be due the following school day unless you are told otherwise. Late homework may be turned in for a reduced grade.
-One or more projects may be assigned in a given term. These will be worth more points than an investigation or homework assignment. All projects must be completed in order to maintain eligibility for exam exemptions, and failure to complete a project may result in an incomplete grade (I) until the project is completed.
My Expectations
-READ THE MATERIAL AND DO THE ACTIVITIES! Your textbook gives many good examples of how to do problems and activities to help you understand the mathematics. Read and try to understand them.
-Be on time and prepared for class. Particularly given the condensed nature of our class with block scheduling, if you miss classes, you will fall behind.
-Pay attention to examplesand take notes. You also need to respect the needs of other students to do the same. Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself and respect whoever is talking by keeping quiet. If you have a question, raise your hand, then ask.
-Classwork and homework are an opportunity to understand material and apply it to other situations. You will be expected to do the same on quiz and exam questions. Keep up with the work.
-If you have a question or concern, ASK! I will try to make myself available for extra help as much as possible. However, please be respectful of other classes that I may be teaching (including advisory time) as will as the classes that you are supposed to be in. Outside of school time, e-mail is usually the easiest method to contact me. Also, keep an eye on the class website, as it is an excellent resource for catching up on missing work. I may also email certain additional notes to clarify lessons or give useful links to information, so make sure your inboxes are not full.
-Do not cheat or copy other people’s work. Only submit your own work. I take academic dishonesty seriously, and any suspicions of such will be investigated by me and referred to Mr. Gaddis. If you get help on quiz problems, you will not receive a 4 for those questions. Don’t even give the appearance that you are doing something wrong. It’s your reputation and integrity at stake.
Tentative Course Outline:
Keep in mind that the full credit of Algebra 2/Trigonometry will be covered in two quarters, running from September to January, so the course will be fast-paced. You can find the learning targets for the course on the class website.
First Term (September-early November):
Graphing Linear Equations and Inequalities (Learning Target 1), Functions and Inverses (Learning Target 2), Matrices and Systems of Equations (Learning Target 3), Polynomials and Expressions (Learning Target 4), Radical and Rational Equations (Learning Target 5), Quadratic Equations (Learning Target 6), Coordinate Geometry and Conic Sections (Learning Target 7)
Second Term (mid-November-January):
Polynomial Functions (Learning Target 8), Exponents and Logarithms (Learning Target 9), Trigonometry (Learning Target 10), Probability (Learning Target 11), Sequences and Series (Learning Target 12)
Final Notes
I will try to keep parents and students informed of any changes in policy, procedure, or material as soon as I can. The class website is available and will be a powerful tool for communication with you. This year of mathematics will be very challenging, but with good effort, it should be a very rewarding year. Good luck!