Algebra II Syllabus

In this course we will study the properties of real numbers, linear and quadratic equations and their graphs, functions, systems of equations, polynomials, rational expressions, and basic data analysis. We will also discuss exponential and logarithmic relations, sequences and series, and some basic trigonometric functions. Students will be expected to participate in class discussions and activities and complete homework assignments on time.

Instructor
Miss Tentinger Email: jtentinger@lomaschools.org Website: http://jtentinger.webs.com I will be available before and after school to answer questions. Please let me know if you are planning on coming in at those times for extra help. My website contains materials for class including the syllabus, homework assignments, and some class notes. There are also other resources for extra help and some other fun facts to look through.

Classroom Tools
There are a limited number of calculators in the classroom and students will not be allowed to take the calculators out of the room. If you chose to purchase your own graphing calculator, I recommend the TI-84 Plus, anything more advanced you will not be allowed to use on an ACT or SAT test or on in college math courses. These can be purchased at Wal-Mart, Target, or most similar stores, or online.

Assignments
Assignments will be assigned daily and due the next day. Homework assignments are expected to be complete and work shown for every problem. Most homework assignments will be worth 3 completion points. Students are expected to correct their own work at the beginning of class and ask questions on the problems they missed. Late homework will be worth 2 points and must be turned in no later than the day of the chapter test. Larger assignments, such as packets, will be worth more points and assignments may be collected and graded for accuracy at random.

Quizzes/Tests
Most quizzes will be announced. There will be quizzes about every three sections of the chapter. This depends on the length of the chapter and the amount of material covered in each section. There will be a test at the end of each chapter. Tests will be accumulative, but the majority of the test will consist of the material covered in that chapter.

Projects
There will be a few larger projects students will be expected to complete. Depending on how large the project is, it will be equivalent to a quiz or test grade. Students will be notified in advance what the project will be worth. Each project will have a rubric for students to follow.

Communication/Collaboration
Being able to explain your reasoning in the correct format is an important part of mathematics. For quizzes, tests, projects, and homework assignments students will be expected and partially graded on their ability to communicate their ideas/processes. Students will be expected to use mathematical terminology correctly when expressing their ideas/processes through verbal and written communication. We will be doing group activities in class and on projects. Collaborating with other members of your group is another important aspect of mathematics. 75% of people who lose jobs do so because they cannot get along with someone they work with. Learning to communicate and work with others are important skills to develop and students should see an improvement in these skills throughout the course.

Extra credit will NOT be given in this course.

A+ A AB+ B BC+ C CD+ D DF 99% 100% 95% 98% 93% 94% 91% 92% 85% 90% 83% 84% 81% 82% 75% 80% 73% 74% 71% 72% 68% 70% 66% 67% 65% and below Grading Criteria Test and Quizzes 90% Homework 10% Opportunities for Improvement Quiz Corrections: Half credit for every correct answer Test Retakes: Students will be allowed one test retake for the better score. The retake must be completed within one week from when the test is handed back. Study Tables are available for extra help on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays Homework Guidelines Homework assignments are expected to be complete and work shown for every problem. Most homework assignments will be worth 3 completion points. Students are expected to correct their own work at the beginning of class and ask questions on the problems they missed. Late homework will be worth 2 points and must be turned in no later than the day of the chapter test. Larger assignments, such as packets, will be worth more points and assignments may be collected and graded for accuracy at random. *Note: in order to take the next level of math you need to pass Algebra II with a grade of C- or higher.

General Classroom Expectations

Be respectful of everyone in the room Bully Free Zone!
Cell Phones/Music Devices
Cell phones are NOT to be used for personal use during the lesson. They need to be silenced and either out of sight or on your desk where I can see you are not using it. If the cell phone is used during the lesson it will be taken away and given back at the end of class. During a quiz or test they are to be out of sight and silenced. Music devices are okay to use when working on homework or in class assignments after the lesson. They are not to be used during the lesson.

Daily Homework
The answers to the daily homework will be posted on the board at the beginning of class. Students are expected to start checking their homework as soon as they enter the classroom. Once all the students have had a chance to check their work, we will go over any questions on the assignment as a whole class. Then the homework will be collected. Remember the homework is graded on completion and effort, making corrections to work (not just the answer) is encouraged. This is not the time to be starting your homework and your work needs to be shown to receive full credit. At the end of the lesson you will be expected to work on your assignment. Feel free to move around and work in groups (I encourage you to collaborate, not copy). You may move the desks to work in groups but put them back in order before you leave.

Attendance
Attendance will be taken when the bell rings. If you are not in your seat when the bell rings you are counted tardy. If you miss a day, will have two days to make up your homework assignment, quiz, or test.

Classroom Calculators
There is a limited amount of classroom calculators. In order to use one, you will need to check one out and leave a piece of collateral, such as a cell phone. When the calculator is returned you will get your collateral back. If the calculator is damaged while in your care you will be responsible for the damages.

Other
I ask that we work together to keep the classroom clean so please pick up any garbage you bring in and to tidy your workspace at the end of each class. Gum chewing is okay, but I do not want to see or hear it. If I find any gum stuck under the desks it will no longer be allowed in class. Having water or sports beverages are okay to have in class as long as it is in a closable container. Please do not bring food to class.

Successful Math Study Skills

(and most other classes as well)
This material has been summarized from the book Successful Math Study Skills by Paul D. Nolting and William A. Savage. Introduction: Skills like listening, note taking, time management, and memory are all important to understanding mathematics. Through the school year, we will practice and use these skills as we study math. Why Learn Math? Math is part of our real everyday lives from mileage to money and from budgeting to zip codes. Not a day goes by that we are unaffected by math. How many miles does your car drive on a gallon of gas and how much will it cost to fill your gas tank? If your employer takes 20% of your gross paycheck for taxes, how much take-home pay will be left? Dont forget sales tax on purchases, tips paid to restaurant servers, measuring a room for new carpeting or paint, and much more. Graduation from high school often is a step to a good job. Employers are anxious to hire and promote employees with good mathematical skills. Perhaps you wish to join the military strong math skills will benefit you in selecting the best training areas and advancement. If you purse careers in engineering, architecture, and the sciences, for example, a strong mathematical background will help you as you continue your formal education beyond high school. Therefore, in addition to being a part of everyones daily life, success in mathematics opens many job and educational opportunities. Math The Language of Numbers: Math has its own set of rules, laws, grammar, and vocabulary. Symbols include the equal sign (=), greater than (>), less than, inclusion (<), percentage (%), Greek letters (, , ), and much more New math words include, polynomial, exponent, proof, square root, postulates, theorems, etc. Write down new math words and symbols in your notes with the definition and explanation. Include pictures/diagrams where necessary . Practice using the new symbols and words until you can pronounce, define and apply each new word, concept, or symbol.

Math is Sequential: This means that learning new material is based upon knowing previously studied materal. It is important to avoid absences from class and to learn each days lesson because new material is present each day. Without a good understanding of the previous days work, new material becomes more difficult to understand. You must decide to pay close attention (take notes, work assignments) and make every effort to practice math every school day. Math is a subject that you learn by doing. Therefore, to properly learn math, you must practice. This means not only doing your assignments, but also understanding the reasons for each problem step. Study Buddies: One way some students learn best is with help form a study buddy. This is someone you can study with or call as you need help with a math problem. This is often best accomplished by working to complete assignments before you meet. Then you can review answers and help each other with problems that are particularly challenging. But, beware of some drawbacks: Not much work gets accomplished if you start talking about next weeks dance or football game. Simply copying work from each other does not result in learning, but can result in consequences for cheating. Time Management: Our busy lives include sports, work, television, video games, socializing, homework, church, travel, and many other activities. It is so very important to manage your time, allowing enough daily time to do assignments and thoroughly learn school topics. Develop a study schedule in order to set aside a certain amount of time per day and per week. Math should be studied every school day, perhaps more. Plan your work and work your plan. Listening Skills: Using your class time wisely will reduce the amount of your free time on studying and assignments. Class time is an important study period that should not be wasted. Good classroom study stills include: Being a good listener, and Developing good note-taking techniques Just like an athlete or musician, warm up before the game or performance begins. In Math class this means: Review past class notes and reading material Review your homework Write out questions for class time This mental warm up refreshes your memory and prepares you to actively learn.

Note Taking: The goal of note taking is to take the least amount of notes while recording the most important points. Each day in class, begin by dating and numbering your pages of notes as well as indicating the chapter number and topic name to be covered. It is often most beneficial to copy all details of problems step by step. This can be helpful when you review your notes days or weeks later. There will be times when you get lost while listening or dont understand the point being made. Put a question mark by steps you dont understand or, if appropriate at the time, ask the teacher for clarification. It is very helpful to use your own shorthand and abbreviations. For example: Ex means for example Pg means page number * means very important LCD means least common denominator Knowing when to take notes is important. A teacher often emphasizes facts or ideas verbally (summarizing, pausing, repeating statements) or by writing them on the board. Review your notes soon after each class period and refer to them for help with homework assignments. This will help you improve your understanding of math in class. Textbook Notes: Note taking is not limited to your teachers comments. Being an active reader is important too. Your textbook is a valuable resource for you. Because you do not own your high school textbooks, you are not allowed to write in them. It is a very good idea to write notes while reading with your textbook. Just like with class notes, use abbreviations, symbols, etc. as well as underlining important points and putting question marks next to the material you do not understand. Asking Questions: To obtain the most from class time, do not hesitate to ask questions pertaining to the class material. By asking questions, you improve your understanding of the material, decrease your homework time, help others in the class with similar questions and help your teacher recognize material needing further explanation.

Study Goals and Doing Homework: Using your time wisely is important in all aspects of life, no less important than in the classroom. The more you accomplish during the class period, the greater your understanding and the less time spent on your homework. To improve your homework success, review your class and textbook notes before starting your homework. This makes better use of your time and increases your chances of successfully completing your homework in a timely manner. SNOT Whats it all about? When doing your homework, remember these keys to success: Show your work Neatness counts Organization helps Timely work is expected Heres another key --- falling behind in your math homework is academic suicide. Solving Word/Story Problems: Many math problems come in the form of a short story with two parts: Gives the information Asks the questions Read the problem carefully, more than once if necessary. Identify what question is being asked. Then identify within the problem all the important facts. It is often helpful to convert the story problem into something more visually helpful like a picture, a diagram, a chart or table. Or perhaps you are able to convert the problem directly into numbers, letters, and operations. Where and How to Study: Find a good place to study can dramatically improve the quality of your work and understanding. In choosing a place to study at home, pick one place, one chair, one desk or table as your study area. As you can imagine, it is not helpful to study in the vicinity of distractions like the TV or loud music. Quiet is important to concentration and learning. It is very important to always have the tools of the trade like paper, pencils, erasers, notebook, textbook, calculator, etc. ready and available in class as well as when and where you study. All of these tools may be carried effectively in your backpack.

Three Before the Teacher

A very important part of learning is to become an independent learner. Before asking the teacher for help, have you investigated other learning sources? Textbooks Class notes Previous problems Glossary of Terms Posters Classmates Internet Many other resources

Waiting for Teacher Assistance?

If you are awaiting help from the teacher, there are many things you can continue to do to be productive with your academics, including, but not necessarily limited. Use the textbooks to read and study math topics Study your class notes Read and study any of the other math related resources available to you Read Quietly Three Before the Teacher

Algebra II Syllabus
Please detach this page and return it to Ms. Tentinger In this course we will study the properties of real numbers, linear and quadratic equations and their graphs, functions, systems of equations, polynomials, rational expressions, and basic data analysis. We will also discuss exponential and logarithmic relations, sequences and series, and some basic trigonometric functions. Students will be expected to participate in class discussions and activities and complete homework assignments on time.

Instructor
Miss Tentinger A+ A AB+ B BC+ C CD+ D DF Email: jtentinger@lomaschools.org Grading Criteria Test and Quizzes 90% Homework 10% Opportunities for Improvement Quiz Corrections: Half credit for every correct answer Test Retakes: Students will be allowed one test retake for the better score. The retake must be completed within one week from when the test is handed back. Study Tables are available for extra help on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays Homework Guidelines Homework assignments are expected to be complete and work shown for every problem. Most homework assignments will be worth 3 completion points. Students are expected to correct their own work at the beginning of class and ask questions on the problems they missed. Late homework will be worth 2 points and must be turned in no later than the day of the chapter test. Larger assignments, such as packets, will be worth more points and assignments may be collected and graded for accuracy at random. *Note: in order to take the next level of math you need to pass Algebra II with a grade of C- or higher. Website: http://jtentinger.webs.com 99% 100% 95% 98% 93% 94% 91% 92% 85% 90% 83% 84% 81% 82% 75% 80% 73% 74% 71% 72% 68% 70% 66% 67% 65% and below

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