Course Syllabus

Algebra 2 Honors

Mr. Connolly

2015-2016

Syllabus

Teacher contact information

An active partnership between teachers, students, and parents is critical to a student’s success in school. I welcome your input as a partner in your student’s journey through Algebra 2 Honors this year. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have about your student’s progress in this journey.

Phone:  The front office (813-794-9400) will take a message, and I will return your call as soon as possible.

Email/Internet messaging: My school email address is pconnoll@pasco.k12.fl.us.

Please include your student’s name and class in any message, as well as any specific concerns. I will most likely reply to your message in the morning (7:00-7:30) or afternoon (2:00-2:30) so if you would like phone call, please provide a number to call during those times.

 

Student support

It is easier to fix problems as they arise than to try to fix them later. I encourage students to come in for extra help before or after school. While scheduling tutoring before or after school is preferable, if students want to “pop in” for help, that’s fine – but please be in my room (T-7) by 7:00 AM or 2:00 PM as I may not still be there if you pop in later. This year Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday have been reserved for staff meetings and I may not be available for assistance on these days until after the end of my normal work hours at 2:45. Please check with me to see if those days become available for tutoring.

 

Course Description, Objectives, and Overview

Algebra 2 Honors reviews and extends the algebra skills developed in Algebra 1 to provide the student with the mathematical tools necessary for understanding, and being successful in, the world beyond high school. It provides not only the mathematical tools for solving equations and drawing graphs, but also develops the mathematical mindset necessary for understanding and solving varied and complex problems. Successful students in this class will normally take Precalculus the following year.

 

Our general timeline will be as follows:

Unit A: Functions                                                                    first half of Quarter 1

Unit B: Quadratic Functions, Equations, and Relations         second half of Quarter 1

Unit C: Polynomial Functions, Expressions, and Equations   first third of Quarter 2

Unit D: Rational Functions, Expressions, and Equations       middle third of Quarter 2

Unit E: Radical Functions, Expressions, and Equations         last third of Quarter 2

Unit F: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions                     first half of Quarter 3

Unit G: Trigonometric Functions                                            second half of Quarter 3

Unit H: Probability                                                                  first half of Quarter 4            

Unit I: Statistics                                                                      second half of Quarter 4

 

Since the state-mandated End of Course exam occurs about the middle of Quarter 4 we will try to accelerate the above timeline in order to cover all course material before the EOC exam

 

Grading Policy

Letter grades are awarded in line with District policy, based on the points you earn during each quarter.

I use a “total points” system. That is, points are earned in a variety of categories, but all points go into one “pile” and your grade is based on the points you earned out of the points you could have earned.

• Most of the available points will be assessment-based. This includes chapter and some mid-chapter tests and frequent quizzes over recent lessons and homework.
• Homework is intended to practice and reinforce the skills taught in class, and conscientious completion of homework will be its own reward in better understanding, resulting in higher quiz and test grades. Homework will be assigned frequently and reviewed in class the following day. Homework will not be graded, but short quizzes on the homework will often follow the in-class review.
• From time to time we will have class activities which will be opportunities to earn points through active and productive participation.
• To support the application of mathematics to the analysis of real-world situations we may have some longer-term assignments involving researching and writing about math in the context of the real world. Details on this type of assignment will be made available when these assignments are given.

 

 

Late work

Most graded work is done in class, so ‘late work’ is generally not applicable in this class. Any extended-timework not completed by the assigned time is late and will normally receive no credit. If you are absent, the District make-up work policy found in your student planner applies. I understand that there are sometimes extenuating circumstances. Acceptance of late work, and what credit it receives, is at the discretion of the teacher.

 

 

Attendance and Make-up work

Attendance in class is critical. I cannot teach you if you are not here. You are responsible for getting notes and assignments if you miss class for any reason. Any points missed because of absence will receive an initial score of 0. Since excused absences are sometimes not recorded in eSembler for several days, you should arrange to make up missed work IMMEDIATELY upon your return to school. Do not wait for eSembler to reflect the excuse. You should make up the work, and you will be given credit for it once the absence is marked “excused” in eSembler. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure that I update eSembler to reflect an excused absence.

The following rules apply to EXCUSED absences.

If you miss a test or quiz you must arrange with me to take a make-up test or quiz outside of normal class time.

If you miss an in-class assignment you must speak with me to determine if it must be made up outside of class time, or if the assignment may be simply marked “excused” and not count either for or against you.

Barring unusual circumstances, unexcused absences will result is a score of 0 on any assignments connected to that absence.

 

Extra Credit

No extra credit is available for this class.

 

Materials for class

Textbook – Our textbook this year is consumable. You will be writing in it and will not need to return it at the end of the year. There will not be a ‘classroom set’ and you must bring your own book to class every day. The pages are perforated and you may wish to remove pages a section/module at a time and put the pages in a binder.

Paper – I will be supplementing the material in the textbook with additional examples and explanations, so you need to provide your own paper for this additional material. A supply of Post-it notes of various sizes will be handy for making annotations in the text material. A small supply of graph paper will be useful from time to time.

Notebook – I do not grade notebooks; however some way of organizing your text pages, additional notes, homework, quizzes, tests, handouts, etc. is critical. How you do this is up to you. It will probably be best to have a smaller three-ring binder for the current module and a larger three-ring binder for each of the two volumes.

Writing instruments – Pencils, pens, colored pencils or pens, and highlighters will all be useful. No hard-to-read colors, please.

Calculator – A graphing calculator will be necessary in this class. Casio makes a good lower-cost model which will suffice for this course, however I suggest the TI-84 as a more flexible and useful option. While smart phones can substitute for calculators in many instances, only dedicated calculators will be allowed on tests (for reasons which should be obvious) and students need to develop familiarity with them prior to tests. You should think of this as a lifetime investment, as it is likely the last calculator you will ever need to buy.

Smart phones – Smart phones can be a useful tool or a distraction. I want to encourage the use of technology in a way that enhances the educational experience. There are some excellent free math apps that we will use during the course.

Other electronic devices – Use of laptops or tablets is generally unnecessary in this course.

 

Classroom rules

The basic principle is “be productive and allow others to do so also.”

My expectations

• Follow all school and District policies, which can be found in your Student Planner.
• No eating or drinking in class.
• Respect everyone and everything in this classroom.
• Try your best.
• Get to class on time and use your time in class productively.

Specifics for electronic devices

• Phones should be in “Do not disturb” mode during class.
• Use of electronic devices is at my direction only.
• When being used, electronic devices should be on top of your desk. If it’s in your lap I will presume it is being used in an inappropriate manner.
• Inappropriate use of electronic devices may result in confiscation.

Consequences for minor offenses

• First offense – verbal warning
• Second offense – verbal warning
• Third offense – detention/phone call home
• Fourth offense – referral/phone call home

Consequences for tardiness to class will follow the school Tardy Policy.

Consequences for major offenses will follow the Student Code of Conduct.

 

Integrity

I value integrity above all else. Acting with integrity is one of the few things in life over which we have complete control. I expect myself to act with integrity and others to do so as well.

Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be treated as a serious breach of the Student Code of Conduct. Some examples of academic dishonesty are when a student uses or attempts to use someone else’s work in taking an exam, or when a student submits someone else’s work as his or her own. It includes assisting someone else in such acts. Breaches of academic integrity will result in a discipline referral and may result in loss of credit on the assignment and suspension. Please see additional notes on integrity from the LOLHS administration at the end of this syllabus.

 

Additional notes from the LOLHS administration

MAKE UP WORK (EXCUSED ABSENSES) - District Policy

Excused absences guarantee students the right to make up any and all assignments assigned on the day[s] of absence at full credit.  The student is responsible for asking the teacher(s) for assignments and make-up tests within two (2) class meetings with the teacher.   The teacher(s) shall specify a reasonable period of time for completion of make-up work.  In no case shall the time be less than one full calendar day for each day missed.   Work due to be turned in on the day of the absence will be turned in upon return and be given full credit.  The principal or designee shall have the authority to modify these conditions with a confirmed hardship. Students who have been assigned out-of-school suspension (OSS) may make up all missed assignments and tests for full credit. (*The parent/guardian must follow proper procedure for Excused Absence Reporting.) [See online planner for further details.]

TARDY POLICY FROM ONLINE PLANNER A tardy is defined as not being in an assigned class at the beginning of the class period.  Students arriving to class within the first 5 minutes of class without a pass will receive a lunch detention.  Students more than 5 minutes late to class without an approved pass will receive a discipline referral for skipping.  Students who are habitually tardy will be assigned a more severe consequence. Students who have an approved pass from an administrator are not considered tardy. Both the sending and receiving teacher must agree upon an approved pass from the previous teacher, otherwise the receiving teacher will mark it as unexcused.

 

Academic dishonesty

Our school expects students to act with integrity; therefore, academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be treated as a serious breach to the Code of Student Conduct.  Academic dishonesty occurs when a student uses or attempts to use someone else’s work in taking an exam; or submits as his or her own work essays, reports, classwork/homework, laboratory notes, or other assignments prepared by someone else.  It also includes assisting a peer in such acts.  In such instances when this occurs, the teacher will make the determination of a grade and/or academic penalty or the incident can be reported to the school’s administration. The consequences may include, but are not limited to, the following: rewriting of the assignment, completion of another exam/assignment, a zero percent grade for the exam/assignment, loss of class privileges, or in-school suspension.

Another expectation under academic dishonesty is plagiarism.  Plagiarism is the "wrongful appropriation" and "purloining and publication" of another author's "language, thoughts, ideas, or expressions," and the representation of them as one's own original work.  It is important that passages/sections used in any paper or project are quoted and cited correctly to avoid teacher or administrative consequence. 

 

Grades

The following scale will be used to determine report card grades for each quarter:

Grade      Percent Range                        GPA                         Value Definition

A                              90 - 100                   4                              Outstanding Progress

B                              80 - 89                     3                              Above Average Progress

C                              70 - 79                     2                              Average Progress

D                              60 - 69                     1                              Lowest Acceptable Progress

F                              0 – 59

Report cards are to provide the student and/or the student's parents with an objective evaluation of the student's scholastic achievement, conduct, attendance and tardies. Report cards are issued quarterly for all students.

 

End of course exam (EOC)

This course has a state EOC. Its impact on Semester 2 and Year grades is, at present, unclear. More details will announced as we become aware of them.

Parents and students,

Thank you for taking the time to review this syllabus.

Understanding what we can expect of each other will help us be as successful as possible this year.

If you ever have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me so I can answer your questions and work with you to resolve any concerns.

 

Please detach the portion below and return it to Mr. Connolly.

 

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Student name _______________________________________

 

We have read and reviewed a printed copy of Mr. Connolly’s syllabus for Algebra 2 Honors.

 

Parent signature ________________________________________ date___________

 

Student signature _______________________________________ date___________