Algebra II Honors Syllabus
`Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High
Ms. Sellanes 2015-2016
[email protected]
Motivation: Mathematics is beautiful and it is a type of language. The best part is that it is more universal than other languages. In this class we are
going to learn how to think about mathematics, how to talk about mathematics, how to write mathematics, and how to apply it in our own lives. Let us
find the beauty in mathematics, together.
Algebra II Topics: Topics covered in this course include statistics and probability, linear equations and functions, systems of equations, quadratic
functions, polynomial functions, rational equations and functions and conic sections.
Course Objectives: Students will understand topics listed above through lectures and develop skills in order to solve problems with teammates and
on their own. As a result, students will develop a new perspective on the mathematical world.
Office Hours/Extra Help: Everyday, after school for half an hour to an hour, in my classroom.
Class Set-up: For lectures and classwork: Team Tables, which will be decided by me and changed every so often. During tests and quizzes, you will
separate into rows.
Expectations: In order to learn effectively, we must create a supportive community in the classroom. We will respect one another and we will learn
from each other and thus it is important that we listen to one another. Therefore, abide to “one mic” rule (talking when someone else has the floor is
unacceptable). No one is perfect. Do not be afraid of making mistakes or asking (me or your teammates) questions; we learn more from our
mistakes than our success. We are here to learn how to apply mathematics in the real world, but also to learn about ourselves. Know yourself: know
what you know and what you don’t know. I encourage cooperative learning, but you will not learn if you are copying work. I expect you to follow all
rules and procedures as well as the following:
 You must come to class on time and prepared to work when the bell rings.
 All electronic devices including, but not limited to cellphone, iPods and headphones are not to be used during classroom
instruction. Do not use your phone as a calculator. Prohibited devices will be confiscated and result in a conduct grade.
 While I am speaking to the class, I expect you to be listening and not speaking.
 All assessments must be done in pencil.
 You must attend to your personal needs between classes. Bathroom passes will be issued on an individual basis and for
emergences only. No bathroom passes will be issued the first and last 10 minutes or during lecture. You will receive 3 bathroom
passes a quarter (passes not used will become extra credit).
 Do not begin to pack up before I give you permission. The bell does not dismiss you; I do. Do not get out of your seat to leave
class until I say you may leave.
 Actively listen at all times and do not talk while others are talking. (One
)
 All school rules are enforced in this room
Textbook: Prentice Hall Algebra 2
You will have access to the book through your student portal.
Materials: To be successful in this course you will need a 2-inch three-ring binder with 8 dividers, spiral notebook, a folder, pencils with good
erasers, lined paper, graph paper, ruler/straightedge, and scientific calculator.
Grading Policy: Your nine-week grade is determined by combining several assessments including homework, in-class participation, projects, quizzes
and tests using a point system. At the end of the nine weeks, the points will be converted into a scaled grade: 0-100%. Late assignments will not be
accepted. Progress report will be issued at the end of the fourth week of every nine-week term. They must be returned to me within a week, signed by
your parent or legal guardian.
Category
Point Values (per
Grading Scale
assignment)
100-90
A
89-80
B
Tests
30-150 points
79-70
C
Quizzes
30-60 points
69-60
D
Classwork
15-50 points
59 and below
F
Lesson Quizzes
15 points
Homework
3 points
Participation & Notebook Checks
5-50 points
Homework: Algebra II is a demanding mathematics course. Prepare to spend as much time as necessary on homework. Homework will be
assigned every day. Homework is a place for you to learn and make mistakes; therefore your grade will be based on the amount of effort given to
each problem. Show your work for credit. The day it is due, you will use the Homework Log to record your own grade based on what you did, how
much you did, and the effort you put forth. Be honest; I will check too. You will often start on your homework towards the end of class. What you do
not finish in class must be finished at home. The first 5-10 minutes of class will be for homework questions (after the Do Now or Entry Ticket). If you
have more questions than what is covered, I encourage you to come see me after school. You are cheating yourself by copying the answers from a
teammate.
Lesson Quizzes and Classwork: Entry/Exit Tickets will be given either at the beginning or end of class with or without notice to assess your
knowledge on a specific topic; they are not graded. Classwork will be completed either on your own or with your teams (and then finished at home if
not completed in class). During Teamwork Time, students will work on a set of problems. Work on the problems on your own first, then compare
answers and ask your team members clarification questions. I will be available if a whole team is confused.
Quizzes and Test: You will have quizzes during the middle of a chapter. Some quizzes may be announced and others may be given without notice.
A comprehensive test to measure your mastery of skills and concepts will be given at the end of each chapter. Students will be informed of the
scheduled test date at least a week in advance (study early!). In order to do well, understanding of all concepts must be demonstrated. Partial credit
is given for showing your work on these assessments.
Participation & Notebook Checks: Class participation is crucial to your success. We are a community of students trying to learn about
mathematics and about each other as community members. Be active during class, take notes. If necessary, come talk to me about effective notetaking skills. The better notes, the easier it will be to study and then excel on an exam/quiz. Additionally, the best way to learn something is to teach
it to someone else. I will often ask students to solve problems up on the board where they will be asked to explain each step and their thinking
process. Notebook checks should be easy points. Everything should be in order according to the Notebook Contract. This notebook will be your
study guide for EOC. (This year students will be taking an EOC for Algebra II. More information about the EOC will be given throughout the year.)
Cheating/Dishonesty: Cheating (including copying) will not be tolerated. It will result in an F on the assignment and a D in conduct for the term.
Parents will be notified. Givers and receivers will be equally punished.
Attendance and Missed Assignments: Mathematics is a challenging subject. Since many topics build on one another and the majority of exploring
mathematics happens in the classroom, daily participation is necessary and students are strongly discouraged from missing class. Any absence,
excused or unexcused, will indirectly affect your grade. Only students with an excused absence will get credit for the assignment; an unexcused
absence will result in zero points. Ten or more unexcused absences may result in credit for the course being withheld. No teacher has the right to
keep you from my class without my permission first.
It is your responsibility to make up what you missed. If you are absent for more than 2 consecutive school days (block scheduling counts as two
days), it is expected that you email* me to ascertain your makeup work and schedule. If you are absent the day of a quiz, you may make it up the
following morning (email me to let me know that you are coming in). Once the quiz has been returned to any of my classes, make-ups will no longer
be allowed and your correlating test grade will take place of that quiz grade. If you are absent the day of a test, email me within 2 schools days to
schedule the make-up, which will be afterschool.
*I always respond to my email, so if you did not receive a response, I did not get your email. If any attachments add up to 2MB, I will not receive your
email.
Q.E.D. (a mathematical term for the end of a proof, comes from the Latin phrase “quod erat demonstrandum”)