Syllabus - Immaculate Heart High School

Algebra II
2012-2013
Mrs. Jessica Quinn
jquinn@immaculateheart.org
Office Hours: Afterschool, or by appointment at break or lunch
Location: U2
Department Philosophy Statement
Knowledge of mathematics and creativity in its application have become more critical than ever in our
contemporary world. This knowledge and accompanying skills are essential for young women to be
able to discern carefully, to choose wisely, to realize their own unique potential and to function as
intelligent, informed and contributing members of their society and the global community.
The mathematics department attempts to provide the solid foundation in mathematics necessary to
encourage and inspire students to continue their study of the discipline and related subjects beyond
the high school level and for the rest of their lives. A population that is “numerate” is a necessity for a
technological society that is continually changing and ever increasing in complexity.
Course Description
Algebra II is a continuation of the study of mathematics begun in both Algebra I and Geometry. It marks
the end of the required portion of the mathematics curriculum and may be the foundation for further
studies in math. In Algebra II we will review and expand upon topics from Algebra I, particularly
simplifying expressions, solving equations, and graphing. We will explore several new kinds of functions
and look at some of the applications of algebra to everyday situations.
Students in Algebra II should have successfully completed Algebra I and Geometry. Note: this class does
not meet the prerequisites for the Pre-Calculus or AP Statistics courses.
Academic Content Standards (Common Core Standards)
Upon graduation from Immaculate Heart High School students will:
1) Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
2) Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
3) Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
4) Model with mathematics.
5) Use appropriate tools strategically.
6) Attend to precision.
7) Look and make use of structure.
8) Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
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Course Chronology:
First Semester
Equations and Inequalities
Linear Equations and Functions
Systems of Linear Equations & Inequalities
Matrices
Quadratic Functions
Second Semester
Polynomial Expressions and Functions
Power Functions
Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Rational Equations and Functions
Sequences and Series
Probability
Required Materials
Algebra 2: Applications, Equations, Graphs, by Larson, Boswell, Kanold, and Stiff, published by
McDougal Littell, 2011.
Three-ring binder to organize notes, handouts, homework and quizzes.
TI-83 Plus/TI-84 Plus graphing calculator.
Paper, graph paper, ruler with inches and centimeters, pencil (mechanical is preferred), eraser.
Classroom Expectations:
Participation: Students are expected to be participants in the learning process. Your
contribution to the environment - positive or negative - will be considered when the semester
grade is calculated. Participation includes, but is not limited to, making relevant observations,
asking & answering questions, remaining on task, having your binder up-to-date, being civil and
helpful, having course materials, attending regularly and being on time.
Web Pages: Assignments and announcements of quizzes and exams will be made in class and
on the class’s webpage. Every effort is made to update the page after each class meeting.
Make-Up Tests: Generally, students with extended absence for illness have as many days to
make up an exam. (Please see me as soon as you return.) Quizzes that have been graded and
returned cannot be made-up, however a student who misses a quiz will be given a blank copy
for study purposes without penalty.
A student who is absent the period before a test, but present when the test was scheduled,
should contact me before the test if she feels she is not prepared to take it with the class.
A student who is absent on the test day only should contact me to schedule a time to take the
test on the day she returns.
Make up Work: Regular attendance is critical for success in mathematics as the class work
supplements the material presented in the textbook and vice versa. If an absence is
unavoidable, I expect the student to read the text, obtain the notes and help from another
student and make an effort to complete the assignment(s). If there are questions, bring the
notes to office hours/appointment for clarification as soon as possible.
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Homework: Homework is assigned on a daily basis and will be listed on the class web page.
Homework is checked AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS on the day the assignment is due. Late
homework will be accepted up to one week after the assignment was originally due. You may
turn in two late homework assignments each quarter with no penalty. After these two late
assignments, late work will be awarded half credit.
Technology: Graphing calculators will be used extensively for in-class work. Calculators may be
used on all homework assignments unless otherwise specified.
Cell phones and other technology may never be used in class and I highly recommend turning
off cell phones and other electronic devices while completing homework. Unauthorized use in
class will result in a detention.
Academic Integrity: You are expected to adhere to the principles stated in the Academic
Integrity Policy and any deviation from there will have consequences.
Test Return Policy: Quizzes will be returned for students to keep in their binders. Chapter tests
will remain in my custody.
Other classroom rules: All classroom rules and regulations regarding conduct, attendance,
dress code, grading, plagiarism, etc. shall be implemented and followed as stated in the school
handbook.
Types of Assessments:
Homework: Homework assignments are worth two points each. All regular homework assignments
must include the following elements:
Your name
Assignment Name (including the page number and problems)
Each assigned problem must include:
a. the original problem and any picture or graph that is associated with it (you may paraphrase
long word problems)
b. sufficient work written in a logical, neat and organized way
c. your proposed solution
Check the odd-numbered problems in the back of the book before class. Use a red pen to show that the
work has been corrected. Try Hotmath.com for extra help on homework problems. Use the
password: xe63070de . Ask questions about your homework the following day. Corrections are made
during the first ten minutes of class and it is important to pay attention to this part of the class. Each
problem on the assignment should be attempted in order to receive credit for the assignment.
The website associated with the text,
http://www.classzone.com/cz/books/algebra_2_2011_na/login.htm , has resources such as extra
examples, self-check quizzes and a parent and student study guide.
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Quizzes/Tests: Generally, there will be 2 quizzes per chapter worth about 50 points each. Quizzes are
primarily free-response. Chapter Tests will include some multiple choice questions along with free
response and be worth 100 points.
Participation: A participation grade will be assigned once each quarter to reflect the behaviors
described in the classroom expectations. It will be worth approximately 10% of the points possible for
the quarter and be based on my recollection of your engagement in the learning process in class during
the quarter.
Semester Exam: A comprehensive semester exam covering the semester’s content will be given at the
end of the semester and worth 25% of the semester grade.
Grading Policy:
75% of each semester grade will be based on a percentage of total points of tests (100 points each),
quizzes (30-50 points each) and homework assignments (2 points each) .
25% of each semester grade will be based on the final exam.
100-93 A 89-87 B+ 79-77 C+ 69-67 D+ 59-0 F
92-90 A- 86-83 B 76-73 C 66-63 D
82-80 B- 72-70 C- 62-60 D-
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Benchmarks and Performance Standards Revised 8/12
Simplify algebraic expressions .
Solve linear equations and inequalities .
Solve absolute value equations and inequalities .
Graph linear equations and inequalities .
Graph absolute value equations .
Graph scatter plots, fine lines of best fit, and identify correlation coefficients given data sets.
Solve systems of linear equations and inequalities by graphing, substitution, and elimination.
Simplify expressions with matrices.
Write and solve matrix equations representing systems of linear equations.
Solve quadratic equations with real and complex solutions by factoring, completing the square,
and using the quadratic formula .
Simplify expressions with complex numbers .
Understand the connections between the graphs of absolute value and quadratic functions .
Graph quadratic functions and identify characteristics.
Understand the relationship between solutions of an equation, factors of an expression, zeros of
a functions, and x-intercepts of a graph.
Simplify polynomial expressions, including addition, subtraction, and multiplication.
Factor polynomials using various methods .
Simplify expressions with rational exponents .
Solve equations involving rational exponents and radicals .
Understand function notation, composition of functions, and the inverse of a function .
Simplify logarithmic and exponential expressions.
Solve problems involving exponential growth or decay, including population growth and
compound interest.
Solve logarithmic and exponential equations .
Graph logarithmic and exponential equations .
Simplify rational expressions with monomial and polynomial denominators.
Simplify complicated rational expressions including complex fractions and expressions with
rational exponents .
Solve rational equations .
Find the next term and n th term of arithmetic and geometric sequences.
Find the finite or infinite sums of arithmetic and geometric series, if they exist.
Use summation notation to represent series.
Understand the Fundamental Counting Principle and be able to compute numbers of
permutations and combinations.
Find theoretical, experimental, and geometric probabilities.
Find the probability of compound events and independent and dependent events.
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