Kenwood Academy High School Mathematics Department 2011 2012 Course Syllabus: Advanced Algebra with Trigonometry Instructor: Mrs. Szczurek Email: kaszczurek@cps.edu (best way to reach me!) Telephone: (773) 535-1350 Ext. 27363 Office Hours: by appointment Course Description: In Advanced Algebra, you will expand your study of functions and their multiple representations to include rational functions, absolute values, square roots, and logarithms. You will explore the relationship between a function and its inverse by examining power and root functions and exponential and logarithmic functions. You will increase your skill at purposefully manipulating algebraic expressions to solve increasingly complex problems. You will also learn to organize and analyze data to model and analyze simple physical and other phenomena. For about a quarter of this class, we will also focus on trigonometric concepts and applications which you were first introduced to in geometry. This course will continue to develop a vocabulary designed for Advanced Algebra and upper level mathematics classes. Students skills in technology will be enhanced by the use of the TI-83 graphing calculator. Throughout the year, ACT style questions and material will be integrated into the curriculum. Standards: This course is aligned to the Illinois State Standards, and the College Readiness Standards. Schedule: Semester 1 Semester 2 Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Unit 1: Parent Functions Unit 2: Inverse Fncts Unit 3: Transformations Unit 4: Systems of Eqs Unit 5: Exponential Fncts Unit 6: Logarithmic Fncts Unit 7: Solving Exp & Log Eqs Unit 8: Quadratic Fncts Unit 9: Quadratic Eqs. Unit 10: Square Roots Eqs. Unit 11: Power Fncts Unit 12: Rational Fncts Unit 13: Polynomials Unit 14: Composition Unit: ACT Review Textbook: Algebra 2, Glencoe, 2005. ($73.00 to replace if lost or stolen) Required Materials (needed daily) Pencils and Sharpener Colored pen (not blue or black) Math Binder (a sturdy 3-ring binder) minimum 1.5 2 inches *Binder may not contain any other school subjects, unless you are in AVID. Dividers (4) Loose leaf paper Calculator (Graphing Calculator preferred, Scientific acceptable) Credit: Earning a D or above results in.5 credits per semester (1 credit for the entire year) Fee: Students are required to pay a $10 mathematics fee. Unit: ACT Review Unit 15: Trig. Fncts Unit 16: Graphing Trig Fncts Unit 17: Inverse Trig Unit 18: Trig Identities 1
Grading Policy: Your grade will be computed using the following categories and point system: Category Percentage Binder 5% Class work / Participation 10% A 90-100 Homework 15% B 89-80 Quizzes 20% C 79-70 Exams 35% D 69-60 Final Exam 15% F 59 and below Total 100% Binder: The first pages in your binder are your syllabus. Thereafter, your binder will be organized with the following dividers: 1. NOTES 2. HOMEWORK / CLASSWORK 3. QUIZZES AND TESTS 4. ACT Practice All work should be stored in the Math Binder. (no work should be thrown away!) Your binder must be clean, legible and organized. Announced and unannounced binder checks will be given and will be part of your grade. Please have your binder ready for collection at all times. Homework: Like sports, music, and a multitude of practical skills, practice is essential to mastery in mathematics. It is not unlikely that this class will be a struggle at some level for you at some point during the year. Struggling in math is not a bad thing! It is much like sweating and working through frustrating plateaus of performance when learning a new sport. You can work through the struggle by using the skills you already have and developing new skills that I will help you learn. Homework will be assigned daily and on every concept. Homework is essential to the study and mastery of this course. At the beginning of class, during the bell ringer, I will walk around and stamp any homework that is completed. Students are then responsible for grading their assignments with their colored pens and asking questions about problems that are incorrect. *Students will receive full credit on an assignment if the assignment is completed on time with all work shown and graded with all necessary corrections. Cheating and/or plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated. Evidence of such will result in a grade of 0 on the entire homework packet. Format for Homework Assignments: Complete all assignments on loose leaf paper only. The heading should look as follows (in the right hand corner): Your Name Adv. Algebra Date Homework#, page#, and problems 2
To receive full credit on each homework assignment: o Homework is turned in on time (denoted by a stamp) (3 points) -Copy each question/problems and show all necessary work for each problem -All problems are attempted o Homework is graded in a different color pen/pencil (1 point) o Corrections are made (1 point) Homework will be collected as a homework packet (set of about 5 assignments or before the unit assessment). You will be given a rubric before it is do. * Failure to follow proper procedure will result in a reduction of points on the assignments. * Your homework will not be stamped if it is not on your desk or if you are tardy during that time. * If you have an excused absence the day an assignment is due, you may get a stamp when you return to class. If you are absent the day an assignment is given (e.g., a worksheet), you must turn in the assignment during the second class meeting after your return to school. Class work and Class Participation: Classwork will include bell ringers, exit tickets and any practice assignments completed in class. It is to be done in pencil on loose-leaf paper and kept in the Homework/Classwork section of your binder. Most classwork will be collected and graded. Points will be awarded for coming to class prepared (with the binder, paper, pencil and other required materials) and contributing to the classroom activities in a productive way. You will be penalized if you are not ready to start the class once the second bell has rung. There will be no make-up for class participation or class work. Quizzes and Tests: A formal quiz will be given regularly and usually every Friday. Quizzes might also be given in the form of in-class projects and other assignments. Since the lowest quiz grade is dropped each quarter, there is no makeup for a quiz. Therefore, if you miss a quiz, this is the grade that will be dropped. Tests will be given at the end of each unit. A cumulative assessment will be administered every quarter. There is to be no talking during a test or quiz. If caught talking I will assume the student is cheating and will result in a zero on the assessment. If you are absent the day of a test, and have a legitimate excuse, it is your responsibility to make arrangements within one day after returning from an absence to make up a test. If arrangements are not made, students will not be allowed to make up the exam and will receive a zero. If you are absent the class before a test, you are still expected to take the test. A cumulative Final Exam will be administered at the end of each semester and will be worth 15% of your semester grade. Test Corrections: You may earn half of the points lost on a unit exam by completing the test corrections during a specified after school session with an instructor. In order to earn this privilege, all of your homework for that particular unit must be stamped. How to Study for this Course: Check Grade book online regularly https://student.cps.k12.il.us/pc/studentlogin.aspx Check the Kenwood website regularly http://www.kenwoodacademy.org Read and review notes daily. Attempt to redo in-class examples, without your notes or book. If you get stuck, refer back to your notes, or seek extra help. 3
Redo problems from tests and homework assignments, particularly ones that you got wrong or have trouble understanding. Remember that you must crawl before you can walk. Similarly, you must have a good handle on the basics of algebra before you can master the advanced concepts. Find a study group. (group of students who are taking Adv. Algebra) Be proactive. Remember it is MUCH easier to Keep Up than Catch Up! Classroom Rules: 1. Arrive on time with all materials given. -You will not be allowed into the classroom after the 2 nd bell rings without a tardy. -You will not receive a homework stamp, and any credit for any work done while you were tardy. 2. Take care of all personal business (trips to the bathroom or locker, water fountain, etc) during the passing period. Once we are in the classroom, we are in the classroom! -Passes will NOT be issued in class unless it is a true life threatening emergency. This does not apply to those students with medical notices on file. 3. Follow directions the first time they are given. 4. Work during all work times. 5. Respond immediately to the attention signal. School-Wide Policies and Procedures: You must wear your ID at all times. Cell phones and other electronic devices must be turned off or silenced during class and put away before entering the classroom and at all times. Phones may not be visible during exams and cannot be used as a calculator. Cell phones that are visible or heard may be confiscated and can only be retrieved by a parent or guardian. No Vandalism or Eating. Treat this room like the place that you most respect. In return, I will try and provide a clean and safe environment conducive to learning. However, we all must work together to accomplish this goal. Refrain from using negative language and profanity in the classroom. If you are unsure of what words are unacceptable, please see me after class or e-mail me. You are expected to treat EVERYONE in the class with respect. This includes the language you use, the attitude you bring to class, and the way you respond when asked to do something in class. Insubordination: Sleeping in class, doing nothing, working on a non-advanced algebra assignment, excessive talking, teacher or peer disrespect, disruptive behavior, playing with a calculator inappropriately (games), playing with electronic devices such as cell phones, i-pods, blackberries, etc. will result in the following actions: 1. Warning 2. Student-Teacher Conference 3. Parent/Guardian Call Home 4. After School Detention with a teacher or Saturday Detention 5. Parent/Teacher Conference 6. Referral to the Dean or Administrator Field Trips: For field trips and other anticipated absences, quizzes and tests must be taken early. It is your responsibility to find out what you have missed and be prepared for class when you return. You will not be given an extension to complete assignments that were assigned while you were on a field trip. 4
Classroom Procedures/Policies: Entering the classroom Attention Signal Tardy Homework How to find out what the daily assignments are Activities Turning in Assignments Absent Dismissal Come in quietly. Sit at your seat quickly, take out your homework and begin working on the bell ringer. There should be NO talking. If you have a note or field trip slip that I need to sign, place it in the basket on my desk as soon as you come in. Paying attention is vital. When attention is needed, I will give an Attention Signal. I will raise my right hand and say Class, your attention please. It is imperative that you stop what you are doing immediately, raise your hand and look at me. You must follow this signal at all times. It should take no more than 3-5 seconds to get the attention of the entire class. Students who come in late are disruptive to the rest of the class. If you are late, please enter the room quietly and with a tardy pass in your hand. You must hand me the tardy pass before sitting down. As soon as the 2 nd bell rings, place your homework on your desk and I will walk around and stamp your homework. Your homework will not be stamped if it is not on your desk or if you are tardy during that time. On the left side of the board, you will find a calendar posted which includes the objective for the day, agenda and homework. Please check this calendar each time you are in class and copy the homework in your agenda. All the homework will also be posted on the Kenwood website. During a typical week in class you will engage in the following activities: Bell Ringers, Lecture, Individual Seatwork, Class Work, Group Activities, Exit Tickets, and Quizzes/Tests. Each of these activities will have behavioral expectations, which will be explained to you using the CHAMPs acronym which stands for: Conversation Help Activity Movement Participation Pass up all work to the front and the person in your front row will place it in the blue basket. All work (including make-up work) will be turned in the blue basket. When you return after being absent from class, place your absent note in the basket on my desk. Any handouts that you have missed will be in the tray labeled While you were out, Period Before you leave, clean up your area of any garbage. You must stay seated until the bell rings. Have a great year! I look forward to working with you. -----------------------------------------------------------------------cut--------------------------------------------------------------------- Advanced Algebra Course Syllabus, Mrs. Szczurek 2011 2012 This form is considered the first homework assignment and will be collected. Please read and sign your names below. This acknowledges that the parent(s) and child have read the class expectations and rules for his/her math class with Mrs. Szczurek and understands the contents thereof. Print Name of Student Students Signature Date Print Name of Parent/Guardian Parent/Guardian Signature Date Parent email: Parent phone number: What is the best way to contact you? Circle one: Phone Email 5