Course Description

The course offers intermediate content to students preparing for four-year or technical college experiences. The course includes laws of exponents, complex numbers, matrices, relations, functions, and equations-including linear, quadratic, exponential, radical, absolute value, and rational.  Most students should have completed Algebra I, and Geometry.  Algebra II will take a more in depth approach to major concepts by studying relationships, analyzing functions, and systems in detail using higher order thinking skills. More complex analyses of concepts will be a vital part of the course.

Instructional Philosophy

          Instructional Approach

As teachers, we, the math department, want to provide the very best education and learning experience for the students in our classes.  We, the math department, believe the teacher should work with the students in the classroom.

          A Typical Day in the Classroom

The class will begin each day with a “bell-ringer” assignment which will be completed in the first 5 minutes of the class.  The teacher will then review homework completed the day before.  The class will then learn the new material for the day using a variety of activities.  The later part of class will have a review of what was learned and the start of home work.

          Teaching Strategies

We will be using a variety of teaching strategies in the classroom.  The following strategies will be used: lecture, group work, presentations, modeling, computer labs, writing assignments and many more. Graphing calculators will be utilized throughout the course in instruction and assessment.

          Classroom Design

The classroom design will change according to the strategy of teaching. Some designs include: u-shape, row, and cluster.

          Student Participation

The student is expected to take part in the class, doing the assigned work, paying attention, asking and answering questions.  You can expect to have assignments every class period.  Use your time wisely in class so that if you do have time to get started in class, you can acquire help. Homework/Class work will be checked daily and will be graded on a completion basis.  Therefore, you should at least attempt each problem. If you have no idea how to do a problem, you should copy the problem and directions that go with it and then move on to the next problem.  If you leave a problem blank, you will not receive credit for it.

Expectations

Students are expected to follow school rules as outlined in the handbook. In addition, we, the math department, expect the following:

1. Be on time.  You must be in your seat when the tardy bell rings.
2. Be fully prepared for class.
   1. Sharpen pencils and take care of any other business of such a manner before the tardy bell rings.  Class will start immediately after the bell.
   2. Have your book, notebook, paper, and pencil for class everyday.
   3. Complete all assignments given.
3. Be kind, courteous, and respectful of others.
   1. Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
   2. Do not talk while other are talking, disrupt class, talk excessively, or make unnecessary comments.
4. Give your undivided attention to this class for the entire 90 minutes you are in class.
   1. Put all other materials away (personal notes/other subjects homework).
   2. No food or drinks allowed (with the exception of water in a closed container).

Course Goals/Power Standards

The course goals and power standards may be assessed by teacher observation, daily class work/homework, quizzes, projects, and tests.

 Major Assignments

Major unit tests/assessments will be given every five to seven school days.  Some tests will be cumulative, some will not. Test formats will vary and will include multiple choice, short answer, free response, and essays.

Assessment and Grading

Students will be graded on the basis of classroom participation, homework, class work, tests/assessments.  Major assessments (tests) will count sixty percent and minor assessments (classwork/homework/participation) will count forty percent. Students will not be allowed to retakes tests but are required to complete test corrections which will count as a minor grade. The final exam will count 20% of the final grade. Each quarter will count 40% of the final grade. (First Quarter: 40%, Second Quarter: 40%, Exam: 20%)

Grading Scale: A: 93-100   B: 85-92   C: 77-84  D: 70-76  F: 69 and below

General Information

As we begin each unit, students will be given an overview of what we will be covering and a general time line. Students will know when their tests will be well in advance of the assigned date of the tests. Homework will be assigned everyday with very few exceptions.  Great study help, including the entire textbook, can be found at www.glencoe.com.

Pacing guide is online.