Listed below, you will find the course syllabus for Algebra 2. There are additional items listed here that are not covered in the abbreviated version handed out in class. Please be sure to read all items carefully, and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
All items presented here are superseded by the policies found in the Student Handbook for Piqua High School. It is assumed that all students are familiar with the Student Handbook and the rules contained within. All rules and policies found in the handbook will be adhered to in this class at all times.
Algebra 2
Syllabus, Classroom Rules, and Expectations
Teacher: Mr. Kerns
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,
Welcome to the 2014-2015 school year at Piqua High School. This course will be Algebra 2 which is the study of the relationships of unknown quantities and how to solve and simplify those quantities. Our primary focus will be on strengthening the skills needed in a typical Algebra course. Some of the topics we will cover will include parabolic functions, equations and their graphs, solving systems of equations, manipulating polynomials, matrices, logarithms, conic sections, and trigonometric functions. We will use an open-ended, investigative approach to the class as we explore ideas, data, patterns, and algebraic relationships that model real-world applications. Mathematics is very much like learning a new language, including vocabulary and complex structures, so I encourage everyone to work together, ask questions, and be ready to build strategies that will help you take ownership of your own learning. A complete version of this document is also available on the class website at www.mathmovers.com.
Classroom Expectations
1. Be respectful at all times
- This includes not talking while others are talking
- No cell phones or other electronic devices in class (Zero Tolerance)
- No bullying, inconsiderate remarks, or laughing at another student
- This classroom is a safe haven for all learning and all students
- Raise hand to be called upon
2. Be Prepared
- Bring all necessary materials to class with you EVERY DAY
- Bring books, pencils, paper, graph paper, calculator, erasers
- Be in class on time; being tardy will not be tolerated
- Take daily notes
- Use the restroom before you come to class – classes are only 42 minutes long so no restroom breaks will be given except in documented cases or extreme emergencies
3. Keep textbooks covered and respect all property in the classroom
4. No food or drink permitted in the classroom
Materials Needed
1. Graphing calculator – TI 84 is what I currently use, but anything from a TI 83 on up is sufficient. I do have a limited class supply for students to borrow during the period. (I only have 6 though).
2. College ruled paper
3. Graph paper
4. Pencils and erasers
5. Notebook (or 3 ring binder) to keep all notes, papers, tests, and quizzes neatly organized
Grades
All work must be shown – NO WORK, NO CREDIT!! Please complete all assignments in pencil only (no ink). Grades will be based on a point system as follows:
Homework: 5-10 points
Quizzes: 20-60 points
Tests: 80-100 points
Projects: 200 points
Extra Credit: will only be given on rare occasions, so take advantage of it when it is offered. (Students missing any assignments will NOT be
eligible for extra credit!!!)
Extra credit will also be given based on A’s, B’s, and C’s for test. Anyone receiving an A on a test or quiz will earn 5 “Bonus
Bucks”, anyone receiving a B on a test or quiz will earn 3 “Bonus Bucks”, and anyone receiving a C on a test or quiz will earn 1
“Bonus Buck.” These “Bonus Bucks” can be redeemed at any time as extra credit for the quarter or semester, or they can be used
in place of a homework assignment. The choice is yours.
Points may be adjusted on assignments based on the length and difficulty of the assignment. I will also consider classroom participation, effort, and positive attitude when determining final grades. It is imperative that you come to class with a positive attitude and a willingness to work at your very highest level of academic abilities. I demand nothing less, and I demand that nobody settles for anything less!
Make-up work is the responsibility of the student and must be submitted promptly upon your return to the class. If you are absent, you can call the school, me, or a friend to get the missed assignment. You can also check my website at mathmovers.com where you will also find all the homework assignments listed. Late work will be accepted, but it will have a mandatory reduction in the overall grade (to be determined by how long the assignment is out). Make-up tests and quizzes will be given for "Excused" absences only. It is the student's responsibility to schedule a time to complete this make-up work. Typically, all make-up work must be done within the same amount of time that was missed. For example, if a student misses one day, then they will have one day to make up the work, if they are gone for two consecutive days, then they will have two days to make up the work, etc. All make-up work must also be completed by the end of each quarter or a grade of "0" will be entered into the grade book for that assignment.
Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in an immediate "0" for whichever assignment where cheating is expected. Also, any "Unexcused" absence will result in a "0" for any material collected or covered in class on the day of the absence. This means that students will not be allowed to make up the missed work. Again, this is only for "Unexcused" absences. Anyone caught cheating in any way will receive a grade of “0” on the assignment or test they were caught cheating on. Anyone caught with an electronic device out during a test or quiz will automatically receive a “0” for that grade. It will be assumed that the student is looking something up on their device, and this will be considered cheating. Therefore, any devices out during tests will
result in the forfeiture of a grade for that assignment, regardless of why the device was out. This is the only warning that will be given. Students
must also show work in order to receive credit for any assignment or on any test. Any work submitted without work will also be given a grade of “0.”
NOTE: IF CELL PHONE OR OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICE USAGE BECOMES A PROBLEM, THEN STUDENTS WILL HAVE TO SURRENDER THEIR DEVICE TO THE TEACHER IN ORDER TO TAKE ANY TEST. IF A STUDENT REFUSES, IT WILL RESULT IN AN AUTOMATIC 0 FOR THAT TEST.
Note: it is a good idea to save all of your papers to review for tests and semester exams. Also, it helps to keep your papers just in case I forget to enter a grade. If you throw something away, and I forgot to enter the grade, then you will have to redo the assignment to get credit for it!
I do round final grades, as well. For example, if your final grade is an 89.5%, then you will receive a 90% on your grade card. Virtually everything we do in mathematics asks us to round up, so I feel that grades should be no different. Be aware, however, that anything below a .5 is rounded down. For example, if you have an 89.4%, then you will receive an 89% on your grade card.
SLO – Student Learning Objectives
This test is used to determine whether students are progressing through their math curriculum. Students will be given the test in the fall and spring. Students will receive a score of 20/20 just for completing this test during the fall and winter. However, during the spring test, students will only receive a 20/20 if they show a year’s worth of growth. If they do not show a year’s worth of growth, then their grade will be 0/20. These tests are important and will be one of many factors used to determine a student’s placement in next year’s math course. (This may be subject to change depending on departmental requirements).
Discipline Plan
1st offense: warning (either verbal or written)
2nd offense: email or phone call home to parent, guardian, or legal custodian
3rd offense: ½ hour detention after school with me
4th offense: office referral (removed from class) and phone call to parent
Items that constitute following the discipline plan include:
1. Being late to class, each occurrence
2. Cell phone or other electronic device out in class
3. Disrespectful or disruptive behavior during class
4. Not being prepared for class with all necessary materials
5. Asking to leave the class for various reasons
6. Cheating on any assignment
7. Not turning in homework
Other items may be included at the teacher’s discretion, and, depending on the severity of the violation, a student may not go in the order listed above for offenses. Something of a severe nature may warrant skipping all the way to removal from class without going through the other steps first.
Questions
If any student, parent, or guardian ever has any questions, please feel free to contact me at any time. Do not let questions build up and become a barrier to your learning. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION EXCEPT FOR THE ONE NOT ASKED!! I am available at the school until at least 3pm every day if you need to speak with me in person. Anyone can also get a hold of me through the school’s front office or via email. My email address is kernsm@piqua.org. I also encourage parents and students to check the class website located at www.mathmovers.com; here I will post the latest information regarding the class, homework, and any upcoming events as needed. This is a great place to visit, as well, if any student is absent from class and needs to know the assignments for when they return.
I look forward to working with all of you this school year as I anticipate a fun, challenging, and activity-filled experience for everyone involved.
Note: all material contained in this course syllabus is subject to change at any time in order to better serve the needs of the students, teacher, and/or the Piqua High School community.
All items presented here are superseded by the policies found in the Student Handbook for Piqua High School. It is assumed that all students are familiar with the Student Handbook and the rules contained within. All rules and policies found in the handbook will be adhered to in this class at all times.
Algebra 2
Syllabus, Classroom Rules, and Expectations
Teacher: Mr. Kerns
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,
Welcome to the 2014-2015 school year at Piqua High School. This course will be Algebra 2 which is the study of the relationships of unknown quantities and how to solve and simplify those quantities. Our primary focus will be on strengthening the skills needed in a typical Algebra course. Some of the topics we will cover will include parabolic functions, equations and their graphs, solving systems of equations, manipulating polynomials, matrices, logarithms, conic sections, and trigonometric functions. We will use an open-ended, investigative approach to the class as we explore ideas, data, patterns, and algebraic relationships that model real-world applications. Mathematics is very much like learning a new language, including vocabulary and complex structures, so I encourage everyone to work together, ask questions, and be ready to build strategies that will help you take ownership of your own learning. A complete version of this document is also available on the class website at www.mathmovers.com.
Classroom Expectations
1. Be respectful at all times
- This includes not talking while others are talking
- No cell phones or other electronic devices in class (Zero Tolerance)
- No bullying, inconsiderate remarks, or laughing at another student
- This classroom is a safe haven for all learning and all students
- Raise hand to be called upon
2. Be Prepared
- Bring all necessary materials to class with you EVERY DAY
- Bring books, pencils, paper, graph paper, calculator, erasers
- Be in class on time; being tardy will not be tolerated
- Take daily notes
- Use the restroom before you come to class – classes are only 42 minutes long so no restroom breaks will be given except in documented cases or extreme emergencies
3. Keep textbooks covered and respect all property in the classroom
4. No food or drink permitted in the classroom
Materials Needed
1. Graphing calculator – TI 84 is what I currently use, but anything from a TI 83 on up is sufficient. I do have a limited class supply for students to borrow during the period. (I only have 6 though).
2. College ruled paper
3. Graph paper
4. Pencils and erasers
5. Notebook (or 3 ring binder) to keep all notes, papers, tests, and quizzes neatly organized
Grades
All work must be shown – NO WORK, NO CREDIT!! Please complete all assignments in pencil only (no ink). Grades will be based on a point system as follows:
Homework: 5-10 points
Quizzes: 20-60 points
Tests: 80-100 points
Projects: 200 points
Extra Credit: will only be given on rare occasions, so take advantage of it when it is offered. (Students missing any assignments will NOT be
eligible for extra credit!!!)
Extra credit will also be given based on A’s, B’s, and C’s for test. Anyone receiving an A on a test or quiz will earn 5 “Bonus
Bucks”, anyone receiving a B on a test or quiz will earn 3 “Bonus Bucks”, and anyone receiving a C on a test or quiz will earn 1
“Bonus Buck.” These “Bonus Bucks” can be redeemed at any time as extra credit for the quarter or semester, or they can be used
in place of a homework assignment. The choice is yours.
Points may be adjusted on assignments based on the length and difficulty of the assignment. I will also consider classroom participation, effort, and positive attitude when determining final grades. It is imperative that you come to class with a positive attitude and a willingness to work at your very highest level of academic abilities. I demand nothing less, and I demand that nobody settles for anything less!
Make-up work is the responsibility of the student and must be submitted promptly upon your return to the class. If you are absent, you can call the school, me, or a friend to get the missed assignment. You can also check my website at mathmovers.com where you will also find all the homework assignments listed. Late work will be accepted, but it will have a mandatory reduction in the overall grade (to be determined by how long the assignment is out). Make-up tests and quizzes will be given for "Excused" absences only. It is the student's responsibility to schedule a time to complete this make-up work. Typically, all make-up work must be done within the same amount of time that was missed. For example, if a student misses one day, then they will have one day to make up the work, if they are gone for two consecutive days, then they will have two days to make up the work, etc. All make-up work must also be completed by the end of each quarter or a grade of "0" will be entered into the grade book for that assignment.
Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in an immediate "0" for whichever assignment where cheating is expected. Also, any "Unexcused" absence will result in a "0" for any material collected or covered in class on the day of the absence. This means that students will not be allowed to make up the missed work. Again, this is only for "Unexcused" absences. Anyone caught cheating in any way will receive a grade of “0” on the assignment or test they were caught cheating on. Anyone caught with an electronic device out during a test or quiz will automatically receive a “0” for that grade. It will be assumed that the student is looking something up on their device, and this will be considered cheating. Therefore, any devices out during tests will
result in the forfeiture of a grade for that assignment, regardless of why the device was out. This is the only warning that will be given. Students
must also show work in order to receive credit for any assignment or on any test. Any work submitted without work will also be given a grade of “0.”
NOTE: IF CELL PHONE OR OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICE USAGE BECOMES A PROBLEM, THEN STUDENTS WILL HAVE TO SURRENDER THEIR DEVICE TO THE TEACHER IN ORDER TO TAKE ANY TEST. IF A STUDENT REFUSES, IT WILL RESULT IN AN AUTOMATIC 0 FOR THAT TEST.
Note: it is a good idea to save all of your papers to review for tests and semester exams. Also, it helps to keep your papers just in case I forget to enter a grade. If you throw something away, and I forgot to enter the grade, then you will have to redo the assignment to get credit for it!
I do round final grades, as well. For example, if your final grade is an 89.5%, then you will receive a 90% on your grade card. Virtually everything we do in mathematics asks us to round up, so I feel that grades should be no different. Be aware, however, that anything below a .5 is rounded down. For example, if you have an 89.4%, then you will receive an 89% on your grade card.
SLO – Student Learning Objectives
This test is used to determine whether students are progressing through their math curriculum. Students will be given the test in the fall and spring. Students will receive a score of 20/20 just for completing this test during the fall and winter. However, during the spring test, students will only receive a 20/20 if they show a year’s worth of growth. If they do not show a year’s worth of growth, then their grade will be 0/20. These tests are important and will be one of many factors used to determine a student’s placement in next year’s math course. (This may be subject to change depending on departmental requirements).
Discipline Plan
1st offense: warning (either verbal or written)
2nd offense: email or phone call home to parent, guardian, or legal custodian
3rd offense: ½ hour detention after school with me
4th offense: office referral (removed from class) and phone call to parent
Items that constitute following the discipline plan include:
1. Being late to class, each occurrence
2. Cell phone or other electronic device out in class
3. Disrespectful or disruptive behavior during class
4. Not being prepared for class with all necessary materials
5. Asking to leave the class for various reasons
6. Cheating on any assignment
7. Not turning in homework
Other items may be included at the teacher’s discretion, and, depending on the severity of the violation, a student may not go in the order listed above for offenses. Something of a severe nature may warrant skipping all the way to removal from class without going through the other steps first.
Questions
If any student, parent, or guardian ever has any questions, please feel free to contact me at any time. Do not let questions build up and become a barrier to your learning. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION EXCEPT FOR THE ONE NOT ASKED!! I am available at the school until at least 3pm every day if you need to speak with me in person. Anyone can also get a hold of me through the school’s front office or via email. My email address is kernsm@piqua.org. I also encourage parents and students to check the class website located at www.mathmovers.com; here I will post the latest information regarding the class, homework, and any upcoming events as needed. This is a great place to visit, as well, if any student is absent from class and needs to know the assignments for when they return.
I look forward to working with all of you this school year as I anticipate a fun, challenging, and activity-filled experience for everyone involved.
Note: all material contained in this course syllabus is subject to change at any time in order to better serve the needs of the students, teacher, and/or the Piqua High School community.
