Pecos High School

North Highway 63; PO Box 368

Pecos, NM 87552

Algebra II Course Syllabus,

Description and Procedures

Course Information
Course Number, Course Title: Algebra II
Semester & Year Offered: Semesters 1 & 2, 2017-2018
Teachers Email Address: lhufford@pecos.k12.nm.us
Web Address: lhufford.weebly.com

Course Description
This course will provide a thorough treatment of the essential skills needed for success in the future
study of mathematics although instructional practices and achievement outcomes may be modified.
Experiences with technology and real-world applications will be incorporated. Students will examine
properties of equations and inequalities, functions and relations, properties of linear and quadratic
functions, exponents, roots and irrational numbers, graphing, and polynomial and rational expressions.
Additional topics include the complex number system and matrix operations. Students will utilize
graphing calculators and computer technology in the application of these concepts. PARCC readiness
will be emphasized throughout.

Course Goals and Objectives

Algebra is the language through which much of mathematics is communicated and is, therefore,
fundamental for both further education in mathematics and the effective use of mathematics in the
workplace Algebra has been referred to as a gatekeeper for the future study of mathematics,
science, the social sciences, business, and a host of other areas. (NJ High School Algebra II Course Draft 3/14/07)
It is the goal of this course to open those gates for our students through our coverage of Common Core
requirements.

Texts, Readings, Materials

Charles, Hall, Kennedy, Bellman, Bragg, Handlin, Murphy, Wiggins; (2012) Algebra 2: Common
Core, Boston Massachusetts: Pearson

Course Outline of Topics

Marking Period 1
Expressions, Equations and Inequalities
Functions, Equations and Graphs
Linear Systems
Quadratic Functions and Equations
Marking Period 2
Polynomials and Polynomial Functions
Radical Functions and Rational Exponents
 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Rational Functions
Sequences and Series
Midterm Exam
Marking Period 3
Quadratic Relations and Conic Sections
Probability and Statistics
Matrices
Marking Period 4
Period Functions and Trigonometry
Trigonometric Identities and Equations

Final Exam

**Disclaimer** - The above outline is subject to change.

Responsibilities of students:

Come to class on time, prepared and ready to learn. Treat all people in the classroom with common
courtesy and respect. Participate in class to the best of your ability. Remain in the classroom until
they are dismissed by the teacher at the end of class. Maintain a personal standard of academic ethics.
In no way participate or give the appearance of contributing to any cheating, copying, or plagiarizing.
Communicate with their parents/guardians about their progress in the course. Aim for success!!!
Do your best to successfully complete the course and aim for an A!

Daily Behavior Points

Are based on the following specific classroom expectations:

*Follow teacher direction the first time it is given

*Appropriate language is expected
*Bring class materials everyday
*Be on time
*Raise your hand if you have a question about the lesson

Each student walks into class with 5 points for the day. If any student disregards any of the above
expectations, the teacher will remind the student of what is expected only one time. If the disregard
continues, the student loses 1 point. If it continues, points can potentially be lost until a grade of 0 is
earned for the day. After the first O occurs, the student will meet with the teacher during lunch to
discuss what happened. If a second O is earned, the students parents will be called. If a third 0 is
earned, the student will be referred to the office for disciplinary action and parents will be called again.
Daily points (with notes if needed) will be recorded while students are writing down homework
assignment.

Schedule of Assignments:
Please view the homework section of my web page for regularly updated homework, assignments,
quizzes, projects, and tests.

Daily Classroom Procedures

I. Before Entering the Classroom:

Use the restroom. Students will not be allowed to use the restroom while the lesson is
being given and there will be a bathroom sign in/out sheet at the door. Students will be allowed 5
bathroom visits per quarter.
Make sure you have your textbook, spiral notebook, pencil, calculator, and completed
assignments.

II. When You Enter the Classroom:

*cell phone must be off

*quietly sit in your assigned seat

Place everything BUT colored pencil, completed homework and notebook on the floor.

*begin the Do Now as part of the next assignment. They should be completed in 3 minutes.

III. Homework and Group Work Checked as a Class

In order to encourage and reward attempts at each problem, homework will be graded with an
ATTMEPT score as follows:

*100% will be marked on each assignment when ALL problems have been
attempted
*75% will be marked on each assignment when THREE QUARTERS of the homework has
been attempted
*50% will be marked on each assignment when only HALF of the problems have been
attempted.
*0% will be marked on each assignment when no work is shown or no attempt was made to
attempt the work

(It is important to do daily work in math in order to be able to move on the new concepts, and so per a
conversation with Mr. Miera, no late work will be accepted in this class. If students make an
ATTEMPT at their homework each day, they will receive an ATTEMPT Grade! )

The class will correct the Do Now, and homework together. Students will write the ACTUAL score
on the top of the page with a colored pencil. Students will raise their hand to request help with 2 of the
problems they found to be the most difficult. If students correct these tougher problems by doing them
with the teacher and showing this work on the homework sheet with colored pencil, they can write a
PLUS (+) 2 on the top of the page. This ACTUAL SCORE and the ATTEMPT score will be averaged
together for the homework grade. Students then pass homework in.

IV. Daily Lesson Delivery Schedule

After Section III is completed;

5 minutes: get homework out and complete Do-Now while teacher takes attendance
25 minutes: lecture/demonstration and note-taking
10 minutes: 3-5 practice problems or small project completed in cooperative groups of approximately
4 students
(teacher moves around and checks off items on list of requirements for GROUP WORK
And checks notes)
10 minutes: Class bathroom break
25 minutes: lecture/demonstration and note-taking
10 minutes: 3-5 practice problems or small project completed in cooperative groups of approximately
4 students
(teacher moves around and checks off items on list of requirements for GROUP WORK
And checks notes)
5 minutes: write down homework while teacher records daily behavior points

V. When You Leave the Classroom:

*Hand teacher the group work/Exit ticket

*Show the teacher you have written down the homework.

Homework Policy
Homework is an important part of learning mathematics and will be assigned daily. Homework
should be done in pencil in order to allow you to easily fix any mistakes that you have made.
Homework should take anywhere from 20 minutes to 30 minutes, depending on the type of
assignment. Every assigned problem should be tried and the answer checked. It is permissible to
discuss problems with other students or relatives. It is not permissible to copy another student's
work. Do your best to think through the problems and understand why things work the way they
do. Because this is an upper level math course, I may assign odd problems from the book in order for
you to check your answers before you come to class. When I check your homework, I expect to
see all of the work for the problem, not just the answer. The problem, the work, and the answer
should all be shown neatly together. You will not receive credit for problems that do not have work
shown. There may be problems that are unusually difficult that I have not prepared you for. Doing
homework may make you frustrated. That is ok. I am hoping that the homework will challenge
you to think. Thinking is part of learning! If you are having difficulty with your homework, keep
the following in mind:
Write down what you know.
Write down what the problem is asking you to do.
Look through your notes for examples.
Re-READ the current section of your textbook, your notes and possibly other
sections. This implies that you are already reading each section. THE EXAMPLES IN
OUR TEXTBOOK ARE EXTREMELY GOOD. USE THEM AS A GUIDE.
Get familiar with the glossary and index of a book -- these can come in handy when you
are searching the book for a topic.
Go to Khan Academy to review the topic and complete the practice problems given.(You will be given
extra credit if you demonstrate to teacher that you consulted Khan (or any other tutorial website!
If you are still lost, please come and ask questions.
Working together on classwork and homework is encouraged but copying is prohibited. Be
careful when you ask another student for help. Make sure that YOU UNDERSTAND the
solution. Putting an answer on your paper means that YOU understood that problem and could
explain it to the entire class. Remember that there are school policies about copying.
All homework must be done on lined paper and ALL WORK NEEDS TO BE SHOWN.

***Please label your homework with your name, the date, page # and problem #s in the top
right hand corner of each assignment.

Math skill build upon themselves so homework needs to be completed each day in order to ac
achieve upper level math skills. As a result, NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Tardiness Policy
Please see student handbook and PISD policies regarding tardies.

Electronic Devices in the Classroom

Understanding and mastering math requires COMPLETE CONCENTRATION AND FOCUS, In order
to promote success, each student is expected to turn their cell phone off, place it, and keep it in their
backpack when they enter the classroom.

Field Trips
Students attending field trips are responsible for notifying their teachers in advance and are
required to complete assignments in preparation for the next class. Students are expected to take
any test or quiz that is missed because of a field trip on the next class day. The student will be
expected to keep up with the current work at the same time! If a field trip is scheduled to be more than
one day, you must notify the teacher one week in advance of the trip in order for assignments to be
ready. It is the students responsibility to ask for this work! Please keep your field trips to a minimum!
It is very important to be in class for instruction.

Academic Dishonesty
Cheating will not be tolerated. Copying work, looking at another persons test/quiz paper, asking
for help during a test or quiz are all forms of cheating. Consequences for academic dishonesty
include a zero on the assignment, notification of your parent/guardian, and documentation
in your student file. Repeat offenders will be referred to the Vice Principal for disciplinary
action. Please be aware that academic dishonesty may impact your ability to be accepted into
college.

Extra Credit
Extra credit can be earned any time a student demonstrates motivation! This can include coming in for
extra help, helping another student, demonstrating a problem at the board, etc.
GRADES:
Grading will be broken down as follows:
Quizzes 65%
Homework 10%
Notes 15%
Behavior Points 10%
Extra Credit 5%

Please sign and return only this page of the syllabus. If you do not return this page signed
within one week, you will receive a zero for a quiz grade and your parent/guardian will be
contacted.

As most parents and students know, the state has adopted more stringent standards known as the
Common Core Standards and the State of New Mexico requires that each student pass the PARCC
test in order to Graduate from High School. As a result, the rigor and pace of the class will be
intense. It is very important that students take notes, do their homework, and participate in class!

I have read all of the information in the course syllabus and agree to abide by all of the items
listed. I agree to take notes in class, participate in class, complete the classwork, and to do all
homework assigned to me. I understand that failure to do my work will result in a failing grade
for this course.
_________________________________________ _____________________
Student Signature Date

I have read all of the information in the course syllabus. As a parent/guardian, I understand that it
is my responsibility to motivate my child in putting his/her best effort into the challenging study
of Algebra 2.
_________________________________________ _____________________
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
_________________________________________ _____________________
e-mail address Contact Number