ADVANCED ALGEBRA SYLLABUS – Ms. Anderson - 2008 - 2009

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Classroom Expectations

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Geometry. [It is strongly recommended at least a grade of C have been earned in Geometry.]

 

Statement of purpose: This course is designed to prepare you for further math courses, as well as present a solid background in mathematics as applied to other disciplines of physics, chemistry, statistics, etc. The approach is rigorous and therefore, you should expect to work diligently to succeed in the course. You will be exposed to the use of computers and graphic calculators as tools related to the study of the subject matter.

 

Equipment:  All work should be completed in pencil.  Students are required to bring a scientific calculator to use in the class. Those wishing to purchase a graphic calculator should see the teacher first.

 

Textbook: Algebra 2: Equations, Graphs, and Applications, R. Larson, L. Boswell, T. Kanold, and L. Stiff. McDougal Littell, 2004.

Textbook Online Site: The publisher provides an interactive web site for student use at http://www.classzone.com

Teacher Web Site: See DHS home page - Academics - Math or link to

http://dist428.org/dhs/depts/math/anderson

 

Math Department Web Site: See DHS home page - Academics - Math or link to

http://dist428.org/dhs/depts/math

 

COURSE OUTLINE:

 

First Semester will include material represented in Chapters 1-6, 9, and beginning of 7.

o      Reviewing language of algebra, operating with real numbers, and solving linear equations and inequalities

o      Solving absolute value equations and inequalities, and using formulas

o      Using and graphing linear equations and absolute value equations

o      Using slope and rate of change, and writing equations of lines

o      Solving systems of linear equations and inequalities, in two and three variables

o      Evaluating determinants of matrices, and solving systems of equations using matrices

o      Solving quadratic equations using completing the square and the quadratic formula

o      Graphing quadratic equations and inequalities

o      Using relations, functions, inverse functions, and special functions such as compound and step functions

o      Finding transformations of graphs of functions, using recursive functions, such as factorials

o      Using properties of exponents and exponential formulas, such as compound interest and exponential growth/decay

o      Operating with polynomials, factoring, and solving polynomial equations and inequalities by factoring

o      Using polynomial division, factors, and remainders, and finding rational zeros of polynomial functions

 

Second Semester will continue development of many new topics and applications.  The course continues, including these topics from Chapters 7, 8, 10-15 of the text:

o      Finding nth roots and simplifying expressions with rational exponents

o      Solving radical equations, and using the distance formula

o      Using direct and inverse variation, operating with rational expressions, and solving rational equations

o      Operating with complex fractions

o      Writing equations and drawing graphs of quadratic relations of parabolas, circles, ellipses, and hyperbolas

o      Classifying conic sections and graphing translations of conic sections

o      Evaluating and using trigonometric and circular functions, and their inverses

o      Graphing sine, cosine, and tangent functions, and translations and reflections of those functions

o      Verifying trigonometric identities, and using them to simplify trigonometric expressions

o      Using arithmetic and geometric sequences and series, including infinite geometric sequences and series

o      Using the binomial theorem and Pascal's triangle

o      Using exponential and logarithmic functions, and evaluating expressions using common logarithms

o      Solving exponential and logarithmic equations

o      Using counting methods to determine permutations and combinations (as time allows)

o      Using permutations, combinations, unions, intersections, and complements to find probabilities of mutually exclusive, independent and dependent events (as time allows)

 

ADVANCED ALGEBRA Classroom Expectations and Management Procedures
 

Student Expectations:

You are expected to bring the textbook, scientific calculator, paper, and pencil and pen to class each day. You will not be allowed to leave to get any of these items. You are expected to be in your seat, ready to work when the bell sounds. School tardy and disciplinary policies will be followed.

 

You must have a scientific calculator for this course, such as a TI-30IISX. A graphic calculator will be used periodically. You may purchase a graphic calculator or use the graphic calculator provided during class time. You may check out a graphics calculator after the end of the school day and return it before the start of school the following day. Please see me for suggested graphics calculators before purchasing one.

 

You are expected to be courteous and respectful to other students and to any teacher. Disrespect will not be tolerated. If disciplinary action is necessary, the student's class participation grade will be affected. In addition, in certain situations, a discipline report will be filed with the assistant principalsÕ office. Any behavior that disrupts the educational climate will not be tolerated.

 

Attendance:

Attendance in class is mandatory and necessary for comprehension and class participation. In accordance with school policy, your parents should call the attendance office to report your absence before 7:45 A.M. when school starts. You are responsible for missed assignments, quizzes, and tests. If you are present the day before an announced quiz or test, but absent on the day of the test, you are expected to take the quiz or test the day you return. Please see me before school to arrange a time to make up the quiz or test. Tests or quizzes will be made up outside of class time, unless there is no possible time to do this. No work will be made up for unexcused absences. Unannounced class participation quizzes will be given periodically. There will be NO make-ups on these quizzes. You must be in class to participate.

 

Types of Assessment and Purpose of Assessment:

Two types of assessment will happen in this class: assessment FOR learning and assessment OF learning. Assessment FOR learning is assessment that is frequent, sometimes informal, and done as you are learning. It is used to tell you about what you know and what you need to learn to improve. Some examples might be oral or daily quizzes, practice problems, homework problems, or class discussions. Many times this assessment is not used to figure your grade, but can sometimes be used as part of your grade. Assessment OF learning is more formal, takes place after learning, and measures an achievement level. It is usually used to determine your grade, and includes things such as written quizzes, homework quizzes and chapter tests. Other assessments OF learning happen outside the class setting, such as ACT, PSAE, and other standardized tests.

 

Grading Procedures and Homework:

Students' grades will be reported on Skyward Family & Student Access. You can link to this site from the teacherÕs home page. Contact the DHS main office for your account log on and password, as well as parent account log on and password.

 

Students' grades (assessment of learning) will be determined by performance on class activities, homework quizzes, quizzes and tests. Unannounced quizzes may also be given and will be added to the total grade -- remember, no make-ups on unannounced quizzes. Homework is required and homework quizzes will be counted in the grade determination. Chapter tests are generally 100 points and quizzes range from 30-70 points. Homework quizzes will range from 5-25 points and might be given up to three times in a chapter.

 

The general guideline for letter grade determination will be 90% and above for an A, 80-89% for a B, 70-79% for a C, and 60-69% for a D. Failure to achieve a cumulative total of 60% will result in an F for the class. Following first quarter grades, the grade for the second progress report and second quarter will be the cumulative grade of both quarters. During second semester, the same applies for third and fourth quarter grades. Semester grades will be figured with the following weighted values: 80% for first and second quarter [or third and fourth quarter] cumulative grade and 20% for the semester exam.

 

Homework

Homework will be assigned almost everyday and may or may not be collected at the following class meeting. Homework is required, whether it is collected or not. You are also expected to keep homework and notes in an organized folder or binder.

 

All work for this class must be done in a neat and orderly fashion, in pencil. You must show all necessary steps in arriving at your solution. A list of answers is not acceptable. Include your name, page number, and problem numbers assigned. You must do the homework assignments to be eligible for extra credit problems on tests and quizzes.

 

Extra Help

If you need extra help, I will be available [on most days] before school at approximately 7:00 A.M., or 3rd hour and after school. Occasionally, I will have a meeting or another appointment, and hence, will not be available at these times. If you know ahead of time that you want extra help, let me know and I can tell you if I have a conflict. Other arrangements for extra help may be possible by appointment. Let me know immediately if you are having difficulty. You may also get help from math teachers by signing out of study hall to the Math Tutoring Lab, room 228A, if you cannot meet me at the above times.

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