Rocky River High School

Algebra II
2009-2010

Mr. David Ploenzke Room 233

Email: [email protected]
Blog: http://algebra20910.blogspot.com/

Course Description:
Algebra II will include an intensive study of algebraic operations. Topics include linear equations,
functions, systems of equations, matrices, quadratic functions, exponential and logarithmic functions,
polynomials, rational functions, probability and trigonometry.

This course will also prepare students for pre-calculus in high school or in college.

Technology:
Students will make maximum use of available technology. TI-83/TI-84 calculators will be used to make
observations and calculations and is a requirement. This class will also have a web-log (“blog”) which
students will be expected to make posts on observations, ask for help, watch videos and to download
notes.

Text:
Algebra 2 will be the supplemental text.
There will be many other materials to challenge the students.

Materials. You will bring the following to class every day.

1. Textbook
2. TI-83 or TI-84 Graphing calculator (required).
3. Organized 3-Ring binder (MATH only) with lined paper, dividers (class information, lesson
notes and handouts, homework & projects, quizzes & tests).
4. Pencils. Sharpen pencils BEFORE class. All assignments will be done in pencil unless
specified as typed written.
** Note ** Assignments will not be accepted in pen, marker, crayon or any other writing utensil.

Assessment:
Grades will be assigned by the following components:
A. End of unit exams. 40%
B. Quizzes 25%
C. Homework / Projects 25%
D. Class participation 10%

Course Requirements:
Exams 40% of grade
Students should prepare for exams by understanding the homework assigned and previous quizzes in the
same unit. Students have the opportunity to retake one exam per grading period after they come in for
help immediately after their tests are returned. The score for that exam will be the average of the
original score and the retake. Students retaking tests must make arrangements to take the test before or
after school. Students will be required to retake the entire test.
Challenge/Bonus problems. Usually exams will have several bonus questions that are designed to
challenge the advanced learner. There will never be a penalty for missing a bonus question, so I
encourage all students to attempt them if time permits. If you feel like you “aced” the test and do not
need the points for the bonus questions, I encourage you to challenge yourself and do your very best on
the bonus questions also.

Quizzes 25% of grade

Periodically there will be short quizzes on the material covered. Normally quizzes will follow
homework review on a specific topic but occasionally there will be a short “pop quiz” on newly covered
material. Quizzes will help prepare the student for the unit exam.

Homework / Projects. 25% of grade

Mathematics is a language, and as such, has standards of writing, which should be observed.

Keep in mind the following guidelines when completing a homework assignment:

• All homework is to be done on standard sized notebook paper (8.5” x 11”), with no “fringe”
running down the side as a result of the paper having been torn out of a spiral notebook.
• Please write your name, date, and assignment (section and pages / numbers) on the top of the
first page.
• Copy the problem! Clearly show each step, working downwards. Add comments to the right if
necessary. (The purpose of doing homework is to develop skills necessary for an upcoming test
or quiz. Your homework should be used as a study guide.
• All homework must be done in pencil.
• Mark your final answer to each problem clearly. (Put a box, circle or underline it.) Be sure to
include units if appropriate.
• When homework is returned to you, it does not become “a thing in the past”. It should be kept
warm and cared for and not neglected. Place your homework back in your binder in the correct
order. This will become valuable when you need to study for tests and quizzes and need to
remember how you did these problems. They will also be valuable documents when you take
more advanced math courses, as the material you learn in this class will be expanded upon in
these courses.

Homework will be assigned daily. All homework assignments must be completed in pencil, labeled
with unit and date and all work must be shown in an organized manner in order to receive full
credit.

The purpose of homework is to provide students an opportunity to master the skills learned in the
classroom. Following a homework assignment, students will present their solutions to the class for
discussion and review. Students are expected to make proper corrections to their homework while
reflecting on their mistakes.

If you do not understand the homework while discussing it in class, make sure you ask questions!
Homework will usually be collected and graded on completeness and effort using the following rubric:
Completed all problems, showed all work and corrections, papers stapled, name on paper 5 PTS
Completed all problems, did not show work or corrections occasionally, stapled, name on 4 PTS
paper
Completed at least half the problems, did not show work on some, stapled, name on paper 3 PTS
Completed less than half the problems, did not show work on some, stapled, name on 2 PTS
paper
No name, paper a mess, did not do many or most problems, work not shown 1 PTS
No significant attempt was made 0 PTS

“Homework Quizzes” are homework assignments that will be collected at the start of class and graded
for correctness for selected problems. Students will not usually know which homework assignments
will be graded as “homework quizzes”.

HOMEWORK POLICY. Homework is due at the START of class on the assigned due date, unless I
specify otherwise. Late homework will not be accepted. If you know you will be missing class for
some reason (e.g., an athletic event, field trip), turn in your assignment BEFORE you leave. Under
extenuating circumstances extensions may be granted, but this should be discussed with me in advance.

Group work is encouraged, but assignments must be written up INDIVIDUALLY unless you are told
otherwise. Copied work will receive no credit – even if the work was discussed in collaboration with a
classmate before write-up. (See section on Academic Honesty below.) If you hand something in, then
make sure you understand what is written on your paper.

Academic Honesty. Presenting the work of others as your own is strictly prohibited. In the case of
homework, you may collaborate with others in discussing how a problem may be solved, but your write-
up must be your own. If you submit work that contains the ideas or words of someone else, then you
must provide proper citation. Assistance cannot be given nor received (other than by the instructor) on
any quiz, or exam associated with this course, except where explicitly allowed by the instructor. In the
case of a group assignment, all members of the group should contribute equally to writing the final
product and every member of the group is responsible for the content of the entire paper, not just the
sections(s) that are written by that person. Don’t put your name on a paper written by others. For more
information, consult your instructor.

Projects will be assigned to enhance learning in a specific area. There may be group projects where
everyone in the group is expected to participate in. Working well with others will be a required element
in completion of projects.

Notebook
Your notebook may be graded (as a large HW assignment) in the following areas:
a. Neatness
b. Organization
c. Completed homework & classroom activities
d. Completed class notes.
e. Turned in on time.

See the section below called “Keeping a mathematics notebook”

Classroom activities will focus on new material and review of previously learned activity. Learning
based technology labs will also be incorporated that focus on the use of the TI-83 as a problem-solving
tool.

Classroom Participation 10% of grade

Students are expected to participate in classroom discussions and learning activities. This includes
doing homework (or class work) problems on the board voluntarily or when asked. Any disruptions to
the learning environment of others will result in losing classroom participation points. Two of more
detentions in a grading period will result in a “0” for classroom participation.

There are no tourists!

Important Note:
The rules and grading procedures of this class are subject to change. Changes will be made either in
writing or verbally in class.

In accordance with Rocky River High School’s grading policy, the standard grading scale will be used
each quarter:

The complete grading policy can be found at:

http://www.rrcs.org/Downloads/High School Grading Policy.pdf

Mr. Ploenzke believes that:

Success in mathematics involves taking “risks”. Many students look at a problem and
immediately say “I don’t know how to do this” without even attempting to try to figure it out.
The worst thing that can happen if you try something and get it wrong is you will have to erase.
Most discoveries in math and science have occurred after years of failure.

Every student can succeed. Some may have to work harder than others, but with perseverance
success can be attained. If you are having a problem, see the teacher immediately to make
arrangements for extra help.

Students can learn a great deal from their mistakes. When homework, tests or quizzes are
returned, find out where your mistakes were so you can get it right the next time!

Challenge yourself. You will be surprised how much you can achieve!

What to do if you are struggling:

• Ask yourself if you are giving 100% (reading the textbook, doing the assigned homework, taking
good notes in class, asking questions)
• Talk to the teacher privately about your concerns.
• Come in after school for tutoring from the teacher. (I will help any student after school or
before school if arrangements are made)
• Form a study group with your friends.
• Do not come to me the week before report card grades are to be turned in saying “I can not get a
C because my parents will not let me drive!” Think about that during the quarter and ask me, or
your classmates for help!
Keeping a Mathematics Notebook

1. ****Bring your notebook to class EVERY day.****

2. Use a loose-leaf notebook (3 ring binder). This allows you to rearrange papers.

3. Use dividers (or at least a blank page) to separate your notebook into the following sections:
a. Class notes
b. Handouts
c. Homework
d. Tests / Quizzes

4. All class notes should be dated and labeled with their subject title.

5. Review and revise your notes daily. Use color to emphasize important ideas.

6. Use the following techniques to take notes:

DEFINITIONS:
a. Copy the exact term.
b. Set off the word defined (underline, indent, use color).
c. Include a drawing, if needed.

PROPERTIES, POSTULATES, AND THEOREMS

a. Be sure to copy them accurately,
b. Review them often to recall as much as you can without your notes.
c. Copy drawings if appropriate.

SAMPLE PROBLEMS
a. Follow the teacher’s advice about when to copy problems.
b. Copy them accurately and completely.
c. Clearly indicate steps in the solution.
d. Emphasize the new procedure being illustrated in the problem.
e. When practicing problems in class, be sure to have someone else check your work. Make
corrections as needed.

7. Your notebook will be graded in the following areas:

a. Neatness
b. Organization
c. Completed homework and classroom activities
d. Completed class notes.
e. Turned in on time.
 CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

All students are expected to follow these rules during the entire class period:

• Follow directions at all times.

• Be in your assigned seat with all appropriate materials (textbook, notebook, pencil,
HOMEWORK) ready when the bell rings.
• NO food or beverages permitted in the classroom. Bottled water is ok.
• NO swearing, yelling or sleeping during class.
• NO playing calculator games! Calculators will be confiscated and given to a principal.
Also, memory will be cleared.
• LISTEN, do not talk, when others are speaking. (Respect your classmates and teacher)
• Participate in classroom activities. (NO TOURISTS ALLOWED!) Students will be
expected to answer questions, engage in conversation about the material and work
problems out on the board.
• Ask questions! If you do not understand something, chances are there are 5 other
students who do not understand either. There are no “dumb questions”.
• NEVER criticize your classmates for not understanding something or for asking a
question.
• Someone else’s behavior is never an excuse for you to not follow rules.
• Do not expect to get hall-passes to get materials and to make regular trips to the
restroom.
• No cell phones, I-pods, game systems or other electronic devices permitted. They will
be confiscated and given to a principal the first time they are seen out. This includes
reaching in your bag/purse to “check the time” with your phone. There happens to be a
clock on the wall for that purpose.

Failure to meet these expectations may result in in-school detention or a parental

conference.

There will be a strict “detention policy”.

• A morning detention will be issued to first time offenders of any of the rules listed above.
(Class participation points will be deducted)
• A second offense will result in a call home and you will be immediately sent to the
principal. A zero will be given for your classroom participation grade for the quarter and
for any work missed in class. School administration will handle additional punishments.
• Any further offenses a parent-teacher conference will be requested. A principal will
assign a punishment with may include additional detentions, ISR, or suspension from
school.

If you are sent “to the office” for any reason, report directly to your assigned principal. Failure
to do so will only lead to additional punishments and/or suspension from school.