Mr. Border Period 5 2006-7 Room 154

Course Description
This course consists of a specific set of standards that determine the course content and a set of performance standards that delineate what students should be able to do after successfully completing this course. Algebra II continues the students' study of advanced algebraic concepts including solving and graphing second-degree equations, solving systems of linear equations, complex numbers, matrices, determinants, synthetic division, polynomial, exponential, and logarithmic functions. It also incorporates data analysis, geometry, statistics, and business applications. Emphasis should be placed on practical applications and modeling. Students will use technology from manipulatives to calculators and application software to further explore topics and build conceptual understanding.

Grading
Quarter grades will be based on the following assessments (which are described below):

Homework 20%
Quizzes 30%
Tests 40%
Participation 10%

Semester grades will be calculated based on quarter grades and a final exam:

Quarter 1 40%
Quarter 2 40%
Final Exam 20%

Homework
Students can expect homework each class period except test days. Assignments (including any associated work done in class) should be completed the next day at the start of class unless otherwise noted. All homework will be graded on a scale of 0-4 points per homework. Homework will be checked during the first five minutes of class. Homework will be graded both on completeness and the correctness as follows:

Points Homework Score
4 All checked problems are correct with correct explanations
and work shown. All assigned problems are completed.
3 All checked problems are correct with correct explanations
and work shown. Some problems are not completed.
2 Some checked problems are incorrect. All assigned
problems are completed.
1 Some checked problems are incorrect. Some problems
are not completed.
0 Less than half the assignment was completed or no
assignment was turned in.

Practice and review are an integral part of becoming proficient in mathematics. Class time will be set aside as necessary to discuss any assigned problems. It is imperative that students keep up with their daily assignments!

Homework is Important!

Quizzes
On the Friday of every full week of class in which we have not had an exam, students will be expected to complete a short quiz on the week's assignments. Students will have 15 minutes to answer 5 questions from material covered that week. Each question is worth 2 points. Students may not use notes or calculators on quizzes unless otherwise noted.

Tests
End of unit tests should be an opportunity for students to confirm their knowledge, which should already have been demonstrated on homework and quizzes. Tests will be given at the end of a unit, but not less than twice per quarter. Tests in this class will be organized by class objectives, with each 3-4 questions on a test corresponding to an objective. Students will receive 8 points for each objective for which they correctly answer more than half the questions correctly. Students will receive 10 points if they answer all questions for an objective correctly. If a student fails to get more than half the questions for an objective correct, they will receive a zero on that portion of the test. Students must retake any failed portion within one week of the return of the exam. Only missed portions need to be retaken. Students will receive 7 points for any objective they successfully complete on a retake.

Students will not have the use of calculators on any test or the Semester Final unless otherwise noted.

Participation
The first five minutes of class each day (except for test days) will be spent grading and reviewing homework. This will help you to engage your brain in thinking mathematically, and also encourage you to be to class on time. Students who are tardy will have their work graded on a 0-1 point scale for the day (based only on completion).
Students are expected to come to class prepared each day. Students who fail to bring required materials (paper, pencil, book, homework, agenda) or who display a disruptive or poor attitude will not receive full participation credit for the day.

Missed Work
It is the responsibility of the student to find out what assignments were missed, and to promptly make those assignments up. All work missed due to excused absences must be made up in an amount of time equal to the time the student was absent (e.g. a student absent for three days has three days to make up missed work). While working to complete make-up work, the student is expected to keep up with current assignments as well.
Students who forget to bring in assigned work may turn it in for a grade based on completion, but not correctness (this means the best grade on late work is a 1/4!).

Behavior/Attitudes
Students are expected to be present at the start of class and ready to work each day. All members of the class are expected to be polite and considerate of both their classmates and the teacher. Students who have problems in class will lose participation credit for the day. If the problem is more serious or continues after a warning is given the student can expect a call home. Students who continue to act out will be referred to the office.