Syllabus for Advanced Algebra and Geometry

Montbello High School

 Mr. Oelrichs and Ms. Reinert

2009-2010

Welcome to the classes of Geometry and Advanced Algebra!  This document aims to help you understand what this course is about and how to be successful in it.  Be sure to read it carefully and ask any questions you might have if you need clarification.  We can all be successful if we start out on the same page.

Course Description:  Generally, high school students take Algebra before taking Geometry and Algebra 2.  Except here at Montbello we have a different name for Algebra 2—we call it Advanced Algebra because that matches the title of the book in the Discovering Textbook Series.  So don’t confuse the “advanced” part in the name of the course with being an honors course.  “Advanced” here simply means the 2^nd algebra class.  Actual honors courses use the “X” designation.  This course will be especially useful for three kinds of students:  (a) those who plan to attend college; (b) those who plan attend vocational school; and (c) those who plan to enter directly into the workforce. 

Rationale:  Great critical thinkers always ask themselves that powerful three letter question--Why?  Why, you might ask, are we so excited about teaching this course?  In our increasingly technological society full of faster and small handheld computers (like the iphone) the basic skill set associated with following logic to trouble shoot and solve problems has become more important than ever before.  While you may not immediately recognize it, the ability to do math as taught in this course translates into being able to decipher confusing instructions that you might find anywhere: from on the job to classes in college to working on your computer.  Here you will not only learn how to do math (recognize patterns) but also that you can.  Then we will push you to discipline yourself beyond what you currently believe possible so that you start turning any problem you encounter into an interesting puzzle you know you can solve.  We will accomplish this by working together through collaborative learning, and through individual practice a.k.a. homework.  It’s imperative that you do your homework to practice what you learned so that you don’t forget, as well as for a personal check of your own understanding. 

Course Goals:  This course aims to empower all students to become confident problem solvers.  Mathematics is simply the medium through which you will learn these skills.  For this to happen, we will accelerate learning to address deficiencies and attempt to get every student caught up to grade level while at the same time pushing those who are on grade level to develop new teaching skills of their own.  The more we strive to learn from each other, the more efficiently we can learn, which in turn means we can simply learn more.  When we are successful, it will show by how much each person takes responsibility for his or her own learning during our classes while happily offering encouragement and help to those students who need it.  Success will also show itself in the quality of our homework, quizzes, tests and portfolios.  We aim for all students to score well on benchmark exams, the CSAP and also on practice ACT or SAT assessments. 

Ways to meet course goals:  Since one of our goals to learn collaboratively, the first and most important way to be successful involves attending class and being on time.  And while showing up is a first step, successful students will also come prepared with all necessary materials (pencils, erasers, notebook for the class notes, homework assignments, the portfolio when needed and most importantly a GOOD ATTITUDE).  Learning collaboratively involves working with your peers, and as such successful students will be kind, gracious, supportive, and understanding.  Always assume positive intentions!!  Successful students will also keep us informed regarding any problems (personal or otherwise) that might hinder their performance in the class.  We are fully vested in your success and are willing to make accommodations if the situation calls for it.  It is much easier to do this when students keep us in the loop and tell us when something is going on so that we can help. 

Grading:  The grading schema:  Assessment 45%, Portfolio 20%, Classwork 20%, Homework 5%, and Final Exam 10%.  The Final Exam is the district’s standardized test called the Benchmark Exam, which is given at the end of the semester.  At only five percent, it may seem like homework isn’t an important portion of this class, however, to the contrary it is probably one of the most important.  Homework offers you the opportunity to see if you know the material before having to take a test on it.  It gives you the opportunity to practice the types of problems you will be seeing on the test.  If you get a low score on your homework, it will not hurt your overall grade very much but still tell you what types of problems with which you need more help or more practice.  With Classwork worth 20% of your grade, it is important that you be in class to complete it.  No make ups or second chances will be given for any Classwork scores.  If you must miss any class period, speak with Mr. Oelrichs or Ms. Reinert (preferably in advance) so we can decide whether to exempt you for that day.  If you miss classwork due to an unexcused absence you automatically receive a zero!  Check out the portfolio document to see our expectations and how to earn a full 20% of your grade.  The assessments come in two varieties:  Quizzes and Unit Tests.  Each Unit will have anywhere from two to five quizzes which cover all the material on the Unit Test.  The sum of the total points in quizzes from a given Unit will determine the total points of that Unit’s Test. 

Schedule:    Check out the Assignments Overview document for a detailed listing of Units we will cover and the dates on which each will be assessed.  Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the online books available through Key Curriculum Press.  Reading, vocabulary, and homework assignments from the text can all be called up by go to http://www.keymath.com/DAA 

For the Discovering Advanced Algebra Textbook, just enter     oelrichs       under the classpass section in the above link.  For the Discovering Geometry Textbook, just enter        gregoryo      under the classpass section in the above link.

Algebra 2

8/24-8/24            Basic Skills Review

8/26-9/2               Chapter 2

                9/4         Unit Test Chapter 2

9/9-9/14               Chapter 1

                9/16       Unit Test Chapter 1        

9/21-10/5            Chapter 3

                10/7       Unit Test Chapter 3

10/12-10/25        Chapter 4

                10/26     Unit Test Chapter 4

11/2-11/18          Chapter 12

                11/20     Unit Test Chapter 12

Geometry

8/25-8/25            Basic Skills Review

8/27-9/1               Chapter 1

                9/3         Unit Test Chapter 1

9/8-9/15               Chapter 2

                9/17       Unit Test Chapter 2

9/22-10/5            Chapter 3

                10/8       Unit Test Chapter 3

10/13-10/23        Chapter 4

                10/27     Unit Test Chapter 4

11/3-11/17          Chapter 5

When more information is available about Bench Mark Exams, CSAPS  and Final it will be posted.