Felix Varela Senior High School Algebra 2 Syllabus Ms. Ariana Teruel [email protected](305) 725-7900 ext. 3132 Dear Students, I am very excited to have you in my class! I look forward to teaching every one of you this year and watching you grow as mathematicians. I know that Mathematics (especially Algebra) can be very a daunting subject to learn and master. Indeed it is very challenging. Some of you might say, “I’m not good at math”. Well, there is something you should know… Our brains are muscles. This means that our intelligence is not fixed. We can become smarter by exercising our brains constantly. This class will provide you with constant exercise for your brain in the areas of logic and problem solving. Even those who are already good at math will be challenged. My point is, everyone has the ability to learn math, therefore anyone can be good at it! I have high expectations for all of you. You will put your brain to work in my class and you will find that coming to understand the math is worth all the effort. You may even come to appreciate its beauty ☺ See you in class! ~ Ms. Teruel
I am very excited to have you in my class! I look forward to teaching every one of you this year and watching you grow as mathematicians. I know that Mathematics (especially Algebra) can be very a daunting subject to learn and master. Indeed it is very challenging. Some of you might say, “I’m not good at math”. Well, there is something you should know…
Our brains are muscles. This means that our intelligence is not fixed. We can become smarter by exercising our brains constantly. This class will provide you with constant exercise for your brain in the areas of logic and problem solving. Even those who are already good at math will be challenged. My point is, everyone has the ability to learn math, therefore anyone can be good at it!
I have high expectations for all of you. You will put your brain to work in my class and you will find that coming to understand the math is worth all the effort. You may even come to appreciate its beauty ☺ See you in class!
Course DescriptionAlgebra is defined as a generalization of arithmetic in which letters representing numbers are combined according to the rules of arithmetic. Algebra 2 follows Algebra 1 into a deeper and more complex understanding of polynomials with degree n ≥ 1.
Required Materials
• Pencils and Erasers• Extra lined paper• Notebook: a one inch 3-Ring Binder
with 2 sections (OBRs, Notes/Assignments)- Organize papers by date
Classroom Guidelines
1. Respect – Respect yourself, your peers, and your classroom environment.• Listen carefully and follow directions promptly.• Always use appropriate language and wear appropriate clothing.• Keep your surroundings free of trash and class furniture free of
markings.
2. Responsibility – As young adults, it is your responsibility to learn at your highest potential.
• Be punctual and prepared for class every day.• Stay conscious and attentive during class.• Always be honest and prudent.
Food & Drink – Students are encouraged to keep a water bottle nearby to rehydrate at any time. Snacks and gum are allowed in class so long as the student cleans up after himself/herself.
Electronic Devices (such as cell phones, mp3 players, tablets, etc.) are strictly prohibited in class because they distract students and disrupt the class. Students may not use phones as a calculator or to take pictures in class (unless otherwise directed). If a student takes out any prohibited electronic device (or if it rings) in class, it will be confiscated after the first warning. Confiscated devices will be returned at the end of the period.
Legibility & Organization – Students are expected to write legibly and keep their work organized. If Ms. Teruel cannot read the handwriting or understand the flow of steps taken to solve a problem, the student will receive NO credit for that problem.
Classroom Procedures
Start of Class Procedures:1. Before entering the classroom, students will turn off/silence all electronic
devices and place them INSIDE their bags (not inside pants/sweater pockets because phones that vibrate also distract)
2. Students will then:- Find their assigned seats (follow any instructions on the board),- Take out their materials, and - Place their bags UNDER their desks (so that no one trips over it)
3. Students must be in their seats quietly working on the Opening Bell Ringer (OBR) when the bell rings to start the period.
End of Class Procedures:
4. Students are to remain engaged in the lesson during the entire period. Please refrain from packing up 5 minutes or earlier before the bell rings.
During Class Procedures:
5. Bathroom Policy – Students will be allowed to go to the bathroom with a pass one at a time. Students must sign out and in with the correct time. Every student is allotted 5 bathroom breaks for each 9-week grading period. Water fountain trips count as a bathroom break. ***School Policy: No student is allowed to leave the classroom 15 minutes after/before the bell rings. ***
6. “ Free ” time – If a student finishes an assignment/exam early, there are three (3) options: - Read a book- Start working on HW- Work on a Sudoku puzzle, Word Search, etc.
7. Attendance – is absolutely necessary to do well in this course.
Tardies: Students entering class after the late bell has rung are considered tardy.
a. First block students who are tardy must show documentation of excused/unexcused tardy from the attendance office.
b. Students who are tardy from using the restroom between classes are considered unexcused.
c. Second block students who are unexcused tardy after lunch will be marked as such.
Absences: If possible, please notify Ms. Teruel about any foreseen absences.
a. Students have 48 hours from the last day of an absence to obtain an admit to class.
b. It is the student’s responsibility to acquire missed notes, classwork, and homework.
c. The number of days provided to the student to make-up his/her assignments will equal the number of days the student was absent.
d. Students with an unexcused absence(s) will receive no credit for the assignments missed.
e. As per school policy, students with 10 or more unexcused absences will receive NO CREDIT for the course.
8. Misconduct – Students are expected to behave respectfully and responsibly. If a student chooses to break a rule:
(Please read the Miami-Dade County Student Code of Conduct)
Grading Policy“Your level of SUCCESS is only predetermined by your level of EFFORT.”
Opening Bell Ringers (OBRs)Students will be assigned OBRs on a daily basis. As soon as a student enters the class, he/she must begin working on the OBR for the day. OBRs are to be numbered and kept in order. OBRs will be collected for a grade at the end of each grading period (see “Notebook Checks” below).
Assignments (CW/HW)Assignments are begun in class as CW, then can be completed at home for HW. We review CW/HW in class before the next lesson.
*A random selection of 2-3 CW/HW assignments will be collected on Exam days*
Headings: Students will write Notes/Assignments on a separate sheet of lined paper with the same heading written on the RIGHT-hand side at the TOP of the paper: Full Name
DatePeriod
***Remember that organization and legibility are important to receive full & partial credit. Always box or highlight your final answers on everything! ***
ExamsEvery exam will be worth a certain amount of points depending on the number of problems. Grade percentages are calculated as follows:
Notebook ChecksAt the end of each nine-week grading period, OBRs will be collected and Notebooks will be checked.
OBRs (1 grade)OBRs can be written on the same page to save paper. OBRs must be numbered and in order. The OBRs will be graded based on accuracy- meaning that the problem, its work, and answer should be correct.
Organization of the Notebook (1 grade)The Notes/Assignments section should be in order by date. For example: Lesson 1, Assignment for Lesson 1, Lesson 2, Assignment for Lesson 2, and so on. Notes and Assignments must be titled.
Other AssignmentsOther assignments include projects and presentations. Grading Rubrics will be given to the students the same day the assignment is assigned. Final Grades will be adjusted to include other assignments’ weights.
Late Work & Make-Up WorkMs. Teruel reserves the right to decline late work or accept it with a grade penalty.
Make-up work is only accepted with an excused admit. If a student is absent on an exam day, it is the student’s responsibility to confer with Ms. Teruel to schedule a make-up.
Final Grades will be calculated based on the following weights:HONORS REGULAR60% Exams 40% Exams20% Notebook 30% Notebook20% CW/HW 30% CW/HW
