Algebra 2 With Trigonometry Syllabus

Algebra 2 with Trigonometry Mr. Nicholas Yates Mathematics and Engineering Teacher Patterson High School, Transportation & Engineering Academy, Room 110 2008-2009, 2nd Semester

CONTACT INFORMATION: Mr. Yates e-mail: Mr. Yates cell phone: Patterson main office phone:

[email protected] (508) 944 – 8362 (410) 396 – 9276

COURSE OBJECTIVE: This honors-level course will provide students with a strong foundation in the practical and theoretical applications of polynomials, matrices, conic sections, and transcendental functions. It will teach skills such as solving quadratic equations, analyzing growth and change, and algebraic problem-solving. This class will have a strong focus on developing mathematical literacy skills through reading, writing, and research, and will also examine the applications of mathematics to the fields of science and engineering. For many students, this course is a prerequisite for the study of precalculus, probability and statistics, business math, and/or calculus classes that build on the concepts of advanced algebra and trigonometry. COURSE DESCRIPTION: Where Algebra 1 focused on linear equations—their graphs, solutions, and applications—Algebra 2 is the study of equations of degree 2, which include such diverse geometric manifestations as parabolas, ellipses, hyperbolas, and circles. We learn techniques to solve quadratic equations, as well as further techniques to solve systems of linear equations. Equations of the second degree have applications from astrophysics (planetary motion) to geometry (Pythagorean Theorem) to sports (how a basketball travels through the air). The connection to circles and right triangles marks the transition to trigonometry, a subject which introduces angle measurement to the algebraic context of functions, equations, and graphs. Algebra 2 with Trigonometry will also be used to develop general skills of effective thinking, including imagination, abstraction, persistence, and active learning. All of these skills are increasingly necessary in our modern mathematical world, but are also timelessly valuable in understanding what the scientist Galileo called “this grand book the universe, which stands continually open to our gaze … it is written in the language of mathematics.” COURSE OUTLINE: 3rd Quarter: Algebra  Exponents & Scientific Notation  Polynomial Arithmetic  FOIL and Factoring  Analyzing Parabolic Graphs  Quadratic Formula & Applications  Complex Numbers  Matrices & Systems of Linear Equations  Research Paper on Linear Systems  Linear Programming

4th Quarter: Analysis  Trigonometry of Triangles  Trigonometry of the Circle  Periodic Functions  Trig Identities  Polar Coordinates  Exponents & Logarithms  Exponential Growth  Circles & Other Conic Sections  Final Projects & Student Portfolios

COACH CLASS: Mr. Yates is available for coach class to provide extra help (please sign up!): Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday afternoon Every morning Wednesday evening at SE Branch Enoch Pratt Library

3:40-4:40pm 8:00-8:30am 6:00-8:00pm

The newly-built Southeast Anchor Library is located in Highlandtown at the intersection of Eastern Avenue and South Conkling Street. Its address is 3601 Eastern Avenue, and its phone number is (410) 396 – 1580. It is accessible to the following bus lines: • • •

10 Line - Stop at Eastern Avenue & Conkling Street (at the library) 13 Line - Stop at Eastern Avenue & S. East Avenue (4 blocks east to library) 22 Line - Stop at Bank Street & Conkling Street (1 block south to library)

I plan to be there every Wednesday from 6-8pm, to provide additional assistance with homework, HSA-retake studying, and making up missed material. Please sign up in advance, or otherwise let me know you’ll be coming, so that I know what materials to bring. If none of these times works for you, let me know. I will be happy to talk and schedule a time when we can meet. Remember also—my classroom door is always open to you, and I invite you to come by to discuss anything. GRADES: Quizzes and Tests Classwork and Participation Projects and Reports Homework and Organization

25 % 25 % 25 % 25 %

Homework is an essential component to learning the material in this course. Not to do homework will be disastrous to your grade. Homework is assigned daily except Friday, and I am available for extra help nearly every day. To encourage the use of coach class and especially the Wednesday evening session, homework will not be marked late as long as it is turned in by the Friday of the week it is due (or else the following Monday if school is not held that Friday). Twice a quarter, your notebook and binder will be collected and graded for organization and completeness. Quizzes will be given weekly, generally on Wednesdays. A unit test will be worth two quizzes. Classwork includes the daily Challenge of the Day and Exit Ticket, and is graded daily out of five points. Participation, which includes on-time attendance, is graded daily out of ten points. There will be several group and individual projects over the semester, including applications to engineering, a research paper/presentation, and a summative portfolio. There will be opportunities to redo/retake projects, reports, quizzes, and tests, for full credit, as part of the mastery-redo policy. Missed classwork and homework can be turned in late for half credit. Numerous extra credit opportunities exist, including coming on time and prepared to class (pencil & notebook out and first check on the CotD = +2 participation points), being in charge of the class binder, and miscellaneous extra assignments.

MATERIALS NEEDED:  pencil(s) and pen(s)  a three-ring binder

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loose-leaf lined paper, to fit binder [at home] a basic 4-function calculator (+, -, x, ÷)

RULES:

1. Be respectful of others (even if they disrespect you). 2. Come prepared to class. 3. Help create a positive learning environment, and refrain from disrupting others’ learning. REWARDS: By following the rules of the classroom and school, we create a comfortable and safe classroom environment where unlimited learning and discovery can take place. CONSEQUENCES: 1. Warning 2. 5 points off daily participation grade 3. Detention: after school that day or next 4. Phone call home / Office Referral Detentions will be served after school, with a one day grace period. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange transportation home after the detention, and to inform coaches or other after-school advisors that the student will miss practice or club meeting. Failure to serve detention will result in a phone call home and/or an office referral. PROCEDURES: 1. As soon as you enter the classroom, place homework in your class’s tray and begin work on the Challenge of the Day. 2. You will have homework four days a week—every day except Friday. I will grade homework on the basis of completion (2 points if complete, 1 point if half-done, 0 if not done). 3. All assignments should be dated and have your name written clearly in the upper right corner. Every assignment should also have a clear title (e.g. page number and question numbers, if from a book). 4. Lateness is not acceptable. If you enter class late, 2 points will be deducted from your daily class participation grade (out of 10); you will also be responsible for missed material. Multiple latenesses will result in detention. 5. At the end of class, an exit ticket should be completed and handed in, your area should be clean, and your chair pushed in. You will be dismissed by Mr. Yates (not the bell) when all students are ready. 6. A binder and notebook of worksheets and material covered will be kept up by two members of the class (rotating through the year). If you are absent or miss class for any reason, you are responsible for learning the material & making up missed work, by looking in the binder. 7. Be imaginative and creative—have fun with the engineering!

We’ll have a great year together—I’m looking forward to our class.