Portland Waldorf High School

Syllabus 2014 2015

Algebra 2

Ms. Harrison (previously Ms. Gavin)
Email: claire.harrison@portlandwaldorfschool.org

Welcome back to the wonderful world of algebra! This year we will be diving into more
advanced topics that utilize and expand on previous coursework, exploring algebra from all
angles, and preparing you for future math journeys and life in general!

Content
Material will be brought through class lecture, conversation, student presentations, games and
activities, in conjunction with the textbook
Algebra and Trigonometry: Functions and Applications
by Paul Foerster.

Topics to be covered:
- Variable expressions and equations
- Inequalities
- Functions: linear, quadratic, exponential
- Systems of equations and inequalities
- Complex numbers
- Polynomials
- Factoring monomials, polynomials, and quadratics

Grading
Participation and readiness for class 20%
Daily Homework 30%
Poster Projects 20%
Tests and Quizzes 30%

Participation and Readiness
Come prepared and on time, with the following out on your desk before class begins
- a sharpened pencil
- a pen or colored pencil for corrections
- graph paper for notes
- notes, handouts, and textbook
- calculator with basic scientific capabilities (NOT a cellphone)
- any homework due
- a good attitude!
Participation includes having necessary materials, listening when others are speaking, raising
your hand when appropriate to speak, and generally respecting and utilizing the class time we
have together.

Homework
Homework equations and explorations will be assigned on Monday Thursday, to be turned in
the next day. I firmly believe in NO HOMEWORK ON WEEKENDS. Hopefully much of your
work will be able to be finished in class.

Daily homework assignments are due at the beginning of the class period. Late assignments
can be turned in to me or put in my faculty box in the hallway. Late work loses 10% grade value
each day and directly affects your ability to keep up with class material.

* Corrections:
Returned daily assignments can be corrected and turned in the following class for additional
credit. Corrections are also a great way to learn from your own mistakes and strengthen your
skillset.

* Harrison Halfsies: More work now means less work later!
Daily assignments with 100% accuracy before corrections will earn a coupon for off a future
daily assignment. Attach your coupon to the assignment when you turn it in; if ten problems
are assigned, you only need to complete five!
Harrison Halfsies may only be used by the student who earned them.
Limit one Harrison Halfsie per assignment.
No more than two Harrison Halfsies may be used in a week.

Poster Projects
You will each work alone or with a partner to create three presentation posters throughout the
year. These will be your chance to teach your classmates! You will prepare a brief presentation
on your poster topic. A sign-up sheet will be circulated in the coming weeks to choose dates
and topics for these posters.

Late posters will not be accepted without a written agreement in advance between teacher,
student, and students parents.

Tests and Quizzes
Quizzes will be given weekly. These will be without notes. Tests will be given every six weeks or
so, with at least a weeks heads-up. For tests, you will be allowed one 3x5 index card, double-
sided. There will be a final exam at the end of each semester.

** Honors **
If you so choose, there will be opportunities throughout the course to earn Honors credit.
These may include extra equations on daily homework, additional projects such as models,
biographies, or research reports, and bonus questions on quizzes or tests.





Dont be upset by the results you didnt get from the work you didnt
do. a teabag tag


















Participation

A B C D F
Punctuality

10%
Arrives to class on
time, ready to work
Arrives to
class on
time,
usually
ready to
work
Arrives to
class on
time most
of the
time,
somewhat
ready to
work
Arrives
tardy more
than once, is
often not
ready to
work
Arrives
tardy
repeatedly,
is often not
ready to
work
Readiness

30%
All supplies listed are
out and ready to be
used at beginning of
class:
- sharpened
pencil
- correcting
pen
- graph paper
- notes,
handouts, and
Has all
supplies,
though
some are
not out at
beginning
of class.

OR

Has
Is missing
multiple
supplies
or
repeatedly
takes
supplies
out after
class has
begun
Missing
majority of
supplies on
multiple
occasions;
repeatedly
taking
supplies out
after class
has begun
Missing
supplies
on a
regular
basis; fails
to have
supplies
out at
beginning
of class
period
textbook
- calculator
- homework
due
- a good
attitude!!
supplies
out, but is
missing
one or
two items
needed.
When to
speak, when
to listen

30%
Listens while teacher
or classmates are
speaking, raises hand
to speak, is willing to
participate/answer
questions pertaining
to the lesson
Usually
listens
well,
though at
times
distracted
or talks
out of
turn on
rare
occasion
Listens
most of
the time,
talks out
of turn on
regular
basis or
distracts
classmates
Listens
sometimes,
talks out of
turn often,
intentionally
distracts
classmates
on regular
basis
Rarely
listens,
talks out of
turn or
talks back,
distracts
to extent
that class
cannot
continue
Group work

30%
Is a helpful partner
or teammate on in-
class projects; can
lead in a supportive
manner
Is usually
helpful to
others,
good
teammate
or leader
Sometimes
helpful,
may push
others
away
Not very
helpful to
others,
unwilling to
work with
others
Detracts
from
teamwork,
refuses to
work with
partners,
teammates

Daily
Homework:
A B C D F
Accuracy

93-100%
(A-/B+ 89-
92%)
83-88%
(B-/C+ 79-
82%)
73-78%
(C-/D+ 69-
72%)
63-68%
(D-/F+ 59-
62%)
0-58%
Layout

Assignment
title, name,
and date at
top of page.
Clear
handwriting
in pencil.
Work shown
when
necessary.
Answers
clearly
circled/boxed.
Overall, tidy
and clean
presentation.
Clear graphs
and tables.
If missing
any of the
elements
requested in
the A
column,
down 5% per
missing
element.

See attached
sample
homework
for expected
presentation
and layout.
If missing
any of the
elements
requested in
the A
column,
down 5% per
missing
element.

If missing
any of the
elements
requested in
the A
column,
down 5% per
missing
element.

If missing
any of the
elements
requested in
the A
column,
down 5% per
missing
element.

Punctuality Assignment
complete at
beginning of
class, ready to
be turned in
on date due.
One day late
= 10% off
total grade
for that
assignment
Two days off
= 20% off
Etc, etc.
Corrections

Completed on
separate page
and returned
with original
assignment
next day for
additional full
credit.
Late
corrections
will not be
considered
for additional
credit.


Remember: Assignments with100% accuracy earn Harrison Halfsies!!






Tests/Quizzes A B C D F
Accuracy 93-100%
(A-/B+ 89-
92%)
83-88%
(B-/C+ 79-
82%)
73-78%
(C-/D+ 69-
72%)
63-68%
(D-/F+ 59-
62%)
0-58%
Layout Name, date at Grade drops Grade drops Grade drops Grade drops
top right
corner of
exam.
Clean, tidy
writing in
pencil.
Work shown
on separate
piece of
paper, clearly
labeled with
which
problem it
pertains to.
Answers
clearly boxed
or circled on
test sheet.
5% for each
missing
element of the
listed layout
items.
5% for each
missing
element of the
listed layout
items.
5% for each
missing
element of the
listed layout
items.
5% for each
missing
element of
the listed
layout items.
Attitude Maintains
determination
for success.
Asks
questions
only when
absolutely
necessary.
Relies on own
knowledge
and
preparation.
Works
silently.
Maintains
determination
for success.
Asks
questions
only when
absolutely
necessary.
Relies on own
knowledge
and
preparation.
Works
silently.
Maintains
determination
for success.
Asks
questions
only when
absolutely
necessary.
Works
silently.
Struggles to
maintain
determination
for success.
May be
unprepared.
Asks many
questions.
Struggles to
work silently.

Is unprepared
for material at
hand. Gets
frustrated in
distracting
manner. Asks
too many
questions.
Struggles to
work silently.
Corrections

These notes
pertain to all
grades
received.
Corrections
may be
completed on
weekly
quizzes for
half credit.
No
corrections on
tests or final
exams.
One retake
test per term
if original
grade was C-
or below.


Posters A B C D F
Display of
concept or
problem

10%
Original
concept or
story problem
written out
clearly; goal
of poster
clearly
displayed
Original
concept or
story
problem
written out
clearly; goal
of poster
mostly
shown
Original
concept or
story problem
may be
missing some
information;
goal of poster
somewhat
clear
Original
concept or
story problem
missing
information;
goal of poster
unclear
Original
concept or
story problem
not shown;
goal of poster
unclear
Accuracy

20%
All
calculations
done
correctly;
methods and
findings are
shown and
match up
with each
other
All
calculations
done
correctly;
methods and
findings are
mostly
shown and
match up
with each
other
Majority of
calculations
done
correctly;
methods and
findings
mostly shown
and match up
with each
other
Some
calculations
lead to errors;
methods and
findings may
not match up
with each
other
Calculations
do not lead to
results shown;
methods and
findings fail to
match up with
each other
Layout

15%
Tidy and
clean overall.
Strong title in
clear
lettering,
with
engaging
color & font.
Clear
handwriting
in ink for
body of
writing.
Steps of
calculations
clearly
sequenced,
with answers
boxed,
highlighted
or circled.
Name of
poster maker
clearly
displayed.
Tidy overall.
Good title in
clear
lettering,
with decent
color & font.
Clear
handwriting
in ink for
body of
writing.
Steps of
calculations
clearly
sequenced,
with answers
boxed,
highlighted
or circled.
Name of
poster maker
clearly
displayed.
Mostly tidy
overall.
Title sloppy,
lacking color.
Handwriting
messy or not
in ink for
body of
writing.
Steps of
calculations
mostly
sequenced;
answers
present but
not boxed,
highlighted
or circled.
Name of
poster maker
clearly
displayed.
Sloppy or
unfinished
overall.
Messy title.
Messy
handwriting
not in ink for
body of
writing.
Steps of
calculations
missing, with
answers not
boxed,
highlighted or
circled.
Name of
poster maker
missing or not
clearly
displayed.
Sloppy or
unfinished
overall.
Messy or
missing title.
Messy
handwriting
not in ink for
body of
writing.
Steps of
calculations
missing, with
answers not
boxed,
highlighted or
circled.
Name of
poster maker
missing or not
clearly
displayed.
Artistic
presentation

20%
Skilled use of
color
throughout
poster.
At least one
illustration
pertaining to
story problem
or concept.
Clear
aesthetic that
engages
audience and
draws them
toward the
poster.
No pencil
marks or
stray
smudges.
Good use of
color on most
of poster.
At least one
illustration
pertaining to
story
problem or
concept.
Aesthetic that
mostly
engages
audience and
draws them
toward the
poster.
A few pencil
marks or
stray
smudges.
Decent use of
color
throughout
poster.
At least one
illustration
pertaining to
story problem
or concept.
Aesthetic
may be
lacking.
Multiple
pencil marks
or stray
smudges.
Lacking in use
of color
throughout
poster.
Sparse
illustration
pertaining to
story problem
or concept.
Unclear
aesthetic.
Lots of pencil
marks or stray
smudges.
Lacking in use
of color
throughout
poster.
Sparse or no
illustration
pertaining to
story problem
or concept.
Unclear
aesthetic.
Lots of pencil
marks or stray
smudges.
Additional
information

15%
Full
paragraph or
more of
information
showing the
real-world
use and need
for the
concept
displayed,
with sources
(NOT the
textbook)
cited.
Engaging to
read; fun
facts and
historical
tidbits
strongly
encouraged.



Full
paragraph or
more of
information
showing the
real-world
use and need
for the
concept
displayed,
with sources
(NOT the
textbook)
cited.
A few
sentences
showing the
use and need
for the
concept
displayed,
with sources
(NOT the
textbook)
cited.
Lacking
information or
missing
citations for
sources.
Lacking
information
and missing
citations for
sources.
Presentation

20%
Speak clearly
in front of
class for 3-5
minutes to
give brief
overview of
concept,
usage in real
world, and
any
highlights of
poster
process and
research.
Speak pretty
clearly in
front of class
for 3-5
minutes to
give brief
overview of
concept,
usage in real
world, and
any
highlights of
poster
process and
research.
Speak with
stumbling in
front of class
for 1-2
minutes to
give brief
overview of
concept,
usage in real
world, and
any
highlights of
poster
process and
research.
Speech is
unclear or
underprepared;
fails to
provide
information in
one of the
areas
indicated.
Speech is
underprepared;
fails to
provide
information in
two or more of
the areas
indicated.