Last modified: April 27, 2023

Secondary Math 2 Disclosure

Course Description/Overview/Welcome Statement

I am excited to be teaching Secondary Math II.  Secondary Math I is the prerequisite for this course.  This course will count as one year of Math credit.  We will focus our study on quadratic expressions, equations, and functions and on comparing their characteristics and behavior to those of linear and exponential relationships from Secondary Mathematics I. The need for extending the set of rational numbers arises, and real and complex numbers are introduced so that all quadratic equations can be solved. The link between probability and data is explored through conditional probability and counting methods, including their use in making and evaluating decisions. The study of similarity leads to an understanding of right triangle trigonometry and connects to quadratics through Pythagorean relationships. Circles, with their quadratic algebraic representations, round out the course. I plan for this year to be a positive learning experience for you.  I want you to gain confidence in using and communicating with and through mathematics since this class will lay the groundwork for any higher level math courses you may choose to pursue.  Let’s work together to make this your best math class ever!

Learning Expectations

Each unit, students will be given a learning target page which will outline our learning progression within that unit, with success criteria and performance of understanding. I will post these pages to canvas as well. Students will be expected to monitor their own progress toward mastering each learning target and gauge how they are meeting success criteria through performance of understanding (homework and daily quizzes). If students are not understanding or able to master a target, they need to come in to get help after school prior to taking the unit test. But if a student does not do well on a test even after they felt prepared, they will have a chance to show mastery of any target by doing test retakes. I want all students to be able to tell me where they are in their own learning progression and explain what they know are are able to do. If they need help, they should be able to pinpoint where, get help, and get back on course to mastery. It is crucial that at this level of mathematics, students be able to monitor and adjust their own learning trajectory to ensure their own success. In the end, I want all of my students to be strong, independent, self-aware learners.

Assessment of Progress

Learning targets for each unit are distributed at the beginning of the unit. Each student will have a list of assignments (formative assessments) each time those are distributed. Success criteria will be discussed as we review each assignment so that students will be able to track their own progress toward mastery of each target. We will cover approximately three units per term. At the end of each unit, we will take one day to review, followed by one day of summative testing. All unit outlines are posted on my canvas page as they are assigned. Our schedule needs to be flexible enough to allow me to do what is best for student learning throughout the year. Please check canvas for the latest list of learning targets and power school for the latest due date schedule.

Course Materials

You will be assigned both a hard copy and an online copy of the text book, Big Ideas Secondary Math II. There are many online tools available, including a calculator. We will also be using the TI Nspire calculators in my class. If you want to purchase a calculator, you may, but it is not required for the class.

Classroom Procedures

Attendance:

I support the Timpview attendance policy found in the student handbook. I believe that you cannot be successful without at least 90% attendance. I expect you to be prompt. I give an incentive to be on time. I will raise your final term grade 2% for having absolutely NO tardies. You will be marked tardy in my class if you are not in the classroom ready to begin working productively when the tardy bell stops ringing. Tardies can only be excused if I receive a note from another teacher saying why you were late on the day that the tardy occurs. I expect students to be in class at all times. If there is an immediate need to use the hall pass, you need to ask permission. Please wait to ask until there is an appropriate break in our classroom activity.

Class Rules and Expectations:

• Be courteous and respectful of everyone – always choose kindness.
• Be ready to start class promptly when the bell stops ringing.
• Bring your own supplies (paper and something to write with) to class every day!
• Be involved in the appropriate classroom activity at all times.
• Don’t bring food or drinks into my classroom unless you have enough to share with everyone.
• Electronic devices will be confiscated when they are a distraction in class.

Grading Procedures:

Your grade will be calculated based on three categories:

• Assessments (75%)

Tests will be given at the end of each unit, approximately three each term. They will be worth 100-150 points each. I also give occasional mid-unit quizzes that will be worth 25-50 points each.

• • We will have time before each test to review. The assignment I give you for a review will not be taken for a homework grade. However, I do expect you to do the assignment as it will help you prepare for the test. As a reward for that work (besides making a wonderful test grade!), you have the opportunity to earn a FREEBIE pass. You must do the complete review to earn a pass — even a single problem left undone will result in no FREEBIE.
  • On tests, I sometimes give bonus questions. This is the only way you can earn extra credit, so you need to take advantage of these opportunities as we come to them throughout the term.
  • I do not allow you to use your notes on tests.
  • You will have a chance to show mastery of any learning target and improve your test score by doing a test retake, if needed.   In order to be eligible to do a retake, you must have completed ALL of your homework for the unit prior to taking the original test, and you must complete a test corrective to show you understand the mistakes you made on the original test.  You must hand in your corrective at least one day prior to retaking your test.  Then you must come in after school to retake only the questions missed on the original test.  The retake questions will be similar, but not exactly the same.  You can earn up to half your points back by doing a retake.
  • If you are absent on the day of the test, you are expected to make up the test within one week of the original test date. If you do not make it up within that window of time, you may not be allowed to take the test at all.

• Homework and Participation (15%)

At the beginning of each unit, I will give you learning targets with success criteria for the entire unit. That paper will also have the homework assignments. There will be a homework assignment each class meeting.

• You should allow at least 30 minutes for homework and study each day. You will have time in class during the next class meeting to ask questions and clarify concepts from the homework.
• Each assignment will be worth 10 points. You will rarely be given time to start your homework assignment in class and I expect you to complete it at home.
• Most homework assignments will be online. They will be automatically graded when you submit them. I will transfer your score to PowerSchool as follows:

• I will accept late/makeup work up until the last day of the retakes for that unit. You may get a score no higher than 7 on a late assignment. Late work must be complete to earn up to 7 points. Makeup work due to an excused absence will not be penalized.

Each day we meet, you will earn 5 participation points for being on time and prepared to learn. You can earn 10 points each time you share your work at the board with the class. Every Monday that you have class with me (depending on the even/odd rotation) you can earn 20 points by printing a progress report from PowerSchool and returning it with a note and signature from your parents. You are expected to earn 150 points in a term.

• Daily Quizzes (10%)

Daily Quizzes (DQs) will be review items from targets we have covered previously in class or things you may have learned in a previous course but are still expected to know and be able to do.

• If you are absent or tardy to class, you will not be allowed to make these up. You must be present to earn the points.
• I will drop the lowest two daily quiz grades to compensate for not allowing makeups.

Academic Integrity

Do your own work. Working together and helping each other to learn is encouraged on homework assignments, but blatant copying is not. All assessments MUST be done alone—no help from others. Those found to be copying or cheating in any way will be given a zero on the assessment, and parents and administrators will be notified.

Calendar of Due Dates for Major Assignments

See the latest posts on Canvas and Power School to check for assignments and due dates.

Progress Reports and Report Cards

Grading Procedure:

Your grade will be assigned according to the Timpview grade scale:

🙂                            B+ 87-89%    C+ 77-79%    D+ 67-69%

A 93 and above      B 83-86%       C 73-76%      D 63-66%

A- 90-92%              B- 80-82%     C- 70-72%     D- 60-62%

Your grade will be calculated based on three categories:

• Assessments (75%)
• Homework and Participation (15%)
• Daily Quizzes (10%)

Connecting Home to School

I will be available after school on Mondays during Consultation from 1:35 – 2:15 and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2:15 – 3:30.  You can look up your grades and assignments on PowerSchool anytime by going to www.timpview.provo.edu.  I can be reached by email at carlaj@provo.edu, and by phone here at Timpview at 801-221-9720 ext. 3605.  I will return your phone call or email as quickly as possible.

Personal Statement and other items (optional)

Secondary Math 2 is a combination of Algebra and Geometry. It is a course that I love to teach! I hope you are excited for a great year of learning new things!