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Pre-A.P. Math Team Algebra II w/ trig. (MTA2W/T) 2014-15
Mr. Hurry- R.224
Course Objectives: . . . To study all ofthe learner objectives
required in the Alabama Course of Study, but With mcreased ngor. In
.addition, we will attempt to continue our effort in keeping H.H.S.
's Algebra II math team very competitive by expl~nng a number of
advanced topics beyond the typical Algebra 11 curriculum. This is a
very adva.nced clas~ and ~1ll be extremely fast paced in content
yet relaxed in atmosphere. If you do all that I ask & reqUJre
you w!ll eas1ly be the top Algebra II/Trig students in the school
and possibly the state by year's end.
Textbooks: Algebra and Trigonometry: Structure and Method Book
2- The Classic Brown, Dolciani (replacement cost: $83.20)
Contact information: Planning period (1 51 Period) SchoolPhone
(205)871-9663 School Email: [email protected]
REQUIRED Materials (every day unless we decide otherwise): "-.
Textbook- Leave your textbook at home -we have enough for a
classroom set
Mechanical Pencil - regular pencil or pen is fine, but you can't
sharpen your pencil once class starts so have a backup. 3-ring
binder notebook- please, NO spiral notebooks. Get a 3-ring binder.
Homework papers that aren't "presentable" (if they have "scraggly"
edges, no-name, upside down, backwards, food stains, etc.) will get
a "- !" deducted from their score.
Calculator - You might want to go ahead and purchase a graphing
calculator. However, for this year, you will not need anything more
than a basic scientific calculator (which we really won 't
evee.:yse until second semester). If you decide to buy a
calculator, I strongly recommend that you buy a Tl-lnspirev {T/-84
's and TJ-89 's. etc. may be just as good in most ways, but we are
making a collective shift in the math-team classes and in AP
Calculus towards the TI-Inspire and if you have a different
calculator it may be dijjicult to follow me as I work in
class).
/ ". \" / hat is required ofvou:
A You arc here to learn Algebra II and to participate in math
tournaments throughout the year. You will have to work your tail
off,
Tests:
Quizzes:
especially early on, to get the hang of what is expected and.
therefore, to do well. In the past, other teachers may have tried
to frighten you by saying this and they may have been bluffing. I,
on the other hand, am for real. If you don't plan on doing the work
at a v~ry high level. day in and day out, then you are in for a
very rude awakening. Are you hearing me'? IF YOU DON'T LIKE WORKING
HARD AND DOING HOMEWORK EVERYDAY, THEN CHANGE YOUR A TIITUDE FAST.
1 am here to teach and to help you learn. If either one of us fails
to do his/her part. the partnership has failed. I will not let you
down, please do not let me, or yourself, down (p.s. When I give you
ideas of how to be successful, I strongly suggest you try them).
You wil! be glad you took this class when you take other courses
later, like physics, precal, & calculus. Have you ever heard
the saying, "No pain, no gain?" Well, its true for algebra II as
well. When you are working out, "pain = weakness leaving the body."
Well, in this class "doing homework well and studying= ignorance
leaving the brain."
You will be required to know everything you already learned in
algebra I (&even geometry). We may or may not review the
material in class. If you are in need of assistance or review you
must take the initiative to ask me or a classmate. This is a math
team class (emphasize TEAM) and I hope that you will treat it like
one and learn from each other as well as me.
I take it personally when you miss my tests. I will reward you
with a different test that will not necessarily be harder, ~ut
rather less e~sy (the;e is a difference). I strongly encourage you
to be here on test days. T ests may be cumulat:ve over the entire
years matenal, with at least an 80% focus on the current chapter.
You can't afford t d . h" I I 0 ffiiSS ays. m t 1s c ass- p e~se
schedule doctor/dentist visits accordingly for your sake. I will
not reteach a lesson for you JUSt because you m1ssed the class. I
will help you understand concepts which are confusing to you, but
only after you have made an effort to learn the material on your
own (get notes from a friend, read the chapter, work the homework
problems to the best of your ability). Bottom line - do everything
in your power to be here'
If you m1ss the rev1ew day and new material is NOT covered then
EXPECT TO TAKE THE TEST !!!
~~~~s are given :andor~ly. They will cover the material covered
s ince the last test. You may or may not be . ab~ut a qUJz. I Will
expect you to know all the material we have covered throughout the
week (or year) at a~y 1Jven time - this is the only way we can be
successful at math tournaments. A quarterback can't forget a ll o f
t ~ phays afterte game and neither can you forget all the math
applications after a test. This will be something for w
1~ many 0 you may not be accustomed. Not knowing test material
will continue to haunt you long after the test soP ease make sure
you see me about material with which you are struggling. '
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Homework Expect homework to be given every night. How often?
EVERY NIGHT. Are you sure you are coming to grips with this? .
EVERY NIGHT. If you are the type of student who, in the past, has
said, "I don't do homework," then please change your habits
immediately or you will get hammered. You will be wasting my time
and yours and you will be dropping yo1,1r grade b~ at least 1-2,
but most likely 2 or more letter grades. Also, I work very hard in
this class to give you the opportunity to develop wto a good math
student while in class. Doing your (lomework is how you can do
yo_ur part to reinforce what we learn in class c and often learn
additional mmerial on your own. It also shows me you apprec1ate my
effort. . .
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Also, when I ask you to "Do" vour homework, 1 mean for you to do
three things: 1. Complete the assignment If there are rwo or three
problems in the homework that are too hard to figure out, then
you
should be gelling help in the mornings from me or your
classmates. . . 2. Check and correct the assignment You can do this
by checking your answers in the back. or by look1ng at my
solut1on
manuals or by coming to get help from me (I enjoy helping you
succeed - please make me happy). 3. Turn in the assignment on time.
On time means it is turned in before the bell.
My policy is that homework will be accepted 1 day late for Y,
credit. Two days late= NO credit. If you have an ex~used absence
(see make-up work) then J ' 11 take homework for the prior day the
day you return and I' II allow an extra day to turn m the work from
the day you missed. It is your responsibility to remember to turn
in late homework, not mine. lfyou forget'' to tum in your homework
(i.e. didn't do it at all, left it at home, left it in your locker,
had it in your notebook in class but forgot to tum~~ m, etc.), you
may still turn it in late, but I'll only give you Y2 credit if it
is ONE DAY LATE. Also, don't ask if you can tum It in late- just do
it. Also, if you feel like I've made a mistake in !NOW entering in
your homework grade, please ask. I'm pretty accurate, but I' ve
made mistakes before and 1 probably won't know unless you bring it
to my attention.
You will be given all assignment slreetfor each section which
will detail assignments and when they are due. If you are absent,
make sure that you get one from me if01re was handed out. Again, it
is your responsibility to remember, not mine.
\)tLC. I~ Tournament Requirements:
l expect you to go to math tournaments. If you have a school
activity that conflicts with a math tournament, I expect you to
give each activity equal billing. Going out of town to hear your
sister play the flute , going to eat apple pie at Grandma 's house,
practices for other school activities, or taking the ACT or SAT are
NOT valid excuses for missing a tournament. Plan ahead and take the
ACT/SAT on a different date - there are a lot of them (A.C.T. dates
- Dec.13, Feb. 7, April 18) & (S.A.T. dates - Jan.24, Mar.l4) .
Please don't miss tournaments for non-valid reasons. You will have
our tournament schedule as soon as l know it and it will give you
and your family plenty of time to schedule appropriately. The
success of the team depends on everyone being there. Plus, we need
you for kickball . Make sure you give the dates of the tournaments
to your parents & team/activity sponsors and have them schedule
according:ly. Parents, did you read this!?! Please make note of
this because it is very important to the success of our team. Check
conflicts with other activities, as well (baseball, band,
sbowchoir, vacations, etc.) and \et's begin now to work out a
compromise. This needs to be done -don't live in denial .
If you miss a tournament, for whatever reason, you will need to
makeup tire test after school the next school day. Also, your score
will be counted in some form or fashion (more on that later). I
usually consider your score based on either tile mlllerial we have
previously covered and/or the median scores of the other stu(lents
in your class. Missing a tournament typically does NOT work at well
for the sludent. Plus, when you go to the tournuments, you will
earn bonus points for good scoring & mrendunce. You will need
these poims!
Make-up Work: For each day you are absent, you will have a day
to work on the material that was missed (i.e. If you m iss three
days, then you will have three days to catch up on the missed work,
then turn it all in on the fourth day, remembering to keep up with
all current material). If an assignment is DUE on the day you are
absent, you are expected to tum it in the day you return. It is
vour responsibility to remember to make-up tests.
Test make-up days arc pretty much any day after school in my
room, BUT, you have two weeks after you are absent to make-up tests
. It is vour responsibility to remember make-up tests. Tests made
up after that time will be subject to a percentage deduc tion the
later the assignment becomes. Most days I am here working late and
you are welcome to make it up starting at 3:05pm. If you want to be
sure about when to take a make-up test, however, just check with me
before you come. Again, it is your re.'>pon.~ibilitv to remember
to make-up work that is missetl.
Determining your Grades: Your 9- weeks grade will be calculated
as a percentage from total points possible:
Homework 15% (approximately) Tests (usually 4 -6 ), Ciphering,
Quizzes, Math tournament tests 85%
Your Semester grade will be calculated as follows: Both 9-weeks
averages count 40% each and semester exams count 20%
All 9-weeks 2rades are rounded to the tenth's place: A = 90 - I
00 B = 80- 89 C = 70- 79 D = 60-69 F < 60
C. . .
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l would really appreciate it if you would ... I. Follow the
Student Code of Conduct.
I will respect you, please give me the same courtesy. If you
have a good sense of humor, then let it add to the level of
education as well as to the class atmosphere. (i.e. Don't be a
class clown. Just because you think it's funny doesn't mean it is.)
I would REALLY appreciate it if you would get to class early enough
to turn in your homework and sharpen your pencil before the bell
rings. 1 only have you for 50 minutes and I will need all of them.
Whatever you do, please do not sharpen your pencil while I am
teachine: or during .a tes~ or guiz. If you really think about it,
loudly sharpening your pencil while someone else is talking with
you or trying hard to concentrate IS q~te rude. Your inconsiderate
action may cause all of your classmates to lose the use of the
pencil sharpener for a time. Also, feel free to lay mto a verbal
onslaught of your fellow classmates if they break this rule. Your
accountability works .
Misc. l chose to be a teacher. I was not relegated this position
as I might have been in some socialisVcommunist society and I did
not become a teacher because I couldn't get a job anywhere else. I
actually want to be here and I enjoy it, despite the weak salary.
Please choose to have an enjoyable experience in class for I am
genuinely looking forward to knowing you and having a good
year.
Please don't sleep in my class. Besides being a social faux pas,
it will be hard for you to hear me. In addition, if you attempt to
sleep I might ask you to jog, stand at the podium for the rest of
the class period, or perhaps take your picture and send it to your
loved ones (the technology of today makes it very easy for me to
send pictures & video to your parents). Plus, I have this great
app where I can take your picture and make your sleeping face swell
up like a blowfish-excellent bulletin board material.
Every time you sleep in class or fail to do your homework you
are making an impression on me, as do you when you make an
excellent grade. work diligently, or show kindness to another.
Every year I write dozens of college recommendations based on
impressions my students have given me. Although I am not fond of
students who are obviously sucking up to me, if you even have a
thought of asking me (or anyone else) to write a recommendation for
you someday, I suggest you consider your actions.
1 AM ON YOUR SIDE and I really want to help you succeed. Please
figure this out early. I rea lly am a pretty decent fellow. 4
School policy now gives me the discretion to allow the use of
iPads, laptops. etc. for classroom enhancement. If you are
interested in this, discuss this with me individually. You are
NEVER allowed to have any of these electronic devices when you or
anyone else in the room is taking a test or quiz (only your
personally calculator may be allowed). This means even if you are
finished with your test you may not play with your phone or device
(other than your calculator). Even if you have a graphing
calculator app on your iPad or iPhone you will NOT be allowed to
use these on a test or quiz. Also, you will N EVER be allowed to
listen to music in this class so please don'tlet me see headphones
or earbuds of any kind. I will take them up. Last but not least, NO
PHONES of any kind are allowed to be visible in class unless you
are using it to access the solutions/keys from Schoo logy (or you
have asked permission). Use of phones on a tesUguiz will result in
a score of 0 on the test/guiz.
(~'-' name is ''Mr. Hurry." When you graduate you can call me
whatever you like. \..__lfyou should happen to disagree with me on
something other than algebra, please do not rudely confront me
during class. I try my best to be fair. so please
give me the courtesy of being human if you think lam unfair or
wrong. You will find that, like most people. I will be much more
open to your criticism if you are kind in the way you present it.
However, if you think that I have made an error on a math problem,
please feel free to correct me immediately.
I will not swear/cuss/whatsoever in class (I will save all of
mine for the ride home on hwy 280- just kidding). This includes the
more obvious 4-letter words, as well as " hissed off(with a P),"
''pucks (with an S),'' or saying "the Lord 's name in vain.''
regardless of whom you choose to worship. I would appreciate it if
you would not use inappropriate language, either, while you are in
my classroom. I'm not suggesting that I think less of you because
you might occasionally swear or that I'm complete ly above this
sort of behavior myself (I 'm Scott/Irish/Italian & my father
was in the military - I' m very versed with this kind of
'language''). I'm just saying THJS classroom is not the place for
it. Also, if something I say happens to offend you, please bring it
to my attention after class and I will try my best to accommodate
you. If the whole idea of math is offensive to you, well,
sorry.
I play favorites. If you don' t like it then get out. No,
seriously, I do not (intentionally) play favorites. If you feel
that 1 give someone else more attention than you during class, 1
apologize, but please come talk with me about it. It is my intent
to be fair to everyone. However, as a teacher, sometimes being fair
means treating people differently. That being said, I will never
give a student a favorab le or unfavorable opinion when it comes to
grading because of a positive/negative relationship that I may have
with that student. Besides, I am pretty confident you wi ll enjoy
this c lass and I will enjoy you. 1 can only think of one student
in my prt:vious 2 1 years of teaching that I truly could not stand
to be around, and last I heard he had spent time "locked-up."
It is easier for mt: to talk with you than to track down your
parent/guardian. However, if you do not " respond'' to me (do the
things that are required of you _ like working very hard, doing
homework, etc.), then I wi ll contact them. l am not doing this to
betray you. but instead to get you to grow as a student and a
person. I hope I will not have to contact them with anything but
good news.
1 have been wrong many times before and I will be wrong many
times again - just ask my wife & kids. However, if you do not
agree with any of my methods or think that I am treating you
unfairly, PLEASE give me the courtesy of coming to talk with me in
private after class or after school. ~
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