ALGEBRA 2 MATHEMATICS JANUARY 2009
MS. KATIE SHAW
EMAIL: cshaw@psdschools.org
PLAN PERIOD: THIRD HOUR
Course Description:
This course is designed to teach students basic concepts and properties in Algebra 2. Solving
Equations and graphing are discussed throughout the course. Concepts and skills are
introduced algebraically, graphically, numerically, and verbally. The main focus of the course is
to continue to develop algebraic concepts and skills.
Materials Needed: You are responsible for bringing these to class every day
A three ring binder with at least three separate sections:
o Daily Notes
o Homework and Class Work
o Quizzes and Tests
Your covered textbook – Algebra 2
A hand-held graphing calculator TI-83 plus or higher
Graphing Paper and Straightedge
Your BRAIN! (You cannot just be here in body or spirit  )
A good attitude, a strong work ethic, and the motivation to put in your absolute-withouta-doubt best effort!
Class Expectations/Rules:
RESPECT others at all times
You will be in your seat and ready to work when the bell rings
There will be no food or drink allowed in the classroom (except for a clear water bottle
with WATER ONLY)
Cell phones will not be seen or heard, otherwise it becomes mine until the end of the
day
MP3 players, CD players, etc. can only be used during individual work time with ONE
headphone in only.
At the end of the class period, pick up all trash and leave when dismissed
Grading Policy:
Participation: 10% of your grade
Homework: 25% of your grade
Quiz Average: 30% of your grade
Test Average: 35% of your grade
Participation:
Participation is a HUGE part of math class and you are expected to contribute at all times to
the academic classroom atmosphere. This means taking notes, being on task at all times,
coming to class prepared EVERYDAY, and being on time to class. You will start the semester
with 100% participation. 5 percentage points will be taken off each time you come to class
unprepared, each time you’re not on task, etc. 10 percentage points will be taken off each time
you are tardy to class. This means being IN YOUR CORRECT SEATS WHEN THE BELL
RINGS!
Homework
ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE DONE IN PENCIL!!!
Expect homework to be assigned and collected on a daily basis in this class. Homework
assignments will be checked for effort and completeness, rather than correctness. Full credit
will be awarded for each homework that shows evidence of a reasonable attempt to try every
problem (NO WORK = NO CREDIT!) Half credit will be awarded if half or more of all of the
problems were not attempted and no credit will be awarded if less than half of the problems
were attempted. Assignments done in pen will not be graded.
 Quality of Work: I expect each student to submit quality work that they are proud of. I
will ask any student to re-do sloppy or poor quality assignments.
 Make-up Work: Any student who has an excused absence will be allowed 2 school
days from the day you come back to school to make up missed work for full credit. Turn
in your make-up work in the correctly labeled basket for “Ms. Shaw’s” class; make sure
you put your name and the homework number at the top of the page. DO NOT TURN IN
WORK BY HANDING YOUR PAPERS TO ME OR PUTTING IT SOME WHERE YOU
THINK I “MIGHT” SEE IT.
Quizzes and Tests:
Always remember that NO WORK = NO CREDIT! If you expect to get partial or all credit on a
problem show me all the work. We will have quizzes and tests often in this class. If you are
absent from a quiz or test and your absence is EXCUSED, you must make up the test on the
day that you return, either before or after school. If your absent is UNEXCUSED, you will
receive a 0 grade for that test and you will not be given the chance to make it up.
 Notebook Quizzes: You will be expected to take clear and legible notes on a near-to
daily basis. For each unit we will have a notebook quiz in which you will answer
questions based on your note taking. If you follow along in class and take good notes
these quizzes will be a piece of cake!
Bathroom Privileges:
Only one person at a time will be allowed to take a bathroom break. I will give permission for
you to use the restroom at appropriate times. If it is an emergency, feel free to leave quietly on
your own. You are all mature enough to know what an “emergency” is. Always take the hall
pass when you leave the room during the class period.
“Freebie” Passes”
You will receive three “freebie” passes per quarter. These passes may be used for one extra
day for a homework assignment, no points taken off for one tardy, or to borrow a textbook/get
forgotten material from you locker. Extra credit will be given on the final if you have any
“freebie” passes left at the end of the semester.
Extra Help:
 Study Groups: The best help I’ve ever had in math is getting a study group together
with the other students in my classes. Talk to a few of your peers that you work well
with, exchange phone numbers/email addresses and get together regularly to study and
work on homework assignments.
 Tutoring: NHS offers free tutoring on Monday mornings from 7:30-9:30 in the media
center and Monday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:30 – 5:00 in the San
Juan Open Space.
 Extra Help From Me: I believe that each and every one of you has the potential to be
successful in this class. I will make time before school, after school, and at lunch by
appointment so don’t be afraid to come see me!
PLEASE BRING THIS LAST PAGE BACK TO SCHOOL SIGNED BY
BOTH YOU AND YOUR PARENTS. THIS WILL COUNT AS PART OF
YOUR FIRST HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT!!
PARENTS: FEEL FREE TO MAKE A COPY OF THE RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR
FUTURE REFERENCE THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER
STUDENT STATEMENT OF AGREEMENT:
I ________________________________understand all of the policies and procedures for this
(Print Name)
class and that there will be consequences if they are not followed appropriately. I vow to put my
absolute best effort into this class and to approach every day with an open mind!
Signed: ______________________________________________
Date: _______________________
PARENT STATEMENT OF AGREEMENT:
I ________________________________ understand all of the policies and procedures for this
(Print Name)
class and that there will be consequences for my child if he/she does not follow them properly. I
vow to dedicate myself to help motivate my student towards success in his/her Algebra 2 math
class.
Signed:_______________________________________________
Date: ________________________
THANK YOU!!! I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING TO KNOW YOU THIS
SEMESTER!!!