Office of Secondary Mathematics
Howard County Public School System
THE HCPSS OFFICE OF SECONDARY MATHEMATICS staff strives to inspire vision, provides
collaborative leadership, offers differentiated professional development and service to schools, and supports
equitable mathematics learning of the highest quality for all students.
Course Title: Enhancing Instruction in the Algebra 2 Classroom
Credits: 3
Semester/Year: Summer 2011
Class Meeting Days and Times: July 25-August 3, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Classroom/Location: TBD
Lead Instructor: Jennifer Novak
Office Location: HCPSS Secondary Mathematics Resource Teacher, Central Office
Office Phone: 410-313-7486
Office Hours: By appointment
E-mails: jennifer_novak@hcpss.org
Course Description & Objectives
This course is designed to provide current mathematics and special education teachers an opportunity to
plan and deliver effective mathematics instruction in the Algebra II classroom. Teachers will improve
content and pedagogical knowledge, as they explore the mathematical standards outlined by the Common
Core State Standards for High School Algebra II.
The major aspects of the experience are 35 hours of classroom instruction and 10 hours of project
development and online discussion. Teachers will be expected to design and implement a lesson plan/unit
of instruction that balances conceptual and procedural fluency, create a conceptual focus pencast/podcast
and submit self-reflections.
Teachers will:
 Develop a deep understanding of the mathematical ideas outlined in the Common Core State
Standards for High School Algebra 2.
 Develop a repertoire of differentiated strategies for teaching the Algebra 2 content to the diverse
learners.
 Reflect upon their learning from this course in online discussions and through the development of
a pencast/podcast and lesson/unit of instruction.
Required Resources
All print resources will be provided by instructors via class handouts or wikispace
(http://hcpssenhancingalgebra2.wikispaces.com).
Important Websites
http://www.corestandards.org
http://www.learner.org
http://illuminations.nctm.org
Printed: 2/8/16
1
Course Outline
Session 1: “Introduction to Common Core Algebra 2”
 Course expectations and development of norms
 Examining the Standards for Mathematical Practice
 Comparing Common Core to the State Curriculum
 Algebra Tasks
Session 2: “Inverse Variation and Rational Functions”
 Inverse Variation & Rational Functions Big Ideas
 Algebra Tasks
Session 3: “Digging Deeper in Unit 1”
 Operations with Functions & Composition of Functions
 Complex Numbers
 Polynomials Functions
 Algebra Tasks
Session 4: “Examining Unit 4”
 Understanding Statistics
 Algebra Tasks
Session 5: “Another Look at Unit 1”
 Finding an Inverse
 Exponential and Logarithmic Function Models
 Algebra Tasks
Session 6: “Exploring Trigonometry”
 Radian Measure, Unit Circle, & Trigonometric Functions
 Algebra Tasks
 Pencast Development
Session 7: “Investigating Math Tasks”
 Algebra Tasks
 Pencast Development & submission
Session 8: “Work Session”
 Finalize Projects
 Submit project by Friday, August 5, 2011 @ 2:00 p.m.
Bibliography
Driscoll, Mark. (1999). Fostering Algebraic Thinking: A Guide for Teahcers Grades 6-10. Heinemann:
Portsmouth, NH.
Graham, K., Cuoco, A., & Zimmermann, G. (2010). Focus in HIgh School Mathematics Reasoning and
Sense Making: Algebra. NCTM: Reston, VA.
Shaughnessy, J.M., Chance, B., & Kranendonk, H. (2010). Focus in High School Mathematics Reasoning
and Sense Making: Statistics and Probability. NCTM: Reston, VA.
Printed: 2/8/16
2
Course Assignments:
Each of the following course assignments must be completed in order to receive CPD credit or
stipend:
1. Final Project
For your final project you will be creating either a lesson or a series of lessons based on the
content of the Common Core Algebra 2. Your lesson plan may be used as a resource for
teachers as we transition to the Common Core. The lesson(s) must meet the following
criteria:
 Lesson activities must help students to develop a conceptual understanding
 Lesson activities must address the needs of various learners (recommend using the
UDL framework)
 Lesson(s) should be student-centered as much as possible
 Any task/activity referenced must be submitted with the lesson plan and an answer
key must be provided
 Activities should foster the student behaviors highlighted in the Standards for
Mathematical Practice
 Lesson Plan must be completed using the suggested template
 The Standards for Mathematical Practice Reflection Tool must be completed and
submitted with the lesson plan.
 Project must be completed and submitted by Friday, August 5, 2011 @ 2:00 p.m.
2. Pencast/Podcast
This assignment will be finalized in class and may be completed in pairs. You will be
required to investigate how one of the Algebra 2 Common Core standards could be taught
conceptually and develop a 5-10 minute pencast or podcast for teachers. Your
pencast/podcast may be used as a resource for teachers as we transition to the Common Core.
3. Daily Reading & Online Discussion
Each afternoon you will be given a short article to read. You will be expected to read the
article and post your response to a discussion prompt on the wikispace discussion tab.
4. Participation
You are expected to be an active participant in class discussions and activities. This course is
designed to be hands-on and highly interactive.
5. Pre-Reflection/Post-Reflection
You are expected to complete the pre-reflection and post-reflection activity to assess your
present understanding of mathematics and pedagogy related to Common Core Algebra 2.
These reflections will not be shared with other participants.
Printed: 2/8/16
3