Advanced Algebra - South High School
Morgan Fierst– Room 229
What is Advanced Algebra?
The mathematics we learn and teach in school is evolving to address the needs of
today’s students, driven by new discoveries in mathematics and science, new research
on learning, changing societal needs, and the use of more advanced technologies in
work and in education. Advanced Algebra , or Algebra 2, is mathematics as:
Calculation, A Field of Study, A Modeling Language, and Logical Thought. Problems
will connect to the real world. Topics will include Recursive Sequences & Series,
Powers, Roots, Radicals, Exponents, Logarithms, Conic Sections, Polynomials,
Trigonometry, and other fun stuff!!
Course Learning Targets
I can model a given situation using appropriate mathematics.
I can solve relevant real-world problems.
I can move fluently among multiple representations of a mathematical model.
MCA Graduation Test
All students will be required to take the state MCA math test in 11th grade. Students
can retake the test if necessary. The test will be given in April of the junior year. The
standards for the MCA test are taught in Algebra, Geometry and Advanced Algebra.
This class will include all of the Advanced Algebra standards on the MCA test.
Required Materials
You should bring the following materials to class everyday:
 Pencil or Pen
 2 Advanced Algebra notebooks (used for this class only).
o One notebook will be used for class notes and activities. The other
notebook will be used for practice (homework) only.
o Graphing notebooks are great, but regular lined notebooks will do
 Calculator
o Graphing calculators are a good idea to have. They will not be required
to do homework problems, but will be used in class. Students may
check-out graphing calculators in class with a Student ID (which
students need to have everyday at South). Students will want some sort
of calculator at home to do homework problems.
Textbook
The student will be issued a textbook the second week of class. This book is to be
returned to Ms. Fierst at the end of the year, or when they leave the class. If the book
is not returned, a fine of $70 will be placed on the student’s records at South High.
The book is also accessible online. A link and password for the book will be posted on
my teacher page.
Classroom Policies
ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Your grade will mainly be based on your mastery of advanced algebra learning
targets. We will work on the learning targets in class, have opportunities to practice
on homework and in class and you will be assessed with an exit slip, a summary, or a
test. These will be graded based on progress towards the achievement of learning
targets. If you do not show mastery of a target, you will need to practice more (with
help from me or a tutor) and then you can redo the assessment of that objective. The
student’s most recent performance will be the one recorded as part of the student’s
final grade.
Grading for learning is a grading philosophy designed to promote student growth and
resiliency. Multiple assessment opportunities allow students to continuously work
toward mastering key mathematical concepts. By assessing and documenting
student’s work on only essential objectives, I can more effectively communicate with
students about their academic progress. Working together, the student and I can chart
a plan for improvement and reflect together on how to best accomplish the objectives
of the course. The discussion of how to improve the student’s grade will shift from
“What assignments will you do?” to “What objectives do you want to work on?”
Students will be more aware of their skills and learning gaps and will take a more
active role in improving their mathematical knowledge.
PRACTICE (HOMEWORK)
You will practice (have homework) every night. I will check your practice every day.
You will receive no credit for homework that is not done. We will go over homework
and you can fix/add to your work.
CLASSWORK
You will do your class work in your algebra notebook each day. Class work will
include “Do Nows”, note taking, problems, investigations, written summaries and
questions. Some days you will be asked to work alone, other days I will expect you to
work with your group. Class work will be assessed by a notebook check. I will
periodically check your notebooks in order to record learning targets and class work.
LATE WORK/ABSENCE POLICY
Late work will not be accepted unless you have an excused absence. However, it is
always a good idea to do assignments to practice the learning targets we are working
on. With an excuse slip, you will have one day to complete missed work for each
day absent.
Grades
Because I want us to be focused on improving your analyzing, reasoning and critical thinking skills, rather
than accumulating points and getting a grade, I will not be using a point system or assigning grades on
individual assignments or exams; and as a student, you will take an active role in determining what counts as
success in the course and in determining your own mid-term and semester grade.
This does not mean you will not be receiving feedback from me. In fact, you may get more feedback from
me than you would in a more traditional grading system. I will comment extensively on your assessments
and will use a rubric to evaluate your assessments. You simply will not be getting a number at the bottom of
your tests.
This also does not mean that your grade is a mystery and you’ll get a nasty surprise at the end of the
semester. I want you to feel free to talk to me at any time about how you’re doing in the class, and, as I said
above, you’ll be taking an active role in determining your grade. Here’s how it’s going to work:
 Rubrics: As a class, we will create a general rubric for the course that answers the question, “what does a
successful performance in this course look like?” We will do this in the first week or two of the
course. You will use these rubrics as a guide to help you assess your own mathematical progress. I will
also use the rubric to evaluate your unit exams.
 Portfolio: You will keep a portfolio of your completed work in the classroom. This includes journal
entries with comments, unit exams with comments, and other work, such as peer reviews of your
classmates’ work. This will give us a central place to look as we think about how you’ve progressed in
the course. In addition, you will also be able to keep track of your practice in your notebook, and this
notebook will give an indication of your participation in class activities, as well.
 Goal-setting and Self-evaluations: Near the beginning of each quarter, you will conference with me to
talk about how your learning is going and to set some goals for the quarter. On a weekly or bi-weekly
basis, you will reflect on your goals and on our class rubric and identify areas where you are succeeding
and areas where you need to improve. At the middle and end of each quarter, you will write more
extensive evaluations of your learning, and these will become the basis of our conversations in
conferences. In addition, you will write self-assessments of your unit exams and responses to my
evaluations of those learning targets.
 Conferences: Before final grades are due, I will have a short conference with you during class. You and I
will both prepare for this conference by reviewing your goals for the quarter, reviewing your portfolio,
and evaluating your work in the course using the rubrics we’ve developed as a class. You will be
expected to come to this conference with your written self-reflection. During the conference, we’ll
discuss our evaluations and try to come to consensus on a grade.
 Check-ins: Any time you or your parents want to check in with me to discuss your progress in the course, I
will be happy to do it via e-mail, phone, or in person. The idea here is not to surprise you—I won’t be
keeping some kind of secret running tally of points. Rather, I want our focus to be on your analyzing,
reasoning, and thinking skills, rather than your grade alone.
 On-line Portal: You and your family will still be able to look at the on-line portal for a record of
assignments you’ve completed, assignments that are missing, and assignments that are late or
incomplete. There just won’t be points or a grade attached to these assignments. I plan to e-mail your
families frequently through the portal, and they are welcome to e-mail me for an update on your
progress whenever they like.
Codes:
X=assignment complete
I=assignment incomplete
L=assignment late
M=assignment missing
E=assignment excused (extenuating circumstances only)
Please note that D’s will not be given out in this class.
Extra Help
1. Ms. Fierst. I am available at various times before and after school or during
lunch. PLEASE come see me if you are having trouble! Don’t wait until you
are really far behind!
2. Tutoring at South. We often have volunteers from universities available to
tutor students after school. If you are interested in working with a tutor, please
let me know!
3. Website: My course website for advanced algebra offers video tutorials,
interactive practice links, class notes, and more that are tied to specific concepts
and skills we are studying.
4. Other teachers in the building. An advanced algebra teacher will be available
to help everyday afterschool. Please see the math schedule posted outside of
our classroom. They would be happy to help you!
5. Your public library. Many libraries offer tutoring sessions throughout the
week.
6. SHS Math Center: SHS Math Center is open daily from 9:30 to 4:00pm.
Individual tutoring, differentiation and enrichment available! For more
information please visit:
https://sites.google.com/site/shsmathcenter/
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me by e-mail or
phone:
Contact Info:
Email:
Voicemail:
Twitter
Course Site:
Morgan Fierst
morgan.fierst@mpls.k12.mn.us
(612) 524 – 9065
@MsFierst
http://south.mpls.k12.mn.us/fierst_morgan_2