Algebra2/Trig with Mr. Ferrante
Cupertino
High School, September 2009
Course
Description
Welcome to Algebra2/Trigonometry! Algebra2/Trig is a rigorous, fast-paced
course designed to prepare students for Pre-Calculus Honors and then Calculus
BC. Expect to be challenged beyond what
you are used to. The level of
abstraction and formality practiced throughout this course is significant
higher than what you are probably used to.
If you received an A or solid B in Geometry Enriched rest assured that
you are prepared. If not, give yourself
a chance to see what you can do first.
You never know until you try. If
you feel that the work is too difficult or you are stressed out beyond reason
talk to me. Our class covers an
accelerated version of the classic Algebra2/Trig topics including polynomial
functions and the Rational Zeros Theorem, systems of non-linear equations and
inequalities, combinatorics and conditional
probability, complex numbers and complex fractions, exponential and logarithmic
functions, sequences and series, and all the standard topics from a first
course in trigonometry.
Grades
Your grade is weighted as follows: Tests/Quizzes 70% Homework 30%
A ³
90% B ³
80% C ³
70% D ³
60% F < 60%
Grades
are semester-cumulative.
I do not average quarter grades.
Final grades are rounded to the nearest whole percentage. A grade of 89% is a B and will not be raised
to an A. Unlike final grades, progress
reports include plusses and minuses for grades within 2 percentage points of
the respective boundary. Progress
reports are calculated to the nearest tenth.
For example, an A+
is 98.0% and up. An A-
is 90.0% to 92.0%.
Your homework grade includes daily
homework, mini projects, participation points, and warm-ups.
The
final exam is included in the Tests/Quizzes category and is worth two
tests. With the exception of excused
absences, makeup tests are not allowed.
You can expect tests this year to be thought-provoking and challenging
from both a technical standpoint and time-constraint standpoint. Consequently most tests are curved based on
overall distribution of how students do – so don’t worry about not finishing everything
on a test. They’re difficult in order to
challenge you, not kill you.
Homework
Homework
will be assigned daily and collected weekly so you have time to do an excellent
job and get help. Homework is graded
based on 100% completion and effort. Real effort. When you
have had a few days to get help, I expect your homework to show it. However, although homework is collected
weekly, you are expected to try 100% of it daily. I will do random daily checks for this. The weekly collection is designed to give you
time for homework corrections. You need
to understand every homework problem thoroughly for tests because tests
will take the same concepts and extend or shift them slightly.
Classroom
Routine
The
nature of this course is one of accelerated mathematics. Be prepared to take extensive notes, get
involved in class discussions, also present ideas and solutions to the
class. Offering your view of a problem
helps other students to see non-obvious mathematical connections.
Supplies
Required
supplies: dedicated composition
notebook, graph paper, scientific or graphing calculator with trig functions
(sin, cos, tan), and a pencil.
Help
Study
groups are highly encouraged. Also, if
you have parents who can help you, get help!
And when you need help from me, see me!
I am available for help during Tutorial, by appointment at lunch, during
the second half of 7th period, and for one hour after school. We also have a staffed tutoring center in the
library after school.
Tardy Policy and Classroom Rules
Tardies
Students who are late for class will be
warned three times. A fourth tardy and
every second tardy thereafter earns a 30-minute administrative detention which
will impact your grade if not served. On
the other hand, your faithful attendance will earn a few extra points per
quarter:
No
tardies: 5 extra participation
points
1
tardy: 3 extra participation
points
2
or more: 0 extra participation
points
Attendance
Students
who attend school with perfect attendance do better than those who don’t. Count on it.
For a legal absence, you have as many days as you were absent to make up
homework and you are additionally responsible for keeping up with the current
homework. If you miss class to
participate in a school activity, you are fully responsible for obtaining and
completing regular homework.
Bathroom
Passes
You
are allowed two bathroom passes each quarter.
If you require a pass to use the restroom, or for any other reason that is not office/teacher directed, I will
record your remaining passes in my gradebook.
If all your passes are used and you need to use the restroom, you will
spend double the time at lunch or after school.
CD
Players, Cell Phones, Pagers, etc.
School
policy does not allow these items. If
you carry them in your backpack and they are completely turned off, that’s
fine. However, if I see or hear
anything, it’s my job to turn them in to the office.
Parents
Your
student’s grade is accessible online. Your
student’s ID number is the default password.
Please feel free to contact me whenever you have questions or
concerns. The best way to initially
contact me is by e-mail at eric_ferrante@fuhsd.org. If that’s not an option,
please contact me by phone at 366-7380 Ext. 4845 or send a note to me through
your student.
Student Signature ____________________ Parent Signature
____________________
Student Name _______________________ Parent Name _______________________
(Print) (Print)
Visit
http://www.MrFerrante.com