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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 a
number of advanced topics beyond the typical Algebra 11 curriculum. This is a very adva.nced and 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: thurry@homewood.kl2.al.us
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 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 thi s 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, rather less (the;e is a difference). I strongly encourage you to be here on test days. Tests 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 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!!!
are given They will cover the material covered since the last test. You may or may not be
. a qUJz. I Will expect you to know all the material we have covered throughout the week (or year) at
1Jven time - this is the only way we can be successful at math tournaments. A quarterback can't forget a ll o f
t afterte game and neither can you forget all the math applications after a test. This will be something for
w

many
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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. '
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 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 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
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.
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 miss 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 deduction 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 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.
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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 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
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, despi te 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 really am a pretty decent fellow.
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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 wi ll NOT be allowed to use these on a test or quiz. Also, you will
NEVER 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.
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 completely 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 offensi ve 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 favorable 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 wi ll not have to contact them with anythi ng 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.