Algebra II

Course Description

In basic terms, Algebra 2 combines the worlds of Algebra 1 and Geometry. Expect to see systems of equations, quadratics, proportions, and imaginary numbers make a return, and expect to tackle new topics like logarithms and matrices. In more exciting terms, Algebra II is the culmination of all math you’ve learned thus far. These skills tie directly into all world sciences and systems. Want to learn about carbon-dating? Algebra II. The forces of launching a satellite? Algebra II. The math behind the algorithms keeping track of the flow of resources and funds in the world? This is the place for you.

In this class, we will learn how to: work with absolute values and inequalities; graph absolute values and inequalities; use quadratics/parabolas; work with complex polynomials; solve problems involving composite functions and orders of functions; solve problems using radicals and rational functions; use simple matrices to solve problems; simplify problems using imaginary numbers and conjugates; and how to solve problems involving complex probability.

Posts

Weekly Update April 05

Welcome back to Algebra 2! Here’s what to expect:

Classes:

     Cohort A: M/W, 10:30 AM – 11:20 AM

     Cohort B: T/Th, 10:30 AM – 11:20 AM

Zoom ID: See Outlook Calendar Invite

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

  1. We will learn strategies for managing stress and continue prepping for the SAT.

New Assignments (Due 04/12 by 8:00 AM)

  1. If In-Person: Participate in activities for test anxiety and test prep. If Online: Send me your answers and score for the practice test we take during the week.

Late Assignments (10% off after 04/07 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Abstract Geometry Reflection Prompt (Teams: Assignments)

Schedule Tips

  1. Whichever days you do not have class, use the time to complete assignments! For the T/Th cohort, you should look at your assignment ahead of time to come up with questions.

Remote Week March 15th

Welcome back to Precalculus and Algebra 2! This week, there are no live lessons. You have one recorded lesson to watch and one assignment to complete. All HS teachers are unavailable from March 15th through March 17th, and we will begin replying to emails on March 18th.

Objective: Students can write equations modeling real-world situations.

Video: The video can be found on Microsoft Teams. Go to the “Algebra 2” or “Precalculus” team and click the “Videos” tab at the top (you may need to click the down arrow for more options). Once there, scroll until you find the lesson for March 15th. This video can also be accessed on the Precalculus and Algebra 2 class pages on Westgateschool.org.

Assignment: You have one assignment for this week: Systems of Equations Word Problems. It is due in one week.

March 15th through March 17th will be Remote/Asynchronous Learning

Please read the following update from Sharon Collins. It was also sent out from Westgate through email.

Dear HS Families,

In keeping with timely communications and consideration for minimizing academic disruption, we need to let our HS families know that Westgate will be conducting asynchronous learning through Microsoft Teams on March 15, 16 and 17.  Conferences are still scheduled for March 18 and 19.  

This decision was not made lightly but is necessary for teachers and staff to get their second COVID vaccination and allow for anticipated teacher and staff absences.

Due to a shortage of substitute teachers and inability to guarantee classroom coverage, we could not be certain of our ability to offer live instruction for that week.  Preplanning for asynchronous learning gives us all the opportunity to minimize academic disruption to families and students. 

Teachers have begun planning for the asynchronous learning that will occur and will have lessons prepared ahead of time. 

If your student receives special education services, the learning specialist will email you information about services during asynchronous learning.

Teachers will not be available Monday, March 15tthru Wednesday, March 17.  They will be available for conferences on March 18 and 19.  

Please reach out to your student’s advocate or the HS assistant principal, Ms. Amanda Novak, if you have any questions or comments prior to March 15.

We recognize that a week of asynchronous learning will be inconvenient for some families, but we know that providing timely information and planning time is most helpful.

Sincerely,
Sharon Collins

Weekly Update March 8th

Welcome back to Algebra 2! Here’s what to expect:

Classes:

     Cohort A: M/W, 10:30 AM – 11:20 AM

     Cohort B: T/Th, 10:30 AM – 11:20 AM

Zoom ID: See Outlook Calendar Invite

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

  1. Students can solve real-world problems involving simple interest, compound interest, and continuous compound interest.

New Assignments (Due 03/15 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Calculations with Interest (Teams: Assignments)

Late Assignments (10% off after 03/08 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Dividing Polynomials (Teams: Assignments)

Schedule Tips

  1. Whichever days you do not have class, use the time to complete assignments! For the T/Th cohort, you should look at your assignment ahead of time to come up with questions.

Weekly Update February 8th

Welcome back to Algebra 2! Here’s what to expect:

Classes:

     Cohort A: M/W, 10:30 AM – 11:20 AM

     Cohort B: T/Th, 10:30 AM – 11:20 AM

Zoom ID: See Outlook Calendar Invite

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

  1. Students can expand and condense logarithms in order to solve for exponents as decimals.
  2. Students will be able to expand and condense logarithmic equations in order to simplify and solve problems involving logarithms.

New Assignments (Due 02/15 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Solving Exponents with Logarithms 2 (Teams: Assignments)

Late Assignments (10% off after 02/08 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Solving Exponents with Logarithms 1(Teams: Assignments)

Schedule Tips

  1. Whichever days you do not have class, use the time to complete assignments! For the T/Th cohort, you should look at your assignment ahead of time to come up with questions.

Weekly Update January 25th

Welcome back to Algebra 2! Here’s what to expect:

Classes: Monday/Wednesday 10:45 – 11:30 AM

Office Hours: Tuesday, 1:30 – 2:30 PM; Wednesday, 2:30 – 3:30

Zoom ID: 777 1347 7758 (This is different from last semester)

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

  1. Students will be able to explain the uses of the natural logarithm, and solve problems using ln.
  2. Students will be able to expand and condense logarithmic equations in order to simplify and solve problems involving logarithms.

New Assignments (Due 02/01 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Expanding and Condensing Logarithms (Teams: Assignments)

Late Assignments (10% off after 01/25 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Solving Logarithms and Natural Logarithms (Teams: Assignments)

Below: Here is one example of how you might organize your math work this first week. This is merely a suggestion of one way to pace yourself, and you should do whatever works best for you. No one knows your schedule better than yourself!

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Attend class at 10:45

Record all assignments

 Optional: SAT prep at 4

Begin Expanding Logs practice

Office hours at 1:30 – 2:30 if needed

Attend class at 10:45 for SAT prep.

Office hours from 2:30 – 3:30 if needed.

Complete Expanding Logs practice

Check all assignments for completion

 

Weekly Update January 19th

Welcome back to the second full week of Algebra 2! Here’s what to expect:

Classes: Monday/Wednesday 10:45 – 11:30 AM

Office Hours: Tuesday, 1:30 – 2:30 PM; Wednesday, 2:30 – 3:30

Zoom ID: 777 1347 7758 (This is different from last semester)

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

  1. Students will understand how to switch between logarithmic and exponential forms of problems, as well as their real-world applications. Students will use both to solve one-step equations.
  2. Students will be able to explain the uses of the natural logarithm, and solve problems using ln.

New Assignments (Due 01/25 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Solving Logarithms and Natural Logarithms (Teams: Assignments)

Late Assignments (10% off after 01/18 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Practice with Logarithms 1 (Teams: Assignments)

Below: Here is one example of how you might organize your math work this first week. This is merely a suggestion of one way to pace yourself, and you should do whatever works best for you. No one knows your schedule better than yourself!

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

NO SCHOOL

 

Begin Solving Logs practice

Office hours at 1:30 – 2:30 if needed

Attend class at 10:45 for SAT prep.

Office hours from 2:30 – 3:30 if needed.

Optional: SAT Prep at 4

Complete Solving Logs  practice

Check all assignments for completion

 

Weekly Update January 11th

Welcome back to the first full week of Algebra 2! Here’s what to expect:

Classes: Monday/Wednesday 10:45 – 11:30 AM

Office Hours: Tuesday, 1:30 – 2:30 PM; Wednesday, 2:30 – 3:30

Zoom ID: 777 1347 7758 (This is different from last semester)

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

  1. Review: Students will understand the six rules for simplifying exponents. They will be able to identify when to use the rules, then apply them correctly.
  2. Students will understand how to switch between logarithmic and exponential forms of problems, as well as their real-world applications. Students will use both to solve one-step equations.

New Assignments (Due 01/18 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Practice with Logarithms 1 (Teams: Assignments)

Late Assignments (10% off after 01/11 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Pretest (Teams: Assignments)

Below: Here is one example of how you might organize your math work this first week. This is merely a suggestion of one way to pace yourself, and you should do whatever works best for you. No one knows your schedule better than yourself!

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Attend class at 10:45

Record all assignments for the week.

Begin Logarithm practice

Office hours at 1:30 – 2:30 if needed

Attend class at 10:45 for SAT prep.

Office hours from 2:30 – 3:30 if needed.

Complete Logarithm practice

Check all assignments for completion

 

Finals Week (Math)

Here is how your math final will work:
 
The Final: Similar to the Final Review, both the final and the sheet for your answers will appear in Teams Monday (14th) at 8 AM. It is due by 4 PM on Tuesday (15th). I will not accept late finals. Please submit it early in case you encounter tech issues. That way, you will have time to turn it in.
 
A few notes:
  • If Teams gives you trouble, you can download the answer sheet, record your answers, and either upload it to Teams or email it to me.
  • Please do not use Sharepoint. I have had trouble accessing student work when it is done using Sharepoint and Teams. Please either complete the document on Teams, or download it and upload it as described in the previous note.
  • If you had graphing problems on the review, you will also have them on the final. You can complete the graphs by hand and upload pictures of them or use a program like Microsoft Paint to draw on the graphs digitally.
Schedule: You do not have normal classes this week. However, I will be available during the following times if you have clarification questions, want to check your grade, or feel like chatting. Use the normal class Zoom info if you want to check in. I am available:
  • Monday, 8:45 - 9:30 and 11:00 - 11:45
  • Tuesday: 8:45 - 9:30 and 10:45 - 11:30
  • Wednesday: Not available.
I believe that is everything. Best of luck, and may the force be with you!
 
Best,
-Cuevas

Weekly Update December 7th

Welcome back for another week of Algebra 2! This week, we will be going through the Final Review posted on Teams, and then your final will be uploaded on Monday, December 14th. Here’s what to expect for the week:

Classes: Monday/Wednesday 10:45 – 11:30 AM

Office Hours: Tuesday, 1:30 – 2:30 PM; Wednesday, 2:00 – 3:00

Zoom ID: 987 654 321

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

  1. This week, we are reviewing all material from the past semester in preparation for the final.

New Assignments (Due 12/11 at 4:00 PM)

  1. Final Review
  2. All old work is due by 4pm on Wednesday, December 9th.

Late Assignments (10% off after 12/07 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Simplifying Rational Expressions 2 (Teams: Assignments)

Below: Here is one example of how you might organize your math work this first week. This is merely a suggestion of one way to pace yourself, and you should do whatever works best for you. No one knows your schedule better than yourself!

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Attend class at 10:45

Record all assignments for the week.

Begin Final Review

Attend class at 10:45

Submit all old work by 4 PM

Complete Final Review

Check all assignments for completion

Submit Final Review by 4 PM

 

Weekly Update November 30th

Welcome back for another week of Algebra 2! Just two more weeks before finals. We will be learning new material this week, reviewing next week, and then your final will be uploaded on Monday, December 14th. Here’s what to expect for the week:

Classes: Monday/Wednesday 10:45 – 11:30 AM

Office Hours: Tuesday, 1:30 – 2:30 PM; Wednesday, 2:00 – 3:00

Zoom ID: 987 654 321

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

  1. We can use our knowledge of factoring and functions using fractions in order to combine, solve, and graph rational expressions.

New Assignments (Due 12/07 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Simplifying Rational Expressions 2 (Teams: Assignments)

Late Assignments (10% off after 11/30 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Simplifying Rational Expressions (Teams: Assignments)

Below: Here is one example of how you might organize your math work this first week. This is merely a suggestion of one way to pace yourself, and you should do whatever works best for you. No one knows your schedule better than yourself!

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Attend class at 10:45

Record all assignments for the week.

Begin Rational Expressions 2 Assignment

Attend class at 10:45

Complete Rational Expressions 2 assignment

Check all assignments for completion

 

Weekly Update November 16th

Welcome back for another week of Algebra 2! Here’s what to expect:

Classes: Monday/Wednesday 10:45 – 11:30 AM

Office Hours: Tuesday, 1:30 – 2:30 PM; Wednesday, 2:00 – 3:00

Zoom ID: 987 654 321

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

  1. We can use our knowledge of factoring and functions using fractions in order to combine, solve, and graph rational expressions.

New Assignments (Due 11/23 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Simplifying Rational Expressions (Teams: Assignments)

Late Assignments (10% off after 11/16 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Solutions of Rational Expressions (Teams: Assignments)

Below: Here is one example of how you might organize your math work this first week. This is merely a suggestion of one way to pace yourself, and you should do whatever works best for you. No one knows your schedule better than yourself!

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Attend class at 10:45

Record all assignments for the week.

Begin Rational Expressions Assignment

Attend class at 10:45

Complete Rational Expressions assignment

Check all assignments for completion

 

Weekly Update November 9th

Welcome back for another week of Algebra 2! Here’s what to expect:

Classes: Monday 10:45 – 11:30 AM, No Class Wednesday for Veterans’ Day

Office Hours: Tuesday, 1:30 – 2:30 PM, No Office Hours Wednesday for Veterans’ Day

Zoom ID: 987 654 321

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

  1. We can solve problems in standard parabolic form using the quadratic formula.
  2. We can describe the uses of the discriminant in the quadratic formula in order to determine the number of real solutions in an equation.

New Assignments (Due 11/16 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Quadratic Formula and Discriminant 2 (Teams: Assignments)

Late Assignments (10% off after 11/09 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Quadratic Formula and Discriminant (Teams: Assignments)

Below: Here is one example of how you might organize your math work this first week. This is merely a suggestion of one way to pace yourself, and you should do whatever works best for you. No one knows your schedule better than yourself!

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Attend class at 10:45

Work on exponents assignment

No School

Complete exponents assignment

Check all assignments for completion