Algebra 2

To be ready for Algebra 2 you REALLY need to be proficient with solving quadratics and factoring because a huge chunk of Algebra 2 content requires you to either factor or solve quadratics. This means that factoring and solving a quadratic becomes the easy step in a much bigger problem. You need to be able to factor and solve quickly and accurately.

However, there are a lot of other little things that will pop up that you'll need to be able to handle. So your assignment is really just focused on setting up your notebook and doing a general review of Algebra 1 and some Geometry.

By the first day of school, August 20, 2024 make sure you:

Get your class supplies
Set up your notebook
Make a "For Reference" Section: This is where you review Algebra 1 and Geometry. Create a little section in your notebook that you can use as a reference during the school year.
Start thinking about the Spring Final Project. Weird, I know. This is a student driven project and you need ideas in the Fall so we can get to work in the Spring.

Just be aware of the following:

I will be conducting notebook checks like I did in Algebra 1 and Geometry. Notebook checks are graded, but worth fewer points. Have your notebook ready at all times!
You will have a quiz that first week back over the concepts you were supposed to review and it will be for a grade.

Part 1: Supplies - Required

Here are the supplies that you will need for Algebra 2 starting on the first day. These are the supplies that you will be using EVERY DAY!

Required

Composition Book: You will need at least 1. You know what these go through so don't get anything that will fall apart! No spirals or perforated sheets! Can be lined, grid, blank, dotted line, dot grid, whatever type you like to use.
Folder: This can be an hand-made pocket in your notebook. It can be a separate folder just for Algebra 2 or it can be one section of an accordion file folder. Just have a spot to store Algebra 2 handouts and assessments.
Pencils with good erasers

Optional (nice to have, but not necessary)

Colored pencils, pens or markers
Highlighter
Scissor
Glue Stick or Tape
Graph Paper

There are no additional or specialty supplies needed for Algebra 2.

Part 2: Setting Up Your Notebook

This part is the same as it was for Algebra 1 and Geometry. You will be keeping all of your notes and work in composition books. Most people will use 2 in a school year, one if you write tiny, more if you write big or leave a lot of space. They are plentiful and inexpensive in the fall during back to school sales so get as many as you think you'll need.

I don't have a preference about college, wide ruled, graph paper, dot grid, blank.... but I do want it to be a bound journal (sewn), like composition books. Glued binding, like in most journals, are okay. No spiral notebooks. They are terrible! No perforated pages. You need the pages to stay inside the notebook over time and daily use.

Decorate it to your heart's content. You will be using it every day so you should like the way it looks.

You will need to:

Write you name boldly on the cover so that other people easily find it
Create a title page with the course name, your name and the school year
Create a table of contents.
Number the pages. Go ahead and number them all now.

Creating a pocket on the inside cover of your notebook is optional because you can use a folder instead.

Below is a link to the old video showing you how to set up your notebook, if you really need it. Just make sure to write "Algebra 2" on the title page and not Algebra 1.

Video: Setting up your journal

Part 3: Making A "For Reference" Section

We really don't spend time reviewing Algebra 1 concepts in Algebra 2. We will extend them, but don't expect us to spend days reviewing things like writing equations for lines.

So, you will be making yourself a "For Reference" section in your notebook that you can refer back to as needed. You can put it in the front of the notebook or in the back, your choice.

If you anticipate using 2 (or more ) notebooks, they each will need a "For Reference" section. However, these do not have to be identical for every notebook you use.

Now, we will be giving you freedom when it comes to what to add to your notebook's "For Reference" section. Here are the criteria you must meet for credit during notebook checks:

The "For Reference Section" must exist in your notebook and it needs to be labeled
It must be included in the table of contents, with page numbers!
It must contain some helpful math, mostly from Algebra 1 or Geometry. Consider adding formulas, properties, reminders, and examples of processes.
At a minimum, one full page in your notebook must be dedicated to this section.

Below you will see a list of (mostly) Algebra 1 topics you should review and consider adding into your "For Reference" section. Go through your Algebra 1 and Geometry notebooks to find formulas and notes. Go to my YouTube channel to review.

We hit the ground running, so if you forgot how do to some things, practice before August. I've included a folder with some OPTIONAL practice problems below. I'm not including a lot of practice because I know there are people who will do every problem I post and I want you to enjoy the vast majority of your summer. If you have limited time for practice, focus on factoring.

Topic 1 : Functions

Make sure you can identify a function, identify the Algebra 1 families of functions (linear, exponential, quadratic, linear absolute value) and state their parent functions, give the domain and range of a function, identify data sets as continuous or discrete, and can identify the transformations caused by af(x), f(bx), f(x-c) and f(x) + d. You must know function notation. You must also know the three forms for linear equations, the 2 forms for exponential growth, the two forms for exponential decay, and the three forms of equations for quadratic functions.

Topic 2: Solving Equations

I am assuming that you are more than proficient when solving linear equations and inequalities by using the properties of equalities, the properties of order, and the field axioms. Make sure you can also solve linear absolute value and quadratic equations too. There are 3 methods for solving quadratics that you need to be proficient in: quadratic formula, completing the square, factoring. You may want to just always use the quadratic formula all of the time, but the other two methods have more applications than just solving. Make sure you know solution set notation and set builder notation as we used them in Algebra 1.

Topic 3: Writing Equations

Make sure you can write the equation for a line in point-slope, slope-intercept and standard forms. This includes when given two points, when given a table, when given a graph, or a word problem scenario. You will also need to be able to write explicit rules for arithmetic and geometric sequences. You must be familiar with the factors-trick (from Geometry's Inductive Reasoning Unit) to write a rule for a quadratic sequence in factored form. You must be able to write an equation for exponential growth and decay models. You must be able to write an equation for a circle. You must be able to write an equation for a quadratic function in vertex form given the vertex and one additional point.

Topic 4: Solving Systems of Equations

Be able to set up and solve systems of linear equations using both substitution and elimination methods. We will expand this to 3+ variables in Algebra 2 and learn new methods, so make sure you are good with 2 variables.

Topics 5: Simplifying Radicals & Exponential Expressions

Make sure you can simplify a radical in general and can deal with fractions and radicals. Be able to apply the product, quotient and power rules of exponents to simplify an expression. Make sure you can write a radical in exponential form. This all will only get more complicated in Algebra 2 when we expand to the complex number system and learn about conjugates.

Topic 6: Polynomials and Factoring

This is one of the skills from Algebra 1 that you will probably use the most in Algebra 2. Make sure you know how to identify the degree of a term, the degree of a polynomial, name polynomials, identify special cases, simplify, add, subtract, multiply, divide and factor. If you are not good at factoring, Algebra 2 is gonna be rough y'all. Factoring is a foundation skill!

Topic 7: Pythagorean Theorem & Analytical Geometry

The Pythagorean Theorem is one of those concepts that never really goes away. It crops up in every math class in some form or another. You must know the Pythagorean Theorem. You must be able to find the distance between 2 points in a coordinate plane. You must be able to find the coordinates of the midpoint of a line segment given its endpoints. You must be able to write the equations for parallel and perpendicular lines.

Topics 8: Geometry

You must be able to find the area of triangles, trapezoids, parallelograms (all of the types), kites, circles (and parts or circles) and regular polygons. You must be able to find the surface area and volumes of of prisms, pyramids, cones, cylinders and spheres. You must know the three trigonometric ratios (sine, cosine and tangent). In addition, by fourth quarter, you must be able to find arc measure and arc length. Most of these are formulas and if you include any in your reference section, be sure to include labeled diagrams.

Part 4: Required Reading & Thinking

Algebra 2 does have a fall written exam, but in the spring there is a big project the whole class participates in and you should start thinking about it now. This is 100% student driven. You come up with ideas, come to a consensus on one to accomplish, choose managers and get it done!

Check out this documentary made by the Cascade Year, probably the most successful and well managed project we've had so far but underfunded. GoFundMe wasn't really a thing when they made Cascade. You can also read these words of advice from the Spring 2023 Cthulhu Game Cabinet project members or these from both classes of Spring 2024. The two classes of 2024 have some really good and specific advice for y'all!

The project doesn't have to be something you build for me or Kealing. There are contests we can participate in like the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow and The Breakthrough Challenge. We can do a service project too. There are problems in our greater community that we might be able to solve. Keep an open mind, be reasonable, but also dream big!

Here is how you get credit for this portion of the assignment.

Create a page in your notebook titled Spring Final Project Ideas
Write a list of project ideas on this page. You must have at least 5 different ideas before the start of school, but more is better. Include enough detail so that you can describe your idea to others and have them understand what your idea is.

For example, don't write "ceiling art." However, you can say "Create a 3-D perspective sculpture that would hang from the library ceiling. It would be made of hundreds of tiny rubber ducks and if you stand in one specific spot in the library and looked up, you'd see a giant rubber duck." -- This seems like a strange and random idea, but I think it would be hilarious and it was one of the projects I wanted to do with my Math & Arts Elective. If you followed the link I provided, you can see some interesting artwork using this technique... and I may turn this into a project anyway, maybe for Geometry.

Bored and Seeking More Math?

As an Algebra 2 student, you will be required to participate in 2 math competitions next year: The AMC 10 and the AMC 8. I'll also host MMC (from MathWorks) but participation in that one is optional.

If you are sure your skill set is ready for Algebra 2 and you find yourself bored and wanting to do some math, try practicing some competition level mathematics. And don't just try problems you know you'll get right. Stretch your brain. Try some harder problems. Try some Geometry problems!

The math competition community is robust and you won't just find questions and answers. You'll find solutions and alternate solution methods too. Exposing your brain to this type of problem solving will serve you well in the future. Here is a link to the Art of Problem Solving Competition site where you will find plenty of problems to try https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/

A Reminder About High School Credit

Our Algebra 2 course is considered "advanced" and for the purposes of GPA will be weighted on a five-point scale.

During each grading period, you will be given 2 progress reports: one at 3-weeks, the other at 6-weeks.

Semester averages will use the percentages to 40%, 40%, 20% , with the grade earned in each 9-week period constituting 40% of the average, and the semester exam/project 20%.

Your grade in Algebra 2 will be recorded onto your high school transcript.

There is no EOC for Algebra 2. During STAAR testing season, you will take your grade level STAAR. Needless to say, we will not be doing any STAAR preparation or review.

If things don't go well, you can drop Algebra 2 for credit. Since there is no EOC, the drop deadline is the end of the 5th week of the final quarter, so mid-April. We'll send out letters when that date approaches.