Algebra 2
This is only for students who are enrolled in Algebra 2 for the 2024-25 school year.
This means you have credit for Algebra 1 AND you either have credit for Geometry or Ms. Hill accepted your application to Double-Up.
Information & Your Assignment
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. I mean factoring or solving a quadratic becomes the easy step in a much bigger problem, so you need to be accurate and fast.
You'll find optional resources for those needing a refresher on factoring, solving quadratics, and a few other things.
By the first day of school, August 20, 2024 make sure you:
Get your class supplies
Set up your notebook
Review the concepts: watch videos, take notes, and try the practice problems, as needed. You really just need to be ready to learn new content day 1.
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.
Below, you will see some resources, video notes, and optional problem sets for the content you will need to review. Going through this material is optional. Just be aware of the following:
I will be conducting notebook checks. I do them periodically throughout the year to make sure you are keeping up with your notebook. Notebook checks are graded. 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. It won't be crazy huge or contain the hardest problem types, just a few to see where everyone is with the skills... and yes, you'll be able to correct/retake it so don't freak out on me now.
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, 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. However, please note that we are serious about this notebook and will do periodic checks to make sure you are maintaining it throughout the year, for a grade.
Part 2: Setting Up Your Notebook - Required
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: Review Material - Optional
When you saw this in Algebra 1, it was about sequences. In general, you'll need to be able to find patterns to determine types of functions and then write equations for these functions. You should know the patterns from arithmetic and geometric (linear and exponential), but have likely totally forgotten about quadratic. You didn't have to write equations for quadratic functions very much in Algebra 1, but it is something we do in Algebra 2. The reference videos in this folder are about writing explicit formulas for arithmetic, geometric, and quadratic sequences.
I am assuming that you are more than proficient when solving linear equations by using the properties of equalities and the field axioms (like distribution). The types of equations in this review section are absolute value and quadratic. If you do any of the practice problems for quadratics, focus on Tanton's Method aka Completing the Square. You can use the quadratic formula if you want, but be careful of your signs! The practice for factoring is in another topic.
We do extend the concept of linear out in Algebra 2 focusing on a technique of solving systems involving these things called matrices. I am going to assume that you can find slope and write a linear equation in point-slope and slope-intercept forms when given 2 points. This practice is going to focus on you taking a word-problem and writing equations and inequalities from it. Specifically, you are going to be introduced to something called linear programming... basically a giant word problem which I know is your favorite topic from Algebra 1.
This is one of the skills from Algebra 1 that you will probably use the most in Algebra 2. If you only try one set of practice problems, it should be some of these. If you are not good at factoring, Algebra 2 is gonna be rough y'all. Factoring is a foundation skill!
I apologize ahead of time for any mistakes I may have made in the answer key. I had to create all of the summer math assignments alone so I didn't have anyone to check the key for me. I made it open to comments though. If you find something you disagree with, add a comment explaining what you think it should be and why. Feel free to comment on comments if you agree or disagree. You should see comments made by last year's Algebra 2 class.
Part 4: Finals - Required Reading & Thinking
We'll still be on 9-week grading cycle and the semester averages will be calculated by 40-40-20, 40% for each 9-week and 20% for the semester exam.
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.
The project doesn't have to be an art installation either. There are contests we can participate in like the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow and The Breakthrough Challenge. We can do a service project too. Keep an open mind and dream big!