Honors Algebra 2 & Trigonometry

Pacing Guide: Chapter 2: Functions and Function Relations 

For several weeks, this class will be learning about applying functions to algebraic concepts. The topics and dates we will be addressing are:

-Section 2.1   Rectangular Coordinate System: September 17 - September 18

-Section 2.2   Circles: September 21 - September 22

-Section 2.3   Functions and Relations: September 23 - September 25 (with review of past concepts on September 28)

-Section 2.4   Two-Variable Linear Functions: September 29 - September 30

-Section 2.5   Applications of Linear Equations: October 1 - October 2

-Section 2.6   Transformations of Graphs: October 6 - October 7

-Section 2.7   Analyzing Graphs: October 8 - October 13

-Section 2.8   Algebra of Functions and Function Composition: October 14 - October 15

-Review: October 16

-Test: October 19 

All Assignments can be viewed in the Canvas portion of the class. (Two weeks are posted.)

This week, we will be studying quadratics. All of this week's homework will be submitted for grading on Tuesday, September 8, at the beginning of class.

Here is the schedule for this week:

Monday, August 31:

We will be learning about solving linear equations, rational equations, and complex number situations.

Homework:

Complete page 111 (problems 45 - 67 odds, 74 - 80 evens), read pages 104 - 110.

Tuesday, September 1:

Mr. Potter will be overseeing this class while Mr. Glaser gives planetarium shows in the morning.

Classwork and Homework:

Complete the rational equations review handed out in class.

Wednesday, September 2: 

We will be learning about quadratic equations.

Homework:

Complete pages 123 (problems 7 - 12 all, 19 - 24 all, 31 - 37 odds), read pages 113 - 122.

Thursday, September 3: 

We will be learning about quadratic equations. Mr. Glaser will not be in class today. Today's problems are a review of Algebra 1 concepts.

Homework:

Read pages 113 - 122.

Complete pages 124 (problems 39 - 44 all, 55 - 67 odds).

Friday, September 4: 

We will be learning about solving situations (word problems) using quadratics.

Homework:

Complete pages 124 (problems 85 - 87 all, 97 - 103 odds) and complete page 130 (problems 21, 24, 25, 35, 39, 41), read pages 126 - 129.

This week, we will be reviewing concepts of past algebra that are important for this year and we will be starting our new lessons in the class. All of this week's homework will not be submitted for grading so it can be a resource for the following week's test.

Here is the schedule for this week:

Monday, September 7: Labor Day... No School

Tuesday, September 8: 

We will be learning about solving situations (word problems) using quadratics.

Homework:

Complete page 130 (problems 21, 24, 25, 35, 39, 41), read pages 126 - 129.

Wednesday, September 9:

We will be learning about solving more situations using different solution methods.

Homework:

Complete page 141 (problems 5 - 7 all, 17 - 19 all, 21 - 23 all, 37 - 39 all, 43 - 48 all), read pages 133 - 140.

Check all solutions!

Thursday, September 10:

We will be learning about solving more situations using different solution methods.

Homework:

Complete page 141 (problems 55 - 57 all, 64 - 72 all, 85, 86), read pages 133 - 140.

Check all solutions!

Friday, September 11:

We will be learning about linear, compound, and absolute value inequalities.

Resources:

https://www.mathsisfun.com/sets/intervals.html

https://www.mathsisfun.com/sets/symbols.html

Homework:

Complete pages 153 (problems 9 - 19 odds, 27 - 33 all), read pages 145 - 152.

This week, we will be wrpping up a chapter on polynomials, taking a test, and learning about graphing functions. This week's homework (after Wednesday's test) will be submitted for grading on Monday, September 21, at the beginning of class.

Here is the schedule for this week:

Monday, September 14:

We will be learning about linear, compound, and absolute value inequalities.

Homework:

Complete pages 154 (problems 47 - 59 odds), read pages 145 - 152.

Tuesday, September 15: 

We will be reviewing sample problems on Wednesday's test.

The problems and the problem's answers are attached in the Canvas class.

Wednesday, September 16: 

We will be completing the first test of the semester.

Thursday,  September 17:

We will be learning about the rectangular coordinate system.

Homework:

Complete pages 173-174 (problems 11 - 17 odds, 19 - 23 all), read pages 166 - 173.

Correct tests to regain up to 1/3 of points lost.

Friday, September 18: 

We will be learning about the rectangular coordinate system.

Homework:

Complete pages 174-175 (problems 31 - 34 all (the teacher will supply graphs), 51 - 54 all, #61, #62), read pages 166 - 173.

Note: If students need more graphs for homework, a graph can be downloaded in the Canvas class.

HONORS ALGEBRA 2 AND TRIGONOMETRY - 2026/2027

Course Instructors: John Glaser a

Emails: glaser_j@aps.edu 

COURSE OVERVIEW:  The Honors Algebra 2 and Trigonometry class is designed to be a later high school math course that expands foundations in algebra and trigonometry to prepare students for future advanced math classes like AP Calculus AB and AP Statistics. The course covers functions and their graphs, multiplication and division of polynomials, exponent and logarithmic systems, quadratic equations, rational expressions, and trigonometric math. This class is designed to bridge a gap that has occurred since the Covid-19 lockdowns where many incoming calculus students have had major gaps in their math skills. These recent math skill gaps have limited many students’ success in AP Calculus AB. This class is designed to address those gaps before students join the AP Calculus AB class next year.

LEARNING OUTCOMES/INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES:  The purpose of math is to help students develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Learning more algebra and trigonometry concepts helps students to analyze and model real-world phenomena and relationships, and to analyze and communicate their thinking processes. This course focuses on improving students’ understanding of content and skills learned in early high school, deepening students’ understanding of mathematical models for complex real-world applications, improving students’ problem-solving strategies, and improving students’ ability to communicate their mathematical reasoning using mathematical and verbal responses.

More specifically, upon successful completion of this course, the student will have acquired the following knowledge and skills:

• Demonstrate the fundamental principles of complex algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. 

• Understand the concepts of functions and their graphs.

• Describe the properties of different functions and their graphs. 

• Describe the relationship between the different mathematical situations and how they relate to each other.

• Understand and compute the different aspects of algebra and geometry. 

• Apply math skills to solve mathematical problems and/or situations. 

• Construct and analyze graphs from raw data. 

• Analyze graphical representation of data. 

CLASS TEXTBOOK: Our class textbook will be College Algebra & Trigonometry (2017) by Julie Miller and Donna Gerken. We will have class sets in the classroom to use and students will check out a book from ECA to keep at home.

COURSE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:

Daily attendance to the class is imperative. New concepts will be introduced every class and missed material may vitally impact future learning in the class. Homework can be expected every day. For the first semester, 30-45 minutes of homework will be typical. For the second semester, 30-60 minutes of homework will be typical. 

Students are expected to keep a binder in which all notes, classwork, and homework will be kept. Since this class is a somewhat college-preparatory class, the homework will be given daily, but occasionally the homework will be due in groups of assignments. Students are expected to turn in the homework for grading on the day the assignment is due. Late homework can be submitted one day late with a 20% penalty, per ECA late homework policies.

STUDENT SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR ALGEBRA 2

• Three-ring binder or spiral notebooks

• Notebook paper

• Graphing paper

• Pencils

• Graphing calculator (A class set of TI-Inspire calculators will be in the classroom.)

• Compass

• Protractor

CLASS GRADE BREAKDOWN

This class is designed to bridge a gap that has occurred since the Covid-19 lockdowns that shown that many incoming calculus students have had major gaps in their math skills that have limited success in calculus. This class’s grading structure will be close to the grading structure of ECA’s AP Calculus AB class to help those future calculus students be successful in the future.

Tests and quizzes – 50% of overall average

Classroom work  – 30% of overall average

Final exam – 20% of overall average

Other ECA/CEC Policies

Cell phone policy: At ECA/CEC, inappropriate cell phone usage is not allowed in the classroom.  If Mr. Glaser notices a student is using a cell phone without permission, he will confiscate the phone and return the phone to the student at the end of class. Repeated violations can result in Mr. Glaser giving a student’s cell phone (or other devices) to the administration. The school’s policy on cell phone retrieval will then need to be followed by the student or the parent to have the phone returned.   

Tardy policy: Students are expected to be on time to their classes. Tardy students will not be allowed to enter the class without a pass from the main office, per ECA/CEC policy. Students who are occasionally tardy will miss important information that may not be repeated later in the class.