Honors Algebra 2 & Trigonometry

Pacing Guide: Review of Prerequisites and Chapter 1: Equations and Inequalities

For the first several weeks, this class will be reviewing important prior math concepts and then we will proceed into Algebra 2 topics. The topics and dates we will be addressing are:

-Introduction to Honors Algebra 2 and Trigonometry: August 7

-Project (Find the Height): August 10-11

-Section R.1 - Sets and the Real Number Line: August 12

-Section R.2 - Integer Components and Scientific Notation: August 13

-Section R.3 - Rational Exponents and Radicals: August 14

-Section R.4 - Polynomials and Multiplications of Radicals: August 17

-Section R.5 - Factoring: August 18

-Section R.6 - Rational Expressions and More Operations: August 19 - 21

(MAP Testing - August 20)

-Section 1.1 - Linear Equations and Rational Equations: August 24 - 26

-Section 1.2 - Applications with Linear and Rational Equations: August 27

-Section 1.3 - Linear Equations and Rational Equations: August 28 - September 1

-Section 1.4 - Quadratic Equations: September 2 - September 4

-Section 1.5 - Applications of Quadratic Equations: September 8

-Section 1.6 - More Equations and Applications: September 9 -10

-Section 1.7 - Linear, Compound and Absolute Value Inequalities: September 11 - 14

-Review: September 15

-Test 1: September 16

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

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 be submitted for grading on Monday, August 31, at the beginning of class.

Here is the schedule for this week:

Monday, August 24:

We will be completing a final review of all concepts we have covered to date. Complete the worksheet handed out in class.

(Hint: The first page's answers are at the end of the document in the Canvas class. However, your remaining answers will be graded by your teacher.)

Tuesday, August 25:

We will be learning about linear equations and rational equations.

Homework:

Complete pages 91 - 93 (problems 11 - 29 odds, 45 - 47 all, 49 - 55 odds), read pages 81 - 90.

Wednesday, August 26:

We will be learning about linear equations and rational equations.

Homework:

Complete pages 93 (problems 57 - 87 odds, 90, 92, 96), read pages 81 - 90 (if you did not do this yesterday).

Thursday, August 27: 

We will be learning about applications with linear and rational equations. 

Homework:

Complete pages 100 - 101 (problems 7, 8, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 23), read pages 94 - 99.

Friday, August 28:

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

Homework:

Complete page 111 (problems 5 - 22 all, 29 - 39 odds), read pages 104 - 110.

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.

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.