Mary Catherine Praskovich

Major Texts:

Hungerford, Jovell, Mayberry. Precalculus: A Graphing Approach.
Holt, Rinehart and Winston 2007.

Larson, Ron, Robert P. Hostetler, and Bruce H. Edwards. Precalculus with
Limits. 1st ed. DC Heath & Company, 1995.

Precalculus Unit Topics

Unit 1 – Functions and Graphs

Unit 2 – Polynomial and Rational Functions

Unit 3 – Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Unit 4 – Trigonometric Functions

Requirements and Grading

o The student must have a graphing calculator, no exceptions. If the student cannot afford to buy one they must make the instructor aware of this immediately and make arrangements to have one loaned to them from the school. TI 83 and 84 models are preferred and are the only models the instructor can guarantee support for.

o Notes and homework should be kept in a 3-ring binder on loose-leaf. Spiral notebooks are not to be used to do homework or other assignments that the student will be submitting.

o Textbooks should be brought to every class unless specific instructions are given not to.

o Partnering / Grouping:

o Working with others in the class is encouraged as long as the student is not ultimately relying on someone else to complete the work for them.

o Grades will be determined on a weighted point system. The amount of points accumulated divided by the amount of points possible will be your percentage in the category. The categories are then weighted according to the following weights table:

Grading Breakdown
Category Value
Homework 5 pts
Quizzes 10-20 pts
Exams / Projects 30-60 pts
Category Weights
Instrument Value
Homework 30%
Quizzes 30%
Exams 40%




o Homework: Homework will be assigned after every lesson. Homework is due at the beginning of the next class unless notification is given otherwise. Late homework will be graded at 2.5 points and will not be accepted after the second day (some exceptions may be necessary). A list of current homework assignments is available on the blog so that absent students can see what they have missed. Homework turned in by an absent student is due within one week of the return date to school. After this period it will be considered late.

o Additional Grading Notes:

o Section Tests: Most sections will have their own quiz - the chapters include too many sections to test on as a whole in a 45 minute period, so multi-section tests will be reserved for term exams (1 hour in length) at the completion of the second and fourth quarters. It is possible that two or three sections will be combined into a single quiz if those sections are short enough. Missed exams must be taken before the completion of the following section.

o Homework Quizzes will be conducted after most homework sessions in class and will contain two problems from the homework that was just reviewed. Missed homework quizzes must be taken before the completion of the section.

o Reading Quizzes will be announced and will contain three questions dealing with the section material that was assigned to be read. The student may pick two of those three questions to answer on the reading quiz. Missed reading quizzes must be taken before the completion of the section.

o Opportunities for extra credit will be presented at the discretion of the instructor and generally to the entire class. The greatest chance the student has to earn an 'A' occurs on the homeworks, quizzes and exams given throughout the year. Extra credit is not to be used as a fallback for not doing diligent work during the year. When given, extra credit simply adds to the student's point total - it does not automatically guarantee a higher letter grade.

o Instructor Contact Info:

Mrs. Mary C. Praskovich
Room 3024
mcpraskovich@olsh.org
412-264-5140 ext. 3024

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Course Description : Algebra II emphasizes equation solving and its applications. It is required of all students who have successfully completed Algebra I. The course has an average to above average level of difficulty and placement is dependent on a teacher recommendation. A scientific calculator is required but a graphing calculator is recommended.

Text Used : Algebra and Trigonometry, Structure and Method, Book 2

by Larson/Hostetler

Supplemental material is given at the discretion of the instructor.

Classroom Rules :

·A notebook/ binder is needed for most homework and notes taken in class.

·If missed, assignments, quizzes, and tests should be completed in a timely manner.

·Arrive in class prepared to work ( book, homework, etc.).

Grading :Total points accumulated from: Homework - 30 %, Quizzes - 30 %, and Tests 40 % of the final grade.

Homework( given most days )Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period, checked for effort and completion.5 – 10 points given per assignment.Late assignments will be given half credit, up to one class period after the assignment was due.No credit will be given to homework turned in after the deadline.

Quizzes( usually once a cycle )These usually encompass one to two concepts learned.15 – 30 points in length.

Tests( TBA )Usually 2 per grading period.Notice will be given prior to the review. 30 – 60 point in length.

f you have any questions you can contact me at mcpraskovich@olsh.org.

Course Description : This course is designed for upper classmen and is an excellent introduction to advanced mathematics.Algebra topics include algebraic operations and equation solving, polynomial functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, analytic geometry, statistics, and analysis.Trigonometry is presented with a strong emphasis on trigonometric functions.

Classroom Rules :

·A notebook is needed for most homework and notes taken in class.

·If missed, assignments, quizzes, and tests should be completed in a timely manner.

·Arrive in class prepared to work ( book, homework, etc. )

Grading :Total points accumulated for: Homework - 30 %, Quizzes - 30 %, and Tests 40 % of the final grade.

Homework( given most days ) Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period, checked for effort and completion.5 – 10 points given per assignment.Late assignments will be given half credit, up to one class period after the assignment was due.No credit will be given to homework turned in after the deadline.

Quizzes ( usually once a cycle )These usually encompass one to two concepts learned. 15 – 30 points in length.

Tests ( TBA )Usually 2 per grading period. Notice will be given prior to the review. 30 – 60 point in length.

If you have any questions you can contact me at mcpraskovich@olsh.org.