Course Syllabus and Guidelines :  Syllabus Link 

Scroll Below for Full  Syllabus

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Textbook: Calculus for  AP,  by Larson, Hostetler, and Battaglia

                                                                                  CalcChat (Links to an external site.)(answer key for textbook)

                                                                                  CalcView (Links to an external site.) ( video explanations for textbook questions)

                                                                                  http://www.larsoncalculusforap.com/apcalc1e/ (Links to an external site.)

Other Resources:                                           

• Fast Track to a 5:  Preparing for the AP Calculus AB and BC Examinations 
•  We will be incorporating online resources from the AP college board, Khan Academy, DeltaMath, WebAssign and Albert as the year unfolds.  Instructions for logging in to each of these is on your class Canvas page in the How To page.  

Need Help ?  I am usually available to help most mornings before school  (8:00 - 8:20) and after school (3:30 - 3:50).   Please ask if you cannot come early and I will be happy to work something out for after school

Calculators:  Students should typically have their own TI 84 or TI 89 calculator.  

An app for a free TI 84 calculator is available on the chrome webstore:  TI-84 Plus CE App 

 

  Class Policies  

•  Attendance is critical in a class of this level.   If for some reason you miss a class and it is an excused absence, see me as soon as possible to discuss any work you missed.  School policy allows you only two after each excused absence to turn in missed work.  Late work may be turned in the day after it is assigned for a maximum of 75% of its value.
•  Academic dishonesty carries severe consequences, and has resulted in students failing this class in the past. 
•  All work MUST be shown!   Answers only will NOT be accepted.
• Class preparation is essential and expected. 
• Extra help is available most mornings between 8:00 -8:20 and after school from 3:30 – 3:50pm.   Please check with me in advance and I will adjust my schedule as much as possible to assist you.

  Grading Policy  

Assignments   30 %               Quizzes  30 %             Tests  40 %                                     

 GRADING SCALES are APPROXIMATE.  They have been changed from the typical percentages (in which tests were 60%)  in recognition of of the challenges associated with remote learning.   The weighting of grades might change in the future.  Every effort is being made to keep this fair to students and to reward effort and learning.

• You will find that most of your work for this class will be in the form of homework.  I will assign daily homework and expect you to do your best on each assignment.
• As the year progresses, we will begin to incorporate Free Response questions as week-long assignments.
• Projects may be assigned each six weeks.  These will count as test grades.
• Work turned in Late the next day will receive a MAXIMUM of 75% of the earned grade.
• You will be expected to take the AP Calculus Exam in May.  Students who do not take the AP exam will receive a grade deduction of one letter to counterbalance the inflation of grades for an AP course.
• You must be capable of doing college-level work but more importantly, you must be motivated to do college-level work in high school.  Your grades will reflect this level of motivation.
•  As we transition into review during the second semester, the grading may change to a total point system.  Students will be advised of any changes with the second semester at that time.

 

  Remote Learning  

Learning from home has it’s advantages and disadvantages.  There are some things you can do to help yourself make the most of this experience.

• Check school email daily (at a minimum).
• Check into your class Canvas course daily.
• Join your classes remotely during class hours (unless there are extenuating circumstances)
• Most of your assignments are not all set up to be submitted through canvas, so just clicking on the assignment tab won’t tell you what you need to do.   Please check the Assignment Central button/page for the day’s lesson.  
• Stay current with your assignments.   Your brain absorbs and retains smaller chunks of material learned over several days better than it does one massive chunk all at once. 
• Keep to traditional school hours as much as possible.   Routine is good for your mental health!  Also, your teacher cannot always help you at 11 pm when you decide to look at the day’s assignments and discover that you are confused.  
• Get to sleep on time.  Your brain needs sleep to be able to move new information into working memory.  A lack of sleep impedes memory and your ability to learn new skills.  Also, you make more mistakes when you try to work late at night.  
• Communication will be key to getting through this successfully.  Let me know about any problems you may have with assignments, technology, internet connectivity, etc.

  Course Materials  

• Text: Calculus for AP,  Larson, and Battaglia  available online through your webassign account   
• Fast Track to a 5:  Preparing for the AP Calculus AB and BC Examinations 
• TI-83, TI-84, or  TI – 89 Calculator  Recommended
•  We will be incorporating online resources from the AP college board, Khan Academy, DeltaMath, WebAssign and Albert as the year unfolds.  Instructions for logging in to each of these is on your class Canvas page in the How To page.  

  Course Philosophy  

       The course emphasizes a multi-representational approach to calculus, with concepts, results, and problems being expressed numerically, algebraically, graphically, and verbally. (I will verbally NAG you all year.)  This course is designed to make you think mathematically, which means that you will need to be able to solve a variety of problems with little initial instruction from the teacher. Cooperative learning, student discovery and classroom dialogue will be encouraged.  It is also important for students to be able to communicate their understanding of calculus in written format for the AP exam.

 

  Course Objectives  

AP Calculus AB is a full academic year of course-work that is similar to calculus courses offered at the college or university level.  You are expected to seek college credit for this course through the AP exam if you are enrolled in this class.  Most topics will involve the conceptual framework for and applications involving:

• • Pre-Calculus Review       
  • Limits and Continuity
  • Differentiation
  • Curve Sketching
  • Applications of Derivatives
  • Integration (Part 1)
  • Integration (Part 2)
  • Applications of Integrals
  • Differential Equations
  • Area/Volume
  • Review for AP Calculus Exam

 

  AP Exam  

The AP exam will be given on the morning of Tuesday, May 4th.   Location and starting time will be announced in advance.

 

The AP test (typically)consists of 2 parts:

Section I  Multiple Choice (105 minutes)  

30 questions, 60 minutes      no calculator allowed

             15 questions, 45 minutes      calculator required

Section II  Free Response (90 Minutes)

 2 questions,    30 minutes        calculator required

4 questions, 60 minutes  no calculator allowed

                

The memory on your calculator is not cleared for the test.  You may program formulas into your calculator.  There is no formula sheet given during the exam.

Scores of 3, 4 or 5 on the AP exam constitutes a passing score. 

More information can be found at:  http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/about.html

 

 

  How to Contact Me  

email:   cheryl.brightsen@ucps.k12.nc.us

phone:  (704)764. 2900