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Assignments: hw.mathorama.com Website: www.mathorama.com google classroom: Block A: 5bxwjc google classroom: Block B: 7qb4uy google classroom: Block F: ik72myb AP Classroom Block A : section code 6XRDNG AP Classroom Block B : section code AEEAEX AP Classroom Block F : section code Z4M73E Khan Academy: TBA textbook: Calculus of a Single Variable 11e (c)2018 by Ron Larson, and Bruce Edwards (those thinking of taking BC next year may wish to get the 15 chapter version called simply Calculus 11e by the same authors) |
You will learn how defend your conclusions with a mathematical argument based upon satisfying the conditions necessary to us a theorem, not just using a theorem.
The more you can explain, the more you will retain! Help each other as you work through homework and classwork by asking for and offering explanations why a method or conclusion might be correct. I will be available before school in Room 104 7:30-8:00 most every day, (and also by appointment after school), if you need extra help.
Text: Calculus of a Single Variable (11th edition) by Ron Larson, and Bruce Edwards. (If you are not a Senior, you may wish to consider the 15 chapter version called Calculus )
Calculator: TI83Plus or TI84 family (Plus, Silver Ed, CE, etc) only. NO TI-Inspire, TI86's or TI89's. Sharing Calculators are not permitted during the AP Exam, nor in classroom assessments.
| Classroom Work 5% | Based upon class participation which includes bringing materials to class (calculator, book, etc), completion of worksheets, taking notes, and other classroom activities. You must bring a textbook, iPad, calculator, paper and pencil to each class. |
| Homework 5% | Grading is based upon doing assignments on time according to the description above. |
| Homework Quizzes 10% | A Homework Question or two from homework assignments. |
| Quizzes 15% | Questions based on combining ideas from the current and previos chapters, usually done on days without a test. |
| Tests 45% | Hour long tests that integrate chapter topics into your problem solving skills. |
| Qtr Exams 20% | 90 minutes, comprehensive, usually with a section using the calculator, and another section that prohibits the use of a calculator. |
It reminds me of how the Presidential election works, using the electoral college instead of popular vote. If all the candidate's supporters are in the same state, it isn't as effective as having supporters in different states, since to with the election, you have to win over a lot of big states. Similarly, it would be best for a student to do well in as many categories as possible, especially the categories that are worth more.
The gradebook automatically does the following calculation:
| .05*(average classroom work) + .05*(avg homework) + .10*(avg hw quiz) + .15*(avg quiz) + .45*(average test) + .20*(avg exam) = overall percentage |
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(While plusses and minuses are indicated on the grade report, they are ignored and not used in computing the student's grade point average (GPA). Students are expected to bring a graphing calculator to the exam, and to be familiar with its use. Graphing calculators may be used for both sections of the exam. Here is a link to the current list of AP-approved graphing calculators on collegeboard.com. Permitted calculators are the same as for the AP Calculus Exam.
Some activities are designed for developing concepts and understanding, while others focus on improving the way in which you communicate your mathematical knowledge.
To help motivate you to prepare for class, practically every class will have a quiz, a homework quiz, or a test. You are expected to prepare for these examinations by making sure you understand the assigned exercises. Test dates are found on the homework assignment sheet, as well in the PortalsPlus calendar. The TI-84, TI-84 Plus, TI-84 Plus Silver Edition are ideal for use on the AP Exam Exam (and is the reason that one of them is required for the course). Calculators with a "CAS" feature are not permitted on quizzes and tests.
Take advantage of the class work sessions. The iPad will be used in the classroom and students are expected to arrive at each class with the device sufficiently charged. There are only a limited number of loaner iPads available in the IT room in the 100 building, so it is best to make sure your iPad is ready to be used. External battery packs are an affordable way to make sure you never without a charged iPad.
The pace and rigor of the class is such that any time distracted by the iPad will significantly impact a students' progress in a negative way. To help focus your attention, please double-click the home button and quit all communication and entertainment apps before class begins. Students will be expected to monitor their behavior with the iPads with little direction from the instructor. Any time or attention diverted by technology will result in a decreasing chance of a successful performance in this class, and will lower your classroom assessment.
As per the student handbook, students are responsible for work missed due to absence the day they return. Make-up tests usually have more (or more difficult) questions. If you are present and a quiz or test is scheduled, you must take it. It is a good idea to have the contact information of several classmates to see what material and assignments were covered during your absence. If you miss a quiz you cannot gain any points for it. If you know you will be absent for a test, you may schedule to take it before the actual test date if prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. In the case of an extended illness special arrangements should be made with the Academic Vice Principal, Mr. Trujillo.
All must take the AP examination on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at 8 AM .
You are also responsible for any material due the days you missed on the day you return. The exception is if you have contacted me and we make a special arrangement (usually due to being absent for an long time). As per the handbook, assignments due on days you have an unexcused absence must be scored zero.
If you are absent for any quizzes, there are no make-ups, but you will not be penalized. You should ask me for a copy of any missed quizzes and solve the problems on your own to make sure you understand the material being asked.
I am looking for effort on the homework. It is acceptable to have trouble solving problems, but some effort must be made. You will be penalized for incomplete assignments and only receive partial credit. The solutions to the odd homework problems are at CalcChat.com and nearly every problem at Slader.com . I will happy to post in Google Classroom any solution to an even problem that is not already on Slader. Used properly, this will help you understand how to solve problems at home. To get the best understanding of the material with the least amount of effort, you should do some homework every day (45-60 min a day, for 5 days as apposed to a block of 2 or 4 hours once in a while). You should attempt questions from every category on the homework the night it is assigned (while it is fresh) and complete the assignment by the day it is due. It is very important to understand the concepts, not memorize procedures.
If you don't understand certain questions in the homework, try watching the videos at CalcView which explain how to do the questions with an asterix (*). You can also come to room 104 before school for help (7:30 -8:00). There may be time to put some problems on the board at the beginning of class, but we can't spend too much time on that because of the new material we need to cover. I will try to check homework daily, but it will be checked randomly and students are expected to have all assignments with them daily so that any assignment can be checked. Your notebooks could also be checked randomly for completeness and organization.
AP Exam questions are designed to test your understanding of calculus, so a "bald answer" by itself is worth very little ( if anything ). To prepare for the exam, I too will be scoring in the same spirit so that you may achieve the best possible score on the AP Exam.
Partial credit is always given if correct concepts and steps in the solution are shown even if the answer is incorrect. Tests are difficult to make up because you will need to find a 90 minute period of time in your schedule; so don’t be absent unless absolutely necessary. Tests are meant to challenge students and there are times when I will curve the scores for students who are current with their homework, but if a student is not making an effort on his homework, that student's score will not earn the curve.