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Blair Magnet
AP® Calculus
Course
Syllabus
2008 - 2009
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Course Description
AP® Calculus is a college level mathematics course that
introduces the concepts of limits, derivatives and integrals. All these concepts will be presented
graphically, verbally, numerically and analytically in order to show students
the different perspectives of a given problem.
The course focuses on the application of calculus in fields such as
physics, biology and economics. Through
practical applications, group investigation and individual exploration the
course aims to expand students’ mathematical knowledge and strengthen their
critical thinking skills.
Prerequisite: “C” or better in Advanced Math and teacher’s
recommendation.
Topics Covered in
Course
First Semester
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Second Semester
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Grading Policy
Homework - - - - - - - - - -
------------------------------------------------------- 20%
Classwork (Explorations, Do
Now, Notes and Pop Quizzes) - - - - - - - - - 20%
Quizzes - - - -- - - - -
---------------------------------------------------------------30%
Tests and Projects
---------------------------------------------- - - - - - - - - - - 30%
The grading scale for this math class will be as
follow:
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95-100% A |
88-89% B+ |
76-79% C+ |
56-60% D |
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90-94
% A- |
85-87
% B |
70-75
% C |
0-55
% F |
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80-84
% B- |
61-69% C- |
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Materials
Students
need to bring the following materials to class everyday.
1. One spiral notebook (about
200 pages)
2. Papers, eraser, ruler and
pencils
3. Textbook
4. TI- 83 Plus graphing
calculator
Homework Assignments
Homework is
assigned daily and collected at the end of each chapter. Selected homework problems are chosen to be
graded and they make up 20% of a student’s overall grade. Students are responsible to make the
necessary correction in class. Pop
quizzes will be given periodically to encourage students to complete and
correct their homework.
Classwork
Notes: Students are expected to take Cornell notes
during the lesson. Students are
recommended to use a spiral notebook to organize their notes. Notes are collected and graded every quarter
(about every five weeks).
Do Now:
“Do Now” are
warm-up questions given at the very beginning of class. They should take about 5 minutes to
complete. Do Now cannot be made up for those who are absent or tardy.
Pop Quizzes: Pop quizzes are given
periodically and they are based on the previous day’s lesson. They are given at the first five minutes of
class. Students who are late or absent
will not be able to make up the pop quiz.
Explorations
are activities
created to give students a chance to discover a concept on their own or in
cooperative groups before the concept is reinforced by discussion.
Do The Math: All the assignments from Do The Math should be kept in one folder and they will be collected
periodically.
Evaluation
Classwork is also consisted of AP practice questions that students work on in groups or sometimes are given as a pop quiz. Unless it is a pop quiz, students are permitted to work collaboratively together and check each other answers before handing in the work. Tests, quizzes and projects are made up of 60% of their grade and are given periodically to check their understanding and progress. Tests are always divided into two parts with both multiple choice and free response questions. Graphing calculators are allowed on one part of the exam and not allowed on the second part. This format will encourage students to learn how to solve problems and support their answers both with and without a graphing calculator.
Make-up Quizzes
and Tests
If
students were absent on the day of a test or a quiz, they have to make them up
within a week. No credits will be given
after a week. The specific time and
place for the make-up will be announced in class.
Attendance and
Tardy Policy
When
a student is absent, it is his/her responsibility to make up all the missing
assignments. Detention will be assigned
for habitual tardiness. Students who
are tardy for three or more times will be given a “U” as a citizenship
grade. Student’s academic grade can also
be affected since Do Now and pop quizzes cannot be made up.
Classroom Rules
In order to
promote a safe and nurturing environment for learning, there are certain rules
that all students must abide to in the classroom. The following are my classroom rules:
Rules
1. Follow directions.
2. Keep hands, feet and objects
to self.
3. Use appropriate school
language; no put-downs, teasing, etc.
4. Come to class on time and be
in assigned seat when the bell rings.
Corrective
Action: If a student chooses to break a rule, the following steps will be
taken, in the order they appear:
First time a student breaks a rule: Verbal
reminder.
2nd
: Change seat (for one day).
3rd
: Lunch or after school detention.
4th
: Contact home.
5th
: Referral to dean’s office.
SEVERE disruption: Immediate
referral to dean’s office.
Your
child has been thoroughly informed of this plan. Please review it, sign it and have your child
return it to me. I also welcome your
comments or questions about the plan.
Please
feel free to contact me at
Sincerely,
Ms.
Kieu A Voong
Mathematics
Teacher
I
have read and understand the classroom discipline plan and the course syllabus.
Student’s Name
(Print)_________________________
Class________________________ Period ___________
Student’s Signature:______________________________________
Parent’s
or Guardian’s Name (Print) ________________________________________________________
Parent’s
or Guardian’s Signature:_______________________________Date______________________
Phone
Number/ Email:____________________________
Best Time to be Contacted_____________
Questions
or Comments:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________