VU Calculus
Avon High School
2014-2015
Mrs. Guth
Course Requirements
The following items must be brought to class each day:
1. Text: Calculus of a Single Variable, Larson, et al. Brooks Cole, 2010.
2. Handouts of notes.
3. TI-Nspire CAS Touchpad Graphing Calculator.
4. Pencil (All work handed in to me MUST be done in pencil. NO exceptions.)
5. A fresh set of 4 AAA batteries.
No special binder or folder is required. Homework can be done on loose-leaf ruled paper, plain computer paper or even
on graph paper.
Grading Procedures
1. Homework. In each section of our text, you will be given a listing of problems that I feel are important to your
understanding of the material. Sometimes these assignments will be graded either for completion or accuracy. You are
always encouraged to work additional problems outside the listed one for more practice. Solutions to some of the
problems will be made available to you via the class website or from my solution manual in class.
I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for you to keep up with the daily homework.
Johnny Student – Period 6
Helpful Hints to Making Homework “Work for You.”
Day 1 HW
1. Clearly label each HW assignment with your name, period, the day the homework was
p. 37: 2, 3, 5, 14, 17, 20, 23, 25, 26,
assigned, page, and problem numbers.
28, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41a, 47
2. Write (or paraphrase) out the directions for each group of problems.
3. Document the problems that you needed assistance with. That way you know to go back and look at them again
before a test or quiz.
2. Section Quizzes. Each section, you will take a short quiz that covers the material presented the day (or two)
before. Each quiz will be worth 10 points and may contain either multiple choice problems or short answer
problems. Multiple choice problems will always be worth 2 points each. Point values for short answer problems are
contingent upon the amount of work required to solve them (1 point to 6 points). You will be allotted 15-25 minutes for
each quiz. Some quizzes will allow the use of calculator, however most will not. If you miss a quiz, it MUST BE MADE UP
WITHIN 3 CLASS DAYS (e.g. if you miss a quiz on a “C” day, you have until the end of the next “C” day to make it up).
3. Unit Exams. At the conclusion of each unit we will have an exam. Each exam will be worth 100 points. The exams
will be a combination of multiple choice and multi-part free response questions. Each of these two sections will be
further divided into a “with calculator” and a “without calculator” section.
4. Enrichment Occasionally, you will have an additional assignment to work on outside of the homework in the
textbook. These assignments may be in the form of short labs, worksheets, TI-Nspire activities, or games.
Timeline
For each Chapter (and sometimes twice per chapter), you will receive a syllabus with a detailed timeline
including homework problems assigned and quiz/test dates.
Semester 1
Semester 2
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
“Limits and Continuity”
“Derivatives”
“Applications of Derivatives”
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
“Applications of Derivatives” (part 2)
“Integration”
“Transcendntal Functions”
Classroom Rules
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Tardies. I DO COUNT THESE. (especially 1st hour). Late to my class is defined as not being in the room at the
end of the bell. The following penalties will occur:
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Tardy 1: Verbal Notification
Tardies 2-3: After School Detention for each
Tardies 4-5: Saturday School for each
Tardies 6: Hearing with Assistant Principal for removal from class with a W/F.
Note: Tardies accumulate until the end of a semester.
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Respect. Respect all others at all times. Pay attention when I am addressing the class and while
another student is addressing the class. Respect one another's property and that of the room.
Progress Reports. You can easily check your grades online through Power School at any time. I am
pretty quick about entering enrichment and quiz grades. Exam grades may take an extra day or two. If
you happen to need a printout of your grade report, let me know in person or by e-mail and I can have
one prepared for you.
Be Prepared. You each will be given a syllabus outlining everything that we will do throughout the
chapter. Follow it. Don't get behind. Listen to the Lectures. Don't try to work ahead unless told
otherwise.
Be Here. Limit your absences to an absolute minimum. Getting behind in AP Calculus is not an
enjoyable experience.
Important Information
Before/After School Help. Since this is a higher level college preparatory course, I will leave it at your discretion as to
when you should meet with me. If at any point you still have questions over a particular homework assignment, please
take advantage of this time. I am here by 7:00AM each morning. I do not always stay past 2:45PM, but will if you need
help. I do ask that you let me know prior to 2:45PM if you plan on staying after school. You are welcome to come in for
assistance during SRT on “B” Days. Be sure to get the appropriate pass from prior to that time.
MP3 Players/Cell Phones. Please leave these in your bookbags/purses or in your locker. You are not to have cell
phones out at any time. Please be sure to silence them throughout this class and all others.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE IS AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE TO BE OUT OF YOUR BACKPACK DURING A QUIZ OR EXAM.
The only exception is your TI-Nspire Graphing Calculator.
Food. I do not mind if you have VERY SMALL food items in the room. Just be very inconspicuous with them. Gum is
allowed. The only drinks you’re supposed to have is water.
Grading Scale. This class will use the standard school scale. Grades are based on the following weighted system.
Homework
Quizzes
Unit Exams
Enrichments
Final Exam
10%
25%
40%
5%
20%
Absences and Make-Up Lectures. If you are absent or know you will be absent in the future, I strongly encourage you
to seek internet resources to familiarize yourself with the missed topic. Youtube is a fantastic resource – all you need to
do is enter the concept name in the search field.
Unexcused Absences. As our school policy dictates, if you receive an unexcused verification for an absence from this
class, any work that was either due that day (Quiz) or to be done that day (Quiz or Exam) will receive a zero. If you are
suspended, the only work that will receive credit is a Unit Exam.
TI-Nspire CAS Graphing Calculators. AHS will provide this calculator to your for a $25 rental fee. However, it is your
responsibility to make sure it has fresh batteries at all times. Keep a couple sets (4) of AAA batteries in your backpack
at all times. If your calculator runs out of batteries on the day of an exam and you have no backup batteries, you will
be quite saddened by my reaction.
Study Groups. I cannot emphasize enough the benefit of getting together with a small group on a regular basis and
working together on Calculus Homework. You will find that if you are struggling with the concepts and truly use this
opportunity wisely, that it can have amazing consequences.
Class Web Site. It is very important that you become familiar with my class web-site. I would like all students to
periodically check the website for important information. This is my primary means of communication with your
parents well. I provide A LOT of useful information on this site. Make a habit to check it on a regular basis. Encourage
your parents to periodically check the site as well.
Throughout the year, you will go though a whole world of emotions with calculus. You will experience joy, frustration,
anger, humiliation, etc. The only thing that I ask of you all is that you focus on the LEARNING that’s taking place – not so
much the grades. Allow the grades to take care of themselves.