AP Calculus AB Syllabus 2012-13
*Anything on this syllabus can and may be changed at the teacher’s discretion.
Teacher: Ms. Sarah Jones
Course Overview: The purpose of teaching AP Calculus is to enable students to develop a cohesive
understanding of previous mathematical concepts as well as building new concepts to construct a strong
mathematical foundation to succeed in future math courses. Students entering AP Calculus are already
familiar with graphing calculators (TI-83 or TI-84 plus required or made available to students who do not
have their own) but I feel it is important for students to initially solve problems by hand to develop a
deeper understanding of the mathematics being used before introducing the graphing calculator to
solve. However, students will be using graphing calculators and the "Calculus in Motion" program in
discovery activities, to solve problems, to interpret their results and support their conclusions. Students
will also be required to communicate their responses using correct mathematical terminology and in
complete sentences. This will especially be demonstrated each week when students are given a released
Free Response item from previous AP Calculus AB tests.
Prerequisites:
Do You
Know It?
Prerequisite
I know the basic graph and standard form of basic
functions including: linear, quadratic, exponential,
trigonometric, etc.
I can transform a function given a particular function
notation.
I can state the domain and range of an algebraic or
graphical function.
I can find x- and y-intercepts.
I can graph a function given an equation that is not
linear or quadratic.
I can determine points of intersection for two
functions.
I can write an equation of a line parallel or
perpendicular to another line.
I can evaluate expressions using function notation.
I can compose two functions algebraically.
I can compose two functions graphically.
I can find a curve of regression given a set of data using
a graphing calculator.
I can solve trigonometric equations using the unit
circle.
I can solve complex non-linear equations.
Number on
Unit 1 Test
1C
6A-C
1D
1A
1C
1B
2A, 2B
3
4A, 4B
5A-D
7
8
9
Did You
Really Know
It?
AP Calculus AB Syllabus 2012-13
*The Unit 1 Test is the only test that will not be multiple-choice and you will also have the opportunity to take it twice. You will
be given the test at the beginning of the unit to determine what will need to be reviewed. Any question in which less than 80%
of the students had the problem correct will be retaught. You will be given the test again at the end of Unit 1.
Course Content/Units:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Review of Pre-Calculus
Limits and Their Properties
Differentiation
Applications of Differentiation
Logarithmic, Exponential and Other Transcendental Functions
Integration
Applications of Integration
AP Calculus Exam: Wednesday, May 9th 2012
The AP Calculus exam is an optional exam given at the end of the course. Students will be prepared for
this exam throughout the year with Weekly AP Questions and unit assessments that reflect the difficulty
of the AP Calculus exam. Students who decide to take the exam will receive a 100% on the final exam as
long as they attend 4 out of 5 review sessions which will be determined as we get closer to exam time.
Students who do not take the AP Calculus exam will instead take a final exam that is a mixture of simpler
multiple-choice questions with 1 free response taken from previous AP Calculus exams, but will not have
the level of difficulty of the actual exam.
Course Materials:










2 – 3 inch 3-Ring Binder
LOTS of Loose Leaf Paper
Divider Pages or Tabs
Pencils
Erasers
Graph Paper
Graphing Calculator (preferably TI-84plus).
Pencil Pouch (to carry pencils and calculator easily in binder)
Textbook
KAPLAN AP Calculus 2012 exam study book (optional)
Grade Distribution:
Type of Assessment
Tests
Weekly ACT Questions
Homework/Classwork
Quizzes and Projects
Percent of Grade
40%
15%
20%
25%
AP Calculus AB Syllabus 2012-13
Grading Policies: Please keep in mind that this class is set up to be as similar as possible to a college
Calculus course. I have based my units on College Board policies and syllabi from local colleges including
UK, NKU, UC and Morehead University. My grading policies also reflect their grading policies in order to
better prepare you for your future college mathematics courses.
Tests: Each unit test will consist of 3 parts broken into 10 multiple choice questions with and without a
calculator in which you will choose 5 questions to answer in each part and 2 Free Response questions in
which you will choose 1. These will be taken from previous AP Calculus exams. You will need to make
sure you know each topic thoroughly because there will be no test corrections and no curve. It will
greatly help to have the KAPLAN book to practice with.
Weekly AP Questions: Three multiple-choice and 1 Free Response AP Calculus exam questions will be
given the first day of each week. These will be due on Friday and not accepted late so that each Monday
we can discuss the problems. Each question is worth 2 points - 1 for the correct answer and 1 for the
correct work – and can have any concepts on it that have been learned in Calculus or before. The
multiple-choice questions should be done quickly considering on the AP Exam you will have
approximately 3 minutes per question. The Free Response items will be worth 9 points each (usually)
and should be very detailed. These will take you more time and will require a lot of in-depth thought.
You are expected to work on these on your own time. Working on the Weekly AP Questions during class
usually results in unlearned content because you did not pay attention during the lesson.
*There is a Weekly Questions box/carton with hanging folders. Find the hanging folder for your period
and place your paper in it. You may turn in the questions early if you like. This is especially helpful if
you know that you will be gone on Friday. If you are absent on a Friday due to an unexpected
circumstance, I will drop the grade. I will look on Infinite Campus to see the reason for your absence.
Keep in mind, field trips are not an unexpected absence.
Homework/Classwork: Homework will be assigned almost every school day (including weekends) in
order to allow you to explore and practice what you are learning. Most homework has one or more of
the following purposes:




Practice reinforces the learning of material already presented in class and helps you master
specific skills.
Preparation provides supporting information – history, skills, definitions – for what’s
forthcoming. It will help when new material is covered in class.
Extension or elaboration involves the transfer of previously learned skills to new situations.
Integration asks you to apply skills and concepts to produce a single product.
AP Calculus AB Syllabus 2012-13
Unless otherwise specified, homework will be due the following school day at the beginning of the
period. I will accept homework 1 day late for half credit (5 points). All homework will be graded on a 10
point scale and I will be looking for you to
1.
2.
3.
4.
Show all calculations and work, even if you do it in your head or on a calculator. Be
neat and label EVERYTHING.
When you get stuck on a problem, solve it as far as you can then write a short
explanation of your difficulty.
Use your class notes and textbook as a resource. More than likely, we did a similar
problem during the class lesson.
For textbook assignments, use the back of the book (BOB) or Solution Manual to
check your odd answers for correctness.
At the beginning of each class, approximately 5 minutes, you will have the opportunity to check and
correct your homework while I walk around grading. When I am done grading, please ask questions if
you need help finishing or correcting a difficult problem. Think of your mistakes as a learning
opportunity, for yourself and for others who might have had the same difficulty. Again, use the Solution
Manual to help yourself on odd numbered questions in order to cut down on in-class questions.
*If class time is provided for any assignment, you are expected to get to work immediately. Even if
there is only 5 minutes left of class there is an opportunity to ask questions on homework that you
might not have understood as well as you thought you did.
Quizzes: Quizzes will be given periodically to assess how you, and the class, are doing with the material
we have learned. Quizzes will have mostly open-ended questions but will have some multiple-choice or
true/false questions.
Projects: We will be using projects to explore extended problems that are relevant to us and have realworld connections. For every project I assign I will provide a scoring rubric that identifies and explains
the important components of each project.
Bonus Points: The opportunity will be given to students for bonus points occasionally, but not on an
individualized basis. In order to avoid discrimination, please do not ask for bonus work. However, I do
accept a maximum of 8 AAA batteries per quarter for 20 homework points. This not only helps the math
department save money so we don’t have to charge parents a technology fee, but can also help the
student bring up their grade a couple of points that can be a difference between an A and a B. Please do
not expect miracles to happen since most of the final grade is from tests and quizzes.
AP Calculus AB Syllabus 2012-13
Absences and Make-Up Work: According to school policy, you have as many days as you were absent
to turn in missed assignments. When you return from an absence, you are responsible for the following:



Turning in any homework that was due the day(s) of your absence.
Getting the homework assignment(s) you missed and updating your class notebook.
Turning in your make-up work.
Classroom Rules: Keep in mind these rules are to maximize your learning opportunity. Most of these
rules are the same in every class and are mostly common sense.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Bring course materials to class every day.
Be in class on time. Missed class time is a missed learning opportunity and I will not
wait on you to show up.
Be respectful of Ms. Jones and the other students. Talking when the teacher is
teaching or when students are asking questions is unacceptable. Insulting others,
using crude language, and making perverted or racist comments/jokes will also not
be tolerated.
No cell phones. They are distracting, and yes, I can usually tell when you have it in
your lap or under the desk.
You may listen to music when given an opportunity to work on an individual basis,
usually at the end of class. Please use earphones, but don’t share - it’s gross.
Take care of personal business between classes. You will have 3 hall passes per
quarter for emergency uses only. If you must use a hall pass, please make the effort
to ask at an opportune time. Being interrupted in the middle of a lesson in very
distracting.
Get help when you need it!
Tutoring/Extra Help: If you have a quick question, I have 2nd period planning or you can stop by after
school at the 1st dismissal bell. I will also provide tutoring for Calculus students only in my room (312) on
Wednesdays until 4:00.
Teacher Contact Info:
Phone: (859)654-3355 ext. 7312
e-mail: sarah.jones@pendleton.kyschools.us
AP Calculus AB Syllabus 2012-13
Please sign and return to Ms. Jones. Keep this syllabus in the front of your AP Calculus binder.
I, ______________________ (Student), have read, understand and accept the AP Calculus AB course
syllabus and course expectations.
I, ______________________ (Parent/Guardian), have read, understand and accept the AP Calculus AB
course syllabus and course expectations.
___________________________
Student Signature
___________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
Any student taking an Honors, Pre-AP or AP mathematics course is
required to maintain a C average or higher. Those students not
maintaining this criteria can be removed from the course.