AP Calculus – AB
Avon High School
2015-2016
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 (book or PDF file)
2. Handouts of notes and homework worksheets
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, but you will find a binder (at least 1”) will be helpful in organizing your notes.
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. The homework will come in two varieties: Textbook and Worksheet. The Textbook HW
assignments are optional and are graded only on a 10 point completion. The Worksheet HW assignments are mandatory
and will also carry a 10 point grade based on a combination of accuracy/completion. You will find out quickly that the
key to a good grade in the HW category will be doing BOTH of these assignments each section. Note: Not all sections will
have a Textbook HW. All sections will have a Worksheet HW. Quiz content usually includes items found in the
worksheet assignment, but there are occasions where the quiz problems more closely resemble what is found in the
textbook assignment. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for you to keep up with the daily homework. IN
THE CASE OF ABSENCE, ALL MAKE-UP HOMEWORK IS TO BE HANDED TO ME UPON YOUR RETURN. UNDER NO OTHER
CIRCUMSTANCES WILL LATE HW BE ACCEPTED.
Due Dates: All Worksheet HWs are due the day we take the Quiz for that Section. Textbook HWs may be turned in at
any time leading up to or on the day we take the Unit Exam for that unit.
Sem 1
Sem 2
Number of Textbook Assignment Succesfully
Completed (8+ out of 10)
16-18
19-21
22-24
all 25
Extra Benefit
Drop 1 lowest quiz score
Drop 2 lowest quiz scores
Drop 3 lowest quiz scores
Drop 4 lowest quiz scores
7-10
Drop 1 lowest quiz score
11-13
Drop 2 lowest quiz scores
Johnny Student – Period 6
Helpful Hints to Making Homework “Work for You.”
HW 7.4
1. Clearly labeled each Textbook HW with your name, period, the Assignment
p. 586: 5, 11, 15, 17, 19, 27, 29, 39, 43
Section Number, page, and problem numbers. This info is worth 1 point of the 10.
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.
4. You must write out the problem and show all necessary work to receive credit for Textbook HW assignments.
Problems with unsupported answers will be treated as unattempted.
2. Section Quizzes. After every 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 will contain three multiple choice problems (worth 2 points each) and one
free response problem (worth 4 points). You will be allotted 10-20 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). Every effort should be made to make up
quizzes before school or during SRT. If you elect to make up a quiz during class, you are responsible for the material
presented that day.
3. Unit Exams. At the conclusion of each unit we will have an exam. Each exam will be worth 36 points and later scaled
to 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.
Section 1: 5 Multiple Choice – (With calculator)
Each problem is worth 1 point each.
5 points total.
Section 2: 1 Free Response – (With calculator)
The problem is worth 9 points .
9 points total.
Section 3: 10 Multiple Choice – (Without calculator)
Each problem is worth 1 point each. 10 points total.
Section 4: 1 Free Response – (Without calculator)
The problem is worth 9 points .
9 points total.
(The Multiple Choice points you receive will be multiplied by 1.2 to balance the two portions of the exam equally)
There is no penalty for guessing on the Multiple Choice sections.
Exam Grade Conversion Chart
AP Calculus
Composite
Projected
Score Range
Letter Grade
29-36
A
22-28
B
15-21
C
8-14
D
0-7
F
The formula used to calculate your percentage for each exam will be as follows.
For composite scores 7 and above:
Composite score (out of 36) x 1.7 + 38 = Score out of 100
For composite scores below 5:
5 = 50%, 4 = 40%, 3 = 30%, 2 = 20%, 1 = 10%, 0 = 0%
If you are unable to take the Unit Exam due to absence, the make-up policy is the
same as with quizzes. The make-up exam will typically NOT be the same as the original exam.
4. Enrichment Occasionally, you will have additional required assignments to work on outside of the homework in the
textbook or on the worksheets. These assignments may be in the form of short labs, worksheets, TI-Nspire activities,
games, sample AP questions or CML practice tests. These assignments are typically checked for completion only, but
may occasionally be graded for accuracy.
5. Extra Credit Project.
Semester 1:
 If you choose to, you may elect to read a book entitled, Escalante: The Best Teacher In America by Jay Mathews.
You will be asked to complete some questions based on your readings and write a short essay. This can be
handed in at any time during the first semester. You will receive the following (however, it will not be entered
until the end of the semester):
o 5 Extra Credit Points to be added to your Quiz Portion of your semester grade and
o 5 Extra Credit Points to be added to your Unit Exam Portion of your semester grade and
o 2 Extra Percentage Points to be added to your Final Exam grade.
 If you decide that you are interested in this, see me for the handout. You can find this book used online
(www.amazon.com) or at a larger library. I have a few copies I can loan out as well. I would prefer that you not
begin this assignment until after we begin Chapter 2.

Due Date: Friday, December 11, 2015
Semester 2:


IUPUI Math Contest – There will be 5 questions and 1 essay - due late February/early March (details to come).
Each problem properly submitted (not necessarily correct solution) will receive 1 point in both the Quiz and Unit
Exam categories plus up to 2% added to your Semester 2 Final Exam score. You do not have to attempt all
problems. There are monetary prizes awarded through IUPUI.
Stand and Deliver – We will be showing the movie about Jaime Escalante (most likely on a Sunday afternoon and
Monday evening in late April – dates to be announced). Attend viewing and complete packet to grade replace
one quiz score.
Timeline
For each Unit, 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
Chapter 4
“Limits and Continuity”
“Derivatives”
“Applications of Derivatives”
“Integration”
Chapter 5 “Transcendntal Functions”
Chapter 6 “Differential Equations”
Chapter 7 “Applications of Integration – Area & Volume”
AP Exam Review
Lab Project
Classroom Rules

Tardies. I DO COUNT THESE. (especially 1st block). Late to my class is defined as not being in the room at the
end of the bell. The following penalties will occur:




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.




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 3:05PM, but may be able to if
you need help. I do ask that you let me know prior to the end of the day if you plan on staying after school. Occasionally,
I will schedule evening review sessions. You are welcome to come in for assistance during SRT on “B” Days. Be sure to
get the appropriate pass from me 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.
CML Exams. Four times during the school year, we will participate in the Continental Math League Exams. Each exam is
8 questions and will be taken during class. The top six scores from AHS will be submitted to the CML. Avon High School
is the 12-time defending state champion in this competition. We have placed as high as 1st in our Midwestern Region
and 1st nationally. As each test nears, I will assign tests from previous years as Enrichment/Homework. The first CML
Exam isn’t until early December.
AP Exam. On Thursday, May 5th, 2016, you will all be taking the Advanced Placement Calculus AB Exam. By performing
well on this exam you will have the opportunity to test out of math completely at the college level or to take an
advanced course earlier. I must know by the first of March, whether or not you plan on taking this exam. There is no
cost. A score of 4 (which is approximately 60% of the problems answered correctly) will get you credit virtually at any
college or university.
Grading Scale. This class will use the standard school scale. Grades are based on the following weighted system.
Semester 1
Semester 2
Homework
Quizzes
Unit Exams
Enrichments
15%
25%
40%
5%
Final Exam
15%
Homework
Quizzes
Unit Exams
Enrichments
AP Review/Lab
Final Exam
10%
25%
30%
5%
15%
15%
Absences and Make-Up Lectures. If you are absent or know you will be absent in the future, first look on our website
for the keyed notes. If you need further assistance, 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. Duracel and Energizer seem to work best. You will find that your TI-Nspire will do
“weird” things if you use other brands of batteries.
Evening Review Sessions. Usually once prior to each Unit Exam, I will have an evening review session here at school in
my classroom.
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 Website. It is very important that you become familiar with my class website. 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 AP 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. You have a much larger goal in this class –
and that is how prepared you can become from now until May 5, 2016 – the day of the AP Calculus Exam.