COURSE SYLLABUS AND GRADING PROCEDURES
AP CALCULUS AB – MRS. JACQUES
Calculus AB is a course in single-variable calculus that includes techniques and
applications of the derivative, techniques and applications of the definite integral,
and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. It is equivalent to at least a semester
of calculus at most colleges and universities, perhaps up to a year of calculus at
some. Algebraic, numerical, and graphical representations are emphasized
throughout the course.
TEXTBOOK: Calculus
CRITERIA FOR GRADING:
1) In computing the achievement grade for each marking period, the following
criteria will be used:
MEASURES
% OF FINAL GRADE
Tests
60%
Quizzes
40%
Projects, labs,
Practice sheets
Major projects will count as
a TEST. Minor projects, labs
and practice sheets will count
as a QUIZ.
Please note that homework is not part of your grade – it is simply expected. You
cannot succeed in this class if you do not do your homework! However, this
doesn’t mean I won’t be checking! Students with 90% or more of their homework
done will have their lowest quiz grade dropped. Students who haven’t been doing
their homework may be refused extra help until the homework is completed.
2) The numerical grade computed will then be converted to a letter grade for
report card purposes using the following:
NUMERICAL
GRADE
LETTER
GRADE
NUMERICAL
GRADE
LETTER
GRADE
93-100
90-92
87-89
83-86
80-82
77-79
A
AB+
B
BC+
73-76
70-72
67-69
63-66
60-62
Below 60
C
CD+
D
DF
FINAL ACHIEVEMENT GRADES: Mid-term and final exam grades will be worth
20% of the total grade for a course. These scores are not used in determining the
quarter grades. Final grades are arrived at by averaging the quarter grades and
the mid-term and/or final exam scores and again converting to a letter grade.
Students with an A average for the year will not have to take the final exam.
3) EFFORT GRADE: The effort grade should reflect class participation,
attendance, tardies, homework, seeking extra help, and being prepared for class.
The scale below gives a brief interpretation of the effort grade:
1 = High degree of effort
2 = Moderate degree of effort
3 = Minimal degree of effort
If you have any questions, please contact me at mrsjacques@optonline.net
2007 Exams Schedule
Week 1
Morning Session
8 a.m.*
Afternoon Session
12 p.m.*
Monday, May 7
Government and Politics: United
States
Government and Politics: Comparative**
French Language**
Tuesday, May 8
Computer Science A**
Computer Science AB**
Spanish Language**
Statistics
Wednesday, May 9 Calculus AB**
Calculus BC**
Chinese Language and Culture
Thursday, May 10
English Literature**
German Language**
Japanese Language and Culture**
French Literature**
Friday, May 11
United States History
European History
Studio Art (portfolios due)
Week 2
Morning Session 8 a.m.*
Afternoon Session
12 p.m.*
Afternoon Session 2 p.m.
Monday, May 14
Biology**
Music Theory**
Physics B**
Physics C:
Mechanics**
Physics C: Electricity &
Magnetism***
Tuesday, May 15
Environmental Science**
Chemistry**
Psychology
Wednesday, May 16 Italian Language and Culture**
English Language**
Art History
Thursday, May 17
Macroeconomics**
World History**
Microeconomics
Friday, May 18
Human Geography**
Spanish Literature**
Latin Literature**
Latin: Vergil**
A Plan for How We Will Prepare for the AB Exam, May 9th
My goal is to begin reviewing for the exam before April vacation. This schedule is
how we will do that. It allows for school closures and extra time on difficult
subjects but not for a review of basic skills learned in previous years or three
chapters back. I fully expect that you will find me for extra help as soon as you
think you might need it (well before a test!). I am available most days after school
(check the calendar on the wall), 7th period (for those of you with open-end
schedules), and via email.
September:
 Quick Refresher on Pre-calculus and Algebra 2
 Limits and Continuity
 Start Differentiation
October:
 Differentiation Skills and Concepts
November:
 Graphs of Functions and their Derivatives
 Start Differentiation Applications
December:
 Finish Differentiation Applications
January:
 Integration Skills and Concepts
February:
 More Integration Skills and Concepts
 The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus1
March:
 Area and Volume by Integration
April – May 9th :
 Review and Practice for the Exam
After the Exam:
 Calculus Olympics
 Whatever else I find interesting
Everything we do before May 9th will be in preparation of the exam. Quizzes,
tests, and homework will use past AP exam questions or AP-like questions, both
multiple choice and open-ended. The midterm will be a portion of a past AP
exam and the review in April will consist mostly of past exams for your practice.
1
This topic will be introduced and discussed earlier in the year, but in February we will focus mainly on
how it will appear on the exam and what it really means.
Calculators
A graphing calculator is required for this course because it’s required for the
exam. I suggest the TI-83 or 84 Plus, but anything that does not have a
QWERTY keyboard will do fine. We will be using them in class often, but for
some tests/quizzes I will not allow them. This is because for half of the AP exam
calculators are not allowed. I will warn you ahead of time.
The AP exam does allow you to have programs stored on your calculator. I
strongly suggest that you look online for these programs (and if you find a good
one, let me know – I have the cables that will allow us to transfer the program to
everyone’s calculator). I do caution you, however, about using these programs…
 If you don’t use the program often, you will forget how it works. You
can’t afford to spend time on the exam relearning a program!
 If you use a program on the exam, you will still need to explain the
calculus. Just saying, “I used a program” doesn’t cut it!
 You must use proper math notation on the exam! For example, you
3
can’t write “FNINT(5*x^2, x, 0, 3)” instead of  5 x 2 dx .
0
If you need a calculator, I have some available to sign out (like a book). Please
see me after class for this.
If you need help learning how to use your calculator, you may see me after
school (or 7th period if you have open-end). Please bring your instruction manual
with you!
Test-Prep Books
If you are thinking about buying an AP exam preparation book, please do so now
rather than in April. It will help you with this class as well as with the exam. And
yes, I’ll be happy to answer questions (after school) from the book you buy.
Please look for one that not only has a section on “slope fields” but also has
slope field questions in their practice exams as this will indicate a book that has
been updated recently and well.