AP Calculus AB
Instructor:
Angela M. Principato
Office:
210
E-mail:
aprincipato@solake.org
Office Hours: 7:00 am -7:40 am;
After school
Phone:
586-435-1400 ext 6318
Materials
At this level, it is not necessary for me to direct you in your organization. Notebooks, loose leaf,
graph paper, pencils, and a graphing calculator will all be useful. Graphing calculators will be used
extensively throughout the course to develop ideas, interpret results, support conclusions and to
solve real life applications. In the classroom, we will use the TI nSpire CX graphing calculator. If
desired, I will loan them out over night.
Course Description (from http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap-calculus-course-description.pdf)
AP courses in calculus consist of a full high school academic year of work and are comparable to
calculus courses in colleges and universities. It is expected that students who take an AP course in
calculus will seek college credit, college placement or both from institutions of higher learning.
Calculus AB and Calculus BC are primarily concerned with developing the students’ understanding of
the concepts of calculus and providing experience with its methods and applications. The courses
emphasize a multirepresentational approach to calculus, with concepts, results and problems being
expressed graphically, numerically, analytically and verbally. The connections among these
representations also are important.
Course Prerequisites (from http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap-calculus-course-description.pdf)
Before studying calculus, all students should complete four years of secondary mathematics
designed for college-bound students: courses in which they study algebra, geometry, trigonometry,
analytic geometry, and elementary functions. These functions include those that are linear,
polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, and piecewise
defined. In particular, before studying calculus, students must be familiar with the properties of
functions, the algebra of functions, and the graphs of functions. Students must also understand the
language of functions (domain and range, odd and even, periodic, symmetry, zeros, intercepts, and
so on) and know the values of the trigonometric functions of the numbers 0, pi/6, pi/4, pi/3, pi/2, and
their multiples.
Course Goals (from http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap-calculus-course-description.pdf)
Students should be able to:
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
work with functions represented in a variety of ways: graphical, numerical, analytical, or verbal.
They should understand the connections among these representations.
understand the meaning of the derivative in terms of a rate of change and local linear
approximation and they should be able to use derivatives to solve a variety of problems.
understand the meaning of the definite integral both as a limit of Riemann sums and as the net
accumulation of change and should be able to use integrals to solve a variety of problems.






understand the relationship between the derivative and the definite integral as expressed in
both parts of the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.
communicate mathematics both orally and in well-written sentences and should be able to
explain solutions to problems.
model a written description of a physical situation with a function, a differential equation, or an
integral.
use technology to help solve problems, experiment, interpret results, and verify conclusions.
determine the reasonableness of solutions, including sign, size, relative accuracy, and units of
measurement.
develop an appreciation of calculus as a coherent body of knowledge and as a human
accomplishment.
Resources
Please make every effort to see me when you need help. I am available before school everyday,
advisory (with some restrictions), and after school. It is also a good idea to get in the habit of forming
a study group of your peers. You will find this invaluable when you are in college.
Attendance
The South Lake High School Attendance policy will be strictly enforced. Seating Charts will be used
the entire year and attendance will be taken from there. Tardiness will not be excused, as the bell
rings you need to move to your seat and be prepared to start class immediately. Bathroom escorts
will be called in emergency situations only.
Discipline
Behave appropriately and respect others in the class. Refer to South Lake High School’s Respect
Code for a more detailed explanation of what is expected of you in class. Inappropriate behavior will
be dealt with promptly; consequences can and may include detention, email/phone call home, or
referral to administration. Cheating will not be tolerated and if discovered you will earn a zero
on the given assignment, detention, and an Unsatisfactory mark in Citizenship.
Evaluation
I hope all of you will be well prepared to take and pass the AP Calculus AB Exam in May. To that
end, I will assess you based on the design of the AP Exam.
Quarter Grade Breakdown

Homework and Notes:
25%
Homework will be assigned and discussed regularly. It will not be collected or graded; rather we will
have frequent, unannounced homework quizzes. I will simply ask you to write your work for a specific
problem(s) on an index card and submit it for a grade. If you are absent for a homework quiz, you are
expected to provide me with the entire assignment. Please utilize www.calcchat.com for solutions to
odd numbered problems from our textbook as we will have limited time in class to discuss homework.

Quizzes:
25%
Anticipate having several quizzes each week. On Tuesdays and Thursdays you will have multiple
choice quizzes and on Fridays, you will have free response questions (FRQ) quizzes. All quizzes will
be timed. Students with unexcused absences will not receive credit for missed quizzes. Students
with excused absences will be expected to take missed quizzes in class the day they return.

Tests, Projects, Presentations, and Labs:
50%
Tests, Projects, Presentations, and Labs will be given on a regular basis. Each test be timed and will
have 2 parts taken on consecutive days. Each part will be comprised of multiple choice questions
and FRQ. One day, you will be permitted to use a calculator and the other day calculators will not be
permitted (as this is the format of the AP Exam). Students with unexcused absences will not receive
credit for missed quizzes. Students with excused absences will be expected to take missed tests in
class the day they return.
Semester Grade Breakdown
1st / 3rd Quarter:
2nd / 4th Quarter:
Final Exam:
40%
40%
20%
Universal Grading Scale
93-100
90-92
87-89
83-86
80-82
77-79
A
AB+
B
BC+
(12)
(11)
(10)
(9)
(8)
(7)
73-76
70-72
67-69
63-66
60-62
0-59
C
CD+
D
DF
(6)
(5)
(4)
(3)
(2)
(0)
AP Calculus AB
Student Name:__________________________________
I have read and understand the policies, procedures, and expectations outlined in this syllabus.
___________________________________________
Student Signature
______________________________
Date