AP Calculus AB Syllabus
Andrea Richter
Room A100
903-874-8211 ext 1100
arichter2@cisd.org
Campus Overview
Corsicana High School is run on a 45 minute, 9 period days. Grading period are 9 weeks long which makes a school year
consist of 4 grading periods.
Course Overview
AP Calculus is designed and taught in high schools as a college-level course. The objective is students will be prepared to
enter college and be ready for their future mathematics courses. To receive the full benefits of this course, hard work
and determination are imperative. Calculus can be very fun and is very beneficial to any pursuing degrees in
mathematics, engineering, and business.
Course Planner
The textbook used is Calculus of a Single Variable, 8th ed. (Solution manuals, quiz banks, assessment banks, and CD’s
issued with the textbook will also be utilized.)
Differentiation and applications will be complete prior to mid-terms which occur in early January. Integration will start
shortly before the 2nd semester begins but will not be tested on the mid-term. The conclusion of the course will occur
mid-April to have approximately two and a half weeks to study for the AP Exam administered in May.
Chapter
1: Limits & Their
Properties
2: Differentiation
Overview
Using graphs, tables, and algebra to
discover how function act in certain
points or as they approach certain
points. Important for the limit
definition of a derivative. Continuity
of functions and limits will also be
discussed.
Defining the slope of a curve at a
tangent line in various ways including
graphically, algebraically, and by the
limit process.
Timeline
18 days
25 days
3: Applications of
Differentiation
Using knowledge about derivatives,
students will be able to determine
critical values, increasing and
decreasing behavior, and relative
extrema of functions.
20 days
4: Integration
Find the area under a curved line
using algebra, geometry, and
properties of definite integrals.
24 days
Particle Motion
Use derivatives and antiderivatives to
evaluate position, velocity,
acceleration, speed and distance
traveled by a particle.
5 days
5: Logarithmic,
Exponential, & other
Transcendental
Functions
Use rules and definitions of
differentiation and integration and
apply them to functions including
logs, exponents, and trigonometry.
20 days
6 & 7: Differential
Equations &
Application of
Integration
Students will continue working with
first and second derivatives in solving
differential equations.
Using integration, students will be
able to solve problems including
volume of solids with known cross
sections, the average value of a
function, the distance traveled by a
particle along a line, and accumulated
change from a rate of change.
Students will use a variety of
resources to prepare for the AP exam.
35 days
AP Exam Review
Dates are
tentative and
subject to change.
10 days
Teaching Strategies
The year will start with a brief overview of Pre-Calculus and Trigonometry. An emphasis will be placed on a student’s
ability to work problems algebraically. Technology will be implemented in the course but the expectation of algebra
skills is high.
Students will be seated at tables which promotes group work. They are encouraged to work together and ask questions
about problems to their group as well as the teacher. Homework will be administered throughout the chapters but will
not be required to turn in until the end of the chapter. Students will have time in class to discuss problems with their
group as well as the entire class.
Student Evaluation
Students will be tested at the end of every chapter. They will also have a mid-term that is worth 20% of their semester 1
grade and a final exam worth 20% of the semester 2 grade. Assessments will be administered over a 2 day period, each
day having 45 minutes. The first day will consist of the calculator part of the assessment; the second will be the noncalculator part.
Grades will be calculated using the following percentages:


Daily: 40%
Tests: 60%
Technology
The calculators used in AP Calculus is the TI-84+. Students will have the opportunity to check out a calculator for their
use but also have the option of purchasing their own. Lessons will be taught using power-points and some videos used
from the Khan Academy. Students have the option of using a TI Nspire calculator.
Teacher Resources
Primary Textbook
Larson, Hostetler, Edwards. CALCULUS of a Single Variable. 8th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2006.
Online resources
www.calcchat.com
www.khanacademy.org