AP Calculus Syllabus

 

St. Francis High School
Instructor: Mr. Bretzel
Contact Information
 
Phone: 414.747.3638
 
 
Course Description
 
Fees: Advanced Placement Test – payable by March, if student chooses to take test. The fee in 2010 was $86.
AP Calculus is a full-year, college-level introductory course in AB Calculus touching on BC Calculus. The topics that are covered will prepare students who have already studied college preparatory mathematics to perform acceptably on the AP Calculus Test. This course will introduce the students to new material and concepts in calculus, supported by examples and illustrative problems and solutions. Time will be available for questions and answers, as well as for the discussion of applications of calculus, special topics and various enrichment materials.   Students typically earn college credit if they score a 3 out of 5 or better on the Advanced Placement Test administered in May. Students taking this class are expected to take the Advanced Placement Test. Students taking the AP Calculus AB Exam in May are exempt from the second semester exam, but must take the first semester exam
 
Course Outline
 
Quarter 1: Chapter 1: Review Pre-calculus topics: Families of functions and their properties, Chapter 2: Limits and Continuity, Chapter 3: Derivatives
 
Quarter 2: Chapter 3: Derivatives completed, Chapter 4: Applications of derivatives, Chapter 5: The definite integral
 
Quarter 3:  Chapter 5: Definite Integral continued, Chapter 6: Differential Equations and Mathematical Modeling, Chapter 7: Applications of definite integrals
 
Quarter 4: Chapter 7: Applications of definite integrals continued, Review and Test preparation ( 4 weeks); Chapter 8: Miscellaneous topics omitted before test, advanced integration techniques
 
General Expectations
 
  1. Come to class on time and be prepared to engage in the learning process.
  2. Complete all assignments to the best of your ability.
  3. Treat everyone in the school community with dignity and respect at all times.
  4. Ask for help or clarification when you need it.
  5. All other rules and expectations noted in the SFHS Student Agenda will be enforced.
  6. Classroom Participation
    1. Be on time - you miss valuable class information when you are tardy. 
    2. Daily attendance is a must - this class is difficult enough, but more difficult if you are not here
    3. Involvement in discussions, homework problems, opening activities, lectures, note taking, etc. IS A MUST .
    4. Contributions made during class - You must volunteer often during each class period or you earn zero points.
    5. Pay attention - get a good night sleep, COME PREPARED TO LEARN AND BE INVOLVED.
    6. Don’t be disruptive during class - be fair to your classmates. Even if you are not interested, let others have the opportunity to learn and share.
    7. There is no sleeping or "putting your head down" in class. If you need a pass to see the nurse, ask.
    8. 5 points every day – 3 points for homework & 2 points for participation 
  1. How to have a successful classroom experience
    1. Sharpen your pencil when you need to. Try to be discrete and quiet.
    2. Pay attention and listen when someone is talking MATHEMATICS.
    3. Don’t eat/drink in class - this includes candy
    4. There is no physical/verbal abuse in the building, this includes inappropriate language and name calling. 
    5. Be in the room when the bell rings or have a pass.
    6. Bring required classroom materials DAILY: your book, notebook, calculator and supplies.
    7. Bring your Agenda, you will not be permitted to leave the room without it.
 
Textbook/Resource Materials
 
District Provided Textbook: AP Calculus, Graphical, Numerical, Algebraic
Handouts as provided by the teacher
 
Required Materials and Supplies:
 
  1. Notebook = 3-ring binder – 1 inch
  2. Texbook – Daily – provided by the District
  3. Graphing Calculator – Daily TI-89 Titanium - provided by District or student may purchase on their own
  4. Straight edge – DAILY
  5. Pencil & loose leaf paper
  6. 4 AAA batteries for the calculator. The math department has a limited supply. $3 for 4 batteries.
 
Grading – Components and Grading Scale
 
  1.  Homework = assigned DAILY
          a.    Graded on completeness and how well you attempt the problems – Part of classroom participation points.
          b.    Requires calculator DAILY
 
  1. In-Class work and Opening Activities
    1. All students are required to participate in the opening activities. Failure to do so will lower your quarter grade. Opening activities are done the first 5-10 minutes of the class and usually review important concepts from the day before or a previous class. Even if you were absent, you need to attempt the opening activities.
    2. Part of participation grade.
    3. Require a calculator DAILY
  1. Quizzes
    1. Given on Friday only
    2. Need to study and prepare for them
    3. Require a calculator
    4. 50 points in value
  1. Tests 
    1. Given at the end of a unit
    2. Require a calculator
    3. 100 points in value
      5. Problem Sets
 
                 a. Given after derivatives, 3 sets of 6 problems + past AP multiple choice
                 b. 100 points in value for each of the 4 Problem Sets
                 c.  One week to complete
 
      6. Grading Scale
 
Divide the points you earn on participation, in-class activities, opening activities, quizzes and tests by the total number of points possible. The following percentages will be used to determine your letter grade.
 
100 %              = A+                                        99 % - 93 %                = A
92 % - 90 %    = A-                                         89 % - 87 %                = B+
86 % - 83 %    = B                                           82 % - 80 %                = B-
79 % - 77 %    = C+                                         76 % - 73 %                = C
72 % - 70 %    = C-                                          69 % - 67 %                = D+
66 % - 63 %  =   D                                           62 % - 60 %                = D-
59 % - 0 %      = F
 
7. Semester Exams
 
All students MUST take the semester exams. They cover material that is taught each semester and are worth 20% of your semester grade. Each quarter is work 40% of your semester grade. Students who take the AP Calculus AB Exam in May are exempt from the second semester exam, but must take the first semester exam.
 
Late Work Policy
 
 Make-up work
 
    1. If you are excused absent, you are entitled to 2 school days to make up the work missed. It must be shown to me to get credit. Failure to do so will lower your quarter grade. Late work WILL NOT be accepted.
    2. If you miss a quiz, see me regarding make-up.
    3. If you miss a test, see me to make arrangements. All make-up tests MUST be done within 2 school days unless you see me to discuss it.
    4. If you miss a scheduled EXAM and are unexcused, a zero will be recorded for the Exam grade. If you are absent for an EXAM and are excused, you MUST see ME to make arrangements to take the EXAM during the scheduled make-up period. Failure to do so will result in a zero being recorded.


 
Absences & Tardiness Policy
 
Attendance
 
a.   Be here DAILY.
b.      Unexcused tardiness will not be tolerated. Failure to report after school will result in a make-up period with me.
1st unexcused tardy =  Free
2nd unexcused tardy = Free + warning
3rd unexcused tardy = 10 minutes after school, Rm 122 that day, unless you see me to discuss it.  20 academic points will be deducted from your quarterly points earned for failure to report after school (unless you have seen me to make alternate plans)
4th unexcused tardy = 20 minutes after school, Rm 122 that day, unless you see me to discuss it.  20 academic points will be deducted from your quarterly points earned for failure to report after school (unless you have seen me to make alternate plans)
c.       If you are absent because of illness, show Mr. Bretzel your homework that was assigned that day. Up to 20 academic points may be deducted from your quarterly points earned for failure to complete missed homework.
d.       When you are absent for a field trip or are released early for a sporting event, you are to plan as if you where  in attendance at school the entire day. No exceptions.  20 academic points will be deducted from your quarterly points earned for failure to come to class prepared with the necessary work completed.
e.      If you are planning a family vacation during the academic school year, you MUST meet with Mr. Bretzel prior to the absences to get the necessary materials and homework along with a timeline for completion.  Failure to comply with this policy will result in ZEROS being recorded for all homework, in-class work, quizzes and/or tests that occuring during the period of absence.
 
Extra Credit
 
There is no formal extra credit policy. As the year progresses, student will be given the opportunity to earn extra points considered extra credit.
 
 
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St. Francis School District
4225 S. Lake Drive
St. Francis, WI 53235
Phone: 414-747-3900
Fax: 414-482-7198
 

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