594 AP-BC Calculus

 

Teacher: Mrs. Kathryn Gniadek                               Department: Mathematics

Course:  AP-BC Calculus 594                                  Year: 2011-2012

 

Textbook: Stewart, James. Single Variable Calculus with Vector Functions 7th edition;Brooks/Cole Cengage, 2012 AP Edition

ISBN-13: 978-0-8400-4823-3      ISBN-10: 0-8400-4823-8.

 

Supplementary Text Used: Fast Track to a 5:Preparing for the AP calculus AB and BC examinations. Brooks/Cole Cengage,2012.

 ISBN-13:978-0-840-05830-0    ISBN-10: 0-840-05830-6

Purpose:

This course includes the study of elementary functions, limits, derivatives and their applications, integral Calculus including antiderivatives and their

applications and slope-fields as well as applications of integrals,techniques of integration,differential equations, parametric equations and polar co-ordinates, infinite sequences and series. Students who take this course are required to take the Advanced Placement Calculus Exam in May. The BC exam will have an AP AB sub score so the students will receive a grade for both AP AB and AP BC. This extremely challenging course is meant only for the serious math student.

 

Objectives:

The student will engage in an exciting new educational theory called  Inquiry –based” learning whereby the teacher asks “Good Questions” in the classroom that will enhance and deepen a students’ conceptual knowledge of Calculus. “Good Questions” is an NIH research based program spearheaded by Dr. Maria Terrell at Cornell University.The student will also:

·          Be able to work with functions represented graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally.

 

·          Understand the meaning of the derivative in terms of rate of change and local linear approximation and should be able to use the derivative in a variety of problems

 

·         Understand the meaning of the definite integral both as a limit of Riemann Sums and as the net accumulation of a rate of changes 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.

 

·       Be able to communicate mathematics orally as well as in well-written sentences and should be able to clearly explain solutions to problems.

 

·             Be able to model a written description of a physical situation with a function, a differential equation or an integral. This will be referred to as English-to –mathematics translations and vice versa.

 

·               Be able to use technology, especially a graphing calculator, to help solve problems, experiment, interpret results, and verify conclusions.

 

·             Be able to determine the reasonableness of solutions, including sign, size, relative accuracy, and units of measurement.

 

. Understand Infinite series and sequences, parametric equations, polar coordinates, differential equations and techniques and applications of integration.

 

·        Develop an appreciation of Calculus as a coherent body of knowledge and focus on a conceptual understanding.

 

Requirements:

·            Textbook

·             At least two expo markers must be brought to class daily for board

work

·              Pencils, red pens

·             A graphing calculator TI 84+ or TI 83+

·            A 3 inch 3 ring binder with a packet of numerical file folder dividers and 6 pocket folders for filing and extra loose leaf for quizzes and tests.

·           Student Solutions Manual

·            A positive attitude and willingness to work hard and think!

·            Notebook material will be tested and graded accordingly.

(Cross-reference under testing policies). Outline homework assignments are MANDATORY not optional and should be done in your 3-ring notebook binder. Please reference the example outline that will be discussed in the first week of

school. All work must be dated and labeled properly for full credit.

·        

                                   

 

Personal and School Policies: 

Ø         Every student will begin with an A+ class participation grade.  If a

student is late for class, she must sign a tardy slip Record Book before sitting

at her desk. Each tardy will result in a 5 point deduction from the class

participation grade.

Ø      . Class co-operation, attentiveness, and willingness to answer questions

and demonstrate problem-solving methods all contribute positively to the

maintenance of the A+ class participation grade.

Ø          Any student who is absent on the day an assignment or project is due must accept a full letter grade deduction for each subsequent day (including

weekends) the assignment is late beginning the day after the student returns to school.

Ø         Any student who misses class for any reason is fully responsible for completing all class work and homework that was assigned during her absence.

Most importantly, she must obtain a copy of the class notes from one of her classmates. Any quizzes given in class on the day of her return must still be

taken. (See page 12-13 in the Handbook)

Ø  No late assignments will be accepted for any reason other than illness and absence. If you leave school early on a day a assignment is due, you will receive a zero for that assignment.

Ø  If you leave early on any day which causes you to miss a scheduled test or quiz, your make-up will accrue a 10 point penalty. Only a note from the school nurse documenting a valid illness will nullify this policy.

 

Ø        Missed tests must be completed as soon as possible. Make-up tests (which will be significantly more difficult) will adhere to the policies of the

math department formulated at the beginning of the school year. (Page 13 Handbook) If a student delays scheduling for more than one cycle after her return to school, she will incur a full letter grade penalty for each day after

one cycle until the test is taken. All students are personally responsible for arranging the time and dates of any make-up tests or work. If they fail to do so, the recorded grade of 0 will remain.

Ø         Extra help is always after school at least till 2:40 unless faculty meetings and after school club meetings which I am responsible for are

scheduled. Students will be asked to sign an Extra-Help Record Book.

Ø         Extra Credit is never assigned individually. Occasionally, class Extra Credit assignments or “Grade Boosters” may be offered.

Ø         If a student is in class and a project or homework assignment is not passed in on the assigned collection day DURING CLASS,the grade is a 0. Only a physicians’ note will alter this policy.

Ø      Note well: no assignments will be accepted after school. If an assignment is due on a day you take an early dismissal, and you do not pass in the assignment before leaving, the grade is a 0.

Ø      If a student anticipates an absence they must submit their assignments to me personally (not my mailbox) prior to their absence.

Ø         If a notebook quiz is given in class, and you do not have your notebook or your calculator, you will still be required to take the quiz. If your calculator is not with you on the day of the test, you must still take the

test. Always be prepared for each class.

Ø       NEVER EVER ask me to lend you my personal calculator OR the overhead connected calculator. Reason:  I will not enable irresponsible behavior.

Ø      NEVER EVER ask me to supply you with expos for board work. See reason above!!!! Remember that lack of class materials could cost you a detention.

Ø      Under no circumstances, will I accept electronic homework emailed to me for grading. If extreme illness prevents submission, email me. A zero remains in the gradebook until the assignment is passed in a class day after your return from an illness.

Ø         All or some of the above is subject to change in cases of surgery or extreme illness supported by a physicians’ note, or at the discretion of the

teacher.

 

v  All students must be aware that in a college class, topics are presented and problems are worked through ONCE. It is your responsibility to practice NUMEROUS problems based on the topics presented in class. Class time in college classes are never used for drill and practice. That is YOUR responsibility.

 

v  ALL STUDENTS  WILL BE REQUIRED TO FILL OUT A WEB LOG PRINTED DIRECTLY FROM THE WEBSITE DOCUMENTING ASSIGNMENTS FROM THE WEB SITE AND THE CLASSROOM. THE STUDENT MUST  COLLATE AND CORRELATE WITH PAGE NUMBERS ALL  THE ASSIGNMENTS IN HER NOTEBOOK FOR A NOTEBOOK GRADE.THERE WILL BE A ZERO NOTEBOOK GRADE IF THE WEB LOG IS NOT PRESENT DURING THE GRADING.

 

 

v  Under no circumstance will any student be able to ask me to recheck her notebook for assignments I listed as missing from the Web Log unless the student can locate the missed assignments immediately upon receiving her notebook and grade.

 

 

 

Evaluation:

Traditional comprehensive examinations, chapter tests, Open Notebook Quizzes

(based on the student’s outlines for the chapters including the examples),

Stretch Tests, Group Effort Tests, Pre-Answer Tests, projects, unannounced quizzes, individual and group “lab investigations”, homework assignments, weekly

problem sets and positive class participation will be used to assess the student’s knowledge of the subject matter..

 

 The formats of the tests are pre-determined by the teacher only.

 

. NOTE WELL: All assigned projects must be done in duplicate. Every student must retain one copy of any major assignment passed in.

 

Also: Full success in this class will be based on your ability to take accurate class notes and revisit them often throughout the quarters.

 

§         Everyday, there will be oral quizzing on the homework outlines and the problems from the previous class, which will contribute to the class participation grade. Remember that I believe in engaging all students in the

classroom in an "Inquiry -based" format. That is my particular teaching style. If I randomly call on you, I am inquiring about what you think (NOT “picking on

you.”)

 

Grading Policy:

 

Faweb must be checked weekly. All grades will remain as entered unless you consult with me in the very week a discrepancy was made. You are responsible to save and file all returned and graded assignments and have all documentation to support your concern.

 

 

Combined classwork: 65% Tests 35%

Combined classwork equals grading of : class participation ,RO,DP,CN and worksheets.

Ø  Repeat: No late assignments will be accepted for any reason other than illness and absence. If you leave school early on a day an assignment is due, you will receive a zero for that assignment.

Ø  If you leave early on any day which causes you to miss a scheduled test or quiz, your make-up will accrue a 10 point penalty. Only a note from the school nurse documenting a valid illness will nullify this policy.

 

 

 UCONN ECE GRADES: A final grade in January for Math 1125a and a final in May for Math 1126 b will be calculated based on the final exam grade itself . One letter grade may be added or subtracted but only if the final grade was a C+ or above. Any grade C- or below is an AU (audit grade on UCONN’s transcript) The SHA midterm =UCONN’s final will be the final exam for course Math 1125a. The SHA final (which all seniors must take) =UCONN’s final for Math 1126b.

 

 

 

Testing Policy: Students will be tested in class at least twice each quarter.

All projects will count at least one test grade and maybe two depending on the

length and depth of the assignment. Quizzes are not usually announced. Most

quizzes will be on the class lecture and class activities, the book outlines and

the homework assignments. Problem sets will be assigned either weekly or

bi-weekly. There are NO make-ups for poor test or quiz grades.

Long term homework assignments and take-home problem sets may be (not

necessarily) counted as one test grade.

All assignments (tests, quizzes and homework included) will be graded rigorously according to AP TESTING GUIDELINES, which is different than the way most students are used to being graded in mathematics. A handout sheet regarding testing guidelines will be given to you in September.

 

 

Class Rules:

  When the teacher is talking in the classroom, no one else is. When a student asks a question, which has an answer you may not be interested in, you may NOT, under any circumstance, use her questioning as a license for you to chat with your friends. AT ALL TIMES, good manners, respect for others and lady-like behavior must be maintained in the classroom. Anyone who chooses not to co-operate with these rules will be asked to leave and report to the administration in the office.

§ Absolutely no gum chewing (“instant” detention)

§ Improper uniform warrants same fate as above.

§ Interrupting teaching and disrespect shown to fellow students in any

shape or manner is strictly prohibited and will warrant same fate as above and possibly worse (i.e. phone call to parents)

§ All SHA regulations according to the handbook will be strictly

enforced at all times for the sake of preserving a positive classroom

environment.

                                                                              

 

Homework:

 

Homework must be done for every class and after every class for survival in this course!!

 

*****Homework will come from two directions: the web site AND in class where additional assignments will be given.  Students are responsible for all assignments from both sources at all times. Assume nothing if you are absent: ALWAYS ASK AT LEAST 3 OTHER SOURCES ABOUT THE ASSIGNMENTS GIVEN DURING CLASS. It is a simple given that under no circumstances should any homework assignment ever be offered for copying. Also, no one should ever ask another student for his or her math homework and/or assignments for the purpose of COPYING. It is evident that students who make a regular practice of this are

making grave errors in judgment.

 

     All communal efforts should be referenced on the homework assignment papers. For example: “STUDY GROUP MEMBERS: all names should be listed.”

 

 Book notes (also referred to as outlines) must be taken from the assigned reading BEFORE any math problems are attempted.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL I HONOR ANY CLAIM THAT ASSIGNED HOMEWORK PROBLEMS AND PRACTICE WAS DONE ON A WHITEBOARD AT HOME.

WHITEBOARD WORK AT HOME IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FORMAL GRADING. IF THE WORK CAN NOT BE SEEN BY ME IN YOUR NOTEBOOK, THE NOTEBOOK GRADE FOR PRACTICE AND HOMEWORK PROBLEMS IS ZERO.

 

 

 

Additional information:

 Since students’ actions impact others in the SHA community, all students are expected to abide by the rules and regulations of SHA in this class at all times. Strict standards of behavior based on personal integrity, a personal sense of responsibility and responsiveness to the needs and rights of others will be enforced.

 

Technology clause:

 

Laptop use is restricted to pertinent classroom use only. This means that during class, a student will not be allowed to surf the web, or work with the laptop unless these activities pertain directly to what is being done in the classroom at the time. If this guideline is violated, the student forfeits all computer rights in my classroom until further notice.

 

Ø   If you have any concerns about this class please come after school or make an appointment to discuss your concerns after school. Class time is for

learning, teaching and discovering and not for airing personal grievances.

Ø   At all times, whining is prohibited. Logical, sensible reasoning is always welcome.

Ø   If you have any problems at any other time please contact me at

kgniadek@sha-excelsior.org or leave a message on my voice mail at 288-2309

ext.235