Your Grade

• Your grade in this course will be based on the number of points you accumulate on tests, quizzes and problem sets.  I simply add up your points and divide by the total number possible.
• Is homework a part of your grade?  No, not directly.  Your performance on quizzes and tests however are directly correlated with how much effort you put into the problem packets.

Tests and Quizzes and Problem Sets
 

• We will have periodic major exams. They will normally come at the end of each chapter. There will be times when I will split up a chapter in order keep the amount of new material to a reasonable level.
• Major exams will be worth 50 to 100 points.
• You should be prepared to take a short quiz at any time.
• They won't be every day, but they'll be relatively often.
• Some of these quizzes will be homework quizzes as described above.

Problem Sets
 

• Throughout the year, you will be given a series of problem sets.We will talk later about how they are to be done.
• A problem set will usually consist of four problems and will be worth 20 points.
• You may work on them at home and get assistance from any source you can find. They are graded with a "heavy hand".

A Note on Memorization
 

• Knowing how to do problems accurately is a necessary but insufficient condition for success on the AP test. You will also need to be able to do problems quickly.
• In order to do this, you will have to memorize a fairly significant amount of information.I will be very clear about what needs to be memorized and what does not.
• You can expect memorization tests.

The Problem Packets
 

• You will be given a series of “Problem Packets” for each unit of study.
• It is very important that you complete all of these problems…every single one.
• They are not homework like you've known homework before.  I will not normally collect them or look at them unless you have questions.
• I will ask to see the problems you have done when you come in for help.  If you have not kept up with previous problems, you cannot expect yourself to be able to do the next set.
• Your success in this course will depend a great deal on the effort you put in on completing the problems!  I cannot emphasize this fact enough.  Your success in this course will depend a great deal on the effort you put in on completing the problems!
• We learn mathematics by doing mathematics, not by hearing it or seeing it done.

Doing Problems from the Problem Packets

• You should always do a problem as if it were an AP free response problem.That is, include all reasoning, all pertinent information given, make it neat, etc., on every single problem!
• You should always write down the problem first--unless it is a long word problem.
• Because you will be needing these on homework quizzes, it is to your advantage to keep them organized--including the problem number, page, the actual problem, etc.
• I expect you to spend, on average, one hour per day outside of class, working on problems.  If you cannot commit to this expectation, perhaps you should enroll in the non-AP calculus course.  I'm not trying to be the "tough AP teacher" here, I'm just being honest and up-front with what it takes to get through this course.

"Normal" Class Procedure

• Our activities in class will vary, so just let me describe a "typical" class.
• If I decide to give a quiz, it will most often be at the start of a class.  The quiz is normally one or two problems worth a total of five points and lasts about five.
• After we go over the quiz we will begin discussing the day's topic.Sometimes it will be a lecture, more often a guided discussion.  I will try to ask more questions than I make statements in the presentation of a new topic so your participation is essential.
• The presentation of the new material will take up most of our class time.We will not have time in class to go over all the problems you do outside of class.
• If you have questions about problems, let me know and we can meet outside of class.We have a great deal of wonderful, exciting, exotic mathematics to study and you can expect a "new" topic almost every day.

Your Textbook

• One of the reasons we chose the particular we use is that it is a very readable text.  I expect you to read your calculus text!  As we move through sections, make sure you read the section beforehand and read it again after we have talked about it in class.  Read it slowly and carefully--with a pencil and notebook handy.  You should actually do the examples and follow all the concept developments by writing down the steps shown in the book.  Don't try to skim--every word counts in a mathematics text.

Help Outside of Class

• I will be available to help you with problems packets during most 1st periods (except Wednesdays), any 2nd or 6th period.  I will be in NE150.  If I'm not there, please give me a few minutes--then leave a note telling me where you went...if I can, I'll come find you.
• I will also be available on some mornings and most afternoons.  I will try to let people know in advance when I will be at school early or staying late.
• Don't get behind!  If you are having problems, let me know so we can schedule some extra time together.

Evening Sessions

• We may be scheduling evening sessions.  It depends on how things are going.
• The primary focus of these sessions will be answering questions you have on suggested problems and developing yourcalculator skills.  These sessions should last about one to one and one-half hours.

 
 

Main Page

Calendar

The AP Test

Objectives

Interesting Links