Course Name Credit Hours Room Number(s) Teacher Contact Information AP Calculus/IB HL Mathematics (year 1) 3.0 credits 024 (west building) David McMayer david.mcmayer@mpls.k12.mn.us http://southwest.mpls.k12.mn.us/mcmayer Mikal Nelson mnelson@tcteacher.org Course Description/Purpose The IB Diploma Programme mathematics higher level course is for students with a strong background in mathematics and competence in a range of analytical and technical skills. After completing this course, students will be likely to include mathematics as a major component of university studies either in its own right or within courses such as physics, engineering or technology. The course focuses on developing important mathematical concepts in a comprehensive, coherent and rigorous way through a balanced approach. At Southwest High School, we use the AP Calculus course as our first year of the IB Higher Level Mathematics course. While learning about calculus, students have ample opportunity to practice algebraic, geometric, and trigonometric reasoning skills. This course is designed to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Calculus AB Exam as well as a prerequisite for IB Higher Level Mathematics. Calculus is essentially the study of change. There are four major concepts in elementary calculus: limits, derivatives, indefinite integrals, and definite integrals. We will work on these concepts numerically, graphically, algebraically, and verbally. Units of Study: Review of Algebra, Functions and equations, Trigonometry, and Calculus. May 2015 Examination Dates (subject to change) Tue, May 5 AP Calculus AB Exam (Calculator Required) 3.25 hours Course Description/Purpose This course is externally devised and externally assessed. Please understand that the topic outline set by The College Board greatly influences the content and pace of the class. While the level of the mathematics is challenging, be aware that you and your peers have already demonstrated a reasonable level of success. It will likely take a great deal of effort on your part to make important mathematical connections for yourself. With minimal luck and lots of foresight, we should have time to review past exam problems before the examination dates in May.
Course Goals/Learning Objectives Students in this course will learn to: read, interpret and solve a given problem using appropriate mathematical terms. organize and present information and data in tabular, graphical and/or diagrammatic forms. know and use appropriate notation and terminology. formulate a mathematical argument and communicate it clearly. select and use appropriate mathematical strategies and techniques (including the use of graphic display calculator). demonstrate an understanding of both the significance and the reasonableness of results. recognize patterns and structures in a variety of situations, and make generalizations. recognize and demonstrate an understanding of the practical applications of mathematics. use appropriate technological devices as mathematical tools. demonstrate an understanding of and the appropriate use of mathematical modeling. Topics (Quarter 1): Chapter 1: Limits, Derivatives, and Integrals Chapter 2: Properties of Limits Chapter 3: Derivatives, Antiderivatives, and Indefinite Integrals Chapter 4: Products, Quotients, and Parametric Functions Topics (Quarter 2): Chapter 5: Definite and Indefinite Integrals Chapter 6: The Calculus of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions Topics (Quarter 3): Chapter 7: The Calculus of Growth and Decay Chapter 8: The Calculus of Plane and Solid Figures Chapter 9: Algebraic Calculus Techniques for the Elementary Functions Topics (Quarter 4): Chapter 10: The Calculus of Motion Averages, Extremes, and Vectors Review for AP Exam Other Topics: Arc Length, Area of a Surface of Revolution, Calculus of Hyperbolic and Inverse Hyperbolic Functions
Prerequisites/Technology Use Successful completion of IB/HL Calculus OR a recommendation by your teacher from last year is a required prerequisite for this course. A reasonable level of success on the AP Calculus AB Exam is also highly recommended. Each student should have their own graphing calculator that they can use on assessments. Note that calculators with computer algebra systems (TI 89 or TI Inspire CAS) are not allowed by the IBO (the tests you take next year). Nearly any graphing calculator is allowed on the AP Calculus exam (the test you take this year). Plan accordingly. It is also worth noting that, while the TI calculators command a large market share in our country, most of the rest of the world typically uses CASIO graphing calculators, which are comparable and significantly less expensive. I m learning to use both. It s fun. Please note that you will not be allowed to use a calculator on a device that also has access to a wireless network while working on a graded assessment. (No you cannot use your cell phone during a test ever) Required Textbooks/Equipment You are expected to bring the following every day to class: Pencils and Pens Spiral Notebook or Binder with loose leaf paper Graphing calculator Your Calculus Textbook Calculus: Concepts and Applications by Paul A. Foerster. Key Curriculum Press, Second edition, 2005. Classroom Procedures/Policies Attendance is crucial to our work in this class. If you miss a day, you are expected to get the work from a classmate, the website, or from one of us. Your presence on exam days is MANDATORY. We know stuff comes up, but many absences can and should be avoided. If you have an unexcused absence on a test day, you will be awarded a failing grade. If you know you will be absent on the day of a scheduled test, make arrangements with me before the day of the test. You will likely take a different exam (harder) than your classmates. For more information on excused absences, see the School Handbook. While we do tolerate the presence of mobile technology, we do not tolerate distractions to learning. Check your messages before class, after class, but not during class. You don t need to check the score of the soccer game, see of anyone liked your Facebook post about your pet goldfish, or find a good recipe for fried green tomatoes during class. Put your phone away. We will do the same. Consequences for unapproved use of technology vary. Be prepared to be parted from the source of the distraction for a reasonable length of time. We do our best to provide a supportive learning environment here at Southwest. We cannot tolerate bullying behavior in my classroom. If something you say or do clearly makes someone in class uncomfortable, consequences will follow. Consequences for such behavior vary but will likely result in a referral to your assigned assistant principal. Above all, be nice to everyone.
Classroom Procedures/Policies Assignments And Assessments When you are given time in class to work on assigned practice, we expect that you use that time wisely without a lot of reminders. Do not allow yourself to be sucked into an unrelated social conversation that takes you away from the very important task at hand. Put the other distractions away and use the very valuable time you are provided with to mathematically collaborate with other smart people. While you are very much encouraged to work on assigned practice (and the occasional group assessment) together, it is never ok to cheat. Your work on assessments should always be your own work. Be aware of letting your eyes wander. We try to help by putting up barriers on testing days. Do not seek out ways to cheat the system. Honesty and integrity are very valuable character traits that are not easily earned once you have violated another person s trust. Students should expect assigned practice nearly every day in this course. Many assignments will be from the textbook, but others might be from other resources. All assignments will be turned in as collections of your work for all or part of a unit. We will review your work and your self-assessment of your work and then mark a score for the collection. We will generally not accept really late work. We will thoughtfully listen to your excuse, but you should prepare to be disappointed. We consider the homework to be assigned daily practice, very similar to sports drills or music lessons. While missing some points on homework hurts, the real pain comes on test day when you perform like someone who has not practiced enough. Students will be provided with solutions and time to ask questions about assignments. Students can expect assessments of various lengths during each unit of study. Some of the tests and quizzes will be non-calculator assessments. This helps you prepare for the end of year Advanced Placement Exam. Tests & Quizzes are almost always considered individual work. Any form of academic dishonesty will result in a failing grade. The student(s) will be referred to the IB office and the appropriate Assistant Principal. Your parents will be notified. Cheating isn t worth that kind of trouble. Assignments And Assessments Grades will be determined as follows: 90% Assessments (tests, quizzes, and projects) 10% Assignments (assigned homework, and in-class practice) The grade percentage cutoffs are as follows: A B C D F + 87-89 77-79 67-69 93-100 83-86 73-76 63-66 0-59 - 90-92 80-82 70-72 60-62 Extra credit can be earned for your participation at Math Team meets this year or for successfully completing the AMC exam in February of 2014. In order to earn full extra credit marks, students are asked to earn at least a minimum number of points at the competitions.
Student Code of Conduct All students are expected to adhere to the Southwest High School and Minneapolis District Citywide Discipline Policy, designed to promote a safe and respectful learning environment. For more information about your rights and responsibilities consult your Southwest Student/Parent Handbook Academic Integrity: Plagiarism/Consequences It is expected that members of this class will observe strict policies of academic honesty. It is also expected that members of this class will be respectful of each other. Any instances in which cheating, including plagiarism and unauthorized use of copyrighted materials, computer accounts, or someone else s work is determined, will be dealt with accordingly. You can find a definition of plagiarism in the Student Handbook.