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Go to Mr. Whitney's Calculus Page CALCULUS is one of the most exciting, wide-reaching courses in Mathematics that a student will encounter. It is through Calculus that one understands the precise relationships that allow predictions into the motions of moving bodies and the effects of forces. Calculus enables scientists to predict the motions of planets and stars through space, describes the delicate structure of a snowflake, and allows industry to maximize profits and minimize costs based on gathered data and mathematical models. The practical applications are nearly endless. Indeed, a deep understanding of the physical world around us is impossible without Calculus.
The Advanced Placement component of this course requires a level of commitment beyond that expected for nearly every course you have taken to this point. Your AP grade will be determined by your level of success on a cumulative exam, administered by The College Board, late in the school year. This exam has portions were you will be expected to use a graphing calculator and portions where no calculator at all will be permitted. Thus, our preparation for that exam will reflect that process. Thus, expect tests/quizzes where you will not have access to a calculator, but also commit a great amount of effort toward learning all the attributes and features of your calculator. The use of technology in calculus only adds to the heights we can reach … so, prepare to stretch!
Calculus is required of most students who enter a technical course of study in college (math, science, medicine, engineering, etc.). This course is designed to prepare you for college level study, using college level materials. The work ethic on the student's part must rise to meet those standards.
[ Back to Top ] COURSE CONTENT (AP Calculus AB Curriculum):
Functions, Graphs, and Limits
Analysis of graphs. Limits of functions (including one-sided limits). Asymptotic and unbounded behavior. Continuity as a property of functions.
Derivatives
Concept of the derivative. Derivative at a point. Derivative as a function. Second derivatives. Applications of derivatives. Computation of derivatives.
Integrals
Riemann sums. Interpretations and properties of definite integrals. Applications of integrals. Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Techniques of antidifferentiation. Applications of antidifferentiation. Numerical approximations to definite integrals.
[ Back to Top ] GRADING POLICY:
Homework | "The Sheets" | Portfolio | Tests & Quizzes | Notebooks | Participation | Final Grades Homework/Classwork: All assignments are to be completed on time. Anticipate both individual and group assignments. HW is crucial for the student to gain mastery in the concepts you will encounter. HW will be graded on a effort basis, and will not be corrected for "right / wrong." Answers are posted in the back of the text; so all work is expected to be correct. Grading will focus on amount of effort and ad-herence to deadlines. HW must be done on "loose-leaf" paper and not in a bulky notebook.
"The Sheets": As a preparation for the AP Free Response questions, students will be assigned "sheets" of problems that must be completed over a two-week period. Solutions are not posted and this material will be graded along the lines of the AP Free Response questions. Adherence to deadlines will be rigorously enforced!
Portfolios are required for all students in the IB Math Methods course. These will consist of projects, either of a review nature or an exploration of new topics. All portfolio work submitted must represent the individual students work. Grading will be done along the rigorous guidelines devised by the IBO.Test & Quizzes: Quizzes will be issued routinely (usually announced, but not limited to). Tests will always be announced several days in advance. Mid-year and Final exams will be given extra weight (TBA).
Notebooks: A notebook is to be maintained by each student. These must include a daily class notes, all Hw/Cw assignments, all quizzes and tests. (Portfolios projects are kept by the instructor, with sample pieces to be forwarded to the IBO starting with the 2002-2003 school year).
Participation in class discussions/activities is expected, especially in sharing results of HW ef-forts. I hope you will consider your classmates (and myself) as part of one team, working together to unlock the information before us. Being unprepared to share with the class will adversely affect your grade.
End-of-Term (Report card) grades will be derived from the following distribution:
Classwork/Homework 10%
The Sheets 15%
Portfolio projects 15%
Classwork/Homework 10 % The Sheets 15 % Portfolio Projects 15 % Tests & Quizzes 60% End of Term Average 100 % Each student's "grade" ... to a large degree ... will be determined by the End of Term Average, but in certain circumstances the instructor may lower or raise this grade based on intangibles (extra-effort put forth by the student, evidence of academic dishonesty, et cetera).
The final grade for the year will be an average of the four quarter term grades. If the instructor deems extenuating circumstances warrants a final grade to be determined by some other means, such extenuating circumstances will be thoroughly discussed with the student in a private conference before the issuance of the final grade.
[ Back to Top ] RESOURCES:
Course Text:
- Calculus with Analytic Geometry (6th Edition)
- Roland E. Larson, Robert P. Hostetler, & Bruce H. Edwards
- Houghton Mifflin Company: Boston, MA
- © 1998
Supplimental Material:
- Multiple-Choice & Free Response Questions in Preparation for the AP Calculus (AB) Examination (Seventh Edition)
- David Lederman
- D & S Marketing Systems, Inc.
- © 1998
- MathPert Calculus Assistant Software
Graphing Calculators
Students will have access to a graphing calculator in class. It is recommended that all students obtain their own calculators for use at home. My recommendation is a TI-83 or TI-83+. Expect to pay approximately $80 - $90 for this machine. I guarantee it will be a wise investment.
If you do not have a graphing calculator you must have access to a scientific calculator! But ... ONLY graphing calculators are permitted on the AP exam.
Internet Resources:The College Board: http://www.collegeboard.org/ap/math/ Mr. Whitney's Home Page: http://users.massed.net/~mwhitney/
In my web pages you will find a page of Useful Links for further explorations into math and science topics. I expect to incorporate some use of the Internet into this course, and my pages will be our starting point.
Click on to go to my Links Page.
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ATTENDANCE:
Attendance in AP courses is vitally important.
In August 2001, the City of Springfield began a rigorous attendance policy. Students and parents should become informed as to the requirements of this policy. As with all general policies for the Springfield Public Schools, the new attendance code will be vigorously enforced in all of my classes.
If you are going to be absent for any extended time, you or your parent should contact me through your counselor (or use my email) to arrange make up work. Assignments will be posted in the classroom (and hopefully on my web site) for you to consult after brief absences.
It is always the student's responsibility to inquire about what assignments / tests were missed during absences. This should be done before or after school. Class time is for learning and instruction, not for obtaining make-up work assignments. Your coorperation with this is expected and appreciated
[ Back to Top ] CONTACTING YOUR INSTRUCTOR & EXTRA-ASSISTANCE:
Wednesday is my designated extra-help afternoon, when I will plan to stay at least one-hour to assist students. However, I will make my best effort to be in school at least 45 minutes early every morning and I generally am available every afternoon (except Tuesdays when I am required to attend faculty meeting). Please do not hesitate to take advantage of this extra time.
If any students have Internet access at home,
feel free to email me with any questions/concerns you have.
School:
whitneym@sps.springfield.ma.us Home:
mwhitney.massed@rcn.com [ Back to Top ] METHOD FOR PARENTS TO COMMUNICATE WITH TEACHER:
Parent(s) who would like to speak with me should contact the Counseling Office at 787-7220 and your child's counselor will make arrangements for us to meet at a mutually convenient time. Also, if you prefer I will call you at a designated time. Generally, any such meetings/calls should take place before or after school hours of 7:35-2:05 when I will be involved in teaching or other school business. My email account (whitneym@sps.springfield.ma.us) is also a useful means to contact me.
If you are concerned about your child's progress between report cards, you should also contact the counselor and request a progress report, which I will write and mail to you.
For more information that is of importance to parents ... go to my Parents' Info Page [ Back to Top ]
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Last Updated: December 20, 2001.
Site Created & Maintained by:
Matthew C. Whitney
