Sonoma Valley High School, Mrs. Wittbrodt, J11
Welcome to AP Calculus AB for 2011-2012
Welcome to AP Calculus, 0 Period, 7:00-7:55 AM, Monday-Friday. The textbook is Calculus of a
Single Variable, AP Edition, Larson and Edwards. (The lost book fee for this textbook is $116.)
There will be a classroom set of books available to allow a minimum of 1 textbook per table.
This should eliminate the need for you to bring the book to school daily. You are also welcome
to leave your book in the room if you do the majority of your homework at school.
This course is a full year class, taught at the level of a college or university calculus course
(approximately 1+ semester of college content). Successful completion of this course will
provide preparation for the AP exam as well as for possible placing out of a comparable collegelevel course. Students entering this course should have mastered the equivalent of 4 years of
high school mathematics, including advanced topics in algebra, trigonometry, analytical
geometry, and elementary functions, including linear, polynomial, rational, exponential,
logarithmic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric.
The Calculus AB course is designed to develop students’ understanding of concepts, methods,
and applications through emphasizing multiple approaches to representing solutions to problems
in 4 ways: graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally. This course will continually focus
on the evolution of pre-calculus topics into calculus concepts (derivatives and integrals) via the
limit process, e.g., from average rate of change to instantaneous rate of change, from surface
area of a cylinder to surface area of a solid of revolution.
The course will employ multiple technologies, including the TI-89 graphing calculator. Students
may purchase their own calculator or they can rent one for the year. The cost of rental is $15
for the year (if lost or damaged the fee is $100). Students will also use various online
applications and web information repositories.
Course Overview
The topics covered in this course align with the requirements for AP Calculus AB as set by the
College Board. The course syllabus has been reviewed and approved by the College Board. The
topics will be covered prior to the May AP testing date, with subsequent additional topics and
projects after the AP test.
The topics are:
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Evaluate and graph functions and their transformations, including linear, polynomial, rational,
exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, piece-wise, inverses.
Find limits graphically, numerically, analytically
Determine continuity at a point on an open interval, and determine one-sided limits.
Determine infinite limits and find vertical asymptotes
Find the derivative of a function using the limit definition and basic differentiation rules, including the
Product Rule, the Quotient rule, the Chain Rule, the Power Rule, and Implicit Differentiation.
Find a related rate.
Use a derivative to find minimum and maximum values, whether a function is increasing or decreasing,
whether a function is concave up or down.
Solve optimization problems and use approximation techniques to solve problems.
Evaluate indefinite integrals using basic integration rules.
Evaluate a sum and approximate the area of a plane region.
Evaluate a definite integral using a limit and using the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.
Approximate a definite integral using the Trapezoidal Rule and Simpson’s Rule.
Find the derivative and antiderivative of the natural logarithmic function.
Determine whether a function has an inverse.
Find the derivative and antiderivative of the natural exponential function and inverse trig functions.
Use exponential functions to model growth and decay.
Use separation of variables to solve differential equations
Sketch a slope field of a differential equation and find a particular solution.
Use a definite integral to find the area of a region bounded by two curves.
Find the volume of a solid of revolution by the disk and shell methods.
GRADING: The grade is determined using the following weights:
50% TESTS
30% QUIZZES, PROJECTS, PORTFOLIO PROBLEMS
20% HOMEWORK
(There will be NO final exam as long as the student takes the AP exam.)
The instruction of this course will focus on preparing students for the AP exam, and it is
expected that all students take this exam. The same scoring rubric used on the AP exam will be
used on tests in this course and students will practice grading their peers’ exams so they fully
understand how to meet the criteria for scoring.
Homework will be assigned for the entire week each Monday and will be due the following
Monday. As an incentive to complete each assignment daily, bonus points will be awarded if the
assignments are handed in each day, rather than the following Monday (i.e., Monday assignment
turned in on Tuesday, Tuesday’s assignment turned in on Wednesday, etc. ) Homework
assignments are 5 points each and will be assigned points based on % completion, level of
effort/work shown. Homework quizzes will be given several times each week. They will be very
short (~1-2 problems) and will be taken directly from the homework section in the book. They
will be timed and will be given at the beginning of class; being late to class will negatively impact
the amount of time allowed on these quizzes. 1-2 quiz scores will be dropped each progress
reporting period to account for excused absences from class (no makes will be given).
Tests will be given in several forms – team, take-home, individual – with both multiple choice and
free response questions modeled in the AP exam format. In most cases tests will be given over
two days. Notes will NOT be allowed on tests, and calculator use will be restricted on some
parts of each test.
Extra Help
It is strongly recommended that students form study groups early in the year. There will be
approximately an hour of homework daily and working on the assignments collaboratively can be
a huge benefit to students. However, it is imperative that each student honors the importance
of their own learning and does not copy another student’s work, or provide their work to
another student who wishes to copy. Copying is considered cheating and will result in a score of
0. Please remember, “The person who does the work is the ONLY one who learns!”
Students may get extra help before class (I arrive at 6am every day!) or after school (with
prior notice). In addition, evening or weekend study sessions will be scheduled based on need
and student interest.
A facebook group has been set up to allow ongoing collaboration on calculus topics, including
homework, projects, and test preparation. This group is set up as a secret group. To be added
to this group, request to be added as a friend to my school-only facebook page – Ann
Wittbrodt-svhs. I will then add you to the appropriate group. (NOTE: if you mistakenly
request to be a friend to my personal facebook page, I will not accept the request).
My school webpage will provide a calendar listing assignments, as well as pdf versions of class
notes and handouts. Links to useful websites and tools will also be included on the web page.
(Anyone can learn Calculus, so STUDY HARD and have FUN!)
(Please KEEP this handout – sign and return the following separate page.)
Please READ, SIGN, and RETURN:
I have READ the course expectations for AP Calculus AB and UNDERSTAND what is
expected of me.
I commit to putting forth my best effort in this class.
Student Signature
Date
I have READ the course expectations for AP Calculus AB and UNDERSTAND what is
expected of my student.
I commit to encouraging and monitoring his/her progress
throughout the year. I approve the use of facebook for communication and
collaboration specific to AP Calculus.
Parent/Guardian Signature
Date
COMMENTS/QUESTIONS:_________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
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PLEASE BE SURE TO OBTAIN A LOG-IN for POWERSCHOOL AND CHECK GRADES
FREQUENTLY!!
Ann Wittbrodt
[email protected] (please use email rather than telephone for rapid
response to questions.)