AP Calculus AB                                                                                                                                           Mr. Reynolds

Dear Student and Parents:

                Welcome to the new year.  The purpose of this letter is to inform you of the goals and expectations of this class.  It is my hope that this classroom will be a learning friendly environment.  I will strive to assist the learner in understanding the many concepts developed during the course of this class.  I am usually available before and after school for any extra help needed as well as during Titan Time.  I encourage you to seek me out for additional help whenever you feel confused, frustrated, or discouraged.  Don’t wait until you feel overwhelmed. 

Course Description: AP Calculus is primarily concerned with developing each student’s understanding of the concepts of calculus and providing experience with its methods and applications.  The course emphasizes a multi-representational approach to calculus, with concepts, results, and problems being expressed geometrically, numerically, analytically, and verbally.  Broad concepts and widely applicable methods will be emphasized. This course requires critical thinking and persistence and will be challenging at times. At the end of the course students will be able to:

·         work with functions represented in a variety of ways: graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally.

·         understand the meaning of the derivative in terms of rate of change and should be able to use derivatives to solve a variety of problems.

·         understand the meaning of the definite integral both as a limit of Riemann sums and as the net accumulation of change 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.

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

·         model a written description of a physical situation with a function, a differential equation, or an integral.

·         use technology to help solve problems, experiment, interpret results, and verify conclusions.

·         determine the reasonableness of solutions, including signs, size, relative accuracy, and unit of measurement.

Student Expectations: Students will be polite and positive in all their interactions with other students and teachers.  They will report to class promptly and prepared.  They will be expected to participate in all learning activities and give every task their best effort.  Activities are there to assist in the development and understanding of the concepts.  Students will be expected daily to come to class with a pencil, notebook, the text book, and a calculator.  Cheating will result in at least a zero for that assignment and possible further disciplinary action.  Students will be asked to attend a clinic if they do not follow the expectations stated above. 

Grading:

·         The grades will be earned based on the following percentages.

·         Tests, Quizzes, and Projects = 90%

·         Homework and Classwork = 10% (Homework needs to be finished, corrected, and on time to receive full credit. All late homework will receive no credit.)