Port Townsend High School

Course Title: AP Calculus

Credit awarded: 0.5 credits per semester for a total of 1 credit for the year

Teacher Name: Linda Lenz

Teacher Email: llenz@ptschools.org

Phone: Email is the best way to reach me.  This is the phone number of the main office if you need to leave me a message: 360 379 4520

School Webpage Address:

Lenz:  https://highschool.ptschools.org/elearning/lenz__linda

Textbook: Ron Larson and Paul Battaglia’s Calculus for AP, 2017

Course Description/Overview: 

This course has been planned and organized according to the College Board AP Calculus Framework and Unit Guides: www.tinyurl.com/apcalculusframework

AP Calculus focuses on students’ understanding of calculus concepts and provides experience with methods and applications. Through the use of big ideas of calculus (e.g., modeling change, approximation and limits, and analysis of functions), each course becomes a cohesive whole, rather than a collection of unrelated topics. Both courses require students to use definitions and theorems to build arguments and justify conclusions. The courses feature a multi representational approach to calculus, with concepts, results, and problems expressed graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally. Exploring connections among these representations builds understanding of how calculus applies limits to develop important ideas, definitions, formulas, and theorems. A sustained emphasis on clear communication of methods, reasoning, justifications, and conclusions is essential.

Course Outline/Broad Units of Study:

Place Based Learning/Projects:

To be determined, based on student interests and community partners.

Expectations for Success/Classroom Expectations:

The recipe for success in this course includes:  be present (good attendance and focus), actively participate, and use your resources (classmates, AP Classroom, textbook, Internet, notes, etc.).  Because this is a fast-paced, college-level class, there is not a lot of repetition so when absent, expect to make-up an equivalent amount of time (60 minutes or 90 minutes if a block day) outside of class with a combination of Khan Academy, topic questions, and AP Daily videos.  A daily menu of make-up resources is found in the Google Classroom.  

Grading:

Grades will be based on your performance on Free Response Questions (30 %), Multiple Choice Questions (30  %), Homework/Progress Checks/Practice Assignments  (20 %), Labs (20%).  There will be multiple opportunities to show what you know and what you can do.  I am willing to work with you to ensure that you feel that your grade accurately reflects what you know and are able to do.  AP Exam date:  Monday, May 8 2023

Policy on late work, make-up work, extra credit:

All work for each unit is due on the day of the unit exam.  If you must be absent on the date of an exam, you will need to schedule a make-up exam date as soon as possible.  There are no extra credit opportunities; however, there may be opportunities to redo assignments or take a second version of a test for a higher grade.  Additionally, following all tests, you will complete test revisions, which will increase your final test grade.

Academic Integrity

Only work completed by you will be accepted for grading.  At times your work may reflect collaboration with others or allow you direct access to other resources such as the Internet, you notes, textbook, etc.  At other times, such as during tests, you will only be allowed access to fewer  resources, which will be clearly communicated by your teacher.

Assigning Letter Grades: 

Letter grades are based on the percentages that are used for all students at PTHS.

Class Materials/Required Supplies:

• AP Classroom (access will be one of your first assignments)

• Textbook:  Ron Larson and Paul Battaglia’s Calculus for AP, 2017
• TI-84 Plus Graphing Calculator (or other, similar calculator) see me if you would like to check one out
• Desmos (free, on-line graphing application)
• Khan Academy College Calculus AB Mastery Course

Work Completion/Work Habits:

This is an AP course, and as such, it will move at a fast pace.  It is a good strategy to stay caught up on work and to contact me right away if you feel that you are falling behind or if you are feeling overwhelmed.  Expectations in terms of out-of-class work, is about 30 minutes, six days a week, or about 3 hours a week.  This will consist of Khan Academy videos and practice problems and progress checks.  If you find yourself putting in more time than this, please let me know.  Additional work is not mandatory, but you will be given additional recommended resources from your textbook and AP Daily Topic Videos that you can reference as you find helpful to your learning.  

Standards and Practices Covered in this Class:

See the College Board AP Calculus Framework and Unit Guides for a full list of learning Objectives: www.tinyurl.com/apcalculusframework

The Three Big Ideas in Calculus

Big Idea 1:  Change 

• Use derivatives to describe rates of change of one variable with respect to another
• Use integrals to describe the net change in one variable over an interval of another
• Understand the relationship between integration and differentiation as expressed in the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

Big Idea 2:  Limits

• Begin with a discrete model and then consider the consequences of a limiting case to model real-world behavior
• Discover and understand continuity and applications to differentiation and integration

Big Idea 3:  Analysis of Functions

• Analyze behavior of functions by relating limits to differentiation and integration

The Mathematical Practices in Calculus

Cell Phones:

This class adheres to the PTHS Cell Phone/Personal Communication Device Rules.  Upon entering my classroom, students are required to silence their ringer and place their phone in their backpack, daily.  Students who are caught with their cell phone on their person (i.e. in a pocket) or using it during class time (including in the hallway or other space) will have it removed per the school's cell phone policy, and turned into the office, where appropriate consequences will be applied.

Academic Integrity:

You are expected to do your own work at all times.  Each of you understands the difference between working on homework in a group, and cheating by copying. Similarly, you are expected to show what you know and can do on all tests. Anyone caught cheating will receive a zero for that assignment or test and will be reported to administration and your parent or guardian will be contacted.