Course Description:
This course is designed to prepare students for the AP Calculus AB Test as well as college level calculus courses. The primary text book is Calculus of a Single Variable, 8th ed. By Larson, Hostetler and Edwards (1998 Houghton Mifflin). Students are expected to use graphical, numerical and analytical approaches to problem solving. The topics covered are outlined in the AP Calculus Course Description available through the college board.
Course Planner: (Based on block scheduling – 90 days, 90 minute periods)
Pre-calculus topics
Limits and Continuity
Derivatives
Applications of Derivatives
Integrals
Applications of Integrals
Disk method, Washer method
Logarithmic, exponential functions
Differential Equations
Miscellaneous Topics
*Throughout the course students will demonstrate understanding of concepts by communicating orally and in written form solutions to calculus problems. Group activities and projects will allow students to orally demonstrate understanding. AP Practice Free Response Questions administered weekly will allow students to demonstrate understanding in written form.
Calculators:
Teachers use TI-84 and TI-89 calculators for presentations. Students who do not have a TI-89 themselves are issued one.
Evaluation:
Grades are determined as followed:
40% - daily work made up of homework, quizzes, labs and student activities.
60% - tests*
*Most tests contain 2 parts. Students are allowed to use calculators on one part. The other part will contain problems/questions in which calculators are not allowed. This is to better prepare for the AP Test.
*2nd semester tests include multiple choice items and free-response items.
Computer Software:
AP Exam Review Computer Lab Tutorial – used 2nd semester.
apexlearning.com
Other Resources:
Be Prepared for the AP Calculus Exam by Mark Howell and Martha Montgomery (2005, Skylight Publishing).
Multiple-Choice and Free-Response Questions in Preparation for the AP Calculus (AB) Examination by David Lederman. 8th Edition, (2003, D&S Marketing Systems, Inc.).