Course Syllabus

AP Calculus AB

Contact Information:
Teacher: Julie Hartel
E-mail: hartelj@issaquah.wednet.edu

Personal Biography:

I teach Algebra 2 and AP Calculus AB. This is my 34th year of teaching overall, my 7th year at IHS and I’m excited to be back! I have three grown daughters, two step-children and 5 granddaughters. My husband is a veteran of the United States Air Force and a logistics manager. 

 

Course Description:
This one-year course develops the topics of limits, derivatives, and integration and their formulas for algebraic and transcendental functions. This class follows the College Board AP Calculus AB course guidelines for preparation of the AP Calculus AB exam.

Course Goals:

AP Calculus AB is primarily concerned with developing students’ 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 graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally. Through the use of the unifying themes of limits, derivatives, integrals, and their applications, the course becomes a cohesive whole rather than a collection of unrelated topics.

Course Outline:

Semester 1 -

• Chapter 1: Limits and Their Properties
• Chapter 2: Differentiation
• Chapter 3: Applications of Differentiation
• Chapter 4: Integration
• Chapter 5: Logarithmic, Exponential and Other Transcendental Functions

Availability for Help:

The best way to reach me is via email (hartelj@issaquah.wednet.edu) or using the "Inbox" feature of Canvas. I will respond within 24 hours (although usually much sooner) unless it is a weekend.

Office Hours:

• Before School Office Hours (by appointment only, email to schedule): Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 7 - 8, Wednesday 9:30 - 10
• Flex
• Note: If these times do not work for you, please email me and we can work to arrange a different time for you to get help.

 

Required Materials:

• Graphing Calculator (TI-84 recommended)
• Paper (including graph paper) & pencil or touchscreen device
• Small binder or folder to keep notes and returned assessments/worksheets

 

Textbook: We will be using the Calculus (AP Edition, 2009) textbook. All students will receive online access (linked on the home page as a PDF), and can checkout a physical book if desired. AP Classroom will be used to register for the AP exam and as a supplemental resource throughout the year. Instructions for using AP Classroom can be found in the Resource Module.

 

Grading Scale:

A	93% or above
A-	90-92.99%
B+	87-89.99%
B	83-86.99%
B-	80-82.99%
C+	77-79.99%
C	73-76.99%
C-	70-72.99%
D+	67-69.99%
D	60-66.99%
F	Below 60%

Grades will not be rounded. Adjustments may be made based on AP Exam score.

 

POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS

Grading Categories and Weights:
Grades will be maintained through Canvas. Students should use Skyward only to view midterm and semester grades.
Assignments (10%):
Students will submit homework assignments through a stamp sheet collected on the day of a quiz.

• Homework problems will be assigned almost daily to build and reinforce skills acquisition, concept understanding, and commit learning to long term memory.
• Homework, with expected time commitment of 45-60 minutes, is to be completed the day it is assigned.
• Late homework will be accepted for 60% credit of the score it would have earned until the next assessment. 
• Note: I reserve the right to make changes to this policy.

Skills Checks (10%):

Students will complete a skills check in class over specific pre-announced skills 1-2 times per unit.

• The first in class attempt will be handed back to students the day after it is given.
• Students may retake each skills check one time through Canvas. Retake uploads must include the original problem written out, followed by legible work and an indicated final answer. Failure to meet these expectations will earn zero points on the problem and count as an attempt. Emails of work WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED and technology glitches will not excuse the recording of the digital attempt.
• A third paper and pencil retake will be offered in class on the test review day.
• Graded retakes will not be accessible to students, but they can view them outside of class by arrangement during office hours.
• The highest grade will be recorded, so students are encouraged to use as many attempts as needed.
• Note: I reserve the right to make changes to this policy.

Assessments (80%):
Students will complete both free response and multiple-choice assessments in the classroom. Assessments will not be given over Canvas.

• Students should expect 1-2 quizzes per chapter (covering approximately 2-4 sections of material) and 1-2 tests at the end of the chapter (free response and multiple-choice).
• Retakes will not be given on any assessment.
• Quizzes will be handed back approximately 1 week after being given. Chapter tests will not be handed back, but students can access them at any point outside of class by asking their teacher.
• A cumulative, modified AP exam, including both multiple-choice and free response sections, will be given as the final at the end of each semester.
• Note: I reserve the right to make changes to this policy.

Recovery Plans:
Per the ISD MOU, '...special programs and accelerated offerings, such as AP and IB, may not be able to offer the same breadth or frequency of recovery options.'

Recovery of Learning will be ongoing, through lessons, assignments, skills checks, partner/group work, quizzes, MC tests, and FR tests.

Recovery of Grades, beyond imbedded opportunities through Recovery of Learning and trend grading, will be teacher discretion based on student data. These may include: category assignment to include low-stakes homework, skills check retakes allowing for mastery, quiz corrections, quiz replacement with test percentage, quiz drop, scoring assessments out of fewer points (allows for credit beyond 100%), AP grade adjustment.

SEL:   

• Self-awareness is a core competency of social-emotional learning. It is the ability for students to understand their emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behaviors in the classroom and in the learning process. This includes students being able to recognize their strengths and limitations in AP Calculus AB. 
• Self-management is the ability for students to harness their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different classroom and learning situations and to achieve goals and aspirations in the course. This includes students' capacities to cope with delayed gratification, stress management, and formulate motivation and agency to accomplish personal and collective goals in AP Calculus AB. 
• Social awareness is the ability for students to understand and empathize with peers. This includes students abilities to take other's perspectives, and demonstrate empathy & compassion toward others in AP Calculus AB. 
• Social management is the ability for students to establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships in the classroom. This includes communicating effectively, showing leadership, and developing positive relationships in AP Calculus AB. 

In addition, the goal in the math department is to grow student's SEL skills throughout their high school years in math courses. Our department is sharing a goal to promote life-long learning and development throughout their lives 

• Self-awareness – Students independently complete reflections on their progress and their learning throughout the term. 
• Self-management - Students independently set goals and use self-management strategies. 
• Social awareness -  Students independently complete reflections on their group, individual, and partner throughout the term. 
• Social management - Students independently complete reflections on their group, individual, and partner throughout the term. 

 

Academic Integrity:
We follow the ISD and IHS academic integrity policies.

Any written/submitted work that contributes to the calculation of your grade in the class MUST be your own, unless specifically designed for groups. Students are expected to work alone unless otherwise indicated, and the teacher will report any and all indications of academic dishonesty to administration and assign ZERO points for all parts of the assignment or assessment.

Attendance Policy:
Attendance will be taken in accordance with the policies at IHS. Students are expected and encouraged to attend class daily.

• An excused absent will extend due date by one day for assignments and assessments. 
• Students who miss an assessment (quiz or test) should expect to take the assessment the day they return to class, rare exceptions may be made based on extenuating circumstances. Make ups can be done in class, before school, or after school in Math Lab or Testing Center.
• When a student misses a study hall/review day for an assessment, the absence does not change the due date of the assessment and the student is expected to take the assessment with the rest of the class.
• Unexcused absences are not eligible for making up work, including assessments.

 

Participation Policy:
You are expected to demonstrate engagement in our class by regularly and thoughtfully participating in activities and completing practice work, assignments, and assessments. Although you are not graded on participation, a lack of involvement will likely impact your grade.

 

Behavior Expectations:
For all classroom activities you are expected to follow the Issaquah code of conduct.

• Listen when someone is speaking.
• Be respectful of others, including their questions and work.
• Be prepared for class.
• Per the technology agreement and student handbook, students are required to have their phones away during class time (bell to bell). Students may choose to turn their phones off and put them in their backpacks or they may utilize the cell phone caddy at the front of the class. 
• For all assessments, however, students will be REQUIRED to put their cell phone in the caddy at the front of the room for the entirety of the class period.
• Laptops will be accessed only during appropriate work times and students only use it to access materials and complete work.

 

I’m looking forward to this new school year, and know we can tackle anything that comes our way! Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns (either about this syllabus or at any point during the year).