Course Syllabus

AP Calculus BC

Contact Information:
Teacher: Vale Crain
E-mail: crainv@issaquah.wednet.edu

Personal Biography:

I teach Algebra 1 Lab, Algebra 2 Lab, AP Calculus AB, and AP Calculus BC. This is my 29 year of teaching at IHS! I have three children in my family (my two kids and my son’s friend). I have two cats and my husband is a UX/UA designer. 


Course Description:
This one-year course develops the topics of limits, derivatives, integration, polynomial approximations and series, and their formulas for algebraic and transcendental functions. This class follows the College Board AP Calculus BC course guidelines, which covers topics in the AP Calculus AB course, and develops the topics beyond that course for preparation of the AP Calculus BC exam.

Course Goals:
AP Calculus BC 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 2: Limits and Derivatives
  • Chapter 3: Differentiation Rules
  • Chapter 4: Applications of Differentiation
  • Chapter 5: Integrals
  • Chapter 6: Applications of Integration
  • Chapter 7: Techniques of Integration
  • Chapter 8: Further Applications of Integration

Semester 2 -

  • Chapter 9: Differential Equations
  • Chapter 10: Parametric Equations and Polar Coordinates
  • Chapter 11: Infinite Sequences and Series
  • AP Review
  • Chapter 12: Vectors and the Geometry of Space

Availability for Help:
The best way to reach me from home is via email (crainv@issaquah.wednet.edu) or emailing "teacher" (me) through Canvas. I will respond within 48 hours (although usually much sooner) unless it is a weekend.

Office Hours:

Once we return to campus, I typically arrive before 7am and leave at 3:10pm, except on Wednesdays where I arrive by 8am. You can drop in before or after school, or sign up for my Nest.

 

Required Materials:

  • Graphing Calculator (TI-84 recommended)
  • Paper & pencil/pen or touchscreen device for notes
  • Pencil/pen for assessments

 

Textbook/Materials:
We will be using the Stewart Early Transcendental Calculus (7th Edition) textbook. All students can access a digital copy (linked in the Resource Module as a PDF), and can checkout a physical book if desired. AP Classroom will be used to register for the AP exam and as supplemental throughout the year. Instructions for using AP Classroom can be found here (or in the Resources 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. 

 

Instructional Strategies:
Students will learn through a combination of direct instruction, technology enhanced instruction, collaboration, and practice and problem solving.

 

Grading Categories and Weights:
Grades will be maintained through Canvas. Students should use Skyward only to view midterm and semester grades.

Homework Quizzes (20%): Minimal suggested homework assignments will be assigned daily, but not scored.

  • Students should expect to spend 45-60 minutes a night working practice problems.
  • It is the student’s responsibility to be checking their answer and solutions (in the Calendar page as Homework KEY).
  • Homework quizzes (HQ) are given over most sections and assignments, and is based on problems similar to those assigned.
  • For Chapter 3 on, completed assignments and the book can be used on these HQ and most HQ will need a calculator. 

Tests/Final (80%): Tests will be at the end of a unit, when assigned.

  • There are two types of tests: Free Response and Multiple Choice, and each assessment will indicate if/when a calculator is allowed.
  • Project(s) during the semester may also be assigned in this category.
  • Multiple Choice assessments will be given periodically, typically after two units and they are cumulative.
  • Retakes will not be given on any assessments.
  • Typically, a cumulative AP exam, including both multiple-choice and free response sections, will be given as the final at the end of each semester that each are approximately 10% of students' overall grade.

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, group work, quizzes, MC tests, and FR tests (and partner test in Chapter 11).

Recovery of Grades may include: trend grading, category assignment to include homework quizzes, quiz replacement with test percentage, quiz drop, assessment corrections, 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 BC.

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 calculus 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 BC.

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 BC. 

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 BC. 

  • 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. 
  • Note: May need to adjust these strategies throughout the year 

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.

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 learning.

Behavior Expectations:
For all 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, students will be REQUIRED to put their cell phone in the caddy at the front of the room for the entirety of the period or until all assessments are turned in.

 

Attendance Policy:

Attendance will be taken in accordance with the policies at IHS.

Academic Honesty Policy:
Any written/submitted work that contributes to your final grade in the class MUST be your own. I expect students to work alone unless otherwise indicated and will report any and all indications of academic dishonesty to administration.

  • Cell phone put away and not used at any point during an assessment.
  • Notes/books/resources (paper or online) not allowed on assessments.
  • Only using a graphing calculator when indicated on an assessment.
  • Assessment is completed in the time allotted.

 

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).

 

Best,

Ms. C