Course Description
See Reviews of Instructor Kristen Lauria
This is an asynchronous course and as such will not meet weekly. Instead, towards the end of each unit Mrs. Lauria will hold a live meeting with students to discuss questions and briefly look ahead to the next unit. The dates of these meetings will be determined at the start of class to cater to the schedule of the majority of students. Mrs. Lauria is also available through email if questions arise during the unit.
The AP Calculus AB course endeavors to demonstrate the relevance and pervasiveness of math and mathematical thinking in today’s world. Per the AP Curriculum Guidelines*, in this course students will:
- Be able to work with functions represented in a variety of ways: graphical, numerical, analytical, or verbal, and should understand the connections among these representations.
- Understand the meaning of the derivative in terms of a rate of change and local linear approximation, 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.
- Be able to communicate mathematics and explain solutions to problems both verbally and in written sentences.
- Be able to model a written description of a physical situation with a function, a differential equation, or an integral.
- Be able to use technology to help solve problems, experiment, interpret results, and support conclusions.
- Be able to determine the reasonableness of solutions, including sign, size, relative accuracy, and units of measurement.
- Develop an appreciation of calculus as a coherent body of knowledge and as a human accomplishment
*Source: College Board AP Calculus AB Course Description
Course Structure
AP Calculus AB students have daily assignments; they consist of watching video lectures and solving problems related to the unit of study. Lectures will be delivered solely through videos available on the class webpage as this is a flipped classroom (read more about that here).
Students are expected to take detailed notes on video lectures and to complete the embedded quizzes, which will be the basis for class discussion and work the following day. The embedded quizzes are not graded for correctness, only for completion; the goal is for them to serve as a learning check and to address clarifying questions for class. It is imperative that students attempt each problem assigned. A detailed solution sheet will be provided with each assignment, so there is never an excuse to have nothing written down for an assigned problem. It is also expected that students will show all work. Correct answers without proper support may receive no credit on the free-response section of the AP Exam.
Homework grades will be based on viewing of the video lectures and completing all assigned problems. Additionally, turned in quiz/test corrections will be required for all assessments.
Who should enroll?
This class is for 11th—12th graders.
Before studying Calculus, all students should complete the equivalent of four years of secondary mathematics designed for college-bound students: courses that should prepare them with a strong foundation in reasoning with algebraic symbols and working with algebraic structures.
Prospective Calculus students should take courses in which they study Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Analytic Geometry, and elementary functions. These functions include linear, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, and piecewise-defined functions. In particular, before studying Calculus, students must be familiar with the properties of functions, the composition of functions, the algebra of functions, and the graphs of functions.
Students must also understand the language of functions (domain and range, odd and even, periodic, symmetry, zeros, intercepts, and descriptors such as increasing and decreasing). They should also know how the sine and cosine functions are defined from the unit circle and know the values of the trigonometric functions at the numbers 0, 30°, 45°, 60°, 180° and their multiples.
*Source: College Board AP Calculus AB Course Description
Students will need to complete a summer assignment showing proficiency in earlier math. This assignment can be found in the Syllabus.
Technology Requirements
- High speed, broadband Internet
- Sound card and microphone (for live sessions)
- Streaming video capabilities to watch recorded lectures
Evaluation and Feedback
I believe homework and projects are the best tool for students to practice the skills they are learning, and I grade homework/provide feedback so they learn as they continue working toward mastery. Assignments are generally graded within 5 days of submission. Grades are based on a combination of homework, quizzes, labs, and exams/projects. Students are also given a participation grade to account for timeliness of completing assignments, class participation, and effort. Communication will take place as needed through email, and announcements and responses to student messages are generally within a few hours.
Communication
Once registered, you will receive a welcome email within 24 hours. Throughout the course, parents will only be contacted if issues arise, as I try to encourage students to take ownership of the class and contact me directly if they have any concerns. At midterm and close of the course progress reports will be sent to parents. Parents are always welcome to contact me with any issues or concerns, as they are partners in this endeavor.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.