Welcome Parents to AP Calculus BC with Mathematica

We started by asking your children some questions:

If you: enjoy doing math realize that math can be an experimental science enjoy figuring things out for yourself then AP Calculus BC with Mahtematica is just the place for you!

AP Calculus BC: What we learn Calculus: “The algebra of change.” Analysis: All about the right triangle; the trig functions and their inverses; complex numbers. Math you will use: vectors, power series and other fun stuff.

Calculus Topics

Analysis Topics

Science Topics

Topics from other subjects

AP Calculus BC: Grading Quarters I-III Labs and homework problems (30%): Quizzes (20%): short, but frequent Tests (25%): two or three a quarter. Projects (15%): ‘open-ended investigations,’ more substantial than labs. Class Participation (10%): pay attention to due dates, do your work diligently, help others, do your AP Calculus BC work.

AP Calculus BC: The Exams Some of your tests throughout the year come from AP exams, providing you ample preparation for the exam in May. The final exam will be the 4 th Quarter Project.

AP Calculus BC: What it’s All About The level of work expected in this class is far above that which gives you an opportunity to earn a 4 or 5 on the AP exam.

AP Calculus BC: So much more than an exam! “The goal of the AP program is not just getting you college credit for a course you take in high school. The AP program is designed to equip you for success in the courses you take in college.” Do not be lulled into apathy by the mystique of the ‘AP curve.’

AP Calculus BC: Participation When you finish your own work, see if you can help someone else: We learn from each other. Ask lots of questions: but don’t be shocked when you have to go look for answers!

Just what is Mathematica? A math programming language: if you can write it, you can evaluate it and better still, plot it. By now, everyone should have Mathematica available at home.

What about a calculator? Some parts of the class will use M athematica ; Some will use your graphing calculator (TI-83, 84 or 89). Some things you will do by hand. Bring your calculator to class every day!  1/n dy/dx ! e x dx e  i =-1

AP Calculus BC: Lab Rules We are often listening to each other’s suggestions for solving problems. When you are listening, you aren’t talking, ing, listening to music, browsing or typing: That’s a big part of your participation grade!

S208 is a classroom If you find the computer lab too much of a distraction, we can help you find a math class better suited to your learning style.

But we really want you to stick with us!

AP Calculus BC: Where you’ll learn a lot more than Math!