AP Calculus Syllabus

2022 - 2023
 
COURSE SYLLABUS
AP CALCULUS AB & AP CALCULUS BC
 
 Mr. Jose A. Nava

 
Welcome to A.P. Calculus, it is really great to be back to school.  Before starting A.P. Calculus you are expected to have a thorough knowledge of Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry.  In fact, you are expected to remember everything you have learned in mathematics classes; formulas, rules and theorems. (All AB material for BC course)

This is a very rigorous course that covers the objectives outlined by the College Board. It is essential that you read the textbook nightly, in addition to doing all of the assigned work.  You will find this class to be very different from any other math class you have taken because of the A.P. test you will take in May.

This year, each test will be set up exactly like the test you will be taking in May.  It will have two parts, calculator and no calculator.  Each of these parts will also have two sections, multiple choice and free response.  The questions will be taken from past A.P. exams.  The scoring will also be on the A.P. scale with 5=A, 4=B, 3=C, 2=D, 1=E.  The conversion to number grades is done by a chart I devised based on the scoring of the 1998 A.P. Calculus exam.  There are rarely 100’s on these tests and you will need to work hard to earn an A.  The College Board has very high standards.  There will usually be 3 tests per grading period.

Quizzes will usually be like the type you are used to, made-up by the teacher.  These grades are usually A’s and B's, but there are not lots of 100’s.  There will be some quizzes in a grading period and I will drop the lowest quiz each grading period.

Homework will be an important part of you learning for this course.  I will check your homework daily.  You will start with a 100% homework grade, but keeping this average implies that 100% of the homework is completed on a daily basis.

You will be given an assignment sheet each grading period with all of the assignments, quizzes and tests.  This is to help you keep up and to be ready to study for tests, however there may be changes.

Remember, when you are absent, you are expected to keep up and do all of the assignments. 

 

If you need extra help, there are several options available, but do no wait until you are totally lost.

  1. Tutoring is from Tuesday & Thursday 7:20 - 7:50 AM.

  2. You can form a study group with your classmates.

  3. You can get a tutor. 

Grades will be determined by two categories; Major Grades 60%, and Minor grades 40%.

Major grades include tests and class projects, and Minor grades include homework, classwork and quizzes.  Late homework will not be accepted and no retests in AP classes as per district grading policy.

Students are encouraged to continue to AP Calculus BC in the spring semester, but not required.  There will be 3 to 4 Saturday review sessions for those students who take only the Fall AB class.  It is imperative that you attend these sessions to better prepare for this rigorous test.  Students who do not attend these sessions have not been very successful in past tests.