Your Name:________________________________________________ Block________________

Course: A.P. Calculus 2000-2001
Instructor: Mrs. Sheila King
Room 302

Contact info: To contact Mrs. King
voicemail & class-link recording: (714)444-9588 ext. 39#
e-mail: mrs_king@thinkspot.net

AP Exam: All students are expected to take the AP Exam in early May. Cost: Approx. $75. All students who apply themselves in this course, should find themselves well prepared for the AP exam. However, this course is not designed to teach ONLY the material on the exam. It is somewhat broader in scope. This is a thorough, theoretical calculus course which takes advantage of graphing calculator technology and requires facility in verbal expression (written and oral) of concepts.

Grading Scale: 100-88=A 87-77=B 76-66=C 65-50=D 49-0=F pluses and minuses are used within categories (Note: This departure form the school grading scale is based on the fact that an AP course is a college/university level course, and the material is very difficult. Support for such a grading scale has been presented at AP workshops and in College Board AP publications.)

Semester Grade: computed as follows...

Semester Exam = 20% Homework = 10% All Else (Tests, Quizzes, etc.)= 70%

Compute your homework average, H, by taking the total number of homework points you have earned and dividing it by the total number of homework points possible. Compute your Test/Quiz average, T, by taking all other points you have earned (this includes groupwork and all non-homework activities) and dividing by the total points possible. If your Semester Exam percentage is E, then your semester grade is:

.10 (H) + .70 (T) + .20 (E) = Semester Grade

Daily Routine: Arrive promptly. Immediately check the whiteboard and the overhead screen for messages or instructions. There is something for you to do IMMEDIATELY upon entering class each day.

Examples:

• Check homework answers displayed on the overhead.
• Pass up homework and work practice problems on the board or overhead.
• Pass up homework and take quick quiz.

Every day bring text, notebook, paper, pen, pencil and eraser to class. On some days you may also need a calculator, straight-edge, graphing paper or other materials. Pay attention to the teacher's announcements and bring required materials to class every day. Follow directions, participate in class, take notes and ask questions. Do not be disruptive or cause distractions. Do not deface or damage property which is not your own. Do not make negative remarks or insults, even joking.

When problem behavior occurs, it will be noted in the teacher's infraction notebook, and the student must sign the notebook. Penalties include: detentions, parent phone calls, referrals to the dean's office, cleaning chores in the classroom, or whatever else I can think of. In extreme situations, a student may be suspended from class.

If the teacher does not show up to class within the first 5-10 minutes, a student must report to the Dean’s Office and inform the Attendance Secretary that there is no teacher in the room

Homework: Assigned daily and due the following day (unless otherwise announced). Must be done in pencil and corrected in pen. Homework is usually scored based on effort and completion. You must copy the original problems as they appear in the text onto your paper, and then show your work to solve. Label all homework assignments with homework number, your name, block number, date, and a list of assigned problems. Homework should be corrected and saved in your notebook to use as a resource for the pop quizzes, group & class activities, and for study purposes. Homework will be collected and scored in a combination of the following ways:

1. full-class collection: The teacher will say "Everyone pass up their homework." (2 pts per assignment)
2. random collection: Usually seven students selected at random will turn in their homework. If you had an excused, unexpected absence on the preceding day(s), and your name is selected, you will turn in the homework assigned the last day you were present in class. (2 pts per assignment)
3. graded homework: Occassionally I will score homework as though it were a take-home quiz. Point value varies from about 4pt-15pt per assignment and is counted in the homework portion of the grade.

Your homework score will be based on the number of times YOU were supposed to turn in assignments. No late homework accepted. No make ups accepted. If you have a very unusual circumstance, such as long term illness which causes you to miss several consecutive classes, please meet with the instructor to discuss your situation.

Notebooks: REQUIRED. I do not grade them. A 3-ring binder is recommended, not a spiral. Use pencil or pen, student's choice. Take down everything the teacher writes on the board: definitions, notes, hints and examples. Add useful comments of your own. Jot down questions that you may have when working on homework or studying so that you will remember to ask them in class. Save returned quizzes and tests, and homework in your notebook. Notebooks will be allowed on the Pop Quizzes (but not on Scheduled Quizzes) and on group activities, so a well organized and complete notebook can be a great advantage. It is possible that previous homework and/or quiz or test problems, or problems similar to them, will appear on quizzes. Loose papers shoved inside the notebook or text do not qualify for use on Pop Quizzes. In case of absence, be sure to obtain the notes from another student in class.

Test/Quizzes: Both Tests and Quizzes must be done in pencil.

Tests: about every 4 weeks, so about 5 tests per semester. 100 points each. Test dates and material to be tested are clearly announced a few days in advance.

Quizzes: Some quizzes are Pop Quizzes, open notebooks. Other quizzes are scheduled. No open notes on scheduled quizzes. Quizzes vary from 10 to 25 points and are given about three times per week. No make ups on Pop Quizzes. Missed Pop Quizzes are excused. A homework average of 90% allows you to drop a low quiz. On all quizzes and tests: Do your own work. Use only material specifically allowed by the teacher. Make up tests and quizzes may be an alternate form than taken by the rest of the class; some problems may be more difficult.

Other Types of Assignments: Occasionally we may have some in-class group or partner activities. No make-ups on missed class activities. You simply lose that opportunity for points. It will not count as a zero in your grade. It will be excused.

Absences/Makeup work:
Advance Notice: (doctor’s appointment, funeral, extra-curricular activity, etc...) You must make arrangements with the instructor IN ADVANCE, otherwise your grade may suffer. For advance notice absences, you are MUST DO that day’s homework, as though you had been in class.

Unexpected Absence: (for example: illness or auto accident) Make arrangements with the instructor on the first day back in school.

If you are on campus, even though you may miss math class, you are still expected to come and see me. Students who do not make timely arrangements will suffer loss of points.

No make up on pop quizzes (pop quiz is excused). Make up tests are usually an alternate form, sometimes with more difficult problems. It is always to your advantage to be in class, and when that is not possible, to talk to the instructor as early as possible about missing class.

Rewards/Incentives: Students who volunteer to present homework solutions, in class work, or test corrections on the board receive "participation points". Each time you present a solution on the board (make sure to write your name on the board next to the problem you worked, so that you get the credit you deserve!), the teacher makes a mark in her grade book. In this way, the teacher keeps track of the number of times you have volunteered to present solutions. At the end of the grading period, if you are borderline between two grades, the teacher looks to see if you have several "participation points". If you do, you get the higher grade. If not, you get the lower grade. You can also get "participation points" for posting questions and answers on the web discussion board.

Students with 90% or better on their homework average get their low quiz dropped.

Resources: Visit Mrs. King’s Mater Dei Web page at http://www.thinkspot.net/materdei/

You will find a variety of things, including mailing lists, discussion board, and helpful links. I’m updating it as time goes by, so check back often.

1. If possible, read the new material before the teacher presents it in class.
2. Avoid absences!!! Every time you are not in class you miss important information and you will have to spend time catching up.
3. Come to class on time, pay attention, and take good notes.
4. Be interested in the class.
5. If you get confused or the teacher is talking too fast, ask a question!!!! I cannot emphasize enough the importance of asking questions, even if all you can say is, "Could you start over again from the beginning?" Don't waste your time in class being confused thinking you'll figure it out later on your own. Try to understand EVERYTHING that goes on in class before you leave.
6. As soon as possible after class, or later that evening, review your class notes. Try to recall the reason the teacher worked examples as she did.
7. Complete ALL homework assignments. If you get some of the problems wrong, correct them and learn how to do them correctly.
8. If you have difficulty, see the instructor outside of class for extra help. Don't Delay!!

Student Contacts: Write down the names and phone numbers of at least three other students in the class, so that you have someone to call if you have questions or need help.

1._________________________ 2._________________________ 3. ______________________
phone: _____________________ phone:_____________________ phone:___________________

Teacher Help Outside of Class: Check the tutoring schedule for my availability. Availability is posted in the classroom and announced on my web page (http://www.thinkspot.net/materdei/). I usually do after school tutoring and expect students to show up within 10 minutes of the dismissal bell, no appointment necessary. On after school tutoring days, I will usually stay as late as 4 pm if students desire. Check both rooms 302 and 217 for tutoring. (I may be in either location.)

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Mrs. King, we have read the 4-page AP Calculus policy handout for Mrs.King's class. If we have any questions, we will let you know promptly.

Student's name (print):_________________________________Block____________

Student's signature:___________________________________Date_____________

Parent's signature:____________________________________Date_____________