AP Calculus BC

Office Hours: Wednesday 2:35-3:05 (subject to change with notice)

Overview

There is a set syllabus for AP Calculus BC provided by the College Board.  It must be covered before the AP exam, May 10, 2027.  The pace of the course is rigorous and it is the student’s responsibility to keep up with the pace required to finish the material on the syllabus. Students are expected to finish homework assignments each night.  Students must complete homework showing all work.  If a student has forgotten or is not familiar with background material it is up to the student to fill in these gaps independently.  Students must be in class on time and prepared. 

This class is a college level class and students will be expected to do substantial amounts of work independently.

Students will show respect for all people and property in the classroom.

If a student is absent, it is that student’s responsibility to find out what classwork, assessment, homework or other material was missed and to make arrangements to make up the work.  If a student is absent the day before an assessment they still are required to take the test or quiz with the class as usual.  See student handbook.

If a student misses an assessment, the student should reach out to me to set up a time to take the assessment. If necessary, a student may be required to take the assessment during a subsequent class time if another time is not possible. In this case, the student is still responsible for the learning and work covered during class.

If a student is having difficulty, it is the student’s responsibility to seek out help.  The math lab is available during many blocks including block one. 

Course Materials

I recommend a 3 ring binder, a notebook of lined or graph paper, and erasable writing implements. I will give numerous handouts that should be stored in the binder, but we will also do notes and practice problem sets where having a notebook will be essential. A Ti-83/84 graphing calculator is optional. For any problems or assessments requiring a calculator, you will be able to use Desmos which is consistent with the AP exam. 

Tardy Policy

Students are expected to be on time to class. This includes Block A class.  After the third time a student is tardy the student will be given a class cut.  See student handbook.

Grading Policy

Evaluation of Student Work : Grading for this class will be based on a total points system. This means that all graded assignments will have a specific point value and be totaled and averaged to result in the grade for the quarter. A typical assessment will be worth 100 points and other graded assignments will be assigned a relative point value based on the scope of the assignment. As this course is designed to prepare student for the AP BC Calculus exam, there will not be a final exam. However, if a student elects not to take the AP exam, they may have to take a supplementary final examination instead. The breakdown of grade percentages for the year is as follows:

Quarter 1: 28%

Quarter 2: 28%

Quarter 3: 28%

Quarter 4: 16%

Academic Integrity

A student that submits work as their own that did not originate with them is cheating.  This includes copying, getting help, using notes or using the internet on assessments.  Using a calculator program to store notes or using a calculator program that was not given to you by me is cheating.  Students may work cooperatively on homework.  That means students can work together and all participate in getting solutions.  It is cheating to copy someone’s homework or have someone do the homework for you. If a student is found to be cheating, even on part of an assessment or homework, a grade of zero will be given for the entire assessment or homework.  It is also cheating to ask someone for any information about an assessment they have taken but you have not. If a student is unclear about whether a situation will be considered cheating the student should see me.

Cell Phones, electronics and any devices that can connect to the internet. 

These items are not needed for the class and may not be used.  Cellphones / smartwatches must be parked and silent in the area provided for the duration of class.

DCAP

"District accommodations (DCAP) are available to all students, and WHS is committed to moving this forward with fidelity."

"While some accommodations can be offered at the moment, others require advanced notice."

Example: Extended time on an in-class assessment is a collaborative decision (up to 25% extra time). This relies on proactive student communication prior to the assessment date. If communication falls within 24 hours of the assessment, I cannot guarantee being able to accommodate it.