Calculus A is a high school calculus course that treats the principles of introductory calculus quite thoroughly. The course covers all the same topics in the same order as AP Calculus AB. This is not a course for college credit. For that, you will want to take AP Calculus AB and take the AP test in May. Note that taking AP Calculus does not require that you take the AP test if all you want is high school credit.
Topics covered include Prerequisites for Calculus, Limits and Continuity, Derivatives, More Derivatives and Applications of Derivatives. Unit 1 is a course overview and Unit 8 is a semester review and semester exam. Unit 5 is a mid-semester check. So, the course is essentially divided into 5 units. |
Assessments
Your grade in this course is determined by Tests (40%), Quizzes 25%, Portfolios (10%), Quick Checks (5%), Discussions (5%), and Final Exam (10%).
TestsUnit 1 is a course overview, and Unit 2 is a review of concepts needed from prior math courses. So, the first unit test is at the end of Unit 3. Two types of questions are used, multiple choice and essay. When answering an essay question, it is vitally important that you answer completely, showing all steps. If you prefer, answer the question on paper. Type "Webmail" in the answer box and then submit a picture of your essay question answers by Webmail. I actually prefer to grade handwritten work for these problems.
If you do not earn the score you had hoped for, book a LiveLesson with me. We can meet together and go through the missed questions. You may then submit your handwritten notes attached to a Webmail for half credit back on the test. Quick ChecksMost lessons end with a quick check, typically consisting of multiple-choice questions. Thier purpose is to provide feedback to you as to whether you have understood the lesson. A low score indicates the need for review and relearning. If such is indicated, don't hesitate to book a LiveLesson with me.
DiscussionsThis course does not typically have a large number of students. Therefore, conducting a discussion requires teacher participation. That is all right. Make your initial post, according to the instructions for the assignment. Then wait a bit, and I will write a response and post an initial thread of my own. Then you may respond to my response, and to my new thread. Discussion boards essentially make it possible to complete a collaborative assignment in an asynchronous manner.
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QuizzesThere is typically one quiz each unit. It serves as a mid-unit check. Questions, like on the unit test, may be multiple choice or essay. As with the test, I welcome handwritten answers. Just write Webmail in the answer blank and then submit a picture of your essay question work attached to a Webmail.
As with tests, if you do not earn the score you had hoped for, book a LiveLesson with me. We can meet together and go through the missed questions. You may then submit your handwritten notes attached to a Webmail for half credit back on the test. PortfoliosThere are two portfolios in this course. That means each portfolio is worth approximately 5% of your grade in the course. One is in unit 3. The other is in unit 7. Portfolios are extended assignments often taking more than one day to complete and consisting of documents to be submitted in a drop box. Look to the Portfolios button at the top of this page for resources and instructions specific to each assignment. Note that any portfolio may be redone for full credit.
Practice TestsThere is a practice test before each unit test. As the name suggests, the purpose is to practice for the unit test. Take special note of the questions you missed. Go back through the lesson to review those concepts. You may even book a LiveLesson with me and we can review the missed questions together. Do note, these questions have no impact on your grade. However, they should be taken seriously, because a low score indicates a low test score is likely to result.
Final ExamThe semester review and exam consist, just like the unit tests, of a practice test followed by the actual test. The semester exam is 38 questions long and contains only multiple-choice questions. To prepare for this test, review the prior unit tests, taking special note of the question types you missed on them.
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