Materials Needed for the Class Include

AP CALCULUS 2010-2011 MR. GIRARD

Congratulations! You have earned your way into this class by virtue of your excellent grades in your previous math classes. The focus of this course is to prepare you for the Advanced Placement Calculus Exam on Wednesday, May 4th, 2011. You will have a chance to earn college credit on this test. It is an extremely difficult test, and we have a great deal of work to do to prepare for it.

Materials needed for the class include: --a three-ring binder 2” or 3” --a three-hole punch that fits into the binder --paper (looseleaf or notebook)

In addition to your basic materials, you will need to have a graphing calculator each day. I use the TI-83 or TI-84. You are free to buy whatever calculator you want as long as it is allowed on the AP exam. The only notable exception is the TI-92. The TI-86 and TI-89 will do more than the TI-83, but they are also more expensive. The new TI-84 is the same as the TI-83 with more memory. The calculator is allowed on less than half of the AP exam, so you will need to be able to do arithmetic, algebra, and calculus without it as well. Many of the exams in this class will be divided into two parts to allow you to practice with and without the calculator.

Be warned: this class will challenge you. It will require you to do work outside of class and even (gasp!) study. Attaining an A in this course is no small feat and requires a mastery of the material. We will work hard in order to achieve our goal. No senioritis!

The standard grading scale for the school will be used in this class. All AP classes are weighted one letter grade in calculating GPAs. Students must earn at least a 76% in the fall semester to maintain enrollment in the spring. While the AP exam is no longer a requirement for the course, the curriculum will remain the same regardless of whether or not a student intends to take the exam.

Grading will be according to the standard scale and broken down as follows: TESTS AND QUIZZES (2/3 of grade): We will have 3-4 major tests each semester, as well as numerous quizzes. DAILY GRADES (1/3 of grade): This category includes homework, classwork, and participation grades. It will be important that you keep this average high to compensate for the very difficult tests.

Grades can be accessed online through Infinite Campus. Please feel free to contact me concerning your student’s progress in the course. I am easiest to reach via email at [email protected]. My planning period is from 12:24-1:19. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any reason.

Bottom line: It won’t be easy, and it will be a lot of work, but it will be worth it. I’m looking forward to it, and I hope you are, too.

Mr. Girard I understand the policies and grading system of Mr. Girard’s class.

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