Description: STATISTICS AP HONORS (UMSL Math 1310 Elementary Statistical Methods) 2013-2014

Description: STATISTICS AP HONORS (UMSL Math 1310 Elementary Statistical Methods) 2013-2014

Credit: 1 Unit

Prerequisite: Algebra II or equivalent

Course #111056

This course may be taken for AP credit. Students will study the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. The four broad conceptual themes are: exploring data, planning study, anticipating patterns, and statistical inference. A T1-83 Graphing Calculator or higher is required.

Emergency Procedures for Room 225:

• Evacuation (Fire or Earthquake): Exit room, turn right twice. Go down outside fire escape stairwell. Meet in stadium near the concession stand tunnel.
• Shelter in Place (Tornado): Exit room, turn right. Go down stairwell to 2nd floor. Stay in hall outside room 112.

Textbook / Supplies / Equipment Needed: Textbook: Yates, Moore, and Starnes, The Practice of Statistics 2nd edition, W. H. Freeman and Company (fines are assessed for damaged texts and a $65 replacement fine is assessed for a lost textISBN: 0-7167-4773-1), your choice of either a notebook or binder and paper, your choice of No. 2 pencil, blue pen, or black pen, and student planner or other means of keeping track of assigned material and due dates. A “TI-83 Plus” or “TI-84 Plus” graphing calculator is required (fines are also assessed for damaged or lost calculators-- TI-83 series cost $100 and TI-84 series cost $140). Students are responsible for supplying AAA batteries for their calculators; graphing calculators use 4 AAA batteries.

Essential Course Outcomes: The College Board sets forth, in its course description, what the course will include at a minimum. The course description can be downloaded here: You’ll find sample problems, the philosophy of the course, and an extensive topic list. It’s the basis for your grades and everything we do in the course, so it is a very good idea to look it over.

Attendance and Effort: It is very important to attend class daily and put forth consistent effort. Use class time to your full benefit and be actively engaged in the lesson. It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of missed notes, work (posted in the room and on my website), and due dates.

What do I think homework is for?It lets you practice what you’ve learned and discussed in class, prepares you for the next time we meet, and prepares you for tests and the AP Exam. It should improve your skill and understanding.

Ongoing homework: Read the book. Read the book? Yes, READ THE BOOK. If nothing else is assigned on any given day, you are expected to do some reading. If you sit in class and just listen to me, you get MY ideas about stats. If you read the book, you get the benefit of the authors’ experience and their experience is worthwhile. I know that you probably have never read the textbook in any other math class before, but stats is not like any other math class. This book was chosen specifically because it’s written in a style that is fairly easy to read. READ THE BOOK.

Homework problems in the book: In addition to assuming that you will read the book, expect me to assign a few odd-numbered exercises almost daily. You can access answers to the odd-numbered exercises in the back of the book so you can check whether you are on the right track. Answers aren't the same thing as solutions-- answers are usually an end result, whereas a solution usually has all the intermediate steps included. Having access to the answers means that you are responsible for the solution. In order to do well on in-class tests, take-home tests, or other assessments of what you have learned, it is very important that you keep up with assignments and make a serious effort to do the problems assigned. Because these problems are usually your first attempt at some material, I don’t think you should be graded on such first efforts. Homework assignments will not expected to be turned in, unless you don’t turn in your Take-Home Test on time—in that case, the homework has to be written out, attached to the Take-Home Test, and turned in.

Take-Home Tests and In-Class Tests: Most chapters have 2 tests: a Take-Home Test and an In-Class Test. Many problems on Take-Home Tests make use of your student ID number to individualize the data that you will work with, so DON’T COPY work for your Take-Home Test from another student. Definitely work together, but do your own work (more on that later). The Take-Home Tests usually mirror the style of AP Free-Response Questions. In-Class tests always have Multiple-Choice Questions and sometimes include additional Free-Response Questions.

Take-Home Test due dates, In-Class Test dates, and how they relate to homework and effort:

Take-Home Tests are expected to be turned in on the day of the corresponding In-Class Test, but are not considered “late” until 2 school days have passed after that scheduled In-Class Test date, and will be accepted at any time during the quarter. Take-Home Tests turned in before the corresponding In-Class Test date will be returned with feedback provided and accepted forcorrections. Take-Home Tests turned in late (more than 2 school days after the scheduled In-Class Test date) are accepted, but only with homeworkattached to it (remember, homework is otherwise not expected to be turned in). The moral of the policy: Getting things done early means you get extra feedback and might be able to correct errors whereas procrastinating and doing things late will mean you have even more work to do.

Take-Home Test due dates, In-Class Test dates, and how they relate to grades:

Since Take-Home Tests(for each chapter that one is assigned) are expected to be handed in no later than 2 school days after the corresponding In-Class Test,students who consistently meet this expectation will receivean extra 5% added to the semester grade.

In-Class Test Make-Up Policy: Make arrangements with Mr. Willott to take missed In-Class Tests within five school days. All tests will be made up outside of class time. Extended absences will be dealt with on a case by case basis.

More about Academic Honesty: Collaborate responsibly and submit your own work. I value collaboration and encourage you to form study groups because it can facilitate learning, but it is essential that everyone learns the material. Collaboration has little value if each group member works only a few problems and just copies the rest. It is better to make an honest attempt at every problem and then compare and discuss your results. Academic honesty should be maintained at all times. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:

• communicating verbally or nonverbally in order to exchange information during a test, quiz, or other assessment
• giving or receiving information during a test, quiz, or other assessment without permission
• using unauthorized materials during a test, quiz, or other assessment
• copying the work of another and presenting it as your own
• helping someone else to cheat

Grading Scale: The official school grading scale will be used, with honors point awarded for g.p.a. calculation for the A, B, or C grades (A: 90 - 100, B: 80 - 89, C: 70 - 79, D: 60 - 69, F: 0 - 59). Semester grades are comprised of two quarter grades (at 40% each), and an objective final exam (20%).

Components of Quarter Grade: Quarter grades are calculated based upon points earned out of points possible on tests, quizzes, and other assessments.

Extra Credit: Little or no extra credit will be given.

Grade Posting: Grades will typically be posted to Infinite Campus within 3 days. Parents and students are encouraged to use the internet to view grades.

Additional Course Assistance:

Ask Mr. Willott questions in class or during passing period

Request a pass to see Mr. Willott during homeroom time

Request to meet with Mr. Willott before or after school (as available)

Work with a peer or form a peer study group

Visit Mr. Willott’s website (

Visit other websites

Math Dept. Tutoring M-F 6:25-7:20 Room 205, T,Th 2:20-3:30 Rm. 203, M, F 2:20-3:30 Rm. 208

Seek a private tutor (contact the guidance office or a local college’s math department)

Exam Exemption: All students who have taken the AP exam will receive 1 semester exam exemption status to be used within the corresponding AP course second semester as long as they meet the following requirements:

1. All Students must maintain a “C” average or higher during the second semester. Any students who have a “D” or below will not qualify for the exam exemption privilege.
2. All students who have served a discipline referral in ISAP or OSS during the second semester are not eligible for a semester exam exemption.
3. EOC and ACT exam exemptions can not be used for an AP course. In addition, AP exemptions can not be used in any course outside of the AP exam taken.
4. AP exemptions can only be used for semester 2 exams and cannot be transferred to the next school year. Use them the year the AP exam was taken or lose them.

Mr. Willott’s 4 Classroom Rules: Time, Effort, Respect, Responsibility

1. Value our time. Be on time; detentions and office referrals resulting from tardies are not a good use of your time. Make good use of the class time you have and work when you are given the time to do so. Preferably, use the restroom, drinking fountain, locker, and pencil sharpener before we begin. Be actively engaged in the lesson or activity.

1. Show consistent effort. Expect homework daily, make an honest attempt, and avoid falling behind. Make up missed work in a timely manner. Learn from mistakes.

1. Respect the learning environment. Do not interrupt or disturb others. Be aware of those around you when choosing what you say aloud. If it is not yours, leave it alone. Follow all directions without hesitation or confrontation.

1. Be responsible. Bring your own materials to class everyday. Be prepared. Do not share materials checked out to you; they are your responsibility.

A Few Helpful Websites:

Optional College Credit for this course: For a fee, three (3) hours of college credit is available through the University of Missouri - St. Louis (you should check with receiving schools as to whether they accept this transfer credit). It is always up to the receiving institution as to whether credit will be accepted for transfer credit or not. Registration for UMSL credit for this course usually takes place online in January and is subject to very strict deadlines. These deadlines are set by the university and required by the Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE). Credit must be paid for during the semester the student is enrolled in the class. Retroactive credit can’t be granted. Please visit the UMSL Advanced Credit website is for current prices and deadlines. If you are interested in paying for the college credit through one of these universities:

•Call the college or university you want to transfer credit to.

•Ask for the Admissions Office or the Registrar’s Office.

•Ask, “Do you accept University of Missouri at Saint Louis’ Math 1310Elementary Statistical Methods for transfer credit?”

•If it transfers, ask “does it transfer as a particular course, a math elective, or a general elective?”

•Ask also, “Does it meet minimum requirements for required math courses toward a degree?”

•You may be interested also in asking, “Would I have to take any other math courses for a degree?”

•A valuable question for many is, “Do I still have to take a math placement test?”

•For those planning to take additional math courses, you will want to ask, “Can I take math courses beyond whatever Math 1310Elementary Statistical Methods I will transfer as?”

•If you are expecting a scholarship that is tied to maintaining a particular g.p.a., you should also ask, “Does transferring Math 1310Elementary Statistical Methods affect my g.p.a.?”

Advanced Placement (A.P.) Exam: Students in A. P. Statistics may also opt to try to earn undergraduate college credit by taking The College Board's annual Advanced Placement (A.P.) exam in May, for a fee, usually around $87. Registration is usually done through the FHN guidance office by spring break each year. The A.P. Statistics exam is given on the same day worldwide. Some colleges and universities accept the exam toward placement, some toward credit. Your guidance counselor can give you additional information about the exam, current deadlines and prices, and which schools take the exam credit. You can also get information from The College Board website at and clicking For Students and then following the link for the A.P. exam.

Planning Period: Mr. Willott’s plan period is fourth hour (M, T, Th, F 10:12-11:04, and W 10:17-10:57). The school phone number is 851-4900. Although I check my voice mail, 851-5095, each day and strive to return calls within 24 hours, my school email addressis the best way to contact me: . There is also a link to my email on one of my website: if you want to contact me from that link, or simply search Google with “steve willott math” and you can find me there.

Watch for grades to be posted to the gradebook a few days after these dates, assuming that snow days do not change the calendar. The dates listed here are the dates that grades are due from teachers.

9/10, 10/21, 11/15, 1/2, 2/3, 3/24, 4/17, 5/23