Syllabus: AP Statistics/IB Math Standard Level
Welcome to Advanced Placement and I.B. Like all A.P. classes, this class is designed to challenge you with college level material. In May, you will have the opportunity to take a test that, if you pass, will give you college credit for Statistics. Statistics is a class that almost every major in college has to take. And, it is one of those rare subjects that everybody can use in every day life (amazing). Because the test is not until May, it is essential that you participate and stay motivated to learn throughout the semester. To this end, the homework and reading assignments are a must. Since this is also an IB class, if you are an IB student you will also be taking an IB test for this class in May. The IB Test for this class is designed to cover ALL high school math. So, we will be reviewing all high school math one subject at a time and learning AP Statistics at the same time. If you are not IB but have decided to stay in this class, you WILL be doing all of the same homework, tests and quizzes as the IB students but you will NOT take the IB exam in May, just the AP Stats exam.
Given the fast pace and rigor of the class I encourage you to come to math help. I am here every morning at 7:05 am. If you let me know in advance, I will stay at lunch. If you need a tutor just let me know, I will find you a student tutor.
Grading Policy:
Your homework and test/quiz grades are equally weighted. Each is worth 50% of your grade.
Tests:
*There will be 2 types of tests given; Statistics tests given usually at the end of each chapter, NonStatistics tests usually within a few days either before or after a Statistics test.
*Each type of test is worth 2000 points, the final exam will be worth more.
*There will be a make-up test day at the end of each 6 week grading period.
Quizzes:
There will be 2 types of quizzes given: reading quizzes and regular quizzes.
*Reading Quizzes:
*Given almost daily to correspond to the previous nights reading assignment, and “A” problems from the homework
*No Make-up reading quizzes.
*At the end of each chapter, your reading quiz scores from that chapter will be combined to make one 400 point quiz grade.
*Regular Quizzes:
*At least one given per chapter, each worth 400 points
*Regular quizzes will be on the Statistics material, not the “A” problems.
* There will always be at least one day advanced notice, no “pop” regular quizzes.
* If you know you are going to miss a quiz, tell me in advance. Otherwise, there is one make-up quiz day at the end of each grading period. That make-up quiz will cover ALL material taught in that 6 week grading period.
Homework:
Here is how it works. There are a lot of rules, so keep the sheet, reread it often!!!!
Homework is worth 400 points.
You will get points off for:
1. The wrong heading (40 points off if it is wrong). The correct heading will be demonstrated on the board.
2. The “A” section of your homework is worth 100 points. You must show work if work was necessary. You do not have to write the questions but it is recommended that you do. You do not have to write your answers in sentence form for this section of your homework. You do need to box your answers.
3. For the “I” section of your homework the rules are different. ALL answers, even numerical answers must be answered in a complete sentence. For example, if the question asks you to find the median of the data set, your answer will be written as, “The median of the data set is 5.” The reason for this is two-fold. First, it lets me know you know what the question was asking when you restate it in your question. Second, the AP test free response questions require answers to be written as complete sentences. This will get you in the habit of doing that. Any question not answered in a complete sentence will be an automatic 40 point deduction. More will be deducted if I deem it appropriate. (Note: even graphs must be answered in sentence form. Example: the scatterplot for the data set is shown below)
4. The appropriate work must be shown for every question. Missing work may be as little as a 20 point deduction or you may be marked off for all the points that the question is worth because it is obvious you didn’t try it.
5. A question that requires a graph to answer must have the graph on your paper even if you graphed it on your calculator. You MUST sketch the graph on your homework. The graph is like showing your work and therefore it is a minimum of a 20 point deduction. You do NOT need to make graphs on graph paper.
6. You must do your homework in pencil. Homework done in pen will be returned to you to be redone and therefore will be late when you turn it back in.
7. Homework must be corrected in pen. Correcting your homework means writing down the correct answers for all missed problems AND writing down the correct work for any problems that I do for you (either on the board or in written solutions). A missing correct answer will be a 40 point deduction, missing correct work for a problem will be a 40 point deduction.
8. You can ONLY write on the front side of your paper. Any questions written on the back of your paper will be treated as skipped problems and points will be deducted accordingly. You CAN write corrections on the back of your paper if necessary.
9. You must staple your homework if it is more than one page. You can NOT use my stapler after the bell rings. Unstappled papers will lose 40 points.
10. Late homework is accepted. One day late is a 100 point deduction. Two days late is a 150 point deduction. More that 2 days late the homework will be only worth 200 points. BUT, late work is only accepted up to the last day of a unit.
11. If you are absent, you get one day from the day you return to get full credit for your missing assignments. After that they will be treated as late homework, see above. You do NOT get as many days to turn it in as you were absent!!
12. If you are turning in late or absent work, the date in your heading should still be the date assigned to the class. BUT, in the center of the top of your paper, you must put the date you turn it in and the word “ABSENT” or “LATE,” whichever is appropriate. You will lose 40 pints if one of these two words is not written and you will only get 200 points on your homework if the date is not written.
13. On the last page of each homework assignment, you must sign the word “Integrity” then sign your name. If anyone helped you with your homework there name must be written next to your signature. Any assignment without this will be returned to be redone. Then, such assignments will be considered late when turned back in. Signing “integrity” is your way of telling me that you did your homework, you didn’t copy somebody else’s AND you didn’t give yours to somebody else to copy.
14. Cheating on your homework guarantees you a 1000 point deduction from your homework grade in the class and a “0” on the assignment you cheated on. The second offense, your GLC and your parents will be contacted.
I will enforce these rules without discrimination. The rules are to make my correcting job simpler. More importantly, they are also to make your homework an invaluable study tool both for each test and for the review sessions for the AP exam.
NOTEBOOK requirement:
You need a 3-ring binder specifically for this class. There needs to be 4 section dividers: 1. AP/IB sheets 2. Assignment Sheets (Grade sheets) 3. Returned Work, including quizzes, in chronological order 4. Notes (or these can be in a separate place if you prefer)
I will periodically check your notebook to insure that you are keeping it in order and up to date.
Your notebook, writing utensils, and calculator MUST be brought to class everyday.
A TI-83, 83 plus or TI-84 is required for this class (if acquiring one is a problem for whatever reason, see me privately and we will find a solution). The AP Statistics exam is a calculator based exam and these calculators have the most Statistic functions.
Textbook requirement:
We will be using the Statistics book and the IB book everyday. I have a few extras but not enough for one per person so it is best if you bring them to class each day…..we will discuss this more when I find out how many extra copies of each the library has.
IB info:
Internal assessments
The “internal assessment” is for IB students only. We will be discussing it in great detail by the end of Sept. The IA is a mini research paper on a math topic, where the idea is to explore math. Actual computations will be required within the paper. I will help the IB students choose a topic and in class time will be provided occasionally to do work. A rough draft will be collected after winter break and the final draft will be due the first week of Feb. It seems like it is a long way off but IB seniors have so many responsibilities, you will want to get started as soon as possible. Your IA paper will be graded by me then submitted to IB. Your score on your IA will constitute 20% of your total IB score for this class. Your grade on your IA will NOT be part of your grade for this class.
More details on these problems will be given as we approach each one
This is going to be one crazy class but, worth every torturous momentJ