Students and Parents: Please Read Carefully, and Sign on the Top of Page 3

AP Calculus AB– Mr. Meyer

Syllabus/Course Policies2017-2018

Students and Parents: Please read carefully, and sign on the top of page 3.

Overview:Calculus[1] is a beautiful subject, and the culmination of the traditional high school mathematics sequence; in Calculus, students will acquire a wide variety of mathematical tools that they’ll use in every subsequent math, science, and engineering class. Students will develop an extensive vocabulary of mathematical termsand symbols; students will also learn how to manipulate and use concepts such as limits, differentiation, and integration.

AP Calculus AB is a two-semester college-levelcourse, and is generally held to be equivalent to one semester of college calculus. (AP Calculus BC, by contrast, is generally held to be equivalent to two.) The AP Test is Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at 8am; save the date! A student who scores well on the AP Test may receive college credit and/or placement into a higher-level college math class.

Course Topics:

1. Differentiation of algebraic and transcendental functions. 2. Integration of algebraic and transcendental functions. 3. Integration techniques. 4. Applications of differentiation and integration.

Class Materials: 1. Pencil. 2. Notebook and/or binder containing all assignments, notes, and tests. 3. AP-acceptable graphing calculator[2] (I suggest the TI-84 Plus or TI-Nspire; I use the former). 4. Computing device, as part of the BYOD program. 5. Calculus Textbook (school-issued).

If you face difficulty in acquiring these class materials, please see me in private.

Classroom Expectations: These fall into three categories:

1. Be prepared. Note: this section includes the Late Homework Policy.

1a. Beon time! Repeated tardies will result in administrative action, in accordance with SRVHS policy. It’s also disrespectful of the time of your fellow students (see below).

1b. Bring daily class materials every day! See “Class Materials” above.

1c. Do your homework! Learning math requires doing math; new skills and concepts must be reinforced on a daily basis. In addition, test problems will closely parallel homework problems; you should therefore approach homework problems as training material for the subsequent test. I therefore strongly suggest that you initially try to do homework on your own, in a room with no distractions, before seeking help. After completing your homework to the best of your ability, you can and should seek help from your teacher or fellow students, if necessary; it’s very important, especially in math, to understand each concept fully before moving on.

On assignments, tests, and the AP Exam, an emphasis is placed on mature and thoughtful work with clear, complete, and thorough presentation of solutions.

For the SRVUSD Homework Policy, please see the Addenda. Please note that the homework time limits within said policy do not apply to this AP course. However, it is my goal to assign homework so that students will be thoroughly prepared for the AP test, but not overburdened.

2. Be present. You should be in class, and paying attention.

2a. Please come to class! Repeated absences make it harder to understand the material. If you miss class, it’s your responsibility to find the assignments you missed on School Loop. Similarly, if you miss a test, it’s your responsibility to find me and schedule a make-up test.

2b.Please silence your phone, and put it away for the duration of class. Your computer shouldalso be away except when computers are being used for classwork.

2c. Stay on task. Side conversations are distracting, and math requires your whole concentration!

3. Be respectful. Be kind. Be the good people I know you can be.

3a. “To get respect, give respect.” Act respectfully towards your teacher and fellow students, with the expectation that they will act respectfully towards you.

3b. Act with common courtesy and common sense. Assume good intentions in others.

3c. Respect the ideas of others. This is especially important, as we will be exploring mathematical ideas every day. If you disagree with somebody else’s idea, say so politely.

3d. In accordance with district policy, harassment in or out of the classroom will not be tolerated. This includes (but is not limited to) harassment based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.

For the SRVUSD Anti-Harassment Policy, please see the Addenda.

Tests: Tests will be frequent, and a major component of the grade (see below). You should prepare for tests by reviewing notes, study guides, and homework problems. You all know proper test-taking behavior; if you cheat on a test, you’ll receive a grade of “0”, which will really sink your semester grade.

Grading:

Your final grade in this college-level course will be based on unit tests and final exams. There will be four or five unit tests during each quarter, and exams at the end of each semester; in addition, there will be a post-AP Test project. All tests (and the project) will be weighted equally.

1. Your final grade is a reflection of your work throughout the ENTIRE semester. If you care about your final grade, the time to start worrying about it is NOW. If you have a C three-fourths of the way through the semester, it’s an uphill climb to finish with a B; an A may be mathematically impossible.
2. No individualized extra credit will be given; please don’t ask me if you can“do extra work” to bring up your grade.
3. I will update your grade on School Loop periodically. You are responsible for checking it, and bringing any errors (respectfully) to my attention.
4. This is an AP course, so an A is worth 5.0, a B is worth 4.0, and a C is worth 3.0.

Contact: Students and parents can reach me at . I strive to keep communication lines open. Parents, students, and teachers all want the same thing – for the student to succeed!

Extra Help: I will be available for extra help during the Access Periods on Wednesday and Thursday. In addition, I will frequently be available at lunch or after school, either by appointment or on a drop-in basis.

I look forward to our year together! --Mr. Meyer

I’ve read the above, and understand the policies for this course.

______-- Student signature

______-- Parent/guardian signature

Addendum 1: SRVUSD Homework Policy

In an effort to reduce student stress and respond to the evolving instructional practices, SRVUSD convened a committee of teachers, students, parents and school administrators to recommend updates to SRVUSD homework policy and regulation. The committee considered and made changes related to:

-Limiting the overall volume of homework;

-Eliminating homework over breaks;

-Developing a more effective system for communicating and implementing the policy; and

-Aligning with the Common Core State Standards and other legal requirements.

On June 23, 2015, the SRVUSD Board of Education adopted a new Homework/Make-Up Work Board Policy and Administrative Regulation. To view the Board Policy and Administrative Regulation in their entirety, follow the link:

Grade Level Guidelines High School

1. TOTAL homework assignments shall be no more than 2 hours per course per week and no more than 30 minutes per night per course.

All work including weekend assignments, long-term assignments and projects that require work outside of the classroom shall be included in this time frame. Weekend homework, if assigned, shall not exceed 30 minutes per course.

2. In order to coordinate due dates and balance the workload, departments will collaborate with each other and be aware of long-term projects/assignments and major tests in all curricular areas.

3. Project-based assignments are designed to reinforce Common Core State Standards, promote collaboration and independent thinking. Long-term assignments and projects that require work outside of the classroom shall be limited in number and duration. Some portions of projects may be assigned as homework; however, these tasks shall not require significant assistance from parents or the purchase of materials. Long-term assignments and projects shall include clear checkpoints to monitor progress toward completion. Instruction HOMEWORK/MAKEUP WORK AR 6154(c)

4. Some elective classes such as, but not limited to, drama, speech and debate, and music, will require additional time.

5. Advanced Placement, Honors, and Advanced courses may require more extensive homework. These courses are exempt from other time and break restrictions as prescribed in this policy.

Addendum 2: SRVUSD Anti-Harassment Policy

BP 5145.3Students

Nondiscrimination/Harassment/Anti-BullyingTop of Form

Bottom of Form

District programs and activities shall be free from discrimination, including harassment, intimidation or bullying with respect to a sex, gender, gender identity or gender expression, ethnic group identification, race, ancestry, national origin, religion, color, physical or mental disability, marital or parental status, age or sexual orientation; the perception of one or more of such characteristics, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

The Board of Education desires to provide a safe school environment that allows all students equal opportunities in admission and access to the district's academic and other educational support program, guidance and counseling programs, athletic programs, testing procedures, and other activities.

The Board prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying of any student by any employee, student or other person in the district. Staff shall be alert and immediately responsive to student conduct which may interfere with another student's ability to participate in or benefit from school services, activities or privileges. Prohibited discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying includes physical, verbal, nonverbal or written conduct based on one of the categories listed above that is so severe and pervasive that it affects a student's ability to participate in or benefit from an education program or activity; creates an intimidating, threatening, hostile, or offensive education environment, has the effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering with a student's academic performance, is foreseeably likely to cause a substantial disruption to the educational environment; or otherwise adversely affects a student's educational opportunities

The Board also prohibits any form of retaliation against any student who files a complaint or report regarding an incident of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

The Superintendent or designee shall provide age-appropriate training and information to the students, parents/guardians, and employees regarding discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying, including but not limited to, the district's nondiscrimination policy, what constitutes prohibited behavior, how to report incidents, and to whom such reports should be made.

The principal or designee shall develop a plan to provide students with appropriate accommodations when necessary for their protection from threatened or potentially harassing or discriminatory behavior.

Students who engage in discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, or retaliation in violation of the law, Board Policy, or Administrative Regulation shall be subject to appropriate discipline, up to and including counseling, suspension and/or expulsion. An employee who permits or engages in discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, or retaliation shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.

The Board hereby designates the following position as Coordinator for Nondiscrimination to handle complaints regarding discrimination and inquiries regarding the district's nondiscrimination policies:

Director of Student Services (LISA WARD)

San Ramon Valley Unified School District

699 Old Orchard Drive

Danville, CA 94526

(925) 552-2923

Any student who feels that he/she is being subjected to discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying should immediately contact the Coordinator for Nondiscrimination, the principal or any other staff member. Any student who observes an incident of harassment should report the incident to the Coordinator, principal or other school employee, whether or not the victim files a complaint.

Employees who become aware of an act of discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying shall immediately report the incident to the Coordinator for Nondiscrimination or the site designee. The designee for each site will be identified with the Annual Notice of this policy to each employee. In addition, the employee shall immediately intervene when safe to do so.

Upon receiving a complaint of discrimination or harassment, the Coordinator and/or site designee shall immediately investigate the complaint in accordance with site/level grievance procedures specified in AR 5145.7 - Sexual Harassment.

The Coordinator and/or designee shall also advise the victim of any other remedies that may be available. The Coordinator and/or designee shall file a report with the Superintendent or designee and refer the matter to law enforcement where required.

Within 30 days of receiving the district's report, the complainant may appeal to the Board if he/she disagrees with the resolution of the complaint. The Board shall make a decision at its next regular meeting and its decision shall be final.

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the student handbook clearly describes the district's nondiscrimination policy, procedures for filing a complaint regarding discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying, and the resources that are available to students who feel that they have been the victim of any such behavior. The district's policy shall also be posted on the district web site or any other location that is easily accessible to students.

The Coordinator and/or designee shall distribute this policy annually to all families and staff and provide training to all staff regarding Nondiscrimination/Harassment/Anti-Bullying.

[1] A “calculus” (pl. “calculi”) was a pebble used in an abacus-like counting device (“calculus” is the Latin diminutive of “calx” (chalk), which in turn comes from the Greek “khaliks” (pebble)). “Calculus” thus became the Latin word for “reckoning” or “account”; it can still be used in English as “a system for calculation”, but most people know it primarily from the differential calculus and integral calculus of high school math.

[2] See