By allowing humanity to break free of the limitations in symbolism and formulation that had constrained mathematicians for several millennia, the seventeenth century discovery of calculus—with its ability to quantify and formalize both the very small and the very large—ranks among the most significant products of the human intellect.

A first course in calculus is truly a life-changing experience, as it not only brings to fruition the previous twelve years of students' mathematics education, but also provides them with a lens through which the world will never again appear quite the same.

College Board Certification
The curriculum and content of Dr. Ida's Calculus AB and Calculus BC classes have been certified by The College Board through their AP Audit process. For more information and to see a list of other courses at Kalani High School (and at other schools across the nation), see the AP Ledger website.

Objectives
Equivalent to a one-year course in the differential and integral calculus of a single real variable, this class will prepare you for advanced work in college-level mathematics. In particular, you will learn to:

• Work with functions represented in a variety of ways: graphical, numerical, analytical, or verbal.
• Understand the meaning of the derivative in terms of a rate of change and local linear approximation, and use the derivative to solve a variety of problems.
• Understand the meaning of the definite integral both as a limit of Riemann sums and as the net accumulation of change, and use the integral to solve a variety of problems.
• Understand the relationship between the derivative and the definite integral as expressed in both parts of the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.
• Communicate mathematics both orally and in well-written sentences, and explain solutions to problems.
• Model a written description of a physical situation with a function, a differential equation, or an integral.
• Use technology to help solve problems, experiment, interpret results, and verify conclusions.
• Determine the reasonableness of solutions, including sign, size, relative accuracy, and units of measurement.
• Develop an appreciation of calculus as a coherent body of knowledge and as a human accomplishment.

The AP exam is an integral part of the class, and will be the focus of much of our efforts, particularly during the fourth quarter. Thus, it is required and expected that you register for and take the AP Calculus exam in May.

Materials
It is expected that you come to class prepared with the following materials each day.

• Several pencils and an eraser
• A quad ruled (graph paper) composition book for notes and homework
• A folder or binder with a specific section for this class for you to store your loose leaf handouts and papers

Standards-Based Grading
In spite of all the hype and hoopla surrounding educational standards and benchmarks, they are nothing more than specific statements of what everyone should know and be able to do at the end of a course of study. Never before, however, has there been such a strong push to institute them at the state and even national level. While there have been many different sets of standards proposed for secondary school mathematics, the two that have been chosen for AP Calculus at Kalani High School are the Hawaii Content and Performance Standards (HCPS3) and the College Board's AP Calulus course description.

Percentage	Grade
90–100	A
80–89	B
70–79	C
60–69	D
0–59	F

While standards and benchmarks may not be entirely new, standards-based grading is. Many things about AP Calculus, however, will be familiar and conform to what you have come to expect from a mathematics class.

• Your grade will be computed quarterly, with all four quarters averaged to produce a final year grade. Because of the sequential and cumulative nature of mathematics, students who are not successful in Algebra 2 inevitably experience great difficulty in subsequent mathematics classes. Thus, semester and final year grades of C or better are required for advancement to the next mathematics course in sequence.
• Quarterly grades are computed using a point system to include daily classwork, homework, and warm-up assignments; weekly assessments (quizzes and tests) and journal entries; and occasional projects and presentations.

Late Work
With the exception of daily in-class assignments, all work is due at the start of the class period. Assignments turned in after the start of the period will be considered late, and will be penalized by a factor of 1/2^d, where d represents the number of days after the deadline that the work is submitted. Assignments turned in up to one day late, for example, will be penalized by a factor of 1/2, i.e., the assignment will be graded and the score then multiplied by 1/2. Work turned in two days late will be penalized by a factor of 1/4. Work turned in three days late will be penalized by a factor of 1/8, and so on.

Absences
Occasional absences, whether planned or unplanned, are inevitable, and you will find that as long as you are proactive—you discuss things with your teacher before your absence if possible, or before class on the day of your return if not—reasonable accommodations and arrangements can usually be made.

• If your absence is anticipated (field trip, athletic competition, doctor's appointment, etc.), you must make prior arrangements for all work that is due on the day of the absence to be turned in on that day—give it to a friend, ask that it be put in your teacher's box in the main office, or submit it in person before you leave. Any tests or quizzes given on that day are expected to be made up by the end of the school following day. Any tests or quizzes given on the following school day are expected to be taken with the rest of the class as usual.
• If the absence is unanticipated (illness, accident, family emergency, etc.), you are expected to see your teacher before class on the day that you return to make specific arrangements for completing missed work. As a general rule of thumb, you will have as many days to make up missed work as you were absent.

Expectations & Consequences for Behavior
Please remember that this is your class. The behavior and participation of each person will shape the type of learning that will occur. Since one person's behavior affects everyone else's experience, I ask that all students assist with classroom management. In order to maintain a smoothly running and efficient classroom in which everyone has a chance to succeed, it is expected that you do the following while in class.

• Turn off, and securely stow all electronic equipment and accessories (with the exception of calculators when specifically allowed).
• Refrain from eating, drinking, or gum chewing.
• Be quietly seated and ready to begin working once the bell rings, and remain seated within the classroom for the duration of the period unless given permission by the teacher.
• Treat your teacher, your classmates, their possessions, and your surroundings with the same respect, consideration, courtesy, and decency with which you yourself wish to be treated, i.e., don't touch or use anyone else's things without their permission, and don't swear or use offensive or suggestive language.
• Listen carefully to all instructions before beginning work, and follow all instructions once work has begun.
• Abide by all other rules and regulations of Kalani High School and the Department of Education.

Those who choose not to meet these expectations can expect to have or to receive…

1. A reminder
2. A warning
3. Parents or guardians contacted
4. A disciplinary referral
5. When applicable…
   • An outstanding obligation for lost, damaged, or destroyed school property
   • Contraband articles confiscated
   • Loss of the privilege of participating in, and receiving credit for an in-class activity

Extra Help
You are strongly encouraged to seek frequent extra help as needed on an informal or formal basis by arrangement with your teacher. Please be aware, however, that extra help is not intended to replace in-class effort and participation —the level of assistance you will receive outside of class will be dependent upon your attitude (positive), attentiveness (awake and alert), engagement (actively listening and taking notes), commitment (trying hard every day), and behavior (good) while in class.

Additional Expectations for AP Students
Committed to equality of opportunity and excellence in achievement, the administration and faculty of Kalani High School seeks to make enrollment in Advanced Placement (AP) classes as widely available as possible. Enrolling in an AP class, however, is a commitment that must not be taken lightly and should only be made by those students who are fully aware of the responsibilities involved, and willing to fulfill them to the best of their ability.

So that students and their families will have a complete understanding of what will be expected of them, all students wishing to enroll in an AP course at Kalani High School must agree to comply with all of the following expectations.

• All students enrolled in an AP class at Kalani High School are required to take the applicable AP examination in May. Exam fees total approximately $83.00 for each exam taken, with subsidies and fee waivers available for those students who are eligible for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program. A schedule of exams may be obtained online, or from the AP test coordinator in C-12.
• Students who enroll in an AP class as an elective not required for graduation may withdraw from that class until the end of the first quarter provided they enroll in another academic (i.e., non-Teacher Assistant) class as a replacement.
• In order to ensure that students will have the ability to be successful on the AP exam, those students whose grades fall below a C at any time during the year will be required to attend recitation and remediation sessions at the direction of the instructor. The school attendance policy will be in effect for these classes, with additional assignments and assessments assigned and given.

In addition to the above school-wide expectations, students wishing to enroll in AP Calculus must agree to abide by the following additional expectations.

• Students wishing to enroll in AP Calculus must have taken and passed all subsequent mathematics classes up to and including Trigonometry and Pre-Calculus.
• Students should be prepared to attend mandatory practice sessions (before/after school and on weekends) during the month prior to the AP examination in May.
• Because the AP exam is over three hours in length, and in order for students to become accustomed to exerting a sustained mental effort for prolonged periods of time, assessments will sometimes begin at 07:15. Days necessitating an early start will be announced in advance.

A copy of the above syllabus in PDF format can be downloaded here.

A copy of the course outline can be downloaded here.

 

Dr. Michael P. Ida
Kalani High School
4680 Kalanianaole Hwy.
Honolulu, HI 96821
(808) 377-7744

Hawaii Public Schools

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