Welcome to AB Calculus

Introduction

AB and BC Calculus are the highest level of mathematics a student can achieve before college, and your efforts will be rewarded with college math credit.

We are so fortunate to be able to use the Khan Academy as our resource for instruction and reinforcement with Calculus. The Khan Academy Calculus course was developed by the College Board (the administrative and directional arm of AP Calculus across the U.S.). This means that everything you are learning is directly in line with the AP Exam at the end of the year. The following quote explains the overall goal of the College Board and Khan for all their resources.

“A personalized learning resource for all ages

Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom. We tackle math, science, computer programming, history, art history, economics, and more. Our math missions guide learners from kindergarten to calculus using state-of-the-art, adaptive technology that identifies strengths and learning gaps. We've also partnered with institutions like NASA, The Museum of Modern Art, The California Academy of Sciences, and MIT to offer specialized content.”

What To Expect Next Year

Our class sessions include 30 to 45 minutes of direct lecture over 3 to 5 of the topics the College Board deems important for students. You are then allowed the remainder of class time to reinforce the instruction by using College Board / Khan. I am able to monitor exactly what you are working on, what you are mastering, and what you may be struggling with. You are informed each class session of precisely where you stand. There are no surprises.

Tests are given at the end of each unit that cover the topics and problems you have been engaged with. I, also, assign a grade for the work you have been doing with the “reinforcement activities” thru College Board / Khan.

It’s going to be a great year, for sure.

How Do You Start This Summer?

You will be assessed of your Algebra and Precal skills at the beginning of the 1st semester. This assessment is done through completion of “Stuff You Must Know Cold” for both of these subjects. I am including the summary sheet that you must “know cold” when the semester starts. You will want to take some time to be sure you get off on the right foot.

Also, I am providing you the ability to get started with the curriculum by going to Khan Academy and accessing our course material. Since it is self-paced you will be able to advance as far as you wish before the year starts. Students who take advantage of this have a decided advantage when we begin. I monitor this work all summer long. Here’s what you do.

Go to khanacademy.org/coaches and type in:

QB499RQ4

This is the class code for the Summer work. Take a look at an additional form I am providing that offers instructions (the class code is not shown on this form). Simply fill in the class code shown here.

Finally

Congratulations on choosing to extend your math experience with AB Calculus. It will be a rewarding decision.

David LaughlinMath department HeadCalculus Teacher