Bellaire High School Open House 2005

Course: AP Calculus BC Teacher: Edward Mazzoni

Frequently Asked Questions by Parents

Q: How can I contact you?

A: E-mail address: emazzoni@houstonisd.org

Web address: www.bellaire.org/mazzoni

Phone: 713-667-2064 (please leave a message)

Room #: 214

Conference Period: 12:30 – 1:15 p.m. (please make an appointment / other times available)

AP Calculus BC exam: Wednesday, May 3, 2006 (8:00 AM - 3 hours and 15 minutes)

Q: What is AP Calculus BC?

A: The syllabus outline for this course is the AP (Advanced Placement) Calculus BC curriculum. It is a college-level mathematics course for which most colleges grant advanced placement and credit. Students are placed in a Calculus course in college according to the extent of their preparation, as measured by the results of the AP exam or other criteria. Most colleges will award one or two semesters of Calculus credit (or advanced placement) for strong AP Calculus BC exam scores. Appropriate credit and placement are granted by each institution in accordance with local polices. AP Calculus BC covers four major topics: Fuctions, graphs, and limits, Derivatives, Integrals, and Polynomial approximations and series. A link to a complete course description from College Board can be found at my website.

Q: What materials are needed for this course?

A: Loose leaf paper or a spiral notebook and pencils with erasers. Binders are not required, but students will receive handouts on a regular basis and will want a place to keep everything organized.

Q: How are grades determined for this course?

A: Six-weeks grades are calculated by dividing total points earned by the total possible points. Students will typically have two exams during each six-week grading period. It is possible that short quizzes will be given occasionally. There will be very few homework assignments graded since I consider it a step in the learning process in which mistakes should not be penalized. Students will also earn points by presenting problem solutions to the class. Semester grades will be the average of the three six-week grades and a cumulative final exam.

Q: I would like to be kept informed of my child’s progress in this course. What should I do?

A: All of my students receive progress reports every three weeks by printing them from my web site. These reports list all grades with a current average. Students are required to get a parent signature on each progress report and will earn two extra credit points for returning signed reports the next day. The first progress reports should be available on Tuesday, September 6. Report cards are issued approximately every six weeks. FYI: assignment calendars are also available from my web site.

Q: What days of the week are reserved for math tests and tutorial sessions?

A: The testing day for math is Thursday and all of our tests have been scheduled on Thursdays for this school year. Only under unusual circumstances will I give a test on any other day. Students will be notified in advance if this must occur and will have the option of taking the test during lunch on Thursday. Math tutorials are held in our classroom (room 214) from 11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Students are encouraged to work together and/or e-mail each other questions/answers outside of class time.

Q: I am concerned about my child’s performance in this course. What should I do?

A: Please feel free to contact me (e-mail or phone) to discuss any issues regarding your child’s progress in this course. Due to the limited number of phones on campus, you will probably receive a faster response if you e-mail me. Make sure that all assignments are being completed and look for organized class notes. Students are always welcome to ask me questions in class and during tutorial sessions.

Q: How difficult will this course be for my child?

A: Of course, the answer to this question varies. The strength of a student’s mathematical background is one of the greatest factors in determining difficulty and overall success in this course. Students should expect homework every night and two major exams every six-weeks. Students will be expected to engage in higher-level problem solving activities that require critical thinking, exploration, experimentation, and discovery. Students have been informed that if they maintain an average below an 80, I will recommend that they move to AP Calculus AB at the end of the first 6-weeks. Please consider this recommendation carefully if it occurs. Typically, students who are having trouble in Calculus “BC” show considerable improvement in Calculus “AB” and are more likely to score higher on the AP exam. At times, students may become frustrated or confused with the material in this course. Please encourage them to “hang in there” and seek out help.

Q: My child is interested in purchasing a “graphing calculator.” What do you suggest?

A: All high school level and many college level math, science, engineering, and business courses now include the use of technology, such as graphing calculators and computers. At no time during the year will your child be required to purchase a calculator. However, a graphing calculator can be very useful for individual studies. A powerful, yet moderately priced option is the Texas Instruments TI-83+ (usually available for $85-95). TI has recently released a new calculator series, the TI-84. These calculators have essentially the same functionality as the TI-83 models, but have significantly increased memory and speed. Please note that calculators with CAS, such as the TI-89, are not allowed on class tests.

Q: Do you have e-mail?

A: Yes! Please feel free to contact me at emazzoni@houstonisd.org. This is usually a faster way to communicate since we can avoid playing “phone-tag.” Please make sure you include your name and your child’s name in the message.

Q: My child must be absent from school due to illness or another reason. What should I do?

A: If your child is absent, please provide a signed excuse for your child to bring to the attendance office upon return. Without a note, absences will be recorded as unexcused. Please try to avoid scheduling appointments, college visits, and vacations during school. On most days, we cover major concepts and large quantities of information. If you are aware of an unavoidable absence ahead of time, please send a note with your child before the absence to obtain the assignments that will be missed.