Friday, December 2, 2011

Final exam review

Solutions to sample problems in the final exam review packet:

2003 and 1998 AP Calculus AB multiple choice solutions from Mr. Calculus: http://home.roadrunner.com/~askmrcalculus/#anchor88119

2003 AP Calculus AB free response solutions from College Board: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/ap03_sg_calculus_ab_26472.pdf

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Addendum to 5.2 HW

You may have noticed that on the assignment calendar, 2003 BC #1 free response question is listed for homwork on 11/21. 
You can find this question here: http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/ap/students/calculus/calculus_bc_frq_03.pdf

Have a nice break!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Integration rule quiz

At the start of class on Thursday, you will have a quiz on the basic integration rules. 
Here's a copy of that quiz for you to use for practice:
http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/integration-rule-quiz.pdf

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Chpt 4 review

Some of the free response review problems missed during third period today.
http://bit.ly/vm9edS

Monday, October 31, 2011

Answers to pages 5-9

1. A
2. B
3. C
4. E
5. E
6. A
7. D
8. D
9. A
10. A
11. C
12. C
13. B
14. C
15. B
16. f(-3) = 4.5; f(4) = -5 + 2pi

Friday, October 28, 2011

This weekend

Be sure to try the AP sample problems on pages 5-9 in your packet.  You can record your answers on page 10 and see the percentage correct for each problem.  Be prepared to ask questions about these problems and share your results with each other on Monday.

If you have time, consider trying some of the free response problems in the packet on pages 11-13.  There are also additional review problems listed on the bottom of page 4 in the packet.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

200 days

The AP Calculus BC on May 9, 2012 is just 200 days away!  That may sound like a long way off, but the time will pass quickly.  We have only 33 days of class left this semester before final exams.

Be sure to work on test #3 corrections this weekend and current homework (4.1 & 4.3). 
The next test covers sections 4.1, 4.3, 4.4, & 4.5 and will be on Thursday, November 3.

Also, remember to prepare group solutions for Monday:
1 - 4.1 #16, 22
2 - 4.1 #20, 28
3 - 4.1 #49
4 - 4.1 #45
5 - 4.1 #64, 66
6 - 4.3 #7
7 - 4.3 #19
8 - 4.3 #24, 26

Friday, October 21, 2011

Test #3 scoring

Clarification for the way test #3 was scored ...

Multiple choice: # correct / 18 x 60 (maximum of 60 points)

Free response: (20 - points deducted) x 2 (maximum of 40 points)

The free response were scored similar to the way actual AP free response questions are scored.  There were a total of 20 "AP style" points on your test that were scaled up to 40 points for the test.

I will be adding the curve in gradespeed soon.

Test #3

I just finished grading your tests. 
Some students demonstrated that it was entirely possible to do very well on this test.  Out of the 100 students who took the test, 3 earned a perfect 100 and 33 earned an A or B before the curve.  However, 41 earned an F and quite a few of these were very low.  Despite my suggestions/warnings, it appears that some of you have severely underestimated the time and effort needed to succeed in this class and you allowed yourself to be extremely ill-prepared for this test. The results of this test are historically low.  Please be aware that I am not willing to water-down this course or to reduce the pace and not finish the course content before the AP exam in May. 

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Test #3 Thursday!

Study! Study! Study!

You know what to expect on the 2 free response questions.  Make sure you can properly justify features of the graph of f using the given graph of f '.  Justifications will be required for finding intervals on which f is increasing or decreasing, has local extrema, is concave up or concave down, or has points of inflection.  In addition to all the examples we did in class, here are some examples from the sample test: http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/test3sample-fr.pdf

There will be a free response bonus question.  It will be worth a small amount of points, so please only try this after completing the rest of the test.

Also, for the multiple choice, about 1/2 of the 18 questions will deal with the connections between f, f ', and f '' and the related behavior (increasing, decreasing, local extrema, concavity, poi).  Take some time to simply think through how all of this information is related.

The other multiple choice questions will cover a variety of topics.  You can anticipate about 2 questions on each of the following topics: linear approximations, limits (using L'Hopital's rule), optimization, and related rates.

Answers to multiple choice sample test questions: http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/test3sample-mc.pdf

Good luck as you complete your final preparations for this test.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Test #3 sample free response

Please try more review problems tonight and be prepared to share solutions to group assigned problems tomorrow!

Here are solutions to the sample test free response problems:
http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/test3sample-fr.pdf

Also, in your review materials I included two extra AP free response questions.  Here are the scoring guides for those problems (scroll down to the appropriate number within each document) ...

2007 AB #6:
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/_ap07_calculus_ab_sgs_final.pdf

2009 AB & BC (Form B) #5: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap09_calculus_ab_form_b_sgs.pdf

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

3-3 and 3-4 Group Solutions

http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/3-3_3-4.PDF

3.7 Optimization video

Reminder: be sure to view the video lecture for section 3.7 today.  The video is about 33 minutes in length.

video: http://got.im/uzT
handout: http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/3-7_notes.pdf

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Increasing and decreasing functions and the MVT

Here's a short video that contains justifications (using the mean value theorem) for the connections between the sign of f ' and the increasing/decreasing behavior of f

http://bit.ly/pLOBJi

Saturday, October 8, 2011

October calendar updated

Friday, October 14 and Monday, October 17 have been swapped:
http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/apcalendars/ap1110.pdf

Friday, October 7, 2011

Sections 3.3 and 3.4 this weekend

Be sure to spend time working on the 3.3 and 3.4 assignments.  The group solutions for periods 2 and 3 will be collected on Monday at the beginning of class.  Solutions to these selected problems will be posted online next week.

Please plan to stop by during lunch tutorials next week if you have questions about recent homework assignments.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Test #2 graded

Test #2 scores were posted in gradespeed earlier tonight.  Tests will be returned on Friday for you to review and corrections will be due next Wednesday.

The results were mixed (i.e., many students prepared well and some did not).  About 60% earned an 80 or above before the curve and over 22% earned less than 70.  More details will be provided tomorrow.

We will begin chapter 3 tomorrow with the study of linear approximations and differentials.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Recent HW and test review

The 2.8 and 2.9 HW due today was graded for completion and it'll be returned to you tomorrow.  I have posted solutions to these problems for you to check for correctness: http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/2-8-2-9-sol.pdf

Also, please continue to review for the test on Wednesday.  Come to class on Tuesday with questions for review.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Sample test answers

You'll receive a copy of this on Monday, but for those who are following, here are the answers to the sample test questions:
http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/test2sample-solutions.pdf

The document also contains a sample of the instructions for the test.

Homework and test review

Here's an idea... try ALL of the 2.8 & 2.9 assigned problems BEFORE class on Monday. That way, you can get your questions answered and then have some time remaining during class to review for the test this Wednesday.

Also, please note that on the 2.8 & 2.9 assignment sheet, I have assigned one problem per group to write on the boards to share on Monday. You'll just take a few minutes to write the solution on the board, but we won't have groups explaining the solutions-they'll just be available for everyone to check.

We have a busy week planned, so please put in some time this weekend.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

2.5 Chain rule HW

On the September calendar, there is a hint for #35.  On the original calendar it is incorrect.  The hint should be: f(0) = -1.  The online calendar has been corrected.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Chain rule

We will continue studying the chain rule on Wednesday. The september calendar has been adjusted.
http://bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/apcalendars/ap1109.pdf

Monday, September 12, 2011

Bring 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 handouts to class on Tuesday

We will be tying up some loose ends in sections 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 on Tuesday.  Be sure to bring the handouts and your notes from those sections with you to class.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Correction and 2.4 video

During class today, I indicated that on test #1, form A #11 and form B #13 had only 68% correct.  I made a mistake - it was actually 97% correct!

Please view the 2-4 video lecture before class on Tuesday:  http://got.im/07M8

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Test #1

The grades for test #1 have been posted in gradespeed. 
About 2/3 of the class earned a score of 80 or above (including the curve) and the mean score was 82.
More details about the test results will be shared tomorrow.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

1.4 - 1.5 group solutions

One version of each problem was selected for one of the three BC classes:

http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/1.4-1.5-2011.PDF

Test #1 sample correction

Questions 7 and 8 from the sample problems do have multiple answers:

#7 is B, C, E
#8 is B, C, D, E

http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/test1_sample_answers_2011.pdf

Monday, September 5, 2011

Test #1 sample solutions

Here are the solutions to the Test #1 sample questions:
http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/test1_sample_answers_2011.pdf

Please remember that these are just examples of the types of questions that could be on a test covering sections 1.2 to 1.5.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Open house

I enjoyed getting to meet many parents last night and sharing information about AP Calculus BC with them. Parents are encouraged to contact me any time with questions or concerns.


Sunday, August 28, 2011

Quiz #1

The grades for Quiz #1 have been posted in Gradespeed: https://psc.houstonisd.org/ParentStudentConnect/
I will share more details on Monday when I return the quiz, but the results were mixed.  The mean score was 26 out of 30 (86.7%) with 82% of students earning A or B and 7% earning F.  Questions you have about this quiz can be answered during lunch tutorials this week.

If you were absent for this quiz, please plan to make it up during lunch on Tuesday or Wednesday this week.

We are moving forward on Monday with section 1.4.  If possible, please preread this section before class on Monday. 

Sunday, August 21, 2011

School starts tomorrow!

The first day of the 2011-2012 school year is Monday, August 22. You will start in your advocacy class at 7:40 AM and then go to each of your classes for an abbreviated period.


As you will see on your schedule, I have moved to room S-365 on the third floor.

I am looking forward the the start of what I am certain will be an outstanding year!

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Course guide 2011-2012

Just about anything you would like to know about this course is included in the Course Guide.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Assignment calendars

Calendars have been posted for 2011-2012 detailing the dates for topics, tests, and homework:
http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/apcalendars/

More updates will follow as we approach the first day of classes on August 22.

2011 scores update

The data now includes global results:
BC score
AB subscore

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

2011 AP Calculus BC results

87 students took the "BC" exam at BHS in May and the results are as follows:

BC Score:
5 = 56.3%
4 = 17.2%
3 = 14.9%
2 = 1.1%
1 = 10.3%
Mean = 4.08

AB Subscore:
5 = 64.4%
4 = 17.2%
3 = 8.0%
2 = 3.4%
1 = 6.9%
Mean = 4.29

Historical BC Score and AB Subscore data.

Many of you put forth a tremendous effort throughout the year for this course and you should be very proud of this accomplishment!

Thursday, June 30, 2011

AP scores are now available

You can hear your 2011 AP scores via phone as of today 888-308-0013.  There is an $8 charge for this service.  If you opt to pay for this service, please let me know your BC score via email emazzoni@houstonisd.org.  Otherwise, your scores will be mailed to you sometime during the first three weeks of July.   I should have online access to all of your BC scores on July 5.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Thank you!

Thank you all for making this a most enjoyable year!  I hope that everyone is able to have some down time this summer - you deserve at least a little bit of a break!  Congrats to all the seniors and good luck next fall.  I'm looking forward to seeing your AP exam results and I'll post the overall results here in July.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

AP free response solutions

We will be discussing all 6 free response questions next week during class.  If you are curious before then, I have posted my solutions.  I welcome your comments either now or during class.

questions: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap11_frq_calculus_bc.pdf
solutions: http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/ap-solutions/index.htm

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

AP Calculus BC Tomorrow!

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!

Test outlines

For those of you who were not in class on Monday and will also not be in class on Tuesday, I distributed a compilation of the outlines from our class tests.  This would be good to scan through to make sure you haven't overlooked any topics during your review.

http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/outlines-all-2011.pdf

Monday, May 2, 2011

AP Calculus BC exam this Wednesday!

As you work on your final preparations for the AP exam on Wednesday, May 4, I wanted to once again wish everyone the best.  I have very high expectations for your performance on this exam ... I simply want everyone to do their best work.  I greatly appreciate the extraordinary efforts everyone has put into this class this year ... I am fully aware that it is a challenging and time consuming class.

Please make sure you arrive to the multi-purpose room on-time (7:30 AM recommended).  You will be allowed into the MPR at about 7:40 AM to find your seat.  Please note that the exam is scheduled to start at 8:00 AM (i.e., materials will be distributed and instructions given).  If you arrive late, you will not be allowed the full time on the first section of the test.

Please get some rest before the exam.  Good luck!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Monday, April 18, 2011

4th period - last name A-L

In order to give you more time to complete the multiple choice sample questions this week, 4th period students with last names A-L are encouraged to stop by my room during lunch to pick-up MC #1-28 on Monday (the day you will miss class due to AP exam pre-admin meeting).

Sunday, April 17, 2011

2010 free response

Be sure to try all of the 2010 free response questions (in your AP review packet). 
The scoring guide is available online: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap10_calculus_bc_scoring_guidelines.pdf

We discussed #1 (Janet & her snowy driveway) last Friday.  The means for these 6 problems are in the table below ("Global" for all BC students and "Group" for my 93 students who took the exam last year).


I believe that these 6 problems were closely matched with what we have learned throughout the year.  Hopefully you agree and you can perform as well (or better) as my students did last year on your questions on May 4!

You will be taking a practice AP exam Monday through Wednesday this week (the schedule varies depending on your period due to the AP pre-administration sessions on Mon & Tue).

Keep studying!!!  Please stop by during lunch with any questions you have.  16 days left (9 days in class).

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Important updates

The following documents are now available:
Important events this week:
  • Monday
    • AP review (see April calendar for 2003 MC and FR questions)
    • Receive all previous tests
    • Receive progress report
  • Tuesday
    • Return signed progress report
    • Test #11 review (3 free response questions at the end of 11-2 and 11-3 notes sheet)
  • Wednesday
    • AP review (see April calendar for 2003 MC and FR questions)
    • Receive Test #11 (take-home test)
  • Thursday
    • Test #11 due at the start of class
    • AP review (see April calendar for 2003 MC and FR questions)
  • Friday
    • Advocacy & early dismissal schedule
    • AP review (see April calendar for 2010 FR questions)

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Test #10 results

Scores have been posted in gradespeed.  The curve was 55% of the points lost (out of 100) plus you received 5 points for each correct multiple choice out of 11 (i.e., you had a "free" wrong multiple choice).  The mean before the curve was 71.8 and 87.4 after.  I'll provide more details next week.  In the end, most students feel that the topics on this test are the most challenging.  Many of you did very well - nice work!  Others will want to work on gaining a better understanding of these topics before May 4. 

Be sure to spend time working on the 9.5 homework and reviewing for the AP exam (starting with the 2003 AP exam as detailed on the April calendar).

Enjoy your weekend. 

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Test #10 notes

On the "Test #10 Sample Solutions" that you received today, I inadvertently wrote "-..." in #6 and it should be "+..."

The answer to #7 in the "Additional Review Question" in the review packet has an error.  Instead of |x|<2/3, it should be |x|<3/2.

Also, as mentioned during class, the multiple choice and free response will each be worth 50% of the test.  However, there will be 11 (not 10) multiple choice that will be worth 5 points for each correct answer.  This means you will essentially get one free mistake in the multiple choice.  There will be 2 free response questions each with multiple parts.

I would suggest that you spend 20-25 minutes on the multiple choice and 25-30 minutes on the free response.

You will be given one of my graphing calculators to use during the test.

Good luck!

Monday, March 28, 2011

Homework reminder

9.2 #1-11 odds and 9.3 #1-11 odds are due Tuesday, March 29 at the beginning of class. 
Some suggestions:
  • 9.2 #7: you will need to determine the t value for the point (-1, 0)
  • 9.3 #1: use limits t = 0 to t = 2pi (this will trace the curve once - check on your calculator)
  • 9.3 #5: use limits t = 0 to t = pi/2 (this will trace the curve once - check on your calculator)
  • If you want to try the 9.3 bonus problems (#21, 23, 25), read pages 738-739 in your text including example 3.4)
Also, be sure to try the 2004 free response sample and the "Additional Review Questions" #11 & 12 before class on Tuesday.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

The final stretch...

  • The AP Calculus BC exam is on May 4, 2011 at 8:00 AM (44 days from today)
  • We have 29 days of class from March 21 to May 3 (however, some of you will be taking other AP exams on May 2 and/or May 3 and will miss some of our review time)
  • We have 8 sections in the textbook and 2 tests left before the AP exam (test #10 covering 8.6-8.8 on March 31 and test #11 covering 9.1-9.5 & 11.2-11.3 "take-home" on April 13)
  • We have 14 days in class to review for the AP exam (starting on April 8) and will cover the following
    • 2003 multiple choice (45 questions)
    • 2003 free response (6 questions)
    • 2010 free response (6 questions)
    • Practice free response (6 questions)
    • Practice multiple choice (45 questions)
    • 2009 Free Response (6 questions)
    • Note: you have many other sample questions in your AP review packet to try on your own
We still have a lot of work to do, but it will all payoff soon on May 4!  Hang in there!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Spring break

I trust that everyone is having a nice break.
Please remember to set aside time for 8.7 homework catchup, reviewing test #9, and starting to review for the AP exam. I know we will all be well rested and ready to finish chapter 8 on Monday!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Test #9

Test grades have been posted in gradespeed and will be returned on Friday. 
The curve was 25% of the points lost. 

Prep group solutions for Friday & Make-up test #9

Please prepare solutions from section 8.7 to share on Friday, March 12:
1 - #9
2 - #7
3 - #29
4 - #25ab
5 - #21
6 - #17
7 - #15
8 - #13

Also, for the 14 students who were not present for the test today, make-up tests will be held after spring break during lunch on Tuesday, March 22 and Wednesday, March 23 only.

Test #10 date change

I have moved test #10 (sections 8.6-8.8) from March 24 to March 31 to provide everyone with more time to internalize the concepts in these sections and to gain an extra day of in-class review.
Updated March and April calendars.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Test #9 last minute suggestions

From class today ...
http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/test9-2011-lastminute.pdf

It looks like the test will be 20 questions with 10 questions using the series convergence/divergence "codes."

Good luck in your test preparation.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Class competition

Here are all of the questions and answers from the competition today:
http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/chpt8-game.pdf
Please note that there are questions that we did not have time to try during class - all of these questions are good for review.  You are welcome to ask about any of these problem or any other questions/topics Wednesday during class.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Friday, March 4, 2011

Taylor series and polynomials

This weekend, please work on the 8.7 HW p. 683 #1-13 odds, 15, 17, 21, 25ab, 29, 31, 53 AND on the sample test #9 problems.  Our focus on Monday will be on the sample test problems with groups sharing solutions:

1 - #1,18
2 - #2,17
3 - #3,8,16
4 - #4,15
5 - #5,14
6 - #6,12,13
7 - #7,11
8 - #9,10

A nice overview of Taylor series and polynomials can be found in videos #54 (skip slides 6-9) and #55 (slides 5, 6, 11 have (interesting) theory that AP does not require) on the UH site: http://online.math.uh.edu/HoustonACT/videocalculus/index.html
You'll need Quicktime to view these and they do not stream, so they take a while to load.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

March

I have updated our March calendar since we will need more time with 8.7 this week than I had originally planned.  http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/apcalendars/ap1103.pdf.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Class updates

  • Solutions are available for the 8.5 HW that you recently submitted: http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/8-5_hw.PDF
  • Please spend some time this weekend working on the 8.6 Power Series HW p. 670 #1-31 odds
  • I will be attending IB Math training Sunday, February 27 through Tuesday, March 1.  Thank you, in advance, for your cooperation while I am off-campus.
    • On Monday, you will be working in your groups on some "8.6 type" problems - this will be an in-class activity on a handout that will be collected at the end of the period.  If you spend some time this weekend trying the 8.6 HW, this will be a reasonable task to complete during class.
    • On Tuesday we are on Testing Schedule A due to TAKS ELA testing (http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/bells2010-11.pdf).  You will be given a set of sample questions for test #9 to start during the 17 minute class period.  Remember, test #9 will be on March 10 following three days of in-class review activities on March 7-9.  Check the calendars for details: http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/apcalendars
  • Lastly, I would like to again draw your attention to the UH calculus videos for extra help.  Videos #47-55 pertain to our chapter 8 with video #53 including topics from section 8.6.  http://online.math.uh.edu/HoustonACT/videocalculus
Have a great weekend.  I'll see you on Wednesday!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

8.3 The Integral Test

If you have 14 minutes, please view the UH video on the integral test.  It takes a long time to load (the video does not stream) ... if one format does not work, try the other.  It's #50 in the list:
http://online.math.uh.edu/HoustonACT/videocalculus/index.html.  The video includes "p-series" (on slides 2 and 3) which we did not have time to discuss formally on Friday.

Remember that groups are to prepare and share solutions on Monday (all from section 8.3):
1 - #51
2 - #3, 49
3 - #25
4 - #21
5 - #15
6 - #13
7 - #9
8 - #1, 47

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Test #8 and gradespeed

If you are waiting for your test grade from today, it'll be just a little longer.  I have graded periods 1-3 and I am about to start period 4.  I see no reason why I won't be able to post grades sometime tonight. 

If you happened to notice your average in gradespeed change today for no reason (the wrong average, in fact), a setting was changed that caused this.  It seems that it may have happened to many teachers (especially if they use total points like I do).  Let your other teachers know if you notice this for their classes.  Everything should be correct now for your calculus grades.

Final words about test #8

I hope you are resting and not reading this!  However, if you do see this before the test, I have finished the test and there will, in fact, be just 8 multiple choice questions.  Watch the time you use on the multiple choice - aim for 15 minutes (no more than 20 minutes).  You'll want to have at least 30 minutes for the free response questions.  There is a 3 point bonus question.

Good luck!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Test #8 last minute info

Multiple Choice Questions 
  • Logistic Growth (about 3 questions)
  • Solve a separable differential equation and find a particular solution
  • Given graphs of solutions, select the correct differential equation
  • Euler’s method (non-standard)
  • Fundamental Growth Model
    • Population growth
    • Continuously compounded interest
    • Half-life (decay model)
  • Newton’s Law of Cooling
  • Given slope field, select the correct differential equation
  • Determine domain and range for a particular solution to a differential equ.

 Free Response Questions
  • Graph a slope field
  • Describe points in the xy-plane that meet a certain restriction
  • Find unknown constants in a solution to the differential equation
  • Euler’s method (standard)
  • Solve a separable differential equation and find a particular solution
    • Consider restrictions on x and y (i.e., domain and range)

About 10 multiple choice

  • 50% of test score
  • 2 minutes each
  • About 20 minutes

About 3 free response (with multiple parts) 
  • 50% of test score
  • About 20 “AP style” points
  • About 30 minutes

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Test #8 sample solutions

Multiple choice answers and free response solutions:
http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/chpt7sample-solutions-2011.pdf

Please note: there were 8 MC questions worth 50% of the test (i.e., 6.25 points each) and there were 20 "AP style" free response points worth 50% of the test (i.e., each point indicated on the test was worth 2.5 points for the 100 point test).

Good luck preparing for the test.  Please be ready with additional questions for class tomorrow and consider attending the lunch tutorial for each help.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Reminders

  1. Group solutions on Monday:
    1. 8.1 #15, 21
    2. 8.1 #37
    3. 8.1 #39
    4. 8.2 #7
    5. 8.2 #19
    6. 8.2 #27
    7. 8.2 #35
    8. 8.2 #48
  2. Test #7 corrections are due on Monday (extended from last Thursday) by the end of lunch
    1. remember to follow these instructions: http://apcalcbc.blogspot.com/2011/01/important-information-about-test-7.html
  3. Test #8 review during class Tuesday and Wednesday - work on the sample test problems
  4. Test #8 on Thursday!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Weather alert

In case you have not heard, HISD has issued a weather alert.

As of this time, school is scheduled to start at the normal time on Thursday morning.  Be sure to check the status in the morning before leaving your house and to make arrangements in case school is dismissed early.

AP exam registration due Feb 4!

Please remember to turn in your AP exam registration form no later than February 4. 
Forms are available in the main office.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Important information about Test #7

Please follow these instructions carefully:
  • All tests (and corrections, if applicable) must be returned by Thursday, February 3 by the end of lunch
  • Questions about the test can be answered during lunch Jan 31 – Feb 3
  • If your raw score (before the curve) is < 90, then test corrections are mandatory
  • If your raw score is < 70, then
    • you must attend lunch tutorials at least one day (Jan 31 – Feb 3) to work on test corrections
    • you must see Mr. Mazzoni during lunch or send an email to address the following:
      • the reasons your score was low
      • what you will do to prevent low scores on the four remaining class tests and on the AP exam
      • your commitment to staying in BC or if moving to AB would be a better match for you
  • If your raw score is 90 or higher, then test corrections are optional 

Chapter 7 group solutions

Group solutions from January 28 have been scanned and posted online:
http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/index.htm

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Test #7

Grades have been posted for Test #7.  The integration techniques on this test are challenging and many of you clearly put in a lot of time and effort and earned excellent scores.  In fact, 64% earned an A or B before the curve!  On the other hand, 27% of students earned an F before the curve.  The curve was 30% of the points lost which resulted in an average curve of 6.5 points.  More details will be shared when the test is returned tomorrow.

Chapter 7 groups solutions

Group solutions from January 25 have been scanned and posted online:
http://www.bellaire.org/mazzoni/apcalc/notes/index.htm

Monday, January 24, 2011

Important updates

The January and February calendars have been updated to reflect recent changes. 

For group solution presentations on Tuesday, January 25, all problems from the chapter 7 packet will be displayed using the document camera and shared during class.  All textbook problems will be written on a handout I will provide on Tuesday and we will share as many as possible during class - the rest will be scanned and made available online.  Make sure you are ready with solutions when you arrive to class!

I have finished grading about 1/2 of your tests, but I am finding it difficult to grade these for any lengthy period of time without taking a break - it is simply too frustrating.  All of the papers I have graded except one are 80 or higher (most of these are 90 or higher) or less than 70 (many of these are very low).  The grades so far range from 102 to 14.  I will have comments to share during class and individually with some of you when I return the tests.  In the mean time, pay attention during class and do your homework!  Clearly, quite a few of you did not do this during the two weeks we studied chapter 6 topics.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Test #7 this Thursday

The first two weeks of class this semester have flown by!  I hope you are making progress toward the chapter 6 test on Thursday, January 20.  I suggest you do the following to prepare for this test:
  1. complete daily homework for sections 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, and 6.6 (January calendar)
  2. try the 14 provided sample test questions (answers)
    • please email me if you think there are any errors with these answers
  3. try extra textbook problems as indicated on the test outline
  4. attend lunch tutorials on Tuesday and/or Wednesday
  5. be prepared to ask questions on Wednesday during class
The test #7 format will be similar to the sample test and will also have approximately 14 questions.  Be prepared to provide neat and detailed work for free response questions.  Correct answers without supporting work will not be awarded points.

See you tomorrow!