From: Ed.Kwasniewski@f240.n353.z1.fidonet.org (Ed Kwasniewski)
Newsgroups: k12.ed.math
Subject: AP CALCULUS
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 92 21:34:00 PST
Organization: FidoNet node 1:353/240 - The Polish Connecti, Westbank BC

Hello Sheila ... 
 
On 08-14-92 Sheila King wrote to All... 
 
SK> Hello and HELP! 
 
I'm not an expert but have taught the AB course for a couple of years. 
 
SK> I have before seen a list of the course curriculumn. I do not have it 
SK> at my fingertips right now (My dept. head has it). However, I do expect 
SK> to be getting it within the next week or so. I also plan to write to  
SK> the college boards for copies of old exams (again, I need the adress  
SK> and order form, that my dept. head has...). 


Make sure it is the May 1993 - May 1994 AP Course Description.  There 
have been some changes from previous years!  The most interesting is 
that starting in May 1993 the exam will contain questions a scientific 
calculator (nongraphing, nonprogrammable) is necessary for.  It'll mean 
that some areas will have to be taught using a slightly different 
emphasis. 
 
As well, you'll find that in the center of the course description is an 
Order form.  It lists all the presently available publications (with 
prices).  The 93/94 version has all that are available whereas older 
versions may not. 
 
SK> My main concern is, of course, that I prepare the students adequately 
SK> to pass the exam. 
 
Although I hate saying this (Multiple choice questions and I don't get 
along) give your students as much exposure as possible to the AP 
multiple choice questions.  The questions are a little more 'significant' 
than the students may be used to and if they have not been exposed to them 
your students will find they are at a definite disadvantage. 
 
Another good source of questions (MC and written response) is BARRON'S (How 
to Prepare for the Advanced Placement Examination) AP Math Calculus AB and 
Calculus BC, 3rd Edition .... ISBN 0.8120-3876-2.  It's available at most 
(good) bookstores or from: 
 
   Barron's Educational Series, INC. 
   250 Wireless Blvd. 
   Hauppauge, NY  11788 
 
AND get some good reference texts.  I use Roland E. Larson's (R.P. 
Hostetler and B.H. Edwards, Calculus with Analytic Geometry, 4th ed., 
D.C. Heath & Co. ... ISBN 0-669-16406-2) text basically because of the 
great number and quality of worked examples.  The students have been 
very positive about it! 
 
SK> I have heard that AP Caculus is a "different" type of course to teach. 
SK> that it is not exactly the same as a university Caculus course. Having 
SK> at one time read the list of curriculumn topics covered on the exam, I 
SK> find this comment confusing, since it seemed like first year 
SK> university Calculus to me. 
 
The AP courses ARE first year college work.  Let's see how they (da 
Board) word it - "An Advanced Placement course in mathematics consists

of a full year of work in calculus and related topics comparable to 
courses in colleges and universities."  The course though is less 
theoretical than the students might see at a college/university.  Somewhat 
later in the course description they say - "Calculus AB is primarily 
concerned with an intuitive understanding of the concepts of calculus 
and experience with its methods and applications.  Use of the word 
"intuitive" is not meant to suggest a reduction of either clarity of 
concept or precession of expression.  Rather, it attempts to distinguish 
between a calculus course that emphasizes precise proofs of all theorems 
- rigour in the formal sense - and a calculus that states definitions 
and theorems correctly but defers some proofs until later." 
 
If my first year calculus teacher (a world renowned Topologist who we 
called Dr. Death) saw how I deal with some of his favorite proofs ... well 
... best not to think about it since the poor man must be in his late 
60's or so! 
 
One final thing ... find out from your regional College Board office (I 
believe you're in California ... Linda Daters, Director, Suite 480, 2099 
Gateway Place, San Jose, California 95110-1017, (408)452-1400) when the 
next AP conference will be in your area.  They are (usually) a one day 
session in the course of your choice and are well worth your time.  The 
sessions are presented by teachers who have good experience in the 
courses.  They always come prepared with a lot of hands on material and 
solid practical suggestions for your classroom. 
 
Hmmm ... rather long winded of me!  If I can answer any specific 
questions please yell. 
 
Cheers ... Ed 
 
... OFFLINE 1.40 * ebius tagline. This is a moebius tagline. This is a mo 


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