BC CALCULUS Jocelyn Bixler (jbixler@eanesisd.

net)
Class Information..(syllabus is on my website)
HW 10% . . . QUIZZES 20% . . . TESTS 70%
I.

Lessons:
a. I give notes daily . . . you should be able to ask your student to show you what we
studied each day. My notes include explanations and examples of the categories of
problems I expect them to be able to do.
b. If a student does not take my notes, they may not ask me questions. Typically, they are
fine during the lessons, but 10 days later on the test review day, they want to be re-taught
all the material. If they have notes, they can go over it on their own and only have a few
topics that need to be refreshed. ***I want to help any student that needs help . . . but
they have to show me theyre meeting me half way.

II.

Homework:
a. Assignments are given most days. I do not believe in loading a student down with
unnecessary homework problems nor do I assign busy work.
b. I prefer to give the kids some time to start homework in class so they can ask me
questions. (This is not always possible in upper level math.)
c. I do accept 2 late hws a grading period. These will have a 1 in the gradebook
initially. They may turn it in by the accompanying test for a 90. I also drop 2
homework grades at the end of each grading period if the student has less than 3 tardies
and no unexcused absences

III.

Absences:
a. If a student is absent, they are to get the notes and assignment(s) they miss on the day
they return. (I try to email this to them the day they are absent.)
b. They have one day for each day absent . . . ex: absent on Monday, get notes/assignment
on Tuesday and turn it in on Wednesday (along with Tuesdays assignment).
c. I DO NOT REMIND KIDS TO GET MAKE-UP WORK!! THAT IS THEIR
RESPONSIBILITY . . . CRYING WONT HELP WHEN THEY REALIZE TWO
WEEKS LATER THAT THEY HAVE A ZERO IN THE GRADE BOOK!
d. IF ABSENT ON A TEST (OR QUIZ) DAY . . . THE STUDENT WILL TAKE THE
TEST ON THE DAY THEY RETURN FOR FULL CREDIT.

IV.

Tutoring:
a. I want to help any kid that needs extra guidance.
b. They need to talk to me (as early as possible) to arrange a time that will work for both of
us. Im typically ready to tutor around 7:30 in the morning.

V.

Tests/Quizzes:
a. I do not give pop quizzes . . . I want them to be prepared.
b. Quizzes cover anything that Ive said during the lesson, assigned for homework, or
thought about during class (j/k on the last one! )
c. Quizzes/tests usually contain a majority of AP questions and are cumulative. I do give
partial credit on everything as long as they show work.
d. Most test material is covered on the notes, examples, or homework worksheets. Students
MUST ask questions on anything they do not understand.

PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS/CONCERNS YOU MAY HAVE!!!

jbixler@eanesisd.net

BC CALCULUS COVERS THE FOLLOWING BROAD TOPICS WITH ALGEBRAIC

AND TRANSENDENTAL (non-algebraic) FUNCTIONS:
1. Limits and Their Properties
2. Differentiation and Their Properties
3. Applications of Derivatives:
a. Extrema
b. 1st and 2nd Derivative Tests
c. Curve Sketching
d. Newtons Method
e. Differentials
4. Riemann Sums
5. Definite Integration
6. Indefinite Integration
a. 1st and 2nd Fundamental Theorems of Calculus
b. U-Substitution
7. Applications of Integration
a. Area Between 2 Curves
b. Volume (Disk/Washer/Shell Methods)
c. Arc Length/Surface of Revolution
8. Integration Techniques
a. Basic Rules
b. Integration by Parts
c. Trigonometric Integrals
d. Trigonometric Substitution
e. Partial Fractions Method
f. Indeterminate Forms/LHopitals Rule
g. Improper Integrals
9. Infinite Series
a. Sequences
b. Series and Convergence
c. All Tests for Convergence
d. Taylor Polynomials and Approximations
e. Power Series
f. Taylor and Maclaurin Series
10. Conics, Parametric Equations, and Polar Coordinates

http://research.collegeboard.org/sites/default/files/publications/2013/7/researchreport-2013-2validating-AP-exam-scores-college-course-placement.pdf

WHS BC CALCULUS
AP EXAMS
2015

BC CALCULUS

WHS

GLOBALLY

# STUDENTS
Avg Score
% Passed
% Top Score

168
4.3
91%
64%

120,000
3.7
78%
44%

BC CALCULUS

WHS

GLOBALLY

# STUDENTS
Avg Score
% Passed
% Top Score

110
4.5
96%
66%

93,202
3.7
82%
48%

2014

These results could be skewed if we only had our top students testing.
Last year, EVERY student tested with the exception of one. Research
shows that sitting through and AP class in high school and taking the test
improves performance in college
(http://collegeready.rice.edu/ap-and-college-readiness). This is true no
matter what grade they make on the AP test.

Source: National Center for Educational Accountability

file:///C:/Users/EISD/Downloads/10-relationship_between_ap_and_college_graduation_02-09-06.pdf