Welcome to AB Calculus with Cathy Eagen. I am excited to be teaching for my 25th year and students will soon discover I am a math-enthusiast who views math as elegant, beautiful and useful in our world! I hope you will embrace the journey we undertake this year in Calculus, which in a nutshell, is the study of how things change instantaneously.
NOTE: I am thrilled to be working with Brian Geisinger as his Calculus mentor and we will team-teach during period 2. So to all of our students in period 2: you are getting the best 2-for-1 deal in town!
To students in Period 2 and 3: it'll be just you and me.
In either case: Get excited!!! I hope you are ready!! Calculus is awesome and we're going to have fun learning together. I'm not only looking forward to teaching you but also learning from you. Thanks for showing up.
CONTACT INFO:
Cathy Eagen may be contacted by e-mail: [email protected]
Students and Parents may use this link to find the AB Calculus 2017 Syllabus
Students and Parents: please confirm that you have read the syllabus by completing this form.
Syllabus Confirmation Form
Students: please confirm your textbook number and its condition at check out by completing this form.
Textbook Confirmation Form
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ messages moved from home page are below ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
moved from home page on 20 January 2018
New Message : Q&A about the semester exam and review for the exam 22 December 2017
Semester Exam Schedule & MC Reviews to be completed during winter break are on the ABOUT page.
1) The semester exam will not be scaled or curved. Your score on the exam will reflect your current understanding of
AB Calculus material.
2) There are no test corrections for the semester exam.
3) As a means of encouragement for you to complete the reviews and to take the reviews seriously;
i) For every question you answer correctly you will earn 1/10 of a point toward your semester exam score with the possibility
of earning a maximum of 6.7 points toward your semester exam.
ii) To earn these points, complete the semester exam questions on separate paper and show work as if they were free response
questions. A correct answer in google form without supporting evidence of your work on paper counts as a BALD ANSWER in
the eyes of the AP grader. Bald Answers earn zero points. So show your work and earn your points.
iii) Your written work on the semester exam review will be due on TUESDAY 16 JANUARY, the day of before part 2 of your exam.
iv) No late work will be accepted after TUESDAY 16 JANUARY.
v) Your multiple choice answers are due in the google form by the suggested due date posted. Links to Google forms will be
deactivated TUESDAY 16 JANUARY.
New Message 15 December, 2017
See the ABOUT page for VIDEOS from Colorado Education Initiative + National Math & Science Initiative provided for Legacy Schools to help you master AP Calculus material.
moved from HOME page 5 December 2017
HOMEWORK POLICY UPDATE: Policy effective: 9 November 2017 (Unit 3 Test date)
THANK YOU to those students who listen and follow the directions regarding HW. I appreciate your maturity, attention to detail and your ability to hold yourself accountable to the standards set for all students. I commend you!!!
Because some students have chosen to disrespect the homework protocol as stated in verbal directions, I will clarify it for everyone in writing.
When should I HW be completed? You should do your HW daily in order to become fluent in the skills, processes and strategies we will use in Calculus to solve problems and to learn how to communicate your understanding.
What does Eagen expect to see on each HW assignment?
HW should be completed in your notebook.
1) Label the beginning of each assignment with DAY # Page # and a list of the Problem #s.
2) Number each question and solve each question showing appropriate work.
3) "Appropriate Work" means clearly communicating the process that leads to the solution. If you think it in your head, write it down. The AP reader will not assume you know anything just because you can get the correct answer. So compare your solution to the posted answers. Are you showing enough work? If not show more! Bald Answers = ZERO credit on the AP Exam.
Where can I check HW Answers?
HW answers are posted on the website for every HW assignment.
So does that mean I do not have to do HW? -- after all the answers are posted!
Mature & responsible students (who are actually interested in learning for understanding because they just like to learn or because when they go to college they may actually need to know enough math to successfully complete college Calculus I, II & maybe even III to earn a degree in a STEM field) will use the posted HW answers to their advantage.
How? By:
1) Checking their work for correctness.
2) Taking note of the way answers are organized.
3) Learning to communicate their solution efficiently and sufficiently.
4) Recognizing an incorrect step in their process.
5) Asking good questions about misunderstandings.
6) Verifying the steps in the process.
7) Improving their algebra skills.
When is HW due? All homework is due on the day of the unit test. (This is not the first time you are hearing this instruction, is it?)
If you happen to forget all of your HW on your desk where you were studying the night before, you have not stepped up to the plate as a Calculus student.
What if my HW is not turned in on test day?
HW submitted after test day may be turned in one day late at 50% credit. Two days at late 0% credit.
How is HW graded?
HW is graded on completion.
So if all else fails, like a slimy leech, you may suck every single one of MY HW answers off the website from MY answer keys.
Will you get a good HW grade? Yes.
Will you learn Calculus with a deep understanding? NO.
Might you learn something? YES... how to copy answers really well.
The choice is yours. Those who make wise choices will be successful. Those who do not will continue to find that Calculus is too hard and tests are too hard. You may feel defeated because you are always three or more steps behind. Again these are choices that you make to either engage in learning for understanding or take short cuts that do not serve you well. You are in the De'river seat on this AP Calculus journey. You have control over your actions. Make wise choices and you will be successful.
moved from HOME page 11 November 2017
YOUR TICKET TO SUCCESS - TOP 10 Strategies for Success in Calculus 27 Oct 2017
Are you saying to yourself:
"The 1st Quarter is finished and I am not doing as well as I would like. What should be doing to achieve my Calculus goals?"
1) THINK CRITICALLY by engaging with material in such a way that you make connections between concepts and can draw conclusions. Problems that we solve in Calculus will require processes involving many steps and you have to know which way to go when not explicitly told.
2) READ CRITICALLY by pulling apart the written words and connecting them to concepts, strategies and processes necessary to reach the solution. Again, the path you take to solve a problem is your responsibility and not always explicitly shown to you. But as we do more problems you should start to recognize what direction to go. Learn to recognize what questions are asking of you. Always do what is asked and be sure you answer the question that is asked.
3) MAKE BEAUTIFUL WORK: Is the work you show organized, flowing logically on your paper, well-labeled and easy to follow? Or is your work random stuff written down without a clear path from start to finish, without labels to know what expressions represent? You may have all of the necessary knowledge in your head but if you cannot communicate it in your written work, that knowledge is useless. Communication is an extremely important skill that you must master in order to be successful in Calculus. The sign of a mature Calculus brain is clear & effective mathematical communication. Step up your game if you are not making beautiful work and start making beautiful work a habit.
4) 100% ATTENDANCE for class is the easiest way to stay on top of new material. While in class you must interact with material through class notes, discussion, and group-work in such a way that you maximize your learning & understanding the first time you see the material so that future interaction with the material becomes refined, fluent, efficient and accurate. You do not want to be learning the material on your own and always in a position of digging yourself out of a hole to learn what you missed in class.
5) PRACTICE by doing HW daily and CHECK ANSWERS posted on the class website. Ask good questions of yourself, your peers and teacher. Your questions should not be "surface level" in nature but seek to connect ideas and lead to deeper understanding. "What if...?" "If we changed this what happens to that?" "Why does it work this way?" "What does this information tell me about the behavior of the function?"
6) STUDY with PEERS in order to be able to formulate thoughts and communicate ideas out loud while learning from what others have to offer in the conversation. Students who get over their belief that they are somehow not as smart as their peers, and don't want to let anyone know their weaknesses, learn so much more from interactions with their peers! These students are the smartest students because by engaging in dialogue they are growing in their understanding. Be a risk-taker and put your Calculus brain to the test by engaging in conversation. I promise you your Calculus brain will develop to be a strong machine and you will show yourself that you are the great math student you always were in past math courses. You still are definitely a strong math student otherwise you would not be in Calculus but now you have to develop in new mathematical ways to conquer the Calculus beast.
7) LUNCH HELP is available from your teachers in their classrooms. Don't be intimidated (or make excuses for not showing up) if there are few or too many students in for lunch. Many students who show up frequently become study groups, self-sufficiently working through problems and asking questions of the teacher only when needed. Sometimes students come in to work directly with the teacher and this allows the teacher to learn what is causing confusion for students and adjust their teaching. You are probably not the only student having the same trouble. Any level of my participation is available to you but you must be your own advocate! Ask questions and insist on getting your teacher's attention when there are a lot of students in for lunch, This may also be a good opportunity to find a study-buddy who you can connect with and learn from outside of class.
8) SCHOOL PEER TUTOR: It may be possible to connect you with a student who has already taken AB Calculus and is available to work with you as a peer tutor. Ask your teacher to find out if this is possible for you. Or go directly to a student who is taking BC Calculus now and ask if they will help you with your AB Calculus.
9) PRIVATE TUTOR: If you are still feeling like these suggestions are not enough to feel confident in your understanding and ability to be successful in Calculus, I encourage you, if you are able, to work with a private tutor. The advantage of a private tutor is that you can get your questions answered immediately rather than spinning your wheels when you do not understand something well enough to be productive.
10) DON'T PROCRASTINATE! TAKE ACTION now. The sooner you do, the sooner you will be on a more effective path to success and Calculus will be more fun too!
HELP ME! I need a private tutor!! ********************************************************************************9/14/17*******
HELP ME! I don't understand what I'm doing!
We invite & encourage you to stop in for additional help. Be your own advocate! And seek help immediately!
Please see Cathy Eagen at lunch any weekday or send her an e-mail asking your question.
Brian Geisinger is also available but please check in with him for a mutually convenient time.
NOTE: I am thrilled to be working with Brian Geisinger as his Calculus mentor and we will team-teach during period 2. So to all of our students in period 2: you are getting the best 2-for-1 deal in town!
To students in Period 2 and 3: it'll be just you and me.
In either case: Get excited!!! I hope you are ready!! Calculus is awesome and we're going to have fun learning together. I'm not only looking forward to teaching you but also learning from you. Thanks for showing up.
CONTACT INFO:
Cathy Eagen may be contacted by e-mail: [email protected]
Students and Parents may use this link to find the AB Calculus 2017 Syllabus
Students and Parents: please confirm that you have read the syllabus by completing this form.
Syllabus Confirmation Form
Students: please confirm your textbook number and its condition at check out by completing this form.
Textbook Confirmation Form
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ messages moved from home page are below ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
moved from home page on 20 January 2018
New Message : Q&A about the semester exam and review for the exam 22 December 2017
Semester Exam Schedule & MC Reviews to be completed during winter break are on the ABOUT page.
1) The semester exam will not be scaled or curved. Your score on the exam will reflect your current understanding of
AB Calculus material.
2) There are no test corrections for the semester exam.
3) As a means of encouragement for you to complete the reviews and to take the reviews seriously;
i) For every question you answer correctly you will earn 1/10 of a point toward your semester exam score with the possibility
of earning a maximum of 6.7 points toward your semester exam.
ii) To earn these points, complete the semester exam questions on separate paper and show work as if they were free response
questions. A correct answer in google form without supporting evidence of your work on paper counts as a BALD ANSWER in
the eyes of the AP grader. Bald Answers earn zero points. So show your work and earn your points.
iii) Your written work on the semester exam review will be due on TUESDAY 16 JANUARY, the day of before part 2 of your exam.
iv) No late work will be accepted after TUESDAY 16 JANUARY.
v) Your multiple choice answers are due in the google form by the suggested due date posted. Links to Google forms will be
deactivated TUESDAY 16 JANUARY.
New Message 15 December, 2017
See the ABOUT page for VIDEOS from Colorado Education Initiative + National Math & Science Initiative provided for Legacy Schools to help you master AP Calculus material.
moved from HOME page 5 December 2017
HOMEWORK POLICY UPDATE: Policy effective: 9 November 2017 (Unit 3 Test date)
THANK YOU to those students who listen and follow the directions regarding HW. I appreciate your maturity, attention to detail and your ability to hold yourself accountable to the standards set for all students. I commend you!!!
Because some students have chosen to disrespect the homework protocol as stated in verbal directions, I will clarify it for everyone in writing.
When should I HW be completed? You should do your HW daily in order to become fluent in the skills, processes and strategies we will use in Calculus to solve problems and to learn how to communicate your understanding.
What does Eagen expect to see on each HW assignment?
HW should be completed in your notebook.
1) Label the beginning of each assignment with DAY # Page # and a list of the Problem #s.
2) Number each question and solve each question showing appropriate work.
3) "Appropriate Work" means clearly communicating the process that leads to the solution. If you think it in your head, write it down. The AP reader will not assume you know anything just because you can get the correct answer. So compare your solution to the posted answers. Are you showing enough work? If not show more! Bald Answers = ZERO credit on the AP Exam.
Where can I check HW Answers?
HW answers are posted on the website for every HW assignment.
So does that mean I do not have to do HW? -- after all the answers are posted!
Mature & responsible students (who are actually interested in learning for understanding because they just like to learn or because when they go to college they may actually need to know enough math to successfully complete college Calculus I, II & maybe even III to earn a degree in a STEM field) will use the posted HW answers to their advantage.
How? By:
1) Checking their work for correctness.
2) Taking note of the way answers are organized.
3) Learning to communicate their solution efficiently and sufficiently.
4) Recognizing an incorrect step in their process.
5) Asking good questions about misunderstandings.
6) Verifying the steps in the process.
7) Improving their algebra skills.
When is HW due? All homework is due on the day of the unit test. (This is not the first time you are hearing this instruction, is it?)
If you happen to forget all of your HW on your desk where you were studying the night before, you have not stepped up to the plate as a Calculus student.
What if my HW is not turned in on test day?
HW submitted after test day may be turned in one day late at 50% credit. Two days at late 0% credit.
How is HW graded?
HW is graded on completion.
So if all else fails, like a slimy leech, you may suck every single one of MY HW answers off the website from MY answer keys.
Will you get a good HW grade? Yes.
Will you learn Calculus with a deep understanding? NO.
Might you learn something? YES... how to copy answers really well.
The choice is yours. Those who make wise choices will be successful. Those who do not will continue to find that Calculus is too hard and tests are too hard. You may feel defeated because you are always three or more steps behind. Again these are choices that you make to either engage in learning for understanding or take short cuts that do not serve you well. You are in the De'river seat on this AP Calculus journey. You have control over your actions. Make wise choices and you will be successful.
moved from HOME page 11 November 2017
YOUR TICKET TO SUCCESS - TOP 10 Strategies for Success in Calculus 27 Oct 2017
Are you saying to yourself:
"The 1st Quarter is finished and I am not doing as well as I would like. What should be doing to achieve my Calculus goals?"
1) THINK CRITICALLY by engaging with material in such a way that you make connections between concepts and can draw conclusions. Problems that we solve in Calculus will require processes involving many steps and you have to know which way to go when not explicitly told.
2) READ CRITICALLY by pulling apart the written words and connecting them to concepts, strategies and processes necessary to reach the solution. Again, the path you take to solve a problem is your responsibility and not always explicitly shown to you. But as we do more problems you should start to recognize what direction to go. Learn to recognize what questions are asking of you. Always do what is asked and be sure you answer the question that is asked.
3) MAKE BEAUTIFUL WORK: Is the work you show organized, flowing logically on your paper, well-labeled and easy to follow? Or is your work random stuff written down without a clear path from start to finish, without labels to know what expressions represent? You may have all of the necessary knowledge in your head but if you cannot communicate it in your written work, that knowledge is useless. Communication is an extremely important skill that you must master in order to be successful in Calculus. The sign of a mature Calculus brain is clear & effective mathematical communication. Step up your game if you are not making beautiful work and start making beautiful work a habit.
4) 100% ATTENDANCE for class is the easiest way to stay on top of new material. While in class you must interact with material through class notes, discussion, and group-work in such a way that you maximize your learning & understanding the first time you see the material so that future interaction with the material becomes refined, fluent, efficient and accurate. You do not want to be learning the material on your own and always in a position of digging yourself out of a hole to learn what you missed in class.
5) PRACTICE by doing HW daily and CHECK ANSWERS posted on the class website. Ask good questions of yourself, your peers and teacher. Your questions should not be "surface level" in nature but seek to connect ideas and lead to deeper understanding. "What if...?" "If we changed this what happens to that?" "Why does it work this way?" "What does this information tell me about the behavior of the function?"
6) STUDY with PEERS in order to be able to formulate thoughts and communicate ideas out loud while learning from what others have to offer in the conversation. Students who get over their belief that they are somehow not as smart as their peers, and don't want to let anyone know their weaknesses, learn so much more from interactions with their peers! These students are the smartest students because by engaging in dialogue they are growing in their understanding. Be a risk-taker and put your Calculus brain to the test by engaging in conversation. I promise you your Calculus brain will develop to be a strong machine and you will show yourself that you are the great math student you always were in past math courses. You still are definitely a strong math student otherwise you would not be in Calculus but now you have to develop in new mathematical ways to conquer the Calculus beast.
7) LUNCH HELP is available from your teachers in their classrooms. Don't be intimidated (or make excuses for not showing up) if there are few or too many students in for lunch. Many students who show up frequently become study groups, self-sufficiently working through problems and asking questions of the teacher only when needed. Sometimes students come in to work directly with the teacher and this allows the teacher to learn what is causing confusion for students and adjust their teaching. You are probably not the only student having the same trouble. Any level of my participation is available to you but you must be your own advocate! Ask questions and insist on getting your teacher's attention when there are a lot of students in for lunch, This may also be a good opportunity to find a study-buddy who you can connect with and learn from outside of class.
8) SCHOOL PEER TUTOR: It may be possible to connect you with a student who has already taken AB Calculus and is available to work with you as a peer tutor. Ask your teacher to find out if this is possible for you. Or go directly to a student who is taking BC Calculus now and ask if they will help you with your AB Calculus.
9) PRIVATE TUTOR: If you are still feeling like these suggestions are not enough to feel confident in your understanding and ability to be successful in Calculus, I encourage you, if you are able, to work with a private tutor. The advantage of a private tutor is that you can get your questions answered immediately rather than spinning your wheels when you do not understand something well enough to be productive.
10) DON'T PROCRASTINATE! TAKE ACTION now. The sooner you do, the sooner you will be on a more effective path to success and Calculus will be more fun too!
HELP ME! I need a private tutor!! ********************************************************************************9/14/17*******
HELP ME! I don't understand what I'm doing!
We invite & encourage you to stop in for additional help. Be your own advocate! And seek help immediately!
Please see Cathy Eagen at lunch any weekday or send her an e-mail asking your question.
Brian Geisinger is also available but please check in with him for a mutually convenient time.