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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Mathematics SL is the middle level exam offered by the IB. It
is a two year course, with IB Precalculus serving as the first
year and either AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC serving as the
second year. Students enrolled in IB Precalculus as 11th graders
are expected to take one of the AP Calculus courses their senior
year to complete all objectives necessary for the Math SL exam.
The actual IB Mathematics SL exam will be taken in May of 2009.
Major topics covered in IB Precalculus include Trigonometry, Statistics
and Probability, Vectors, Parametric Equations, Discrete Math,
Exponential Functions, Logarithmic Functions, Rational Functions,
and the Polar Coordinate System.
GRADE CALCULATION:
Grades will be calculated based on a cumulative point system.
- Quizzes can range
from 20-40 points. Tests can range from 50-100 points. I use
the terms ‘quizzes’ and ‘tests’ loosely
– don’t worry, I will let you know how long each
assessment will be.
- Being absent the
day before a test or quiz does not excuse you from taking the
test on the originally scheduled day.
- Tests and quizzes
missed due to excused absences must be made up the first day
you are back in school at lunch or after school.
- There will be
an internal assessment portfolio task assigned each semester
worth 30 points. This is conditional on the tasks arriving from
IBO. If they don’t arrive until 2nd semester, we will
do both of them 2nd semester.
- Reassessment:
- Tests are
not eligible for reassessment.
- In order to
reassess a quiz, a student must make corrections to their
original quiz on a separate piece of paper. These corrections
should include a written explanation of what was done incorrectly
and how the mistakes were fixed. Before taking the reassessment,
it is recommended that the student seek additional help
from their teacher and/or TAP.
- The reassessment
grade will replace the original quiz grade.
Note: Due to the cumulative
nature of this course, any student earning a 1st quarter grade
of a “C”, a 2nd quarter grade of an “E”,
and an “E” on the final exam will receive an “E”
for their final semester grade.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
For homework, notes, etc, you must keep a notebook. I recommend
a 3 ring binder, but you are free to choose whatever fits your
personal organizational style. I highly recommend you keep all
formal assessments in a safe place, i.e. a separate folder at
home, once they have been returned to you. They will be an invaluable
resource when reviewing for the final and IB exam. Everyday you
are required to have a graphing calculator, notebook, straightedge,
and blue/black pens (IB exams must be written
in blue or black ink).
A separate one-inch
binder is required to hold IB practice exams. We will spend time
throughout the second semester working on past exams, with an
exception of the questions dealing with calculus. I will store
your binder here over the summer. We will meet periodically during
TAP at your convenience next year to review for the exam.
While not required,
I recommend you buy a TI graph link cord. It will be a valuable
tool for producing, and eventually printing, graphs for your internal
assessment portfolio tasks. I have a limited number available
for you to borrow. Rather then try to drive yourself crazy and
waste time with Excel, it is significantly easier to screen capture
off your graphing calculator.
INTERNAL ASSESSMENT
DUE DATES:
While you will not take your IB Math SL exam until after you complete
a year of Calculus, the internal assessment will be completed
during the first year of the course. The internal assessment is
a portfolio composed of two tasks: a mathematical investigation
and a mathematical modeling project. We will complete one task
each semester. There is *no excuse* for missing a task’s
deadline. If you’re sick, fax it to the main office or have
a parent, sibling, or trusted friend bring it in. But if I don’t
have the task by the time the late bell rings for your class period,
it will be considered late and substantial points will be taken
off.
OUTLINE OF
TOPICS:
First Semester:
• Trigonometric Functions and Identities (IB Topic 3, MCPS
Honors Precalculus Units 2 & 3)
• Statistics and Probability (IB Topic 6, MCPS Honors Precalculus
Unit 7)
Second Semester:
• Vectors and Parametric Equations (IB Topic 5, MCPS Honors
Precalculus Unit 6)
• Polar Coordinate System (MCPS Honors Precalculus Unit
6)
• Discrete Math (IB Topic 1, MCPS Honors Precalculus Unit
7)
• Rational, Exponential, and Logarithmic Functions (IB Topic
2, MCPS Honors Precalculus Units 4 & 5)
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
This applies to both written work and oral presentations. Examples
of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, the following:
the willful giving or receiving of an unauthorized text, unfair,
dishonest, or unscrupulous advantage in academic work over other
students using fraud, duress, deception, theft, trickery, talking,
signs, gestures, copying, or any other methodology. Taken from
Article 14 of the Vade Mecum: Procedures Manual for IB Coordinators
and Teacher: Teachers are expected to try to ensure that work
submitted by a candidate for assessment is the candidate’s
own work and to report any cases of suspected malpractice by candidates
to the IB Coordinator.
CONTACTS OUTSIDE
OF SCHOOL:
Name: _____________________________________
Phone Number: ______________________
Name: _____________________________________
Phone Number: ______________________
Name: _____________________________________
Phone Number: ______________________
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