Dear Students,
Elizabeth found a nice website here that has some detailed examples of u-substitution and integration of trig functions.
David like the Brightstorm video of Approximating Area for Riemann Sums.
Daniel viewed this Brightstorm video on u-substitution with integrals with radicals.
Conor liked this Birghtstorm video that included finding the average value of a function.
Chris found this U-Tube video for Trapezoidal Approximations and this website for reinforcement of the Trap Rule.
Khalid found this great website from Visual Calculus that has practice problems on u-substitution you can work and get immediate feedback on them.
Mrs. Guthrie
Friday, December 31, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Blog #11 Review of Integration
We have covered the following topics of Integration:
- Integration as Area
- Riemann Sums, Trapezoidal Sums
- Indefinite Integration
- Definite Integration
- Integration of Trigonometric Functions
- The Fundamental Thm of Calculus & The Second Fundamental Thm of Calculus
- Integration by Substitution (Indefinite & Definite Integrals)
1. Which of these topics do you feel most confident with? Why do you think you understand/perform so well?
2. Which of these topics do you feel lease confident with? Why do you think you have trouble?
3. Find one or two resources (websites, links, videos, textbook pages, notes, etc.) that covers one (or more) of your "least confident" topics you mentioned in #2. Please take some time to review these resources as our Unit 4 Test is this week.
Blog #11 is due Thursday 12/16 @ 11:59 pm. However, please try to complete this before our Unit 4 Test as an additional form of review.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Blog #10 What Inspires You?
Dear AP Calculus Students,
I'm interested in knowing what inspires you. Your assignment for this week is to share one (or two) things that inspire you. These may be quotes, pictures, videos, stories, etc.
Feel free to be creative with your post, and please be thoughtful. :) Due Friday 12.10.10 @ 11:59pm.
And to start, I'd like to share one of my inspirations:
Okay... so I chose an education quote. Surprise, surprise. I stumbled across Mandela's statement several years ago, and as I read it, I felt something inside of me move. It was saying, "Yeah! Preach it Nelson!" Granted, Mandela was likely describing the education of children in South Africa, but I can only assume that he would feel the same for all children/people. This notion, my bright AP Calculus students, is not only what challenges me to continue to pursue education as a profession, but it also encourages me to never stop being a student.
I think I've mentioned before that I consider myself a life long learner. I love learning. Yes. I just said that. I love learning. I love knowing I have walked away from a class, a book, a video knowing more than I did before. I love it when I have those "Aha!" moments.
The more I learn about the world (calculus included), the more open I am to other view points, the more empowered I feel to believe in a movement, the more I know how my knowledge can help others. The more I learn, the more questions I have... which may lead to frustration or annoyance, but questions none the less.
All in all, the words of this peace activist have inspired me to never take my education for granted.
Mrs. Guthrie
I'm interested in knowing what inspires you. Your assignment for this week is to share one (or two) things that inspire you. These may be quotes, pictures, videos, stories, etc.
Feel free to be creative with your post, and please be thoughtful. :) Due Friday 12.10.10 @ 11:59pm.
And to start, I'd like to share one of my inspirations:
"Education is one of the most powerful weapons with which you can use to change the world." -Nelson Mandela
Click here to watch a short video regarding education and school in Africa (via UNICEF and the Nelson Mandela Foundation).
Click here to watch a short video regarding education and school in Africa (via UNICEF and the Nelson Mandela Foundation).
Okay... so I chose an education quote. Surprise, surprise. I stumbled across Mandela's statement several years ago, and as I read it, I felt something inside of me move. It was saying, "Yeah! Preach it Nelson!" Granted, Mandela was likely describing the education of children in South Africa, but I can only assume that he would feel the same for all children/people. This notion, my bright AP Calculus students, is not only what challenges me to continue to pursue education as a profession, but it also encourages me to never stop being a student.
I think I've mentioned before that I consider myself a life long learner. I love learning. Yes. I just said that. I love learning. I love knowing I have walked away from a class, a book, a video knowing more than I did before. I love it when I have those "Aha!" moments.
The more I learn about the world (calculus included), the more open I am to other view points, the more empowered I feel to believe in a movement, the more I know how my knowledge can help others. The more I learn, the more questions I have... which may lead to frustration or annoyance, but questions none the less.
All in all, the words of this peace activist have inspired me to never take my education for granted.
Mrs. Guthrie
Monday, November 29, 2010
Blog # 9 Feedback
Visit Blog #9 Feedback Survey and answer each question regarding your take on our AP Calculus class.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Blog #8 Thanksgiving
Due Monday 11/29 @ 11:59 pm.
I'm sure you expected to have a blog assignment where you were required to "reflect on what you are thankful for"... this being the week of Thanksgiving and all...
This weekend, I attended the lighting of the downtown Pineville Tree. I had visited the yarn shop right across the street right before the event, to purchase some yarn to make Christmas presents with. So standing at the tree, with my hot chocolate warming my hands and the excitement of two new skeins of yearn (yes... I get excited about yarn), a woman from Pineville shared a quick reflection. In her reflection, she told of a few families in the community that were going through some difficult times, and the children of the family were left without the many luxuries most children have.
For example, a little girl's Christmas Wish List was, "a book, an apple, and a chocolate bar". The simplicity of her requests blew me away. These are the top three things a little child in our community wishes she had for the holidays.
This week, I would like to extend the opportunity for us all to reflect not only on what we are thankful for, but perhaps how we can "give" to others this holiday season. There are many definitions for "giving". Giving can come in many shapes and sizes.
I would like for you to think of just one "thing" that you can give someone over the next few weeks. This someone may be someone you know, someone you're close to, someone you don't know, or someone in your community (globally). Your "gift" can take the form of anything you'd like, and you are free to "give" it whenever you see fit. There are no restrictions, and there are no right or wrong answers here. Feel free to be as creative as you would like. There is no time limit for the gift to be given.
Please post your reflection by Monday, November 29th. And, if/when you go out of your way to "give", you are welcome to post an additional reflection whenever the time suits you. A follow up reflection is not required, but is encouraged.
So Dearest AP Calculus Students, have a very happy Thanksgiving Break.
Mrs. Guthrie
P.S. If you feel inclined to do so, I will be collecting donations for The Global Give -- an outreach created by one of my college friends. He visits a small town in Mexico each winter to share presents with children who face the struggles of poverty each and every day. Visit the website for more information.
I'm sure you expected to have a blog assignment where you were required to "reflect on what you are thankful for"... this being the week of Thanksgiving and all...
This weekend, I attended the lighting of the downtown Pineville Tree. I had visited the yarn shop right across the street right before the event, to purchase some yarn to make Christmas presents with. So standing at the tree, with my hot chocolate warming my hands and the excitement of two new skeins of yearn (yes... I get excited about yarn), a woman from Pineville shared a quick reflection. In her reflection, she told of a few families in the community that were going through some difficult times, and the children of the family were left without the many luxuries most children have.
For example, a little girl's Christmas Wish List was, "a book, an apple, and a chocolate bar". The simplicity of her requests blew me away. These are the top three things a little child in our community wishes she had for the holidays.
This week, I would like to extend the opportunity for us all to reflect not only on what we are thankful for, but perhaps how we can "give" to others this holiday season. There are many definitions for "giving". Giving can come in many shapes and sizes.
I would like for you to think of just one "thing" that you can give someone over the next few weeks. This someone may be someone you know, someone you're close to, someone you don't know, or someone in your community (globally). Your "gift" can take the form of anything you'd like, and you are free to "give" it whenever you see fit. There are no restrictions, and there are no right or wrong answers here. Feel free to be as creative as you would like. There is no time limit for the gift to be given.
Please post your reflection by Monday, November 29th. And, if/when you go out of your way to "give", you are welcome to post an additional reflection whenever the time suits you. A follow up reflection is not required, but is encouraged.
So Dearest AP Calculus Students, have a very happy Thanksgiving Break.
Mrs. Guthrie
P.S. If you feel inclined to do so, I will be collecting donations for The Global Give -- an outreach created by one of my college friends. He visits a small town in Mexico each winter to share presents with children who face the struggles of poverty each and every day. Visit the website for more information.
Funny Calculus Cont.
Here's a conglomeration of your funny Calculus-isms. In no particular order...
CARTOONS
Found by Yonathan Watson
Found by Sean Willoughby
Also found by Yonathan Watson
Great comic: Location Prime. The first comic on the website.
Found by Crystelle Tape
Found by Crystelle Tape
"Hey Nerd! You should only graffiti cool stuff."
Found by Robby Broadbent
Found by Robby Broadbent
Found by Leigh Ann Philbee
Found by Conor Chambers & Matt Evangelisto
Found by Khalid Zaobi
VIDEOS
Found by Yonathan Watson
Found by David Fox & Matt Evangelisto
Found by Leigh Ann Philbee
Found by Daniel Blake
Derivin' Music Video
Found by Elizabeth Wood.
Calculus Teacher Goes Crazy. (Being silly with the Quotient Rule?)
Found by Robby Broadbent
Found by Sean Willoughby
I Don't Want to Miss A Thing (AP Calculus)... Aerosmith?
Found by Kevin Satink
The Quotient Rule Song. By two Calculus students.
Found by Elizabeth Wood
U Can't Graph This... duh nuh nuh nuh...
Found by Conor Chambers & Kevin Satink
Music Video. Calcusical. Whah whah whah.
Found by Matt Evangelisto
Found by Crystelle Tape
Music Video "We're Going to Integrate" --> This is Unit 4
Found by Khalid Zaobi
Calculus Romance. So sweet.
Found by Oksana Kosovan
MISC.
Found by Sean Willoughby
Found by Robby Broadbent
Found by Khalid Zaobi
Found by David Fox
A t-shirt image found by Leigh Ann Philbee
Found by Oksana Kosovan & Khalid Zaobi
Found by Kevin Satink
Also found by Oksana Kosovan
Found by Conor Chambers
Found by Daniel Blake
Found by Kevin Satink
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Calculus Can Be Funny
Your assignment
1. One must be a cartoon.
2. One must be a video.
3. And one can be a medium of your choice.
4. Must be school appropriate.
Please post links, videos, and pictures for each of your findings. :)
Due Friday 11.19.10 @ 11:59pm.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Concavity & The Second Derivative Test
Happy November!
Your assignment is to explore the web to find helpful websites, tutorials, or more information regarding these two topics.
Find two different types of resources. For example, one can be a video, another can be an interactive tutorial, or "notes", or interactive practice problems, etc.
For Resource #1:
1. Give the link to the website.
2. Describe how the resource introduces each topic (concavity and second derivative test) in 2-3 sentences.
3. Summarize your reflection of what you learned from the online resource in 5-8 sentences.
For Resource #2:
1. Give the link to the website.
2. Describe how the resource introduces each topic (concavity and second derivative test) in 2-3 sentences.
3. Summarize your reflection of what you learned from the online resource in 5-8 sentences.
Bonus points (smile points) for finding resources not included on our Calculus Help site.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Personal Reflection
Choose to respond to one of the following prompts. Please feel free to include any quotes, pictures, videos, etc.
1. I'm sure you are already thinking about applying to college, or perhaps, if you are a seniors, you are applying as we speak. In general, what are two aspects of college that excite you? What are two (or more) things may cause some anxiety? (If you are already applying, please share which colleges to which you are applying.)
2. As a bright and gifted student, have you ever spent time outside of the traditional school year in an educational program? For instance, some organizations and colleges how summer camps for bright high school students, weekend retreats, internships, etc. If yes, please share your experience. If no, would you be interested and why/why not?
3. Looking back on your high school experience, how much have you grown as a student and as an individual since you were a freshman? For some students, this may just be last year-- in this case, think back to 8th grade. For others, you may have grown in maturity, in your studies, in responsibilities, sports, clubs, etc. Please share a part of your story.
Mrs. Guthrie
1. I'm sure you are already thinking about applying to college, or perhaps, if you are a seniors, you are applying as we speak. In general, what are two aspects of college that excite you? What are two (or more) things may cause some anxiety? (If you are already applying, please share which colleges to which you are applying.)
2. As a bright and gifted student, have you ever spent time outside of the traditional school year in an educational program? For instance, some organizations and colleges how summer camps for bright high school students, weekend retreats, internships, etc. If yes, please share your experience. If no, would you be interested and why/why not?
3. Looking back on your high school experience, how much have you grown as a student and as an individual since you were a freshman? For some students, this may just be last year-- in this case, think back to 8th grade. For others, you may have grown in maturity, in your studies, in responsibilities, sports, clubs, etc. Please share a part of your story.
Mrs. Guthrie
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Your thoughts
For this week, please choose one quote to comment on from the list below. Please spend some time thinking about your choice before posting. Let it sit awhile. Then, come back and share your thoughts.
"The aim of education should be to teach us rather how to think, than what to think - rather to improve our minds, so as to enable us to think for ourselves, than to load the memory with thoughts of other men." -Bill Beattie
"Nations have recently been led to borrow billions for war; no nation has ever borrowed largely for education. Probably, no nation is rich enough to pay for both war and civilization. We must make our choice; we cannot have both." -Abraham Flexner
"If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a life, educate people." -Chinese Proverb
"The aim of education should be to teach us rather how to think, than what to think - rather to improve our minds, so as to enable us to think for ourselves, than to load the memory with thoughts of other men." -Bill Beattie
"Nations have recently been led to borrow billions for war; no nation has ever borrowed largely for education. Probably, no nation is rich enough to pay for both war and civilization. We must make our choice; we cannot have both." -Abraham Flexner
"If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a life, educate people." -Chinese Proverb
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Blog Assignment #3
A few things this week...
1) Please complete Interest Survey #2 located on our Course Website.
2) Read over the Blog Grading Criteria. Please make sure to have your blog completed by the due date. No exceptions from here on.
3) Complete Blog Assignment #3. Due Sat. Sept. 18th @ 11:59pm.
As we conclude our Limits and Continuity Unit this week, please take some time to review your class notes and homework problems. Refer to your notebook and textbook for the topics we have covered thus far. In reviewing this material, please share 3 strengths and 3 weaknesses you have had in working through this material. I would prefer for you to be as precise and detailed as possible.
For each of your 3 weaknesses, come up with at least one method (for each weakness) that may help you master the skill/concept.
Example 1: "I really need to just find more practice problems with trigonometric functions. I found ____ website that can help me better understand trigonometric functions."
Example 2: "Since I have trouble finding limits at infinity, I should work more practice problems where I have to analyze the degrees of the numerator and denominator. For this, I can work the even problems in our textbook and check the solutions with Mrs. Guthrie's solution guide."
My intention for this blog post is to encourage you to (in fancy educational psychology words) be "metacognitive" about your own learning. Metacognition is "thinking about your own thinking". Reflecting on your strengths and weaknesses as a learner is a crucial life skill that will help you reach your full potential. Challenging you to create your own methods for strengthening your weakness is preparing you for future endeavors. You won't always have a cool AP Calculus teacher to show you the way. You can do it. All on your own. :)
Mrs. Guthrie
1) Please complete Interest Survey #2 located on our Course Website.
2) Read over the Blog Grading Criteria. Please make sure to have your blog completed by the due date. No exceptions from here on.
3) Complete Blog Assignment #3. Due Sat. Sept. 18th @ 11:59pm.
Blog Assignment #3
As we conclude our Limits and Continuity Unit this week, please take some time to review your class notes and homework problems. Refer to your notebook and textbook for the topics we have covered thus far. In reviewing this material, please share 3 strengths and 3 weaknesses you have had in working through this material. I would prefer for you to be as precise and detailed as possible.
For each of your 3 weaknesses, come up with at least one method (for each weakness) that may help you master the skill/concept.
Example 1: "I really need to just find more practice problems with trigonometric functions. I found ____ website that can help me better understand trigonometric functions."
Example 2: "Since I have trouble finding limits at infinity, I should work more practice problems where I have to analyze the degrees of the numerator and denominator. For this, I can work the even problems in our textbook and check the solutions with Mrs. Guthrie's solution guide."
My intention for this blog post is to encourage you to (in fancy educational psychology words) be "metacognitive" about your own learning. Metacognition is "thinking about your own thinking". Reflecting on your strengths and weaknesses as a learner is a crucial life skill that will help you reach your full potential. Challenging you to create your own methods for strengthening your weakness is preparing you for future endeavors. You won't always have a cool AP Calculus teacher to show you the way. You can do it. All on your own. :)
Mrs. Guthrie
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Grading Criteria for Blog Posts
Total Points = 5
5 points = Turned in on time. Thoughtful post. Elaborated responses. I could tell you thought put some thought and effort into the assignment.
Subtract 1 point for every day late. This is the only assignment for which I will accept late work.
P.S. Fall is coming...
P.P. S. Mrs. Guthrie's birthday is coming...
Monday, August 30, 2010
Blog Assignment #2
Hi class. Sorry for the late post. My internet at home has been fussy.
Your next assignment is to investigate the Calculus Help links on our website. Please spend some time visiting 2-4 of them each night. By Saturday night, please list the top 3 sites that you think might be the most helpful for you. Some of them have videos, powerpoints, and other resources.
See what floats your boat.
Briefly explain why you picked these three.
Cheers.
Your next assignment is to investigate the Calculus Help links on our website. Please spend some time visiting 2-4 of them each night. By Saturday night, please list the top 3 sites that you think might be the most helpful for you. Some of them have videos, powerpoints, and other resources.
See what floats your boat.
Briefly explain why you picked these three.
Cheers.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Welcome to our AP Calculus Blog!
Here are the directions for creating your own blog.
- Visit www.blogspot.com
- Click "Create a New Account"
- Fill out the information needed to start your blog.
- You can be creative with your "Blog Title"
- But, please list the url for your blog as... " Last Name CalculusJournal".blogspot.com (Ex: www.GuthrieCalculusJournal.blogspot.com)
- Choose any template you'd like. You can always change it!
Then, this is crucial:
- On the tabs that you find at the top of your "dashboard" or blog screen, click on the "Settings" tab.
- Then select "Permissions" in light blue at the end of the smaller tabs.
- Then, please choose to share the blog only with myself. You can do this by entering my email address: guthrie@queensgranthigh.org.
- Then, under "Email & Mobile" (under the same Settings tab) please enter only my email address into the first box that appears, in Email Notifications: Blogsend Address. This will send me an email when you post to your blog. Think of it as turning in your journal.
- Make sure to Save your Settings.
I would like for you to keep your blog/online journal private with me, so that no one else on the web can view it. This format is replacing the traditional paper bound journal book. If you have any concern about this, please feel free to speak with me about it.
Then, Blog Assignment #1: (Due. Fri. August 27th)
Please share...
Please share...
- 3 things/people/ideas/movements that inspire you (and why)
- 2 dreams you have for your future
- 1 thing/person/idea/movement you're thankful for right now
Feel free to be as creative with your blog posts as you like. There are no right/wrong answers or right/wrong ways to post. :)
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