Words of Wisdom for next year's AP Calculus Students

Dear AP Calculus Students,

What are some "words of wisdom" that you would like to pass down to the upcoming AP Calculus students?

What do you feel are some of the more important things they need to know? 

If you could go back in time to the beginning of the year, what would you wish you could tell yourself?

Note:  Keep it positive  :)

Thanks, y'all.

Blog 20: Final Reflections

Dear Students,

The school year is over.  For some of you, your high school years are behind you now.  For others and myself, it's summer time.  :)  

For your last and final blog assignment, I would like for you to complete a "final reflection" for your AP Calculus experience.  We have met all year long, every day, for 90 minutes.  Wow.  Your reflection should touch upon (but is not limited to) the following:

• What your initial thoughts of AP Calculus were before and at the beginning of this school year
• How you have changed this school year (can be non-AP Calculus)
• How our AP Calculus class has influenced you as a learner
• What you enjoyed the least about our AP Calculus class
• What you enjoyed the most about our AP Calculus class

Then, I would like for you to think outside of the box and find one picture that represents either how you are feeling now that the year is over, how you felt during the school year, before the school year, etc.

See my own personal reflection below.  :)

Dear AP Calculus Class of 2011,

It's hard to believe how quickly the year has passed now that it's over.  This was my first year teaching AP Calculus.  Over the summer and at the beginning of the year, I was certainly nervous about the class.  I took a one week long training course with other new AP Calculus teachers, and that made me feel much better.  I knew we had a lot of material to cover -- a lot of rich, deep, often complicated mathematical concepts to discuss.  Then there was the big exam that would take place in May.  And exam that could possibly earn you all college credit.  Yikes.  The pressure was on.

Looking back, I am so proud of how all of you accepted the challenge of our AP Calculus curriculum.  As a teacher, I think I got better at teaching the material as the year went on.  I remember the interest surveys and class surveys we took at the beginning of the year.  After reading those, I think I had a better understanding of how all of you learned and what types of teaching methods worked best for most of you.  It seemed like we sort of all got the hang of it after a while... which is something that I can really appreciate.  It felt like a team effort.  

Even though I am the teacher, I can still see how the curriculum has influenced me as a learner.  I have a deeper appreciation for mathematics.  Surprise.  I think that as long as I continue teaching AP Calculus, I will continue to be challenged as both a student and a teacher.  They make new Free Response questions every year........

What have I enjoyed least about this class?  Staying up late writing your notes, quizzes, tests, etc.  Trust me.  That was not fun.

What have I enjoyed the most?  That's easy.  Having you all as students.  Cheeseball?  Yes.  But seriously.  I have appreciated all of your attention, hard work, and humor.  I couldn't have dreamed of having a better group of students to teach every day.  You were patient when I had my "off days".  And you even stayed after school for a full length practice exam.  You guys/gals are awesome.

And I must admit.  Hearing all of your amazzzzing scores on the first practice exam.  That made me cry (I saved my happy crying for after you all left).  And then!  To see your improvement on the second practice exam.  I cannot express the amount of pride I felt in you all -- those were some of my favorite moments of this class.  Along with the "parties", movies, and related rates problems.  Jk.

I just want to let all of you know how thankful I am to have had the pleasure of being your AP Calculus teacher.  All of my future classes have very big shoes to fill.  Have no fear -- you will be the class I remember.  You all have touched my life in one way or another.

Nelson Mandela once said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."  While Calculus may not be your weapon of choice, I sincerely hope that each and every one of you takes advantage of your education.  Soak up every opportunity.  Go to college -- meet new friends, make new relationships, get involved on campus.  Study abroad -- learn another culture, speak another language, travel.  Go to graduate school -- read, write, and become a professional in your discipline of choice.  Whether you've thought about it or not, but you are the future for our society.  I have full confidence that each one of your will find some way to influence others and make change, good change, happen.

Daniel --To be honest, thank you for your sense of humor.  It took me a while to get used to it :), but thank you for all the sly witty comments that made me laugh.  And for your art donations to my classroom.  I love them. 

Robby --  Thank you for always making me repeat things and graph your attention.  I'll also miss you crazily decorated shoes and your loud snacking meal times.  I wish you all the best next year in college.

Connor --  Thank you for your love for orange fire-y flames and for your quiet dedication to excellence.  Your hard work has paid off.

Brittany -- Thank you for your desire for a challenge, your positive attitude, and your sweet nature.  I can't wait to see how successful you will be as a Navy Engineer.

Matt -- Thank you for your blog posts (I always enjoyed reading them), for caring about your education, and for your sharing your career aspirations with me.  I wish you all the best next year in college.

David -- Thank you for learning how to show your work, for always writing neatly, and your competitive nature.  Your work ethic will take you far.

Chris -- Thank you for your natural ability to learn and understand mathematics.  Thank you for your refreshing intelligence, your attention to detail, and your desire to always be learning.

Oksana -- Thank you for your kind heart, your positive attitude throughout the year, and your love for all things good.  Thank you for always being genuine.

Leigh Ann -- Thank you for your chocolate chip cookies, the neatest handwriting and color coding ever, and your strive for perfection.  I will truly miss having you in class next year.

Kevin -- Thank you for always being engaged in class, for coming in to ask questions before a test (you have a great work ethic), and for your sense of responsibility.  I wish you all the best next year. 

Crystelle -- Thank you for your awesome personality, for your dedication and hard work in this class, and for never giving up.  You did so well this year!  You should be proud of yourself!

Yonathan -- Thank you for staying way too quiet in class, for always appreciating your family, and for being a great student. 

Brandon -- Thank you for always being polite and respectful -- despite me picking on you sometimes.  It's only because I recognize the amazing potential that you have.

Sean -- Thank you for your attention to detail, your neat handwriting, and your organized binder.  I'll never forget the "lesson" that you taught in first semester.  That was great.

Elizabeth -- Thank you for actually bringing me coffee, for working so hard this year, and for applying for Summit.

Khalid --  Thanks for all of your inappropriate -- I mean appropriate -- comments, your academic turn around, and your desire to succeed.  You rock.

For the seniors who are leaving, I will miss you all.  For those sophomores and juniors, please feel free to stop by my room if you need anything next year.  :)

Love,

Mrs. Kate Guthrie

P.S.  This is how I feel about summer break.  Can't.  Wait.

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