AB - Week 11 Update

Hello Calculus Families!

What an exciting week we’ve had in Calculus! Our students are diving deep into how derivatives help us analyze and model the behavior of functions.

🧠 What Did We Learn This Week?

We launched into Unit 5: Analytical Applications of Differentiation (Part 2). Students explored Rolle’s Theorem, the Mean Value Theorem (MVT), how to find critical values, distinguishing between local (relative) extrema and absolute extrema, and mastering the Candidates Test.

Taking the AP® Calculus AB or BC exam isn't just about finishing the course—it's one of the best ways to earn college credit, skip introductory college courses, and save thousands in tuition!

⏰ Reminder: The final deadline to register for your AP® exams without late fees is today! Please ensure your learner completes their registration on My AP (via College Board) and settles school payments by the deadline to lock in their spot.

We will finish Lesson 5.3: Local Extrema and Concavity, review our foundational skills, and take the Unit 5 Quiz covering Lessons 5.1 through 5.3.

• Lesson 5.3 (Local Extrema and Concavity): We will explore how the first derivative tells us where a function is rising or falling to pinpoint local peaks and valleys (First Derivative Test), while the second derivative reveals the graph’s curvature—whether it bends upward like a cup or downward like an umbrella and where it changes direction at points of inflection.

If your learner scores below 85% on a test, they are expected to meet with me within 3 school days of receiving their test results to complete test corrections.

Available times include:

• Before school
• During Advisory
• During lunch

Please note: I will not be able to provide class time for test corrections.

If test corrections are not completed within the 3-day window, the original score will be entered into Skyward and will not be changed afterward.

For minor grades, learners may complete corrections once to review their mistakes and improve their understanding of the material. However, minor-grade test corrections will not result in an increase to the recorded score.

Learners, please take advantage of this opportunity! Test corrections are not just about improving a grade — they are a chance to identify misconceptions and learn from mistakes. 🧠✨

To help keep everyone on track for success, all major grades during this nine-week period will be counted.

Here is what to expect for our major assessments this grading period:

• Unit 4 Test: Worth 100 points (completed today!)

• Unit 5 Test: Worth 100 points (coming up later this unit)

Encourage your learner to stay consistent with their homework assignments and quiz prep—these major tests are great opportunities to showcase everything they've mastered!

We will have more than 8 minor grades throughout the nine weeks, and I will drop only one minor grade. Therefore, every assignment counts!

Learners, please be intentional about completing all homework and class assignments. Although these assignments may seem less important than tests, they provide valuable opportunities to practice, learn from mistakes, ask questions, and build the skills needed to succeed on major assessments.

Consistency beats cramming! Stay on top of your assignments, and your hard work will pay off.🚀

🌅 Morning Tutorials

I’m available for individual/small-group tutorials: Monday • Tuesday • Friday- ⏰ 8:15 AM

📌 By appointment

Learners who would like extra practice, clarification, or help preparing for an assessment are welcome to schedule a tutorial.

⭐ Mandatory Tutorials

Learners who score below 85% on an assessment are required to attend tutorials beginning Thursday, 09/03, during Advisory.

These tutorials are designed to help learners identify areas of difficulty, correct misconceptions, and strengthen their understanding of the material.

Remember: Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness! 💪📐

Your AP Calculus AB Journey Has a Destination!

As we work through the course, it's important to keep the AP Exam in mind.

📌 Please review the AP Exam registration information in the image below.

Make sure you pay attention to the registration deadline, payment information, and any school-specific instructions provided in the announcement.

The AP exam may feel far away right now — but every derivative, every practice problem, every quiz, and every mistake we correct along the way is helping learners build toward that goal.

One lesson at a time. One skill at a time. One step closer to the AP exam! 💙📈

🌟 A Note to Our Learners

Engage your learner in a quick conversation over the break about how linear approximations work in the real world:

• The Speeding Ticket Dilemma: "If a toll booth records you entering a highway at 1:00 PM and exiting 60 miles away at 1:45 PM, how can the Mean Value Theorem prove whether you exceeded the 65 mph speed limit at some point during the drive?"

• Peak & Valley Search: "How do you use critical values to figure out where a function reaches its highest and lowest points?"

• Fully Charged Chromebook: Essential for accessing Webdesk, our BFW eBook, AP Classroom, and DeltaMath during class.

• Writing Utensils: Pens and pencils for daily note-taking and working through practice problems.

• Note-taking Materials: A dedicated notebook or loose-leaf paper to take daily notes and show work for AP-level problems.

• Binder: A 1-inch binder (if using loose-leaf paper) to keep handouts, notes, and returned assignments neatly organized.

• Daily AP Classroom Practice: Essential for skill-building; these check-ins may or may not be scored for a grade.

• BFW Assignments: Accessible directly through Webdesk.

• AB (5.3) - AP® Practice Problems & Review Exercises - Friday, Nov 6 (Midnight)

📅 Unit 5 Quiz - Monday, November 9, 2026

✨ Words of Wisdom - Sloka:

सत्यं ज्ञानं मोक्षाय साधनम्।
कर्मयोगे प्रवर्तते च।
धैर्यं वीर्यम् च साधकानाम्।
ज्ञानं जीवनं प्रकाशयति।

Transliteration
Satyaṁ jñānaṁ mokṣāya sādhanam,
Karmayoge pravartate ca,
Dhairyaṁ vīryam ca sādhakānām,
Jñānaṁ jīvanaṁ prakāśayati.

Translation & Applicability:

“Truth and knowledge guide us toward understanding and personal growth; taking responsible action shapes our character; courage and perseverance come from consistent effort; and knowledge brings clarity and direction in life.”

Applicability:

This reminds us that learning—whether in math, other subjects, or life itself—requires curiosity, persistence, and the courage to face challenges. By applying knowledge thoughtfully and acting with integrity, we grow stronger, wiser, and more capable of navigating life’s complexities.

It is a privilege to partner with you through AP Calculus this year! Thank you all for your understanding and support as I recover—I look forward to a fantastic week ahead in our math lab together. If anyone ever has questions, please feel free to reach out.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Mrs J