Google Classroom Code for S3: gza5sddd
Google Classroom Code for S4: k3tdczip
Hello all! Join our Google Classroom using one of the codes above.
Head down to the "What's Been Happening" section on this page to see (often with links) what is going on each day or the "Announcements & Resources" section to find links to helpful websites/documents/videos.
Email me (sarsfields@sau25.net) with any questions at any time!
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8/23/25 - Here is a link to the AP Course Page for AP Calculus (this course prepares you for the AP exam in May)
8/23/25 - AP Calculus/Math HL 1 Syllabus
11/19/25 - (1) We'll chat about the Derivative of Arcsine, the Derivative of Arccosine, and the derivative of y=arctan(x). (2) We'll take some time to discuss issues from the last two HW sets. (3) We'll pair up to complete a problem from this practice set on implicit differentiation(solutions here). (4). HW:
11/17/25 - (1) We will discuss some subset of problems 59,60,66,30 from 2.8 and/or #7 from 3.5. (2) We'll chat about how to find derivative values using technology. (3) We'll take on a graded check-in on product/quotient/chain rules. (4) We'll start work on an implicit differentiation problem (vertical tangents come up). (5) Spiral Task #4. (6) HW: Section 3.5 #'s 58-64, and Section 3.3; #'s 19-22
HW: Section 3.3; #'s 9,10, 15 - 22, 24, 25 (solutions) Note: You do not need to plot any of the curves! H 66-70, 74-77e
We'll begin with a brief, timed, graded check-in on basic derivatives.
11/13/25 - (1) We will look at an example of implicit differentiation along with a "logarithmic differentiation" example. .(Video here). (2) We will chat about some HW questions from 2.8 and/or 3.5. (3) We will extend our discussion of implicit differentiation...including a problem where we must determine when a function has horizontal or vertical tangent lines. (5) S4 will pair up for an optimization problem. (6) We'll begin work on "1st Try at Implicit Differentiation" (solutions) and will finish it for HW. (7) These are some Chain Rule Practice Problems shared as extra, optional practice.
11/10/25 - (1) We'll gather any lingering questions....and the NRT. (2) We will take on these optimization problems at whiteboards. (3) S3 will pair up for an optimization problem. (4) S4 will complete a chain rule problem or two. (5) HW: Section 2.8; #'s 14-20,30-33,37,41,42,59,60,66.
11/6/25 - (1) Groups (posted on front board) should meet to discuss questions from the HW (this task). Groups should also finish the remaining problems from that same task. Be prepared to turn in this work next class. (2) Trios will then work on this task which requires the use of the product/quotient/chain rules. (3) HW: Choose 10 more problems from section 3.5 (up to #59). That should bring you to a total of 35 practice problems completed from 3.5.
11/4/24 - (1) We will work through some more chain rule problems...including homework problems from 3.5. (2) We will solidify the derivatives of all trig. functions. (3) We'll start work on More Early Derivative Problems if time allows. (4) We'll complete the 2nd half of the NRT. (5) HW: Finish More Early Derivative Problems through problem H.
Solutions to "More Early Derivative Problems: [Solution to A - Solution to B - Solution to C - Solution to D - Solutions to E&F - Solution to G - Solutions to I&J - Solutions to H/K/L]
10/31/24 - (1) We will work on part one of the NRT. (2) We'll have a discussion about the chain rule and work through some examples. (3) HW: Choose 10 more problems from section 3.5; #'s 1 - 59.
10/29/24 - (1) Another differentiation assessment? (2) A few more limit definition problems (3) We'll discuss the HW on the product/quotient rule....and will solidify the derivatives of all trig. functions. We'll also finish remaining problems. (4) Trios will tackle these problems. (5) HW: Differentiate 15 problems (of your choice) from section 3.5; #'s 1 - 59. NRT next class!
10/27/24 - (0) We'll talk about 2 or 3 HW problems. (1) We'll begin begin with a chat about derivatives about products and quotients. Here in intro. video on the product rule. Here is an intro. video on the quotient rule. Here is a video on the quotient rule. Here (if interested) is a video on proving the product rule using the limit definition. (2) We will work on a task where we problem-solve with the limit definition. (3) We may also start work on some product/quotient rule practice problems. (5) (6) HW: Complete up to problem "S" on these product/quotient rule practice problems.
10/23/25 - (1) Groups will present some HW solutions. (2) We'll work on the Soda can problem. (3) We'll work further with 2.4; #'s 44,47,50,53,56,57,60,62,65 (4) An NRT is coming up! I'd expect it on either Friday of next week or the following Tuesday. (5) HW: Finish any unfinished work from class today!
10/21/25 - (1) We'll look at a few more limits in pairs (2) Pairs will work on this task on two curves "meeting smoothly". (2) We will work individually on this graded task on the "limit definition". (3) We'll finish G and H from "Let's Use Some Derivs" (solutions here). (4) HW: 2.4; #'s 3-11,22,25,29,40 AND finish G/H from "Let's Use Some Derivs"
10/17/25 - (1) Spiral Task #3 (2) Groups will check in on these limits questions. (3) We will chat about the "fencing problem". (4). We'll walk-through a "shortest distance" optimization problem. (5) We'll take on a multiple-choice task on symbolic differentiation/antidifferentiation. (6) We'll begin work with "Let's Use Some Derivs" (solutions here) and should finish/attempt A,C,D,E,F for HW.
10/15/25 - (1) We'll tackle a solo task on connections between functions and their derivatives (solutions) (2) We'll chat about some earlier HW problems. (3) We'll work on a check-in on symbolic differentiation(maybe even antidifferentiation) with transformations. (solutions). (4) We'll work on these limits questions. (5) We'll run through HW from Section 2.3; #'s 13-21,39-42. (6) HW: these limits questions
10/9/25 - (1) We'll work on a few "recognition problems" and will build expressions for others to evaluate (2) We'll check out this "fencing problem". (3) We'll take questions from the past two HW assignments.and will talk about a couple of the problems from "13ish" Problems on Differentiation (4) We'll battle through a pair assessment ("Texty Task") on multiple topics. (5) HW: Section 2.3; #'s 13-21,39-42 and finish attempting this "fencing problem".
10/7/25 - (1) Pairs will check out a new version of the limit definition using this task. (2) We'll build some expressions using the limit definition to share with others. (we might call evaluating these types of expressions: "recognition problems"). (3) Pairs will work on "Some Problems from 1.8". (4) We'll check in on HW (solutions). (5) HW: Section 2.2; #'s 22,23,34,36,38,47,48,50,56,57,58,68,69
10/3/25 - (1) We'll start by using the limit definition with a power function (and the word "conjugate" might pop up). (2) We'll sum up the "power rule". (3) We'll check/collect HW. (4) We'll work on a check-in on symbolic differentiation(maybe even antidifferentiation) with transformations. (solutions) (6) We'll discuss how to graphically check out resulting values for a couple limit definition set-ups. (7) We'll very briefly chat about "recognition problems" with the limit definition. (8) Spiral Task #2 (9) HW: "13ish" Problems on Differentiation
10/1/25 - (1) We'll begin with pairs checking on HW. (2) Pairs will work on "Testing 1,2,3" (graded) (solution). (3) We'll chat about the definition of the derivative as the limit of a difference quotient. Here are videos with more examples of using the limit definition. Video 1 / Video 2 / Video 3 / Video 4 (4) We'll sum up the "power rule". (4) HW: this task that reviews the limit definition of the derivative. (solutions)
9/29/25 - (1) We'll work on some graded problems. (2) We'll group up to discuss HW problems...some groups will present solutions. (3) HW: "Testing & More with Derivatives"
9/25/25 - (1) Pairs will begin with "More Calc Things to Solidify" (solutions). (2) We'll chat about HW solutions. (3) We'll work on some graded problems. (4) We'll work on this task on exploring derivatives of power functions numerically/graphically. (5) We will take on a "spiraling task". (6) HW: section 1.8; #'s 3,6,8,10,15-24,35-37,47-51.
9/23/25 - (1) We'll check on HW ("Just a Task" ). (2) Pairs will work on these problems(solutions). (3) We'll work on a individual derivative-graphing task. (4) Pairs will work on this mini-exploration. (5) We'll discuss the derivatives of exponentials and log functions. (6) We'll work with a few graded problems. (7) We may challenge each other with some differentation/antidifferentiation problems. (8) HW: "Finding Derivative Equations with Transformations" (solutions) .
9/19/25 - (1) We'll begin by differentiating and antidifferentiating functions symbolically (we'll also share that we don't know how to antidifferentiate log functions)...and will complete this task on summing up derivative relationships (SOLUTIONS). (2) We'll chat about 27,33, and 56 from 1.4. We'll also group up to discuss other issues....and some groups may share their solutions to some textbook problems. (3) We'll chat about the "speed limit law". (4) HW: "Just a Task"
Here are some video solutions to some of the textbook problems from 1.6-1.7:
9/17/25 - (0) We'll apply some derivative tests. (1) We'll work on an assessment on derivative ideas. . (2) We'll sign into AP Classroom...and differentiate a few functions...and will antidifferentiate a few as well. (3) Groups will discuss questions from ("The Basics of Derivatives"). (Here are some solutions) and will also chat about the HW from 1.4 & 1.5. (Link to problems) (4) We may tackle "Just a Task" or perhaps these problems. . (5) HW: Complete the second stage of this set of textbook exercises . (Link to problems) individual derivative-graphing task
Here are some video solutions to some of the textbook problems from 1.4-1.7:
9/15/25 - (1) We'll begin with a brief check-in on rates of change using these graphs.......and will sign into AP Classroom. . (2) We'll chat about how transformations of functions affect derivatives....and wrap up things on these slides. (3) We'll discuss how transformations affect derivatives of known functions. (4) We'll discuss HW ("The Basics of Derivatives"). (Here are some solutions) (5) Individuals or pairs will work on graphing one derivative for a function from the past. (7) HW: Complete the first stage of this set of textbook exercises . (Link to problems)
9/11/25 - (1) We'll start by graphing on antiderivative in random pairs. (2) Groups will meet up to chat about questions from "Why Not Dive In?" and "Going Off On a Tangent..." (3) We'll chat about the first and second derivative tests (also on this set of slides.). S4 still needs a walk-through of the 2nd derivative test. (4) HW: Complete "The Basics of Derivatives"
9/9/25 - (1) We'll begin by graphing a derivative and an antiderivative, and will find the derivative equations of a couple of basic functions. (2) We'll work through more of this set of slides. (up to slide 17) (3) Groups will meet up to chat about questions from "Why Not Dive In?" (4) We'll talk about critical points/local extrema/global extrema. We'll also connect properties of f,f',f''(S4 needs to look at this further). (5) We'll take a quick graded task on rates of change. (6) HW: Complete the questions toward the end of the packet "Going Off On a Tangent..." You can certainly do all of the earlier parts as well, but some of it is repetitive based on recent work.
Link to estimating derivative values task.
9/5/25 - (1) We'll begin by working on this task. (2) We will find the average rate of change of a function over an interval and will also find an estimate for the equation of a tangent line. (2) We'll graph a particular log function "by hand" and will graph its derivative. We'll add in a mix of using tangent lines and secant lines to do so. (3) We'll chat about the HW and will learn some equations for the derivatives of those functions. (4) We will graph a derivative as a sort of "pre-test". (5) We will sketch an "antiderivative". (7) HW: "Why Not Dive In?"
9/3/25 - (1) We'll check out this website, check on calculators, and ensure we've all joined Classroom....and jump into random seats. (2) We'll begin by looking into a velocity-time graph given a position-time graph....and then pairs will repeat the process for a different original/position function. Here are three crucial questions to ask yourself in these situations. We may even sketch a position-time graph given a velocity-time graph. (3) Groups will chat about this assignment. (4) We'll develop the notion of a derivative and we'll run through this set of slides through around slide 8. (5) We'll discuss "average rate of change" and connect it to derivative values and "instantaneous rate of change". (6) HW: Complete #'s 1-4 on this task where you must use average rates of change to find key points for a derivative function of a few sample functions.
We'll work on "Adding Some Average Calculus to Our Walking".
8/29/25 - (0) We'll check out this website...and check on calculators. (1) We'll chat about some of the HW and the problems from last class. (2) We'll check in a little bit about what a derivative is...and will graph one as a sort of "pre-test". (3) Groups will finish up "Let's Go for a Walk" and we will sum up some things people figured out (this was collected, unfinished). (4) HW: Try out this assignment! Stop after working for a solid 67 minutes at home.
Complete 6 of the 9 lettered problems from this set: "Why Not Dive In?"
8/27/25 - (1) We'll begin working in groups on some specific problems. (2) We'll check in and take initial questions. (3) We'll start on "Let's Go for a Walk", (not finihsed...and not HW). (4) We'll join Google Classroom and will later get an assignment in Google Classroom related to the HW due next time.