IB Mathematics (Standard Level)

Mr. Budd (sbudd@houstonisd.org or mr.budd@sbcglobal.net)

713-522-5960 x484

Why should you take college-level mathematics, e.g., calculus?

To obtain college credit. This can save you money. Also, if you like math, it will provide
you with a springboard to place into more advanced classes in college. Alternatively, if
you dont plan to pursue math in college, it may satisfy your distribution requirements,
and you may never have to take math again.
To get into the college of your choice. Admission boards want to see you take IB
classes. It shows that you dont back away from a challenge and are interested in
learning. Most applicants dont give colleges enough credit to know that an average
grade in IB Mathematics is more impressive than an A in some elective.
To see what college is like. Many of you are looking forward to the independence of
college, but are perhaps trepidatious about the difficulty level. This is your chance to
experience first-hand the level of achievement that will be expected of you in college.
To get an academic advantage. Even if you dont earn credit by examination, you will
have been exposed to the concepts and skills of calculus and other advanced
mathematics. Students who have struggled in this class go to college and end up
tutoring their friends who didnt take calculus in high school. In high school, you have
two semesters to learn the course instead of one. Additionally, you have the support of
your family and friends, and a much more student-friendly environment.
To stand tall and feel proud. Many people, possibly including yourself, are intimidated
by the very word calculus. Think how impressive it will be to be able to say that you
know calculus. More importantly, imagine your own sense of accomplishment after
having mastered such an intellectually intensive subject.
To gain freedom and choice. Knowing higher mathematics will open up a whole range
of careers in fields such as economics, astrophysics, and biomedical engineering, that
would not otherwise be available to you. You might not choose to enter these career
paths, but without higher mathematics, you wont have that choice.
To learn something new. Calculus powerfully crystallizes the thoughts of some of the
greatest minds the world has ever known. Understanding calculus provides you with a
framework and a vocabulary to think about the dynamics of change. A system that was
developed to understand physics, calculus has illuminated other fields such as
architecture and sociology. Perhaps you can bring the light of calculus to yet another
field, but only if you first understand it.
To improve your mind. Mathematics is an excellent forum for you to think logically,
deductively, and rigorously. Additionally, mathematics provides an opportunity for you to
think inductively and make predictions, and its self-contained elegance allows you to
check your inductions. Mathematics is the gymnasium of logical thinking.
To please your parents and counselors. Not. This is a very bad reason to take IB
classes. But if it is more important to others than yourself that you take this class,
perhaps you should ask yourself why they see this class as important in your
development. Do you think their motivations are selfish, or do they want whats best for
you?
To be a better person.
This course prepares students for the International Baccalaureate Mathematics Standard Level exam.
This is a new course which replaces IB Mathematical Methods SL, and reflects the wholesale changes in
the IB Mathematics curriculum. As a change from previous years in which IB Math Methods was taught,
this course is not designed to prepare you for the Advanced Placement Calculus AB exam. While the IB
exam is your target to focus on throughout the year, keep in mind that it is not your goal. By preparing for
this exam, you will sharpen your critical thinking, become a better problem solver, and gain more
independence as a learner.

Seniors must take the IB Mathematical Methods SL exam on the afternoon of May 7th (Paper 1) and (not
or) the morning of May 8th (Paper 2). Be aware that IB exams cost money for registration, and that full
participation (Paper 1, Paper 2, and two portfolio assignments) is required of all seniors enrolled in this
class. Funds are available to help alleviate these costs, especially for those students who qualify for free
or reduced lunch (whether or not you eat the lunch.)

Prerequisites Pre-IB Precalculus

Before studying calculus, all students should complete four years of secondary mathematics designed for
college-bound students: courses in which they study algebra, geometry, trigonometry, analytic geometry,
and elementary functions. These functions include those that are linear, polynomial, rational, exponential,
logarithmic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, and piecewise defined. In particular, before studying
calculus, students must be familiar with the properties of functions, the algebra of functions, and the
graphs of functions. Students must also understand the language of functions (domain and range, odd
and even, periodic, symmetry, zeros, intercepts, and so on) and know the values of trigonometric
functions of numbers such as 0, /6, /4, /3, and /2. Advanced Placement Program Course
Description

Additionally, basic knowledge of functions, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, vectors, probability, and
statistics is assumed.

Course Content
Tests will be given approximately every three weeks on the following units:
1. Introduction to Calculus: Slope and Area
2. Limits
3. Calculus Basics
4. Calculus of Exponentials
5. Extrema and Optimization
6. Definite Integrals
7. Vector Geometry
8. Statistics
9. Probability
10. Distribution Functions
Time is planned for review before the IB exam.

Requirements
Character.
Calculator. IB expects students to have proficiency with a graphing calculator. In order
to gain proficiency, a student will need a calculator at home with which to practice. A TI-
83 (or TI-84) is recommended
Other supplies. Math-only three ring binder, looseleaf paper, graph paper, straight edge,
two pencils, an eraser, pens for correction, and a textbook.
Grading
Grading will follow a system similar to the Lamar-wide, MYP-inspired system, adapted for a testing class:
24% Criterion A: Knowledge and Understanding
24% Criterion B: Application and Reason
10% Criterion C: Communication
10% Criterion D: Reflection and Evaluation
12% Criterion E: Use of Technology
20% Miscellaneous
Very few activities will address a single criterion. Most activities and problems will address four or five
criteria, but will generally be categorized in one targeted criterion.

Typical tasks
Exams (two per grading cycle) - Students are strongly encouraged to be in class on testing days.
Make-up exams will be multiple choice and generally not graded for partial credit. Make-up
opportunities will be given at the end of the grading cycle. Students who took the original test in
class may take the make-up exam, and the score on the make-up exam will be averaged with the
original score.
Quizzes assess a few days worth of objectives, and are generally unannounced.
Homework - Students will be assigned homework during each non-testing class period. On some
testing days, students may not be assigned homework, but it is just as likely that they will be
given a review assignment. Homework should be attempted on the day that it is assigned, i.e.,
two days before it is due, so that the student can ask questions the next day (the day before it is
due) if he is having trouble. Homework is generally assessed via short quizzes on the day it is
due, and will be collected only occasionally. Homework should be done in pencil, and any
corrections made during class should be done in pen. As you review, this will help you to pinpoint
mistakes that you are prone to making. Beginning in late March, homework will be due every
day, including A/B days in which the class does not meet.
Project - During the course of the year, students will be required to complete at least two projects.
These projects will be graded by me, my assessment will be reviewed by IB, and the grade will
constitute 20% of the overall IB score. Projects are strictly individual assignments. Aside from
structured classroom lessons supervised by Mr. Budd, working with your peers on these projects
is not allowed, and discussions about the project risk a failing grade on the project and your
disqualification from diploma candidacy.
Writing tasks will be assigned to specifically address the Communication and Reflection &
Evaluation criteria.

Getting help
Even the brightest students will need to get help. Knowing how and where to get help is one of
the most important skills you will ever have in life, not just in calculus.
Mr. Budd is available to answer specific questions after school on A-days. Please ask
(politely) for his attendance ahead of time in order to ensure it. In order for you to get
the most of any before- or after-school sessions, please spend some time investigating
precisely which parts of the lesson are confusing to you. In other words, Would you
please explain this step to me is better than I dont get this stuff. Also, do not be
frustrated if Mr. Budd asks you a series of questions instead of just telling you the
answer. That is his methodology, which is thoughtfully used, not to frustrate you, but to
improve the way you solve problems.
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/budd_sl is a place where students can ask and
answer questions. I will check in as well and answer questions.
Students have drastically improved their performance by attending extra classes.
Most bookstores carry several review books for Calculus, as well as Probability,
Statistics, and some carry review books on Trigonometry and Vector Geometry.
 The internet has some excellent resources for learning mathematics. Some sites will
even take you through problems step by step, and even have animation. Links to some
of them can be found at the class website.
College Board (which writes and grades the AP exam) publishes a CD to help students
with calculus material. See the web site
http://www.collegeboard.com/ap/students/calculus/ for further details.
Solutions guides to problems in the textbook will be in Mr. Budds room for you to use to
correct your work. Other textbooks, which may offer an explanation that is easier for you
to understand, will also be kept in the classroom. You may look at these at any time
(lunch, before school, after school, etc.), but they must remain in the classroom.
Additionally, you are strongly encouraged to form independent study groups. This will
help you communicate and think about calculus, and will foster your transition into a
teacher-independent learner. The ability to learn independently is critical not only to
success in college, but is essential for learning when you are no longer in the nurturing
environment of academia.

Technology
Aside from your own graphing calculator, you will need access to the internet. If you do not
have internet access at home, please find other avenues (e.g., school or public library) where
you can view websites and send e-mail messages. At times throughout the year, you will locate
tutorials on the internet, and you will have to send a few assignments via e-mail. You should
join the classroom group at http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/budd_sl, as Mr. Budd will use
this group to send announcements and answer questions.

Personal Soapbox
Do not copy. Unless otherwise written on the assignment, all assignments are individual
assignments. Even when working in groups is permissible, you will never be allowed to copy
another students solutions. Study groups, whether in or out of class, are for the
communication, not theft, of ideas. Group work should always be reflected through the prism of
your own individual thoughts and perspective, and the work of each group member should not
be identical. Even when you work together, your solutions should evince your thinking and
organization.
Representing another students work as your own is plagiarism and therefore cheating.
Copying is the theft of ideas, talent, and work. You know that copying is not good for your spirit
and lowers your worth as a human. Do not copy homework.
Do not let others copy your work. If someone asks to copy your homework, offer instead to
explain it to them. See this as a valuable opportunity, since explaining a concept is a fantastic
way to improve your own mastery of that concept.

Neatness counts. Organization shows clarity of thinking. Calculus involves problems of

several steps. Clear, structured organization of each step will help you think logically about how
to get to the end of a problem. You may find that neatly rewriting and clearly organizing your
homework and notes will help you organize the thoughts in your mind. Additionally, neatness
will help you (and others) troubleshoot your mistakes. Pragmatically, on exams you will be
writing for an audience, who will have to read and understand your work to accurately assess it.
Having neat papers demonstrates that you have neat, well-planned solutions.