Transcript AP Statistics - Fort Thomas Independent Schools

Background and Contact Information
Pat Agard
Mathematics teacher at Highlands High School (11th year)
Teach: AP Stats, Pre-Calculus Adv., College Prep Algebra
B.A. in Mathematics - University of Virginia
M.S. in Secondary Mathematics Education - Virginia Tech
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) –
Virginia Tech
Contact Information:
email: [email protected]
phone: (859) 815-2616
AP Statistics
The purpose of the AP Statistics course is to introduce
students to the major concepts and tools for collecting,
analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data.
Students will study four conceptual themes:
1. Exploring Data: Observing patterns and departures
from patterns
2. Planning a Study: Deciding what and how to measure
3. Anticipating Patterns: Producing models using
probability theory and simulation
4. Statistical Inference:
Confirming models
All students will take the AP Statistics Exam in May.
A “Normal” Day in AP Stats
Students are:
• Working with partners and in small groups of 3-4
• Collecting real data about themselves or things of
interest (e.g. hair length and number of contacts stored
in cell phone)
• Analyzing data in small groups and as a class
• Working problems on the board and using the class
calculator
• Using Minitab on laptops to graph and analyze data
• Teaching some topic that their group has been assigned
to study and present
• Discussing ideas and comparing solution strategies
Hopefully having some fun !!
Homework
• Homework is assigned almost every night.
• Homework is checked for completion by the teacher at
the start of every class.
• Students correct their own homework using the text and
answers provided by the teacher.
• Each group of 4 asks to see one problem that nobody in
the group could solve.
• Students volunteer to write their solution processes on
the board and explain them. (Bonus points !)
• If at any point during the quarter, a student’s homework
grade drops below a 60%, the parents will be notified.
The student will be required to complete the missing
assignment(s) under my supervision either before or
after school. Failure to do so will result in an Academic
Saturday.
Re-Takes
• Chapter tests are designed to simulate the AP Statistics
exam that students will take in early May
• Each test consists of a Multiple Choice section (40%),
a Short Answer section (40%) – not on the AP exam, and
a Free Response question (20%)
• Students can make corrections on the Multiple Choice
section the day after the test for half credit.
• Students must make corrections on the Free Response
question as soon as it is graded and returned, again for
half credit.
• Students can make corrections on the Short Answer
section either before or after school, again for half credit.
Extra Help
Students may seek extra help from me either
before school (7:30 – 8:00) or
after school (2:45 – 3:30).
There will be 3 study sessions scheduled on
Saturdays during the third and fourth quarters.
Their purpose is to review specific content
assessed on the AP Stats exam.
(Part of the Advance Kentucky grant.)
Determining Grades
• The quarter grades are determined as
follows:
– Homework and Class Activities
– Quizzes and Special Problems
– Tests and Projects
20%
30%
50%
• The grade is based on a 10-point scale.