AP PRECALCULUS – APSI SESSION DESCRIPTION
This AP Summer Institute (APSI) for the new AP Precalculus course will focus on the concepts and modeling of functions. There are four units that comprise the AP Precalculus course framework:
- Polynomial and Rational Functions
- Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
- Trigonometric and Polar Functions
- Functions Involving Parameters, Vectors, and Matrices
Each unit will focus on the skills that are associated with the three mathematical practices that are threaded through the course – Procedural & Symbolic Fluency, Multiple Representations, and Communication & Reasoning.
The focus will be on Units #1-3 which are assessed on the AP exam and Unit #4 will be overviewed. Each unit will be explored by addressing any topics that need to be reviewed and instructional strategies that can be used to help students develop and apply the concepts. Time will be spent completing and discussing both multiple-choice and free-response questions. This will include looking at the preparation for the AP exam as well as the scoring of free-response questions. Technology will be used to discover concepts, enhance instruction, and to solve problems. Participants need to bring a graphing calculator and also might want to bring a laptop computer or tablet. We will also look at a variety of textbooks, useful resources, and technology for use in the classroom. Participants are encouraged to share any lessons, activities, and resources that they have found effective in the classroom.
Throughout this workshop, participants will:
- Discuss each section of the Course and Exam Description (CED).
- Outline the instructional plan by Unit and Topic in an academic calendar.
- Discuss examples of how AP Classroom can be utilized to develop each practice/skill.
- Discuss how to leverage the data in AP Classroom to practice interpreting data within the Instructional Planning Report to identify student strengths and weaknesses.
- Identify and explain various instructional strategies and tools that teachers can incorporate in their lesson plans to teach the content and skills.
2024 AP PRECALCULUS WORKSHOP SYLLABUS
During this AP Precalculus Summer Institute, participants will explore the concepts and applications of the topics in the AP Precalculus Course and Exam Description (CED).
The topics listed below will be incorporated throughout the week. The order of these topics will vary. Some topics will have greater emphasis based on the needs of the group. Other topics will likely be added based on the direction of the group.
- Introduction of the AP Precalculus Course
- AP Precalculus Course and Exam Description (CED)
- Prerequisites
- Curricular Requirements
- Technology Needs
- Diversity & Inclusion and Equity & Access
- Mathematical Practices
- Course Emphases
- AP Precalculus Course Framework
- Unit 1 – Polynomial and Rational Functions
- Unit 2 – Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
- Unit 3 – Trigonometric and Polar Functions
- Unit 4 – Functions Involving Parameters, Vectors, and Matrices
- Topic Notes and Learning Notes
- Course Planning and Pacing
- Using Student Data to Assess and Reflect
- AP Classroom Resources
- Multiple Representations
- Precalculus Topics that may be less traditional
- Instructional Approaches
- AP Exam Structure
- AP Exam Sample Questions (Multiple-Choice and Free-Response)
- Justifications in Free-Response Questions
- Analysis of Structure of Free-Response Questions
- Task Verbs
- Graphing Calculator Use
- Modeling
