Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Advanced Placement Computer Science A

AP Computer Science A Syllabus Fall 2007
Mr. Shallow
shallow@fulton.k12.ga.us


Overview of the Computer Science Curriculum
This course is designed to meet the objectives described in the College Board’s Computer Science A Course Description.

Course Overview: AP Computer Science A is an introductory course in computer science. This is the first semester of a two-semester sequence that will culminate in the Advanced Placement Examination in Computer Science A. It is equivalent to an introductory Computer Science course at a college or university. Because the development of computer programs to solve problems is a skill fundamental to the study of computer science, a large part of the course is built around the development of computer programs or parts of programs that correctly solve a given problem. The course also emphasizes the design issues that make programs understandable, adaptable, and, when appropriate, reusable. At the same time, the development of useful computer programs and classes is used as a context for introducing other important concepts in computer science, including the development and analysis of algorithms, the development and use of fundamental data structures, and the study of standard algorithms and typical applications. In addition, an understanding of the basic hardware and software components of computer systems and the responsible use of these systems are integral parts of the course.

Course goals (and College Board curriculum requirements): After the completion of this course, students should be able to:
design and implement computer-based solutions to problems in a variety of application areas
use and implement commonly-used algorithms and data structures
develop and select appropriate algorithms and data structures to solve problems
code fluently in an object-oriented paradigm using the programming language Java. Students are expected to be familiar with and be able to use standard Java library classes from the AP Java subset
read and understand a large program consisting of several classes and interacting objects. Students should be able to read and understand a description of the design and development process leading to such a program. (An example of such a program is the AP Computer Science Case Study.)
identify the major hardware and software components of a computer system, their relationship with one another, and the roles of these components within the system
recognize the ethical and social implications of computer use

Computer facilities: Students have access to the lab computers two days a week outside of class time. The course uses Java 2 Standard Edition 6.0 (Java 6), with the Dr. Java IDE. This software is freely available at the Dr. Java website (http://drjava.sourceforge.net/).

Text: Lewis, John, William Loftus, and Cara Cocking. Java Software Solutions for AP Computer Science. 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2007

Required Materials: · Textbook
· Sharpened Pencils
· Three Ring Binder with Dividers with Paper
· JAVA Compiler
· Positive Attitude

Grading Policy: Grading Scale:
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
Below 70% = F

The grade is based on total points. There will be approximately 15 labs/assignments/quizzes, 7 tests, and the final. Tests are 100 points each. Labs and assignments vary from 10 points to 50 points.

Final Exam: There will be a cumulative final exam at the end of the semester.

Tests: A test will be given at the end of each chapter. Also, additional tests may be added at my discretion. Each test will be announced in advance. Any student absent the day of the review will be expected to take the test with the class on the scheduled day. The test points of the grade also will include any projects assigned.

Homework, Quizzes and Mini-Labs: All are assigned at the teacher’s discretion. NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED! Most quizzes are unannounced, thus keeping up with the material is strongly advised.

Classroom Expectations:
Be on time!!
Respect yourself, respect others, and respect the classroom environment.
Be prepared and ready to begin when the bell has rung.
Participate in all activities.
Follow all school rules as described in the Student Handbook.

Make-up Work: Make-ups for tests and quizzes should be arranged by appointment before or after school. Tests and quizzes should be made up outside of class time as to ensure that the student does not fall further behind. All other missed work should be made up according to the Fulton County Schools Policy described in the Student Handbook. Students who know they will miss class in advance must request work in advance. This includes arranging to take tests and quizzes ahead of time.

FULTON COUNTY RECOVERY POLICY:
When all class work required to date has been completed and the student has demonstrated a legitimate effort to meet all course requirements including attendance, opportunities designed to allow students to recover from a low or failing cumulative grade will be allowed. The teacher determines this recovery assignment. Students are responsible for contacting the teacher concerning recovery opportunities. Teachers will establish, at their discretion and with the concurrence of the department head, a reasonable time period for recovery work to be completed during the semester. All recovery work must be completed ten school days prior to the end of the semester.
CHATTAHOOCHEE HIGH SCHOOL GUIDELINES:
Chattahoochee High School Mathematics Department Guidelines:
Recovery is available to students with a cumulative grade below 74% after a minimum of two (2) major grades. The maximum grade a student can earn for a recovery activity is 70 %. There will be only one recovery opportunity per failed major assignment or test. The individual teacher will determine the means of recovery. THE STUDENT MUST INITIATE THE PROCESS WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS OF NOTIFICATION OF A FAILING GRADE ON A MAJOR ASSIGNMNET/TEST.

Integrade and Parent Connect: Student grades will be updated in Integrade at least every two weeks. Quizzes and tests will be entered into Integrade to show when they will be given once they are announced to the students. A grade for homework will be updated every two weeks with assignment grades entered as a two-week grade. Parent Connect is a software program that links parents and teachers by allowing parents to access their student’s grades, attendance, assignments and discipline via the Internet. All parents are encouraged to register for this service.

Extra Help With the exception of staff meetings and appointments with other school activities, I am available for extra help most every day before and after school. Students desiring extra help must notify me in advance so that I will be in the room at the arranged time.

Advanced Algebra & Trigonometry

Advanced Algebra & Trigonometry
Fall Semester 2007
Mr. Michael Shallow
shallow@fulton.k12.ga.us

Content: Topics in the first semester include: Algebra II review, linear equations and inequalities, matrices, graphing functions, the unit circle, and trigonometric functions. The chapters to be covered are 1-6.4.

Textbook:
Glencoe McGraw Hill, Advanced Mathematical Concepts: Precalculus with Applications ($54.99)

Required Materials: Textbook, paper, sharpened pencils, three-ring binder with dividers.

Optional Materials: If you purchase a graphing calculator, a TI-83+ or TI-84 is recommended. Graphing calculators are powerful mathematical tools. Through their use students can visualize problems more quickly, discover mathematical properties, and validate their work done with pencil and paper. They must be used appropriately. Graphing calculators are not substitutes for students learning mathematical concepts and processes. They are to be used to enhance student learning. Calculator Arcade game playing is not permitted.
There is a set of calculators for students to use in the classroom. In order to ensure security, students that opt to use their own calculator may have the memory cleared before and after a test is given in class. Calculators which are more powerful and more sophisticated than the TI-84 may not be used on a test.


Grading Policy
These are the guidelines set by Fulton County for computing grades.
Grading Scale:
90%- 100% = A
80%- 89% = B
70%- 79% = C
Below 70%= F

Grades will be determined by the following:
Final Exam: 15%
Tests/Projects: 50%
Quizzes: 20%
Homework/Classwork: 15%


Tests: There will be at least one test per chapter. Each test will be announced in advance. Students absent for the review for a test will be expected to take the test with the class on the scheduled day.

Quizzes: Quizzes will be given periodically. Most will be announced 1-2 days in advance.

Homework: Homework is assigned daily. Students are expected to write each question, draw all pictures, show all work, and correct their mistakes. No late homework will be accepted.

Final Exam: There will be a cumulative final exam at the end of the semester.




Classroom Expectations:
Be on time!!
Respect yourself, respect others, and respect the classroom environment.
Be prepared and ready to begin when the bell has rung.
Participate in all activities.
Follow all school rules as described in the Student Handbook.

Attendance: Regular attendance is essential. If you miss a class it is your responsibility to get the make-up assignment from a classmate or from the assignment sheet posted in the classroom.

Make-up Work: Make-ups for tests and quizzes should be arranged by appointment before or after school. Tests and quizzes should be made up outside of class time as to ensure that the student does not fall further behind. All other missed work should be made up according to the Fulton County Schools Policy described in the Student Handbook. Students who know they will miss class in advance must request work in advance. This includes arranging to take tests and quizzes ahead of time.


FULTON COUNTY RECOVERY POLICY:
When all class work required to date has been completed and the student has demonstrated a legitimate effort to meet all course requirements including attendance, opportunities designed to allow students to recover from a low or failing cumulative grade will be allowed. The teacher determines this recovery assignment. Students are responsible for contacting the teacher concerning recovery opportunities. Teachers will establish, at their discretion and with the concurrence of the department head, a reasonable time period for recovery work to be completed during the semester. All recovery work must be completed ten school days prior to the end of the semester.

CHATTAHOOCHEE HIGH SCHOOL GUIDELINES:
Chattahoochee High School Mathematics Department Guidelines:
Recovery is available to students with a cumulative grade below 74% after a minimum of two (2) major grades. The maximum grade a student can earn for a recovery activity is 70 %. There will be only one recovery opportunity per failed major assignment or test. The individual teacher will determine the means of recovery. THE STUDENT MUST INITIATE THE PROCESS WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS OF NOTIFICATION OF A FAILING GRADE ON A MAJOR ASSIGNMNET/TEST.


Integrade and Parent Connect: Student grades will be updated in Integrade at least every two weeks. Quizzes and tests will be entered into Integrade to show when they will be given once they are announced to the students. A grade for homework will be updated every two weeks with assignment grades entered as a two-week grade. Parent Connect is a software program that links parents and teachers by allowing parents to access their student’s grades, attendance, assignments and discipline via the Internet. All parents are encouraged to register for this service.


Extra Help:
With the exception of staff meetings and appointments with other school activities, I am available for extra help most every day before and after school. Students desiring extra help must notify me in advance so that I will be in the room at the arranged time.

Algebra 3

Algebra 3
Fall Semester 2007
Mr. Michael Shallow
shallow@fulton.k12.ga.us

Content: This course covers chapters P, 1-3, and section 4.4. Topics include Functions and Equations; Linear Equations and Functions; Graphing Functions; Polynomial Functions, and Conics. Algebra 3 incorporates Georgia High School Test objectives 1-11, 13-33, 25-32, and 37-45.

Textbook: Houghton Mifflin, Algebra and Trigonometry ($69.30)

Required Materials: Textbook, paper, sharpened pencils, three- ring binder with dividers.

Optional Materials: If you purchase a graphing calculator, a TI-83+ or TI-84 is recommended. Graphing calculators are powerful mathematical tools. Through their use students can visualize problems more quickly, discover mathematical properties, and validate their work done with pencil and paper. They must be used appropriately. Graphing calculators are not substitutes for students learning mathematical concepts and processes. They are to be used to enhance student learning. Calculator Arcade game playing is not permitted.
There is a set of calculators for students to use in the classroom. In order to ensure security, students that opt to use their own calculator may have the memory cleared before and after a test is given in class. Calculators which are more powerful and more sophisticated than the TI-84 may not be used on a test.


Grading Policy
These are the guidelines set by Fulton County for computing grades.
Grading Scale:
90%- 100% = A
80%- 89% = B
70%- 79% = C
Below 70%= F

Grades will be determined by the following:
Final Exam: 15%
Tests/Projects: 50%
Quizzes: 20%
Homework/Classwork: 15%


Tests: There will be at least one test per chapter. Each test will be announced in advance. Students absent for the review for a test will be expected to take the test with the class on the scheduled day.

Quizzes: Quizzes will be given periodically. Most will be announced 1-2 days in advance.

Homework: Homework is assigned daily. Students are expected to write each question, draw all pictures, show all work, and correct their mistakes. No late homework will be accepted.

Final Exam: There will be a cumulative final exam at the end of the semester. If you maintain an 80% Homework Grade, your final grade can replace your lowest test score – but you must pass the final.




Classroom Expectations:
Be on time!!
Respect yourself, respect others, and respect the classroom environment.
Be prepared and ready to begin when the bell has rung.
Participate in all activities.
Follow all school rules as described in the Student Handbook.


Make-up Work: Make-ups for tests and quizzes should be arranged by appointment before or after school. Tests and quizzes should be made up outside of class time as to ensure that the student does not fall further behind. All other missed work should be made up according to the Fulton County Schools Policy described in the Student Handbook. Students who know they will miss class in advance must request work in advance. This includes arranging to take tests and quizzes ahead of time.



FULTON COUNTY RECOVERY POLICY:
When all class work required to date has been completed and the student has demonstrated a legitimate effort to meet all course requirements including attendance, opportunities designed to allow students to recover from a low or failing cumulative grade will be allowed. The teacher determines this recovery assignment. Students are responsible for contacting the teacher concerning recovery opportunities. Teachers will establish, at their discretion and with the concurrence of the department head, a reasonable time period for recovery work to be completed during the semester. All recovery work must be completed ten school days prior to the end of the semester.

CHATTAHOOCHEE HIGH SCHOOL GUIDELINES:
Chattahoochee High School Mathematics Department Guidelines:
Recovery is available to students with a cumulative grade below 74% after a minimum of two (2) major grades. The maximum grade a student can earn for a recovery activity is 70 %. There will be only one recovery opportunity per failed major assignment or test. The individual teacher will determine the means of recovery. THE STUDENT MUST INITIATE THE PROCESS WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS OF NOTIFICATION OF A FAILING GRADE ON A MAJOR ASSIGNMNET/TEST.



Integrade and Parent Connect: Student grades will be updated in Integrade at least every two weeks. Quizzes and tests will be entered into Integrade to show when they will be given once they are announced to the students. A grade for homework will be updated every two weeks with assignment grades entered as a two-week grade. Parent Connect is a software program that links parents and teachers by allowing parents to access their student’s grades, attendance, assignments and discipline via the Internet. All parents are encouraged to register for this service.


Extra Help: With the exception of staff meetings and appointments with other school activities, I am available for extra help most every day before and after school. Students desiring extra help must notify me in advance so that I will be in the room at the arranged time.