:: MATHEMATICS

Please note: The courses listed below are for the 2009 AP Summer Institutes. These course descriptions will remain posted for your reference, until December 2009.

Week One: July 13-16, 2009
Week Two: July 20-23, 2009

In the course titles, “combined” means that the institute is open to both new and experienced teachers in that particular Pre-AP or AP subject.

Please note that participants in Pre-AP institutes are no longer required to purchase the AP Vertical Teams Guide. This text will be provided by the hosting institution as part of the course materials.

MATHEMATICS WEEK ONE: July 13-16, 2009

Pre-AP Mathematics (middle school)—combined

This institute is full and we are not accepting any more wait list registrations for this institute.

This course will focus on the importance and relevance of mathematics prior to Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry and the vertical alignment of concepts within these courses to ensure that students will perform well in high school AP courses.

Topics and activities:

Use a multi-representational approach to help teachers look at problems analytically, graphically, numerically, and verbally
Explore functions, graphs, and tables
Supplement and enhance teaching with activities
Practice with TI-84 graphing calculators
Discuss best practices
Discuss strategies to successfully implement inquiry-based learning activities

Participants should bring the following:

TI-73 or TI-84 graphing calculator
A favorite project, lesson, or activity to share
Sticky notes and highlighters

Lead Consultant: Rebecca Embry
Rebecca Embry has taught mathematics for 15 years. She has participated in vertical alignment and curriculum writing for Pre-AP mathematics for seven years and has served as a lead Pre-AP and Gifted and Talented teacher. Rebecca has presented summer institutes for the last two years. She has presented at the College Board Pre-AP Math Technology Conference in 2008, College Board Pre-AP two-day conference in 2007, and at the Conference for the Advancement of Mathematics Teaching in 2004. In 2007, she presented a summer institute co-sponsored by the College Board and the Austin Independent School District. Mrs. Embry received the Teacher of the Year award for her campus in 2007. She holds a B.S. in education from the University of Vermont and is currently working on her master’s degree through Texas State University.

Pre-AP Mathematics (high school): Algebra I and Geometry Focus—combined

Topics covered include the following:

The Rule of Four
Limits
Rate of Change
Accumulation
Optimization
Rational Functions
Polynomial Approximations
Distance, Velocity, Speed, and Acceleration
Parametric Equations
Univariate Data
Bivariate Data
Probability
Algebra Skills Needed for Calculus
Vertical Teams
Assessment-Data Collection (CBR and CBL2)
Mathematics Internet Sites

Participants should bring the following:

A favorite lesson to share
Graphing calculator (if available)
Textbooks being used in the coming school year

Lead Consultant: Robert Cole
Robert Cole has presented at numerous AP Summer Institutes and College Board one-day, two-day, and Mathematics Vertical Teams workshops. A veteran of thirty years in the public schools, Robert has taught everything from 7th grade math to calculus, including below-level, on-level, Pre-AP, G/T, and AP classes. His current assignment at Round Rock High School in Round Rock, Texas, is G/T Pre AP Pre calculus, and AP Calculus (AB and BC).

Pre-AP Mathematics (high school): Algebra II and Pre-calculus Focus—combined

We will focus on the mathematics prior to calculus: Algebra II and Pre-calculus and the importance and relevance of these courses to the Calculus AP topics as well as the vertical alignment of concepts within these courses to the Calculus AP topics. A multi-representational approach will be used to help teachers look at problems analytically, graphically, numerically, and verbally. Functions, their graphs, and behavior will be explored. Calculus concepts such as accumulation and rate of change will be introduced at the Pre-AP level. Projects and activities will be used to supplement and enhance the topics covered. Graphing calculators will be an integral part of the institute. We will use TI-84 graphing calculators. Teachers will have time to discuss best practices. This course is targeted towards teachers of Algebra II and Pre-calculus. The common topics of Algebra II and Pre-calculus will receive special attention, such as polynomials, rational functions, parent functions, exponentials, and logarithms. Participants will be able to obtain an electronic copy of the materials provided in the institute.

Participants should bring the following:

A TI-84 graphing calculator
A favorite lesson to share

Lead Consultant: Nancy Grigassy
Nancy D. Grigassy teaches at Stephen F. Austin High School in Sugar Land, Texas. She has been teaching for 30 years. She is a member of NCTM and TCTM. She was Austin High School’s first Teacher of the Year in 1995. She is an experienced AP Consultant in both Calculus and Pre-AP Mathematics. She has made presentations at the National Conference for Mathematics Teachers, T3, and the Conference for the Advancement of Mathematics in Texas, as well as AP Conferences in Houston and Frisco, Texas. Nancy is the Chair of the Mathematics Department at Austin High School. She teaches Pre-calculus Honors, Calculus AB, and Algebra I.

AP Statistics—combined

The summer institute for AP Statistics will provide the participants strategies in using an activity-based approach. Participants will also receive examples of worksheets and activities.

The specific topics and sessions comprising the institute include the following:

An examination of the various textbooks, supplemental tests, and other ancillary material in developing a successful AP Statistics program
A review of the statistical content
Strategies and techniques for teaching various topics and concepts
The incorporation and use of technology, including graphing calculators, statistical software programs, and interactive Web sites, in teaching statistics
A review of the current AP Exam and tips for reviewing for the national exam
Materials and resources from the College Board Office to assist in the establishment of an AP Statistics program

Lead Consultant: Kathy Fritz
Kathy Fritz teaches AP Statistics and is the Math Department chair at Plano West Senior High in Plano, Texas. She has twenty-eight years of teaching experience, teaching AP Statistics since 1996. She has a B.S. in Mathematics and a M.A. in Psychology, both from the University of Houston-Victoria. Kathy has been a consultant to the College Board in numerous conferences in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alabama, South Carolina, and New Mexico. She has presented AP Summer Institutes at various universities over the past six years. She was also a member of the Test Development Committee, and she serves as a Table Leader at the AP Reading.

MATHEMATICS WEEK TWO: July 20-23, 2009

AP Calculus AB—combined

Calculus AB will cover the material described in the College Board course description for Calculus AB. We will stress presenting topics with multiple representations and developing students’ understanding of the concepts of calculus. Participants will learn what to teach, how to teach it, and how to assess students’ understanding. By the end of the week, participants will understand how best to prepare students for the AP Calculus AB exam.

Participants should bring the following:

A graphing calculator
Plenty of notebook paper
Post-it notes

Lead Consultant: Dixie Ross
Dixie Ross began as a mathematics teacher at Taylor High School in Taylor, Texas. She started the Advanced Placement program there in 1989 and began working as a College Board consultant and institute leader in 1994. She served on the development committees for the Math Vertical Teams Toolkit, the Setting the Cornerstones institute, and the Building Success in Mathematics institute, and was a reader for the Advanced Placement examination. Articles and curriculum modules she has written are available via AP Central. In 2008, Dixie Ross was a finalist for the O’Donnell Texas AP Teacher of the Year Award and was recognized as a Math Hero by the Raytheon Company for her efforts to involve more students in advanced mathematics. She is currently teaching at Pflugerville High School, Pflugerville, Texas.

students in classroom