Calculus
While this course is called Calculus, it is a mixture of trigonometry and calculus. We spend the first 10 weeks studying trigonometry, and the rest of the school year exploring concepts from calculus. My approach to the calculus part of it is I am going to explain to the students what calculus is, and how to solve the basic problems, ex. finding limits, derivatives, applying derivatives, and integration techniques. I do not go into the reasoning behind everything, I reserve that for their college professors. Topics that we do cover are as such: Trigonometric Functions, Trigonometric Equations & Applications, Triangle Trigonometry, Polar Coordinates & Complex Numbers, Functions & Average Rate of Change, Limits & Derivatives, Applications of the Derivative, Additional Differential Techniques, and Integral Calculus. The textbook we use for this class is Brief Calculus: The Study of Rates of Change by Prentice Hall, 2000.
I recommend that any senior planning on studying mathematics, science, engineering, or business in college take this course. It is a preparatory class for college level calculus, not a replacement. Students hand in their assignments the day of the test. Their homework is worth 15 points. Quizzes are given twice a chapter, and are worth 15-25 points. Chapter tests are worth 100 points. All students are required to take the semester test which is given after the first semester that is worth 20% of their first semester grade. A cumulative final is given to all students at the end of the year that is worth 100 points, or the same as a chapter test. Tests and quizzes make up about 75% of their grade, while homework and worksheets make up the other 25%.