AP Stats Review Day 17

This is Tulip Time in Holland, MI. That means half-days on Wednesday and Thursday and lots of parades and Dutch Dancing. So, my students are really busy this week, and I see them for one less day. That’s alright, it’s taper time for our review process. I haven’t assigned HW since Friday. My students need to do their own studying now. I hope they have put some time towards their AP Stats review.

Today (3rd period) and yesterday (7th period) I reviewed “big ideas”. We discussed:

1. Describing distributions (shape, center, spread, gaps) and scatterplots (strength, direction, form).

2. Using context in their descriptions.

3. Difference between interpreting confidence intervals and confidence level.

4. How the length of a CI is affected by confidence level and sample size.

5. Checking criteria for BOTH CIs and HTs.

6. Type I and Type II errors and Power

7. Conditional probabilities and determining independence

Boy, if my students could really nail these ideas, I think they would be in good shape.

I started the last review session with reminding my students that nothing bad can happen tomorrow. Either they will score high enough to get college credit for Introductory Statistics or they will have an easy college class. Some of my students countered they would waste $80+ on the test. True, but many kids may spend close to that on a week’s worth of carney food during Tulip Time.

Good luck everyone. This AP Stats teacher is routing for you tomorrow.

Julie

 

AP Stats Review Day 16

I did some statistical voodoo last night. I’m not proud. You see I had to assign grades to my students’ practice AP test scores. I had to try to figure out cut scores on a practice test with 4 FRQs that I chose and 32 MC questions from a secure AP test. Bias everywhere. Did I choose FRQs I knew my students could handle? Are the first 32 MC questions systematically different than all 40 questions? Did I grade true to the published scoring guides? Am I being fair to my students with the grade I assign? Sorcery, I tell yahs.

The happy news, none of my students seemed upset by their grade. They all seemed to believe their scores were appropriately assigned. So there’s that.

My Plan:

5s: A’s

4s: A-‘s

3s: B+s

2s: Bs to B-s

1s: C range

After the grade sheets were handed out, we went over the FRQs and started reviewing the MC questions. 52 minutes went quickly. Then I had to collect the secure MC tests (I’m not the weak link!). We will try to review some more MC questions as needed.

So close now!

AP Stats Review Day 15

I made a mistake. So many of my students were missing class Friday that I gave the MC practice test on Monday. Mistake. I really should have made certain the practice test was completed the week before the real AP tests begin. What a nightmare of make-ups and the like.

Well, I gave the MC practice on Monday. While the kids were taking the test I finished up grading their FRQ practice test. The kids had no issue finishing the 32 questions (yes, I know there are 40) in our 52 minute class periods.

For HW tonight I had one of my better ideas in decades. Just for those taking the National Exam, I had them read a wonderful article written by an esteemed AP Stats teacher and reader (can’t think of his name) that offers some helpful hints on taking the exam. I sent out a google form and required each student to enter five things they gleaned from the article. The beauty of the google form is I have everyone’s responses in one sheet that I can share with all. Everyone learns from everyone. Nice.

I’m toast.

Julie

AP Stats Review Day 14

Crazy Friday. About of one-third of my AP classes were absent Friday attending athletic and co-curricular events. Another group of kids had to take their practice MC test early since they are talking real AP Tests Monday. A third chunk kids are not taking the stats national exam so  I allowed them to prepare for other academic related activities (this is the first time in the review process that I allowed this), and the rest I worked with in small groups. It was fun to work with 5-8 students working on some FRQs. I was able to discuss using simulations to produce a p-value in more detail. I didn’t assign any HW over the weekend. The kids need to do their own test preparation. We have reviewed everything, and now my students need to personalize their own review.

I’m in the midst of grading their practice FRQ test. Some of my students have to do a bit more work before they are ready, but most seem to be coming along just fine. Even my students that are not taking the national exam are doing pretty well. Excellent, you guys, so proud. However, please check your criteria, please! So many of my students didn’t check criteria for a confidence interval. Ughhh…

Well, we are almost there. I’m ready. I hope my students are ready also.

Julie

AP Stats Review Day 13

We took a practice test today. Three “regular” FRQs and one #6. Everyone was able to finish without issue. I’m not sure how to feel about that. Does that mean I didn’t select a good representation of the exam? You know, a good mix of easy, medium, and hard? Or, perhaps my students were ready and prepared? And even, the test was so hard that they weren’t able to give it a fair effort? I will find out this weekend when I grade the FRQs I guess.

Now, how to scale a shortened test? I don’t believe I will make the #6 worth 25% of their FRQ score. Considering the shortened number of FRQs on their practice test, I don’t wish to over emphasize the #6 in their grade. I’m not sure if my logic is great, but that’s the best I got right now. So, I will weigh each FRQ equally.

#1: ______ X 3.125 = _____  (Max = 12.5)

#2: ______ X 3.125 = _____   (Max = 12.5)

#3: ______ X 3.125 = _____   (Max = 12.5)

#4: ______ X 3.125 = _____   (Max = 12.5)

Total = _______   (Max = 50)

Homework tonight consisted of recent FRQs including a chi-square, a simulation example, and another one I absolutely can’t remember at this very moment. Yep, I’m losing it. Teaching an AP course does that to a mind.

Julie

AP Stats Review Day 12

I feel a little better after today. We did some #6s, a simulation problem (milk volume), and again reviewed inference for slope. I can check those off my list of stuff that was causing me anxiety. I’m trying to convince the kids that simulation problems are really pretty easy. We also discussed to have faith in their skills while working on the #6 FRQ. You just need to crash through it, and get as many points as possible. We haven’t discussed the strategy of tackling the #6 FRQ first or second yet. Perhaps next week.

So, tomorrow my kids are taking a practice FRQ portion of the test. When we had 72 minute classes, I would give the entire FRQ portion one day and the entire MC portion the next day. It really gave the kids an idea of the intensity of the test. This year I’m give 3 regular FRQs and one #6 FRQ. I figure that should take about 55 minutes (10+10+10+25). I like to give the FRQ portion first so I have extra time to grade those buggers. After the test the kids will have some FRQs for HW. I’m done correcting and quizzing on them now. They just need to do them for their own preparation.

I would like to have given the MC portion on Friday, but I have a number of kids missing for forensics and athletics. Monday will be the day for the MC portion. I won’t be able to give all 40 questions, but I will probably have them do 35 questions. My kids have traditionally not needed the entire 90 minutes for the MC portion. I know I will have to be flexible though.

I didn’t assign any HW tonight. I wanted to give my students an opportunity to do chose what the need to study. I hope they take the opportunity to do so. Just of couple more days of HW from me. We are getting there.

I’m tired. I’m sure my students are as well. I have to remember that.

Julie

AP Stats Review Day 11

I need more time. I need more minutes in each period. Fifty-two minute periods are not long enough. I can’t wait until we have a six period day and 62 minute classes. I need more time.

So, my kids didn’t get through all the inference examples on their own yesterday. Some did, though. I really am thankful for their handwork. Awesome, you guys!!

In my third hour, I went through more of the inference examples and did a problem from their FRQ packet HW. It was a pretty intense 52 minutes trying to review. Their HW tonight is to finish the inference packet using notes and screencasts. I also asked my students to take their big chapter-by-chapter packet and highlight the topics they still are not comfortable with doing. I hope this forces the kids to actually read the thing. Yikes, it has some pretty good information in there.

I switched it up for 7th hour. I decided to do a #6 FRQ with them. The one I chose was the Island Bird Instinct problem. It has a two-proportion z-test and a confidence interval for slope. Nice chance to review those inference types. This is a pretty straightforward #6, so a good with which to begin. We started the milk dispenser #6 FRQ also. I need to get more practice on simulations.

Some of my students left 7th hour early for a baseball game, they have to do the same tomorrow. Ugh… More kids are on going on a college visit Wednesday, and many others have a forensics competition on Friday. Hey, doesn’t anyone realize the world revolves around my AP Stats Review?

Did I mention I need more time?

Julie

AP Stats Review Day 10

Weird day today. I left after first hour, sick. I Couldn’t make it. I hated to miss a review day with my kids, but technology to the rescue.

I made screencasts of each inference type using ShowMe and housed them in a folder on edmodo. So, I thought my kids could easily access the links and review away. Hah, not quite. Some had trouble finding the folder that was shared with them, and others choose to do the FRQ packet instead. I really wanted the FRQ packet for HW and even included in my sub plan not to pass it out until the end of the hour. Oh well. No difference, really.

I had a few kids contact me via email and edmodo requesting help. I am happy to do that when I was able.

Julie

AP Stats Review Day 9

I forgot the song today. Ooops.  It was senior skip day and I guess I was preoccupied with determining who was missing. Or, that’s just an excuse, and it’s really that I’m just getting forgetful.

Today was the first day of the an FRQ quiz from the FRQs assigned the night before. Worked well. They kids were asking each other questions about the FRQs and discussing solutions. They noticed that the online rubrics have different notation and explanations for some of the problems.

Kids came up front and used my TI random number generator to determine which of the three quizzes they would complete. One student even commented that his heart was pounding with anticipation. Ha Ha, I loved his sarcasm.

After the quiz we started the big inference review. We were able to practice some t-tests and paired t-tests. I always have my kids write down the formula and plug in the values for these tests. I noticed some kids getting anxious when they looked at all of the formulas they would have to know. I decided to tell them that if they write the full name of the hypothesis test or confidence interval they would not have to include the formula. I also explained that the very best written explanation would include the formula and not including it would be at their own FRQ peril.

No school tomorrow for students. Our school is having an all staff PSD with some pretty awesome #edureform speakers. I’m looking forward to learning and growing with Will Richardson and Principal Kafele.

Julie

AP Stats Review Day 8

“You’ve Got a Friend” by Carole King was our musical motivator. I prefer  Carole’s version over the James Taylor rendition . Most of my students commented they liked the James Taylor song.

We are finishing up on the big probability units and moving on to inference. The FRQ HW tonight is a mix of inference and binomial / sampling distribution type problems. This is the first HW that one of the FRQs will be a quiz question. I hope my students really prepare and do the questions well. I’ve had a couple of students contact me this evening via edmodo or email to ask questions. I encourage my students to do that. I want to help. It allows me an opportunity to teach beyond the class hour.

I got a bit frazzled today during 7th hour. I would say I was even crabby. I apologized immediately and got back under control. I have a history of getting really wound tight during the exam review, and I promised myself and my students that I would not do that this year. I want to keep my promise. So far, so good.

I’m starting to get anxious about getting every topic appropriately reviewed. Yikes there is a lot to do. We are starting our inference review tomorrow. I’m using a packet that circled about the listserv a good number of years ago. I believe the original author is Betsy Vandenberg and it was edited by Stony Pryor. Thanks for the help, guys. I decided to make screencasts for the each inference type. It’s a lot of work, but worth it. Each screencast takes about 10 minutes to make once I have the problems set up. I completed five of them this evening, so a pretty good start. I make the screencasts using the Showme App on my iPad. I will load them in an edmodo folder and put them Tunes for my students to use for review.

Tomorrow is supposed to be Senior Skip Day. I’m not a fan of such day, especially one that is scheduled during the AP Exam Review. I hope to see all of my seniors tomorrow. We have to work hard to do well. Everyday counts.

Julie