This little song is a perfect little way to remember one of the concepts of Calculus. Remember it, and it will remember you. There is no escape from the Calculus song…

Quick, quick, what’s the derivative of 2x²? 4X! What’s the derivative of that? 4! Okay, okay, so maybe that’s not really a fair thing to ask. Seriously though, the principles of Calculus aren’t really that hard. It’s the application of those concepts, and the algebra involved, that really boggles one’s mind, quite possibly like making scrambled eggs for supper, or if that’s not very appetizing, tossed salad for breakfast. If the salad’s no different, well, the rest of the food’s gone. Sorry. Could I perhaps interest you in a slice of Pie?

Think of Calculus as…as an island. Yeah…an island…in the middle of nowhere. Think of calc problems as buried treasure, or perhaps hidden booby-traps or pitfalls for some, on said island. There’s not really one single way to get to said treasure. Calculus is very similar. There are many paths to the final solution, and the solution may be in a number of different forms.

Now, while a certain someone’s head is still spinning like a top, it may be worth mentioning that unless a brilliant Calculus teacher can project this brilliance upon students, like a projector, or a flashlight, students are still left in the dark and cold on the shifty island that is called Calculus.

“Any intelligent fool can take a problem and make it more complex, but it takes genius, and a lot of courage, to move in the opposite direction.” – Albert Einstein

OHS’s resident AP Calculus teacher, Mr. Wojta, does just that each and every day the sun rises over a student-filled high school in little-old Onalaska (well, this time of year, the sun may not quite be up by the time a decent percentage of the students arrive). Don’t understand limits or deviation? Use the textbook and notes! Way to go Mr. Wojta! Make those students work! Besides, what doesn’t kill them will only make them smarter! Wait, that sounds a bit counter to the point… But basically, if one’s not willing to put some effort into the subject, the subject will do nothing in return. On a more serious note, Calculus is awesome, and awesome is an overused word. So, consider the following:

AP Calc = awesome
Awesome = overused word

Therefore, AP Calc = overused word, correct?
WRONG! For there is always an exception to the rule.