Calculus Units for Independent Study and Small Senior Classes
When one or two seniors need calculus and no one on staff has a free period to teach it, ready units that a student can largely work through on their own are the realistic option. The High School Calculus Units Bundle gives you six: differentiation rules, curve analysis, extreme and inflection points, integrals, exponential growth, and sine and cosine functions. A supervising teacher checks the work instead of lecturing daily.
Review the calculus unitsThe High School Calculus Units Bundle costs $89.99; the six parts cost $149.94 on their own. The units are Differentiation rules and the derivative function, Curve analysis of polynomial functions, Extreme and inflection points with applied problems, Integral Calculus – Areas and the Antiderivative, The e-function and exponential growth processes, and Trigonometric Functions – Sine and Cosine. It suits calculus, pre-calculus and senior math teachers, including those supervising independent study.
The resources
High School Calculus Units Bundle, Grades 11–12
6 resources in one download: $89.99 instead of $149.94 bought separately.
Start with the first resource; the others are optional add-ons. Open any cover for the full contents and price.
High School Calculus Units Bundle | Derivatives, Curve Analysis, Integrals, Exponential & Trig Functions | 6 Units | Grades 11–12
Probability & Statistics Units Bundle | Tree Diagrams, Conditional Probability, Binomial Distribution & Hypothesis Tests | 5 Units | Grades 9–12
Pre-Calculus Prep Bundle | Quadratics, Function Transformations, Derivatives & Graph Analysis | 3 Workbooks | Grades 9–12
Complete Algebra Bundle | All 10 Algebra Workbooks from Expressions to Function Transformations | Grades 5–12
The real problem
One student, no calculus section, and a teacher already at capacity
Small high schools face the same situation every few years. A strong student finishes the last math course on the schedule as a junior and wants calculus before graduating. There may be one or two others, or there may be no one else at all. A full section is not possible, and the math teacher who could teach it already carries every other math course. The usual compromise is independent study: the student works from materials during a study hall or a shared period, and a teacher checks in a few times a week. That arrangement lives or dies on the materials. A thick textbook alone tends to stall a student by the second chapter, because no one is there to say which problems matter and what to skip. What makes independent calculus work is a short list of clearly bounded units, each with practice and answer keys the student can check against, so the supervising teacher spends their limited minutes on questions and grading rather than on explaining every step. A clear order of topics also matters, since derivatives, curve analysis and integrals build directly on each other.
Why it fits
Why six focused units suit independent study
Each unit is one bounded topic, which gives a self-directed student a clear finish line and a teacher a clear checkpoint.
- Differentiation rules and the derivative function give the student the core tools before anything else.
- Curve analysis of polynomial functions puts derivatives to use on graphs a student can sketch and check.
- Extreme and inflection points with applied problems connects calculus to optimization questions.
- Integral Calculus – Areas and the Antiderivative introduces integration through area under a curve.
- Exponential growth and sine and cosine units cover the function types senior math often adds.
- Answer keys let a student check work between check-ins, keeping the teacher's time for real questions.
Getting started
Setting up an independent calculus semester
These steps describe one way to run it. Your school's credit rules and schedule decide the details.
- Confirm the course with your schoolBefore buying, check with your counselor or principal how independent study is credited and recorded, and whether the course needs a specific title or approval in your district.
- Check readiness firstA student starting calculus needs solid algebra and function skills. If there are gaps, spend a few weeks with the Pre-Calculus Prep Bundle before the first calculus unit.
- Fix a weekly check-inSet one or two short meetings a week. The student brings completed work and questions; you review answers, look at errors and agree on the next section.
- Follow the units in orderHave the student work through differentiation, curve analysis and extreme points first, and only then move on to integrals. Place the exponential and trigonometric units where they fit your student's earlier coursework.
- Assess at the end of each unitClose every unit with a short test or a set of problems you mark yourself. That gives you a clear record for the transcript and shows whether the student is ready to continue.
What to buy
Calculus alone or with statistics or algebra
Buy the High School Calculus Units Bundle ($89.99, parts $149.94) when the student is ready for calculus now. If your senior would be better served by statistics, or you want to offer two electives, the Probability & Statistics Units Bundle ($69.99, parts $112.95) adds tree diagrams, conditional probability, the binomial distribution and hypothesis tests. A student who is not quite ready can begin with the Pre-Calculus Prep Bundle ($44.99, parts $59.97) on quadratics, function transformations and a Grade 11 workbook on functions, derivatives and graph analysis. Schools that want to fill algebra gaps across several grades can look at the Complete Algebra Bundle ($129.99, parts $199.90).
Honest limits
Honest limits for a small-school setup
These six units are not an AP Calculus course and are not endorsed by any AP program, state or district; they contain no state-specific content. There is no separate unit on limits, so plan how you will cover that if your course requires it. A student working alone still needs an adult who checks work, answers questions and gives grades. Calculators, devices and any online tools are your school's. The licence covers your own teaching; if several teachers or schools will share it, message Teach Lessons first. If it does not fit, exchange it within 7 days for store credit of equal value.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Will this count as calculus credit or match our state's math standards?
The bundle is not aligned with, approved by or endorsed by any state, district or AP program, and it has no state-specific content. Whether an independent study course counts for credit is decided by your school and district. Check your state's math standards and your district's course rules before you plan the semester.
Can it prepare a student for the AP Calculus exam?
It is not an AP course and we make no claim that it prepares for any exam. The six units cover major calculus topics, but if the student intends to sit an AP exam, compare the official course description with these units and add materials for anything missing, such as limits.
Can a student really work through this alone?
Largely, if they are motivated and have strong algebra. The answer keys let them check work between meetings. They still need a teacher for questions and assessment. Plan regular, short check-ins rather than leaving the student with the files for a whole semester. Independent does not mean unsupervised.
We have three seniors. Is that too many for this setup?
A small group often works better than one student alone, since the students can work problems together and explain steps to each other. You might run the check-in as a short group session. The standard licence covers use with your own small class. A shared deadline per unit also helps.
What does the student need before starting?
They need comfort with algebra, functions and graphs. If the student struggles with function transformations or quadratics, start with the Pre-Calculus Prep Bundle. The Grade 11 workbook in that bundle also introduces derivatives, which can serve as a gentle bridge into this set. Check this before the semester starts.
How do we receive the files?
The bundle is a digital download. The link comes by email right after purchase and the files stay in your customer account under Orders. You can print each unit as the student reaches it or use the files on whatever devices your school already provides.
Give your senior a way into calculus
Open the bundle page, check the six units against your student's background, and plan the first check-in.
Review the calculus units