- How is my grade calculated for this course?
- What is your homework policy?
- How often is homework assigned?
- What are the requirements for assignments?
- What is your policy on absences and make-up work?
- How should I prepare for tests?
- What should I bring to class?
- What suggestions do you have for success in AP U.S. History?
- What suggestions do you have for success in U.S. History?
- What textbooks are used in the APUSH course?
- What textbook is used in the U.S. History course?
- What are some suggestions for Prep books for the AP Exam?
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How is my grade calculated for this course?
Advanced Placement U.S. History:
Evaluations 60% (tests, quizzes, writing assignments, projects)
Class Participation 25% (discussions & group activities)
Homework 15%
United States History:
Evaluations 60% (tests, quizzes, writing assignments, projects)
Homework 20%
Class Participation 20% (class discussions, group work, presentations)
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What is your homework policy?
Homework is directly related to class participation and class activities.
You need to be prepared in order to participate in class discussions and
group activities, therefore, in order to succeed in this class you will need
to keep up with your homework assignments. Your preparation for class is
key to your success in this course.
LATE HOMEWORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!!
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How often is homework assigned?
You can generally expect to have some type of a homework assignment on a
daily basis. You will recieve a weekly syllabus each Monday that will
outline your assignments for the week.
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What are the requirements for assignments?
All written work turned in must be written in ink (blue or black ONLY) or
typed. If it is typed, all typing errors should be edited out before the
paper is turn in.
Written work must be written on only ONE side of an 8 1/2" X 11" paper. I
will NOT accept paper that has been torn out of a spiral notebook (those
fuzzy ends get caught on all sorts of things!)
I WILL NOT ACCEPT papers that do not meet these criteria.
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What is your policy on absences and make-up work?
AP U.S. History:
This is a college-level class and moves very fast. Therefore, you
cannot affort absences from class. If you must be absent on the day of a
quiz or test, you MUST MAKE IT UP IN THE NUMBER OF DAYS EQUAL TO THE NUMBER
OF DAYS ABSENT. Arrangements must be made to take the test or quiz before
or after school. Work not made up within the above requirement will be
entered in the grade book as a zero. Students who make it a habit to
be "absent" on test days or on days in which important assignments are due
are not, in my opinion, A.P. material.
U.S. History:
After an absence, check to see what work is to be made up and when it
is due. Review your syllabus before asking questions. Check with a
classmate for missed notes. All work, including tests, must be made-up in
the number of days equal to the number of days absent. Work not made up
within the above requirement will be entered in the grade book as a zero.
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How should I prepare for tests?
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!
A.P. US History:
Prepare for tests properly. Review your text notes, class notes and
your reading journal entries. Tests will consist of a variety of
evaluations including essays, DBQs (Document Based Questions). Content
knowledge will also be tested using objective, multiple choice tests
prepared by your textbook authors.
U.S. History:
Prepare for tests properly. Keep up with your reading assignments and
homework assignments. You will usually receive a study guide at the
beginning of the unit or chapter. Tests will be given at the end of each
chapter or sometimes at the end of units of study.
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What should I bring to class?
A.P. US History:
You should dedicate an entire notebook -- I highly recommend a 3-ring
binder notebook. You will be receiving a variety of handouts and
supplemental readings that you will want to refer to for the current unit of
study and for your AP Exam review. These should be placed within your notes
in your notebook for each topic area/unit of study. You should bring the
textbook with you on a daily basis. Obviously you may not mark in your
school texts (a privilege you will have in college -- but one that you will
pay for!) -- but please highlight any handouts I give you and highlight your
own reading notes and class notes as you study them.
U.S. History:
Bring basic materials with you to class each day -- textbook, notebook,
pen, folder. I recommend using a notebook dedicated to this course. It
should also have a pocket folder where you may keep your syllabus and
handouts from class.
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What suggestions do you have for success in AP U.S. History?
Keep up with your daily assignments.
There is a great deal of content material to cover in American History
from the colonial era to present day. Obviously there is not enough time to
cover everything in class lecture, therefore, you are required to learn the
basic content through your textbook reading assignments. This content
material will be supplemented by class discussions, activities and some
class lectures. You must have this basic content background in order to
participate in class and to pass the unit tests as well as the National AP
Exam in May.
Take reading notes.
Review all of your notes regularly, particularly before each class.
Participate in class discussions! Remember, in this class, there is not
one "right" answer to a question. Instead, your answer is judged by your
ability to support your position with well-organized, substantial evidence.
In addition, participation is worth 25% of your grade, so it will be to your
advantage to participate in class discussions. Besides, talking about
history is more fun that listening to others talk about history!
Start to prepare for the National AP Exam at the beginning of the year!
This is not an exam you can "cram" for. You need to prepare for this exam
all year long! You should be using your AP Review book and the online
materials throughout the course.
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What suggestions do you have for success in U.S. History?
Keep up with your assignments.
Prepare for and participate in class activities.
Make positive contributions to class discussions.
This will be helpful in understanding the subject matter and it is a
consideration in your grade for the class.
Do your own work! If you give me a good, honest effort you should not have
any major problems in this class.
Your instructor is here to help you. I can tell you what you need to do,
but the rest is up to you!
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What textbooks are used in the APUSH course?
Textbook: "The American Pageant" by David Kennedy, Lizabeth Cohen, Thomas
A. Bailey; 13th Edition, Houghton Mifflin 2006
Supplemental Readers:
The American Spirit Vol I. to 1877
The American Spirit Vol II. Since 1865
Fast Track to a 5: Preparing for the AP* United States History Examination
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What textbook is used in the U.S. History course?
The Americans: Reconstruction to the 21st Century (Ohio Edition) by
Danzer, Klorde Alva, Krieger, Wilson, Woloch; McDougal Littell 2003
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What are some suggestions for Prep books for the AP Exam?
There are many available at the national book store chains or at your local
library. Two favorites of past AP students are:
The Princeton Review - Cracking the AP U.S. History Exam
Barron's How to Prepare for AP United States History
