Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
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%Back to Top
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!!Back to Top
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.Back to Top
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.Back to Top
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.Back to Top
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.Back to Top
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.Back to Top
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.Back to Top
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 ExaminationBack to Top
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 HistoryBack to Top