Primary Textbook:
America’s History, 8 th ed., AP ed. Henretta, et al. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2014.
Supplemental Texts and Sources:
Documents to Accompany America’s History, Volume 1: to 1877, 5 th ed. Yazawa, Melvin. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2004.
Documents to Accompany America’s History, Volume 2: Since 1865, 5 th ed. Fernlund, Kevin J. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2004.
Useful video clips and educational movies
Additional articles, primary sources, and secondary texts as needed
Goals and Objectives:
APUSH is a challenging course designed to teach students relevant and factual knowledge about American history from pre-exploration through modern history while preparing students for the AP US History Exam on May 10th, and simultaneously meeting the Washington State and Common Core standards for 11th graders. This course replaces junior year US History for one full credit when both semesters are successfully completed. In addition to providing basic exposure to the historical narrative the course goals include development of (1) an understanding of the principal themes of American history, (2) the ability to analyze historical evidence, and (3) the ability to express that understanding and analysis effectively in writing.
APUSH Historical Thinking Skills:
Students will be taught to use six significant historical thinking skills, some of which will be specifically targeted in long answer questions (LAQs) and document based questions (DBQ).
Analyzing Historical Evidence
Argument Development
Contextualization
Comparison
Causation
Continuity and Change Over Time (CCOT)
APUSH Themes of Study:
The content learning objectives for the APUSH course and exam are organized under seven “themes” which are topics for historical inquiry that will be explored throughout the course. Each theme is guided by three to five overarching (essential) questions that are intended to guide student inquiry and learning. Each essential question also relates to specific learning objectives and historical skills development. These themes focus student understanding of major historical issues and developments, helping students to recognize trends and processes that have emerged over centuries. The themes are listed below:
American and National Identity
Politics and Power
Work, Exchange, and Technology
Culture and Society
Migration and Settlement
Geography and the Environment
America and the World
APUSH Time Periods
APUSH students are expected to demonstrate knowledge of basic chronology and major events and trends from the pre-Columbian Native Americans until present day. All seven themes of study will be touched upon in each time period studied. Time periods will not be given equal weight on the AP exam, but will all appear to some extent on the exam as shown by percentage below:
1491-1607, 5%
1607-1754, 45%
1754-1800, 45%
1800-1848, 45%
1844-1877, 45%
1865-1898, 45%
1890-1945, 45%
1945-1980, 45%
1980-present, 5%
Course Structure:
Students will need to read one chapter approximately every 7 days (about 30 minutes per night) and complete the reading analysis homework by the end of the unit. READING IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY FOR SUCCESS IN THIS COURSE – READING THE TEXTBOOK IS NOT OPTIONAL.
Students are also expected to review their lecture notes the same day as the lecture is given.
Mondays through Wednesdays will include practice of at least one historical thinking skill, skills required for success on DBQs, LAQs, and short answer questions (SAQs), either through in-class assignments or projects.
Thursdays will include a lecture of the current where students are expected to actively take notes, ask questions, and discuss ideas raised by the instructor. The following day, the chapter’s reading analysis homework is due.
There will be some sort of essay (SAQ, LEQ, DBQ – whole or in part) every Friday.
There will be four multiple choice exams: Midterm 1 st semester, semester 1 final, March 2nd semester, semester 2 final (leading up to the AP Exam).
Grading System:
Student Assessment: 80% of Total Grade
Multiple choice exams
SAQs
LAQs
DBQs
Seminars
Projects
Student Practice: 10% of Total Grade
In-class assignments
Reading homework
Seminar preparation
21st Century Skills: 10% of Total
Attendance
Tardies
Participation
Attitude
Academic honesty
21st Century Skills
APUSH requires a dedication of time, intentionality, and your participation to be successful, just like a college course or a job. Not following the expectations can drop your grade up to 10%. Expectations include, but are not limited to:
Being in the classroom before the bell rings. Being tardy is unacceptable.
Only miss class when you are ill or have a school/family conflict; make sure you get your absences excused and prearrange for your work before your absences whenever possible.
Treat your teacher or guest teacher, your classmates, and the classroom/equipment with respect. Misuse of the computers can have serious consequences, as per the student handbook.
You do your work and cite your sources. Academic theft, including plagiarism and cheating, will result in a zero for the assignment as well as losing participation points. Remember, this is the quickest way to be expelled from college, so don’t get in the habit now.
Required Materials:
Blue or black ballpoint ink pens – not felt tip or gel
Sharpened #2 pencils (I recommend Ticonderoga) – HB 2 mechanical pencils are fine for class, but AP proctors will not let you use them on the official AP Exam.
2 different colored highlighters
Chromebooks are optional; we are located in a computer lab with PCs, though you will likely want Chromebooks on Socratic Seminar dates
A file box at home to keep EVERYTHING until AFTER you take the final and AP test in May
Recommended additional materials:
A high quality eraser (like a white Staedtler or Pentel polymer eraser)
Your favorite writing utensils for note taking, color coordinating notes, and doing in-class work – please don’t use hard to read colors for work you must turning in
Sticky notes, flags, paper clips, or other organizational office supplies
Buying a review book or app EARLY – they can help you with all unit exams during the year
Sign up for Tom Richey’s 8 Month Writing Clinic: https://www.tomrichey.net/writing-clinic.html This will make you a MUCH BETTER WRITER and thus increase your AP score by one or two scores
Additional Help:
Remedial help for skills, as well as time to ask questions or work on assignments, will be available before school and during CORE/Choice
Questions can be emailed to nosborne@auburn.wednet.edu
Before school review sessions will be given before every multiple choice exam and throughout the month of April in room 322
YouTube has hundreds of helpful videos; I recommend Tom Richey, Paul Sargent, Feature History, Jabzy, Epic History TV, and Crash Course
Other resources are available on through Google Classroom