Welcome to AP U.S. History!
Dear Students,

Welcome to AP U.S. History (APUSH)! I am thrilled to have you in this class and excited to begin our deep dive into America’s past. This is not just a history course—it’s a college-level academic experience that will challenge your thinking, strengthen your skills, and prepare you for the AP Exam in May. We’ll explore the key events, people, and forces that shaped the United States from pre-Columbian times through the present day.

In APUSH, you are expected to be independent, responsible, and actively engaged. This means completing daily readings, taking thorough notes, participating in discussions, analyzing primary sources, writing evidence-based essays, and keeping up with a fast-paced schedule. Time management and consistent effort will be essential to your success.

To stay organized, each student is required to have a 1-inch, 3-ring binder dedicated solely to APUSH. Your binder must include 10 divider tabs—one for each of the major historical periods we’ll cover, plus one section for loose leaf notebook paper for notes, assignments, and reflections.

🔎 Binder Expectations:

• Monthly binder checks (worth 50 points each) will ensure your materials are up-to-date and organized.
  
  

• This will help you review content efficiently and build study habits that support long-term retention—key to performing well on the AP Exam.
  
  

📌 Binder due date: TBD
Just bringing it prepared will earn you 15 points, so don’t delay.

As an AP student, you are also expected to:

• Keep up with nightly textbook readings and supplemental material.
  
  

• Engage in critical thinking and make historical connections across time periods.
  
  

• Write LEQs (Long Essay Questions), DBQs (Document-Based Questions), and SAQs (Short Answer Questions) with clarity and depth.
  
  

• Attend extra help sessions when needed and seek feedback to improve.
  
  

• Treat the course—and your classmates—with the maturity and respect of a college seminar.
  
  

I’m excited for the journey ahead and look forward to seeing your growth as thinkers, writers, and historians. Let’s commit to excellence, curiosity, and hard work. Let’s make this a great year!

Sincerely,
Mr. Vilk