JB's AP U.S. HISTORY

READING EXPECTATIONS

Students will be assigned a copy of AMSCO Preparing for the United States History Examination 2018 (and the Brinkley Connecting with the Past AP Edition (14th Edition) textbook). Both textbooks will be available digitally.

Students will read assigned chapters from the AMSCO book (and Brinkley textbook) for each unit.

But, primarily, students will be assigned a list of primary sources to read, analyze, and interpret in connection to the content knowledge readings. Primary sources serve as the fundamental content source of historical evidence. Historians and textbook authors write books based on their analyses and interpretations of primary source texts, images, and artifacts.

When reading or viewing primary sources, familiarize with all parts of the primary source. Approach the source appropriately, whether as a text or image or artifact. Summarize the main idea. Note key words, phrases, or elements key to the main idea. Consider the source. Note the author or creator (understand their perspective) and when the source was created. Note relevant events or developments around the time of the source's creation. Determine why the source was created; for what purpose. Determine who the source was created for or who was to receive it.

When reading the AMSCO book, students must be aware the purpose of this resource. The intent is to provide fundamental knowledge of historical concepts. The book leaves most of the historical narrative out compared to the Brinkley readings. Yet, the primary focus on content in AMSCO assists students in further comprehending the historical concepts in their role in American historical development when combined with Primary Sources (and the Brinkley chapter readings). In addition, students must avail themselves to the exercises and activities at the end of each AMSCO chapter, including the "Historical Perspectives," "Multiple-Choice Questions," "Essay Questions," and, most importantly, "Documents and Readings."

When reading the Brinkley textbook, students must consider all components of the chapter. Each chapter begins with "Setting the State" providing a brief overview of the chapter along with "Looking Ahead" questions to address when reading the chapter. At the end of each chapter is the "Looking Back" briefly summarizing the effects of the historical developments in the chapter along with a time line of "Significant Events." Students must use the sub-heading titles within the chapter to guide their reading comprehension of the historical narrative of each chapter. Very importantly, students must learn and connect key concepts italicized and headlined in the chapter in conjunction with the "Key Terms/People/Places/Events" listed at the end of the chapter. While students are not assigned written responses, they must address the "Recall and Reflect" questions at the end of the chapter as a form of reading assessment. And, most importantly, students must not overlook primary and secondary sources, their source lines, thematic inserts, "Debating the Past" inserts, and their assessment questions placed throughout the chapter. Students must review and analyze the documents and exercises considering historical context of the chapter and the author's purpose, point of view, and intended audience when applicable.

The American Yawp is an online American History textbook designed for the general reader of American History. It is recommended for students as a supplemental test to provide an "easy-to-read" narrative for historical content.

Students are expected to have read and comprehended assigned chapter readings along with the aforementioned chapter resources for in-class discussions, in-class assignments, and formal assessments, including written short responses and essays. Students may visit my office to discuss any uncertain or unclear concepts from assigned readings.

HOW TO DO IDENTIFIES PRESENTATION

HOW TO DO IDENTIFIES