Pre AP & AP Parent Seminar 2013 Hale High School

WELCOME AND ACTIVITY List all of the extracurricular activities that your student will participate in next school year. Include school activities and outside school activities. How would you describe your student’s study habits and homework habits. Please use the questions on the following slide as a guide.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER 1. Do I have to remind my child to study? Do I regularly have to check my child’s homework to make sure it has been done correctly? 3. Does my child ever receive zeros for not turning in homework? Is my child a “self-starter,” or, I usually have to motivate him/her with rewards, incentives or consequences? 5. Can my child manage his/her time? 6. Is my child serious about learning and higher education?

PRE AP CLASSES OFFERED AT HHS PAP English 1 PAP English 2 PAP Biology PAP Chemistry PAP Physics PAP World Geography PAP Algebra 1 PAP Geometry PAP Algebra 2 PAP Pre-Cal PAP Computer Science PAP Spanish 2 PAP Spanish 3 PAP French 2 PAP French 3 PAP German 2 PAP German 3 PAP Latin 2 PAP Latin 3 PAP Art 1 PAP Art 2 2-D PAP Art 2 3-D

AP CLASSES OFFERED AT HHS AP English 3 AP English 4 AP World History AP US History AP Government AP Economics AP Microeconomics AP European History AP Human Geography AP Psychology AP Computer Science AP German 4 AP Latin 4 AP French 4 AP Statistics AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Physics B AP Physics C AP Environmental Science AP Art History AP Music Theory AP Art 2-D AP Art 3-D AP Art Draw AP Spanish 4 AP Spanish 5

MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS RATED BY ADMISSION OFFICERS IN EVALUATING COLLEGE APPLICANTS KEY FACTORS IN COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE FACTORS RATED LOWEST IN COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE SAT subject test scores (SAT II) State graduation exam scores Portfolios Work experience NACAC’s, 2009, Issue 6 Grades in college prep classes (AP/PAP) Strength of curriculum Scores from standardized admission tests (SAT/ACT) Overall GPA Strength of the application essay or writing sample Student’s level of interest in attending Class rank Counselor and teacher recommendations Extra-curricular activities

KEY POINTS OF PAP/AP CONTRACT Students must stay in their PAP/AP class for a minimum of 15 school days. We do not allow a student to exit the first 15 days of school. After the initial 15 days, a student may only exit at the end of the 1st 9 weeks and at semester. In order to exit, a student must have parent and teacher permission. After that they are in the class for the rest of the year. Students who take AP classes are expected to take the AP exam in each AP class they are enrolled.

PAP ENGLISH 1 and 2 What We Do Skills Needed Self Motivation PAP English is the study of an author’s style, techniques and purpose. Many are confused that we study novels to understand a story or plot. Annotations and interactions with the text through note-taking is a practiced and mandatory skill. PAP English prepares students for college-level work. The class is conducted with the notion in mind that the next level, AP English, uses college-level curriculum. Self Motivation Organizational Skills Time Management Nightly Reading Homework Completion

AP ENGLISH 3 Introduction, understanding and preparation of college concepts and rigor 1 timed writing per week Reading of 100-150 pages of text per week 2 novels read outside of class per quarter In depth class discussions, Socratic seminars and application of critical thinking through writing Required summer reading and assignment PAP background highly recommended as a foundation or a commitment to attend weekly tutorials

AP ENGLISH 4 Collegiate rigor of reading and composition. Curriculum will be rich in the classics, poetry and contemporary novels and dramas. Students should expect to read outside of class an average of 4-6 hours per week. Cornerstone of the class is based on reading, Socratic seminars and research. Students who graduate with AP English 4 herald they are well-prepared for the rigor at the university level.

PAP BIOLOGY PAP Biology is considered college preparatory because much of the class is designed after what a student will be expected to do in college. Critical thinking is necessary. Students must be able to apply information previously learned in the next unit. Students study topics in more detail and depth. Students will need to spend at least 3 hours per week outside of class. Students are expected to learn a list of 100 word parts at the beginning of each semester Approximately 40% of class time is dedicated to performing labs, but much of the report is written outside of class time. Dissections are required.

PAP CHEMISTRY Chemistry is the first time where math is used in a systematic way to explain science. Many students learned their algebra skills in middle school and struggle their sophomore year in consistency and accuracy. Chemistry is cumulative. Students must reach master every step of the way because it builds and builds and builds. Small gaps can sometimes become large gaps if tutorials are not attended. Higher order thinking skills are used consistently throughout this course. More than memorization is needed for success. Students with a willingness to think, consistently practice and immediately address areas of concerns are good candidates for PAP Chemistry

PAP Physics PAP Physics is algebra-based physics It is the application of math to real-world problems. Biggest barriers to success: Poor algebra and geometry skills Visualizing and diagramming physical situations/problems Note-taking and homework habits; deadlines Homework commitment: ~15 minutes, ~3x per week Expected to start transitioning to a college mindset Example: online grade-book for missing assignments, etc. Need after school online access (web & homework sites)

AP BIOLOGY College level course that consists of 2 periods that is a combination of lecture and labs PAP Biology and PAP Chemistry is highly recommended as well as strong Algebra 2 skills Average study time is approximately 4-6 hours per week AP exam is changing to be more conceptual and less a requirement to be a walking biological dictionary There is an opportunity to dissect at the end of the course If you do well on the AP exam it can replace most freshman level science classes at most universities

Common Requirements of PAP/AP Courses Outside reading and note taking is extensive for each course. The use of analytical and critical thinking skills is a daily class occurrence. Assessments and assignments are not simply rote memorization, but application of concepts learned at a high level. Students need to check prerequisite and concurrent enrollment requirements. Strong writing skills are a requirement. Attendance in weekly tutorials is a strong recommendation.

Benefits of PAP and AP track Students are exposed to higher order thinking skills, develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. Students develop study skills (note taking, organization, time management, etc.) needed to succeed in college. Students develop stamina and understand studies as a long term commitment. Exposure to the classes / the program provides basis to college success.

Advanced Placement in Universities - Overarching Focus Enrollment into the PAP and AP program exposes students to rigorous curriculum in preparation to college-level expectations. Long term goal of the PAP and AP program is to guarantee students to successfully enroll, remain and graduate from a four- year university in a timely manner.

Teachers To Contact For Further Information PAP English 1- Hale High Teacher PAP English 2- Hale High Teacher AP English 3- Hale High Teacher AP English 4- Hale High Teacher PAP Algebra 1- Hale High Teacher PAP Geometry- Hale High Teacher PAP Algebra 2- Hale High Teacher PAP Pre-Cal- Hale High Teacher AP Calculus AB/BC- Hale High Teacher AP Statistics- Hale High Teacher PAP/AP Computer Science- Hale High Teacher PAP World Geography- AP World History- AP US History- AP Economics- Casey AP Government- P Microeconomics- AP European History- PAP Spanish 2- Hale High Teacher PAP/AP Spanish 3/4- Hale High Teacher AP Spanish 5- PAP French 2/3- AP French 4- PAP/AP German- PAP/AP Latin- PAP Biology- PAP Chemistry- PAP Physics / AP Physics C – AP Biology- AP Chemistry- AP Physics B – AP Environmental Science- AP Human Geography- AP Psychology- AP Music Theory- AP Art History- AP Studio Art-

Thank You for coming tonight Thank You for coming tonight. Our teachers are available for specific questions that you might have about your student. For further information please contact: Hale High Assistant Principal hhsap@hALEHIGHisd.net or (469)302-3hhs