A.P. United States History Towson High School Welcome Parents! Write down this link:

CourseDescription: Course Description: AP U.S. History is a chronological study of American History from 1491 to the present. Students will develop a variety of historical thinking skills and make historical connections to Historical Themes in order to prepare for the Advanced Placement Exam.

Historical Thinking Skills Chronological Reasoning1. Historical Causation 2. Patterns of Continuity & Change over Time 3. Periodization Comparison & Contrast4. Comparison 5. Contextualization Crafting Historical Arguments from Historical Evidence 6. Appropriate Use of 7. Relevant Historical Evidence Historical Interpretation & Synthesis8. Interpretation 9. Synthesis

Historical Themes B elief Systems Ideologies, Religion, Art/ Literature, Cultural Values, Ideals, Morality, Popular Culture, Science & Philosophy… A merica in the World (Foreign) Competition for Resources, Foreign Policy & Diplomacy, Expansion, Wars, Global Connections G eography & Environment Climate, Interaction w/ Environment, Natural Resources, Exchanges (Plants, Disease, Animals, Technologies)… P eopling Migration Trends, Nativism, Deomographics, European relations w/ Native Americans… I dentity Gender Roles, Class, Racial & Ethnic Identities, Nationalism, Assimilation… P olitics & Power Constitution, Political Process, Political Parties, Federalism, Democracy, Citizenship, Power E conomy Agriculture, Commerce/ Trade, Labor Systems, Innovation, Transportation, Industrialization, Regulation, Jobs…

Texts & Resources: 4 The American Pageant (Their textbook!) 4 AP US History Crash Course (reading available on the Website 4 Supplementary AP Study Resource 4Suggest: Princeton Review or Barons of the NEWEST EDITION (2016) 4Nothing before 2015!

The Test!!!!! 50 55

The Class: Classwork: 50% Homework: 15% Assessments35%

Homework 15% Emphasis on Content & Application of Historical Thinking Skills for developing Essays Emphasis on Content & Application of Historical Thinking Skills for developing Essays Weekly Chapter Assignments Weekly Chapter Assignments 1 to 2 Chapters are expected to be read and Chapter Assignment completed on a weekly basis 1 to 2 Chapters are expected to be read and Chapter Assignment completed on a weekly basis Emphasis on Historical Content vital to APUSH Emphasis on Historical Content vital to APUSH Weekly Writing Assignments (Kidblog) Weekly Writing Assignments (Kidblog) Students respond to a prompt by 7:50 am on Wednesday & critique other students’ responses by 11:59 pm Students respond to a prompt by 7:50 am on Wednesday & critique other students’ responses by 11:59 pm Practicing writing & application of the Historical Thinking Skills Practicing writing & application of the Historical Thinking Skills Other (Ex: Readings, Research…) Other (Ex: Readings, Research…) These assignments are necessary for what we have planned for a future class. These assignments are necessary for what we have planned for a future class. No Late Policy No Late Policy

Classwork 50% Emphasis on the Application of Historical Thinking Skills to understanding Content Emphasis on the Application of Historical Thinking Skills to understanding Content Very little Content Overview (Chapter Readings emphasize the Content!) Very little Content Overview (Chapter Readings emphasize the Content!) Majority of Activities are Collaborative among Assigned Groups Majority of Activities are Collaborative among Assigned Groups Types of Classwork Activities… Types of Classwork Activities… Primary & Secondary Sources Analysis Primary & Secondary Sources Analysis Synthesis of Content Synthesis of Content Research & Presentations Research & Presentations Class Discussions Class Discussions Ranking & Justification Ranking & Justification Thesis & Essay Development (w/ Peer Evaluations) Thesis & Essay Development (w/ Peer Evaluations) Content-rich Scenarios (to help better understand the Bigger Picture) Content-rich Scenarios (to help better understand the Bigger Picture) No Late Policy No Late Policy

Assessments (35%) Beginning of the Quarter: Quiz Purpose is to preview and assess basic concepts for the entire quarter Purpose is to preview and assess basic concepts for the entire quarter Fill in the Blank Style Fill in the Blank Style Two Unit Assessments Content ( Style: Multiple Choice, Matching, etc.) Content ( Style: Multiple Choice, Matching, etc.) Stimuli-based Multiple Choice (AP Style) Stimuli-based Multiple Choice (AP Style) One Cumulative Assessment at the end of the Quarter ALL Stimuli-based Multiple Choice (AP Style) ALL Stimuli-based Multiple Choice (AP Style) Randomly Graded Kidblog Essay and/or Short Answer Response

The Website Absent & No Late Policy

What can you do as a Parent? -Invest in a supplementary resource for your child. -Be supportive and motivate your child. -Be understanding and supportive if your child struggles.

Questions?