1. Welcome to AP European History Parent/Student Night
Helix Charter High School

2. What is Advanced Placement?
College Board
Classes at Helix beyond European History (Psych, Econ, Math, U.S., Science, etc.)
Tests in May (May 6th for AP Euro)
What’s on the exam (redesigned for 2016)
55 Multiple-Choice Questions—40 Percent
Four Short-Answer Questions—20 Percent
One Document Based Question (DBQ)—25 Percent
One Long Essay Question—15 Percent

3. Why take an AP course? Cheaper than taking the course in college
Looks “good” on one’s transcript
Challenging course structure that more closely mimics college
Skills beyond the obvious (reading, note taking, essay writing, test taking strategies)

4. What is AP European History?
Sophomore level (at Helix) history
Time period covered: 1450-Present
The study of various themes:
Intellectual and cultural history
Political and diplomatic history
Social and economic history

5. Structure of the course
Mostly lecture based with students taking notes
A lot of outside reading and note taking
Students should be prepared to participate in discussions/lectures

6. Success in AP Euro = M.A.D.E
Motivated to learn
Actively learning
Dedicated to excellence
Expanding skills and knowledge
Passive is a bad word!!!!

7. Other items of interest
The cost of the test is (currently) $91
Fee Reductions
Scrip
Textbooks
Used vs. new
Checking out a text
Where to buy

8. A History of Western Society: Since 1300 8th edition
There are several versions of this text
Since 1300
Full Text Edition
Split Editions
ISBN:
Places to buy: eBay, Amazon, Half.com
Supplemental Texts

9. Summer Assignment Make sure it’s done on the first day of class
Follow all of the directions
Hand written vs. typed
Good quality definitions
A chance to see if this class is really something that you want to tackle

10. Parting thoughts… Thank you for coming tonight!!
Please contact either myself or your student’s counselors if you have questions/clarifications in the future
Don’t forget to take the following:
Summer Assignment
Copy of the text (Chapters 12 and 13)
Textbook information…including the used textbook “For Sale” list
Thank you for coming tonight!!