Getting to Know APUSH and YOU

Word Cloud

Tell me in one or two words why you CHOSE to take APUSH?

Poll

Have you taken an AP class before this year?

• YES

• NO

Poll

When learning new material I am more

• Social (interpersonal):

• Solitary (intrapersonal):

Poll

What type of learner are you?

• Visual (spatial):You prefer using pictures, images, and spatial understanding.

• Aural (auditory-musical): You prefer using sound and music.

• Physical (kinesthetic): You prefer using your body, hands and sense of touch.

• Logical (mathematical): You prefer using logic, reasoning and systems.

• Verbal (linguistic): You prefer using words, both in speech and writing.

APUSH

Rules and other stuff!

WHY ADVANCED PLACEMENT?

• Possible college credit
• College preparatory work
• Increased scholarship opportunities

• More challenging/ fulfilling

learning environment

• Because you can!

◼ This class is not meant to be difficult, but does require good time

management.

◼ If you are seriously struggling and/or feeling down, come see me! You are

young, smart and beautiful. Letʼs talk about it…

◼ I donʼt want to see anyone who is bummed because they have a B or a C

before October .

APUSH is COLLEGE LEVEL and CAN BE very difficult!

ADVANCED PLACEMENT IS
NOT FOR YOU IF…

•

You are not really ready to work very hard

•

You make excuses for your failures or mistakes

•

You miss a lot of school days!!

•

You are already overloaded with after school job,
sports, activities, social life, too many AP classes, etc.

•

You don’t really know what AP is; you’re just here
because a friend of yours is here.

WHAT TO EXPECT

◼ LOTS of Writing! - every Wednesday we have Writing Wednesdays!

▪ SAQʼs (Short Answer Questions) - 20% of AP Exam grade
▪ LEQʼs (Long Essay Questions) - 15% of AP Exam grade
▪ DBQʼs (Document Based Questions) - 25% of AP Exam grade

◼ Primary Source Analysis
◼ Lectures and Note-taking
◼ In class discussions, simulations and participation

◼ Regular Homework-this is a college course after all

Open Ended

What concerns do you have about this course?

THE AP EXAM

The AP Exam is given in May. The exam is three hours and five minutes long. APUSH
students are required to take the exam on May 9, 2025.

Exam Format:

Section

Question Type

How
Many

Timing

% of Exam
Score

I

PART A: MC Questions

55

55

40%

PART B: Short Answer

3

40

20%

II

PART A: Document Based Question

1

60

25%

PART B: Long Essay

1

40

15%

More about the AP Exam

​Unit 1:  1491-1607   4-6% of AP Exam

Unit 2: 1607-1754   6-8% of AP Exam

Unit 3: 1754-1800 10-17% of AP Exam

Unit 4: 1800-1848 10-17% of AP Exam

Unit 5: 1844-1877 10-17% of AP Exam

Unit 6: 1865-1898 10-17% of AP Exam

Unit 7: 1890-1945 10-17% of AP Exam

Unit 8: 1945-1980 10-17% of AP Exam

Unit 9: 1980-Present   4-6% of AP Exam

Recommended
Test Prep Books

Don’t buy anything that
was published before
2014!! OR just make sure
that the book has been
updated for the Redesign

Multiple Choice

What percentage of the AP Exam Score is writing?

• 25%

• 50%

• 60%

• 15%

◼ The Honor Code is in full force in my class.
◼ Do not plagiarize.
◼ Do not cheat.
◼ Academic dishonesty is dishonesty.
◼ YOU are the one paying to take the AP exam - donʼt do yourself a disservice

HONOR CODE

Poll

We will use AI to help grade writing and give feedback. However, that does not give you permission to use AI on a regular basis.

Have you used AI in the past, irresponsibility?

Poll

How excited are you about APUSH right now?

• Ummm, let me out of here!

• About as excited as I can be about any other subject in school

• Let's do this!!

• I know so much U.S. History that I can teach this class!

HISTORY IS CONTROVERSIAL

OFTEN TIMES UGLY

BUT…

A CONSTANT STRUGGLE FOR PROGRESS!

WHY DO WE NEED TO LEARN HISTORY?

Open Ended

Let's talk cell phones for a minute: What are the BENEFITS of not having your cell phone on at school?

Open Ended

Let's talk cell phones for a minute: What concerns do you have about not having your cell phone on at school?

Poll

If you could have a super power, you would choose

• to fly

• invisibility

• super strength or speed

• to breathe underwater

• time travel