WELCOME APUSH-ers! (aka the TWO-PERCENTERS!)

Hello! Welcome to the exciting, and INTENSE world of AP American History. Having been selected to participate in this class, you have instantly become part of of what could be called the “two percent club.” Only two percent of all high school students (around 300,000 last year) in the United States took the APUSH national exam. This course is a big commitment, and it is important that both you and your parents understand the caliber of work that is necessary for success at the AP level.

The Advanced Placement program in American history is designed to provide students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with problems and resource materials in American history. The students should learn to assess historical sources – with respect to their relevance, reliability, and importance – and to weigh evidence and interpretations given by historians. An advanced placement history course develops skills necessary to arrive at conclusions on the basis of informed judgment and

to present ideas clearly and persuasively. To some extent, the AP course is taught bycollege format, with emphasis on multi-media based lectures, independent reading, and graded writing assignments.

The advanced placement course is designed to give students a background in the chronological development of American history and in the major interpretive questions that are derived from the study of selected themes. My approach is to conduct a survey course in American history in which a textbook, backed by supplemental readings, provides both a chronological and thematic coverage. Our objective in this course is to prepare to take the AP exam (given May 2010) and the New York State Regents (given June 2010). While the Regents exam is a requirement for a high school diploma in the state of New York, scoring high enough on the AP exam can earn you up to SIX college credits!

As we begin this long, tough, but extremely rewarding journey, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Like any sport, instrument, or skill we want to develop, hard work is required. The homework and required preparation for this class is intense. In order to be successful, you will have to do at least 6-10 hours of reading/homework a week including textbook assignments (approximately 30 - 60 pages a week), outside readings and journal assignments. That works out to roughly 60 to 90 minutes a night). You should read AT LEAST 5 to 6 pages per night in your textbook, including weekends!
• Class participation is more than physical presence and it represents meaningful contributions to discussions and class activities.
• You MUST make up missed work on the next school day even if you don’t have this class. You will be required to take notes on class lectures, presentations, and video content.

Understand that you are not alone. There are thousands of kids taking this class, and there are hundreds of websites to guide you. I will be posting them as I come across them. Conquer the FEAR. We will work together, and be successful!