OPTIONS for AP Environmental Science Textbook Chapter Assignments
BE SURE YOU READ THE CHAPTER!
1. OUTLINE the chapter.
 Don't try and read a chapter in a short period of time. In order to retain information from textbooks, students are better
served by reading a chapter over the course of several reading periods. To cram the reading of a chapter into one
sitting, it will be difficult to understand and retain text let alone develop an outline.
 Use chapter and section headings in the course text as headings for the outline. It helps to turn section headings into
questions and then use the related text to answer the question. For example, a textbook section titled "Articles of
Confederation" could be altered to an outline heading such as "What were the Articles of Confederation." After each
heading, summarize the chapter text relevant to the answering of that question.
2. CHAPTER REVIEW Answer the questions at the end of the chapter in textbook and make flash cards for the important
vocabulary.
3. REACTIVE READING
a. Read the chapter.
b. Briefly describe 3 to 5 main points in the chapter (total 6 – 8 sentences)
c. Write your reactions to each of those main points. (total 10 to 15 sentences)
d. Write 3 to 5 questions that you have about the content of the chapter. Ask for an explanation of something you didn’t
quite understand. Or ask a question about something that relates to the chapter that you’re curious about.
4. CORNELL NOTES
Fold your paper length-wise to make two columns. As you read the chapter, write notes in the RIGHT column.
NOTES
1. the independent variable in an experiment is the treatment such as amount
of fertilizer added to the soil, or the amount of seeds in each cup.
2. quantitative data is numerical such as grams, length, # of plants, etc.
Afterwards, go back through each note and write a question in the LEFT column.
Example:
QUESTIONS
NOTES
1. What is an independent
1. the independent variable in an experiment is the treatment such as amount
variable?
of fertilizer added to the soil, or the amount of seeds in each cup.
2. How is data measured?
2. quantitative data is numerical such as grams, length, # of plants, etc
5. SQRRR
a) Survey the chapter. Read the introduction. Read the summary. Read all the captions on photos, diagrams,
graphs.
b) Rewrite all of the subtitles as questions for the first section (the textbook has done this)
c) Read the section
d) Close the book and try to respond to all your questions.
e) Open the book and review the section looking to see if your responses are correct and complete. Add details and
information as you review your responses.
f) Continue b – e until you have completed all sections.
6. Chapter Objectives –
The chapter objectives are questions provided by the teacher the review the main concepts for the chapter.