AP World History
Grading Policy
Miss Beck
AP World History is a rigorous course which requires you to keep up with reading, writing, and
other assignments. All grades are based on a point system. Points are signified on rubrics. Additionally,
all assignments will be posted on Miss Beck’s website. To access the site go to www.ltsd.k12.pa.us and
go to teachers and Miss Beck. Then click on AP World History. The grading structure and requirements
are listed and explained below:
Grading Structure:
Category 1:
Unit Exams, Quizzes and Writing Assignments – 60% of your grade
Category 2:
Assignments, Seminars and Critiques- 30% of your grade
Category 3:
Homework, Journal and Class Participation- 10% of your grade
Category 1:
Unit Exams:
At the conclusion of each unit you will take a TIMED exam. There are two parts to each unit
exam: 1) Multiple Choice and, 2) Writing Component. Each writing component will be based on the AP
World History exam. There are three types of writing components for the exam. The writing
components consist of the Continuity and Change over Time Essay, the Comparison Essay and the
Document Based Questions. Your unit exams will consist of one of the three writing components. You
will not be notified ahead of time what the writing component consists of. Each exam will have 50
multiple choice questions. You will have 5 minutes to review and 40 minutes to answer the multiple
choice questions. Each question will always be worth 2 points. For the writing component, expect to
have 5 minutes to review and 40 minutes to write. Please review the AP World History Writing Guide for
further explanation of each writing component.
Quizzes:
Quizzes will be given throughout the course. They will occur at the end of each chapter in
addition to other times in order to facilitate an understanding of themes and commonality between
different groups of people at different times. Quizzes may also be based on reading or vocabulary. With
the exception of the first world geography quiz, expect quiz question to always consist of AP style
multiple choice questions and one or two short response writing questions. All quizzes will be timed.
Additionally, expect to see at least one question from a previous section on each quiz to provoke prior
learning.
Writing Assignments:
All writing assignments listed in the first category will consist of the three types you will see on
the AP World History exam. They will be assigned for out of class work and graded by me and your peers
using the AP rubrics. See the AP World History Writing Guide for further explanation of possible writing
assignments.
Category 2:
Assignments:
Assignments in AP World History may consist of the following:
Annotated Timeline Assignments- This assignment requires you to use of the AP World History themes
and 10 events for the time period that show the largest changes related to that theme for the time
period. Place each event appropriately on the timeline. Place annotations below the timeline and
explain why each event was significant to world history. At the very bottom of the page, write a thesis
statement about how the changes in the theme in this time period show continuity and change over
time (this is practice for the exam). Make sure your timeline is appropriately titled. See rubric below:
Theme Used and Obvious
1 point
10 Events from the Time Period
Events Show Changes Related to Theme
Events Placed Appropriately
Annotations Below the Timeline and Explanation
for Why Each Event was Significant
Acceptable Thesis related to Continuity and
Change Over Time (AP World History Writing
Guide)
Appropriate Title
Total
5 points
5 points (per event)
2 points
10 points
2 points
1 point
26 points
Annotated Map Assignment- Each map should consist of the large process that ensued prior to or
during the event on your map. Place 10 events related to the large process or event appropriately on the
map. Annotations should go near the location on the map and explain why the event was important
during that time period. Write a thesis statement at the bottom of the map concerning how the process
or event shows continuity and change over time. Make sure your map has an appropriate title. See
rubric below:
Large Process Related to Event
10 Events from the Large Process
Events Placed Appropriately
Annotations Explaining why Each Event was
Significant during that Time Period and how it
Relates to the Large Process
Acceptable Thesis related to the Continuity and
Change Over Time (AP World History Writing
Guide)
Appropriate Title
Total
2 points
5 points
5 points (per event)
10 points
2 points
1 point
25 points
Study Cards Assignment- This should be done prior to a quiz. For each term identified in the chapter or
section, make a study card with the term on one side and on the other side write the definition,
historical significance, or the general significance of the term in world history. An extra point will be
awarded for a COMPLETE set of study cards present on the day and the time of the quiz.
Seminars:
Socratic Seminars are a typical way of provoking thought and discussion about world events and history.
You will be expected to participate in seminars often. General instructions include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Understand the questions for the seminar
Read the source(s)
Take notes from the sources to help you answer your question(s)
Make one comment about one of the following (3 points)
a. Information in the sources
b. Validity of evidence used by the author(s)
c. The strength of the argument (thesis)
d. Response to a question asked by someone else
e. Response to a comment made by someone else
5. Ask one of question about one of the following (3 points)
a. Information in the sources
b. Validity of evidence used by the author(s)
c. Strength of the argument (thesis)
d. Response to a question asked by someone else
e. Response to a comment made by someone else
Critiques:
A critique will either be for videos (rarely) or for readings (often). Critiques should include the following:

A topic sentence about the point of view (or bias) or the video producer or author



Identification of two examples of film or writing techniques
Explanation of how the techniques were used to prove the point of view (or bias) or the
producer or author. Minimum of two examples are required.
Concluding sentence about how well the producer’s or author’s point of view (or bias) is
achieved
Topic Sentence
Two examples of film or writing techniques
Explanation of how the techniques were used to
prove the point of view or the producer or
author (two examples minimum)
Concluding sentence (see directions)
Total
1 point
2 points
4 points
1 point
8 points
Category 3:
Homework/Class Work:
Any homework assignment will always require reading. You are expected to keep up with this
reading regardless of your attendance on any particular day. Questions will often be assigned along with
reading. Homework is due the day specified and will not be accepted late. You will be expected to
discuss the homework or class work in class and answer questions. Both types of work will be checked
for completeness and understanding. You will receive two points for homework.
Complete work
Half or more but not complete
Not complete
2 points
1 point
0 points
Journal:
This component of the course is to simply help you understand how to compare cultures. This is
meant to help you with the Comparison and Continuity and Change over Time writing component on the
AP World History exam. You will need to obtain a journal of some sort NO LATER THAN THE FIRST WEEK
OF CLASS. At the end of each chapter you will be required to write a time travelers journal entry where
you travel back to another chapter and compare one culture to another. Examples will be provided in
class. You will be randomly called on to read your entry aloud in class. It should encompass a great deal
of historical content.
Journal entry encompasses historical information,
compares cultures and times, and student is
willing to read.
Journal entry is missing one of the required
elements above.
Journal entry is missing two of the required
elements above or more.
2 points
1 point
0 points