Document1
Karen Waples, Coordinator
Social Studies Department
Cherry Creek High School
9300 E Union Avenue
Greenwood Village, CO 80011
720-554-2386
TO: Social Studies Teachers
FROM: Karen Waples
CONCERNING: Advanced Placement Classes Expectations
Here are some guidelines to help you advise students as they register for courses:
FOR ALL CLASSES:
1. Mastery of the subject matter in detail at a college level is expected.
2. Essays and papers are analytical, not descriptive.
3. Lecture and discussion sessions are emphasized.
4. Optional meetings are held periodically, and there are a number of after school and
weekend sessions prior to the AP exams in the spring.
5. The advanced placement exams are 2 1/2 to 3 hours in length with equal emphasis
upon multiple choice and essay questions.
FOR ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES HISTORY
1. Tests are given every 2-3 weeks.
2. In AP United States History, 1 or 2 document based essays are assigned per quarter.
3. One longer paper (10 pages or so) is assigned during each of the first three quarters.
4. The reading load is not that heavy if students can read at a college level. One chapter
plus one supplemental reading per week is typical.
5. Tests are detailed and analytical. Students are expected to study about 4-8 hours per
test.
FOR ADVANCED PLACEMENT HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
1. Essays are assigned every 2-3 weeks.
2. A geography field experience studying a neighborhood in the Denver area is part of
the curriculum.
3. There will be a college text and supplemental readings assigned regularly.
4. Tests are detailed and analytical. Students are expected to study about 4-8 hours per
test.
5. A research paper is written each quarter.
Document1
FOR ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES AND COMPARATIVE
GOVERNMENT
1. Essays are assigned every 2-3 weeks. Some of these are practice 25 minute essays
similar to what appear on the AP exam.
2. Students write a 7-10 page essay each quarter.
3. Students read a text and supplementary materials. A typical week would include
about 40 pages of text and one supplementary reading.
4. Tests are detailed and analytical and are given at the end of a two to three week unit.
Students are expected to study about 4-8 hours per test.
FOR ADVANCED PLACEMENT EUROPEAN HISTORY
1. Students take essay exams at the end of most units, approximately every three weeks.
2. Students write document based essay questions periodically throughout the year.
3. Students should expect three to five hours of reading per week. Readings include
textbook readings, primary sources, journal articles and novels.
4. Students write essays on the novels they read – approximately 5-7 pages each.
5. Tests are detailed and analytical. Typically, students spend four-eight hours studying
for each exam.
FOR ADVANCED PLACEMENT WORLD HISTORY
1. Students write document based essay questions periodically throughout the year.
2. Students take essay exam at the end of each unit, approximately every three weeks.
3. Students should spend 5-7 hours of reading each week. Readings include: textbook
readings from a college text, journal articles, primary sources, and novels.
4. Objective tests are detailed and analytical. Typically, students will spend 4-8 hours
studying for each exam.
FOR AP MICROECONOMICS
1. Students take essay exam at the end of each unit, approximately every three-four
weeks.
2. Students write an analytical 6-9 page paper during the semester.
3. Students should spend 3-5 hours of reading and studying each week. Readings
include: textbook readings from a college text, journal articles, and primary sources.
4. Students will complete problem sets approximately once or twice a week.
5. Objective tests are detailed and analytical. Typically, students will spend 4-8 hours
studying for each exam.