May 18, 2015
Welcome to AP US History!
Student, this letter is to inform you about the assignments I would like you to complete
before the first day of class in August. Both assignments are intended to give you a
head start for the AP US History course. I periodically check my email during the
summer, so feel free to contact me with any questions you have about how best to
approach the required summer assignments.
Email: jessicadamron@thefirstacademy.org
Parent, please be advised that your student needs the course textbook and review book
to complete the required summer reading. Look for email instructions from Jill Cape
regarding the required textbook purchases for AP US History. Upon receipt of the
email from Jill Cape, please refer all book purchasing questions to ESCO Books. The
ESCO Books link: http://escobooks.com/
Required Assignment 1:
Read Chapters 1-2 in The American Pageant and be prepared for the reading quiz
Friday, August 14th. As you read the chapters, complete the reading guide notes (See
pages 2-3 of this letter). You will be allowed to use these notes on the first reading quiz
for Chapters 1-2. We will quiz two chapters at a time for certain chapters; however,
when you see the new textbook you will notice the chapter content is not overwhelming;
additionally, every chapter is filled with several visual aides. The purpose of this
assignment is to familiarize you with the weekly chapter reading expectation.
NEW Required Course Textbook Information:
The American Pageant, 16th Edition, by Kennedy & Cohen (2016
Cengage Learning)
ISBN-13: 978-1-305-07591-7
ISBN-10: 1-305-07591-9
Required Assignment 2:
Read through the United States History: Preparing for the Advanced Placement
Examination by Newman & Schmalbach (2015 Edition) AMSCO Publications. Upon
reading the review book, complete the US History Practice Examination starting on
page 702 of AMSCO. You will answer 55 questions in 55 minutes. This test will only be
used as a diagnostic test and will not impact your class grade other than for completion.
Submit this assignment on paper by Monday, August 17. The purpose of this
assignment is to help familiarize you with the course objectives and content.
Continued Page 2
1 Sample Chapter Reading Guide Format
The American Pageant, Chapter 1: To complete go to p. 4A
Must Know: Events and People (For each one, briefly define or provide an explanation
on paper.)
The American Pageant, Chapter 1: To complete go to p. 4A
Must Understand: Key Concepts from Period 1 and 2 (Refer to these questions
throughout your chapter reading. Select 1-2 Key Concept statements and provide a
brief answer, on paper, using specific references from the chapter reading.)
Continued Page 3
2 The American Pageant, Chapter 2: To complete go to p. 25A
Must Know: Events and People (For each one, briefly define or provide an explanation
on paper.)
The American Pageant, Chapter 2: To complete go to p. 25A
Must Understand: Key Concepts from Period 1 and 2 (Refer to these questions
throughout your chapter reading. Select 1-2 Key Concept statements and provide a
brief answer, on paper, using specific references from the chapter reading.)
3