AP United States History Summer Assignments
Textbook: United States History: Preparing for the Advanced Placement Examinatio (AMSCO)
Supplemental Textbooks: The American Pageant and Nation of Nations
Summary of Course: This course is designed to provide an in-depth study of United States
History from early colonization to the present day. Emphasis will be placed on factual
knowledge as well as developing the ability to analyze and interpret historical events through
the use of primary source documents, opinions of noted historians and various selected
readings. The ultimate goal of the course is to prepare students t o achieve a high score on the
College Board's "Advanced Placement U.S. History Exam" in May. This exam is required of
all students taking the course and will result in the student being awarded college credit if they
receive a passing score on the exam.
Evaluation: Students will be evaluated using a variety of methods including participation
in class activities, quizzes, chapter tests, homework, research projects, presentations and
semester exams.
Workload and Time Commitment: In order to cover the amount of material and the
development of the skills needed for success on the College Board's Advanced Placement
Exam, it will be necessary for us to cover one chapter per week. Students should plan on an
average of thirty minutes to 45 minutes of reading or homework each evening during the
week. Readings will come from both the main textbook and supplemental texts. It is
crucial that we keep up with the one chapter per week format in order for us to finish the
required material a n d t o a l l o w two weeks for review before the Advanced Placement Exam
in May
Academic Ability: The AP College Board
successful in an Advanced Placement
commitment and hard work. Success in
give every assignment your best
please do not take this course.
reports that the number one criteria for being
course is not academic ability, but rather,
this course requires that you
effort. If you cannot do this, then
In this course you will learn more about United States than you ever imagined. Instructional
techniques will include lecture and note-taking, class discussions, oral and media presentations
and independent reading. A great deal of time will. also be devoted to acquiring and developing
the ability to write historical essays based on the analysis and interpretation of historical fact.
Summer Reading and Assignments: The following assignments are taken from the course
textbook: United States History: Preparing for the Advanced Placement Examination (AMSCO)
If you miss the summer assignment meeting on May 21, you will need to pick up a copy from the
Glen Este High School main office by the end of June. The cost of the AMSCO textbook is
included in your AP U.S. History course fee and the book is yours to keep.
Students are responsible for completing the following assignments by the first day of class on
August 20, 2015.
.
1. Read the introduction and Chapters One and Two in AMSCO.
2. At the end of each Chapter is a series of short essay questions. Please complete two essays of
your choice from each chapter.
3. Chapter one essays are on pages 19 and 20.
4. Chapter two essays are on pages 43 and 44.
Completed essays are due on the first day of class, August 20.