AP United States History (APUSH)
2010/2011 Summer Assignment
Mrs. McNamara: dmcnamar@udsd.org
www.mrsmcnamaras.wikispaces.com
Welcome to the world of Advanced Placement United States History (APUSH)! My name is Mrs. McNamara, and I am very excited to have the opportunity to guide you through a fascinating and truly engaging course. Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a course that will be one of the most challenging, but hopefully the most rewarding, of your high school career.
We need to get started immediately! Because the course will cover over 500 years of history in eight months, it is necessary for students to become familiar with the textbook, sample the subject matter, and begin to undertake the nature of work that will be required of them throughout the year. Thus, we must begin our studies over the summer. It is important for each student to work individually on all parts of the assignment.
REQUIRED ASSIGNMENT #1: Introduction to the TextbookRationale :
Over the course of this year you will become an expert at reading many pages of text and identifying and organizing key information into an outline format of your choosing.
The AP US History exam is incredibly thorough, and students are often tested on both popular and obscure knowledge of U.S. History. Students must have a base of knowledge before they can begin to evaluate, analyze, and interpret historical issues. Since it is logistically impossible for us to cover every last bit of material you will need to know to do well on the test, it is essential you that you learn to carefully read your entire textbook over the course of the year.
Summer Task :
Read and take notes in outline form of Chapter 1 (pages 9-30) and Chapter 2 (pages 33-
63). These chapters begin our review of the U.S. History I.
Your outline must show clear organization and the ability to discern important people, places, events, and overall themes. Students are encouraged to find specific styles of outlining that work for them. There is no one correct way of outlining; find the way that works best for you.
Outlines for each chapter should be at least three pages in length but no more than five pages . This assignment is due on the first day of school . You will also have a large quiz based on these two chapters during the first week of class.
REQUIRED ASSIGNMENT #2: 500 word free response essay

Rationale :
The ability to write persuasively and effectively is one of the most important skills a student can acquire. The AP US History course will demand a large amount of writing from each student. We will work continuously to practice your writing skills as we prepare you to answer three essay questions on the AP US History exam in May (two
“Free Response” questions [FRQ] and one “Document-Based” question [DBQ]).
Summer Task:
Write a 500 word (approximately) essay on an event that greatly impacted American history during the period 1800 to 1850. This could be a positive and/or negative impact; you decide. For example, the invention of the telegraph. Do not research any information for this. You may, however, use any history notes you acquired during the previous school year, but overall, I want your opinion. This is a chance for me to see how effectively you write and formulate a thesis .
Responses should be typed in Time New Roman 12 point, double-spaced with 1- inch margins.
This is due no later than the first day of school . Exceptions will not be made for late work. You may email this to me ahead of time if you prefer. Please put your name in the subject line. My email address is dmcnamar@udsd.org
REQUIRED ASSIGNMENT #3: Geography and Map Skills
Rationale :
Students should have a working knowledge of key geographic features in order to understand a variety of cultural differences, interactions, and conflicts.
Summer Task :
Locate and identify the geographic features that have been listed below on the maps provided. Additional copies of the map can be found on my wikispace, www.mrsmcnamaras.wikispaces.com
Knowledge of these features will be tested the first week of class, most probably, Thursday, September 8, 2011.
The following should be recognized by students on any map in which they appear.
(Maps are located in your textbook as well as online.)

All 50 states

Major Geographical Features
1.
Mississippi River
2.
Ohio River
3.
Missouri River
4.
Rio Grande
5.
Colorado River
6.
Gulf of Mexico
7.
Lakes Huron, Ontario,
Michigan, Erie, and
Superior
8.
15.
16.
Great Salt Lake
9.
Nueces River
10.
Hudson River
11.
Chesapeake Bay
12.
Rocky Mountains
13.
Appalachian Mountains
14.
Sierra Nevada Mountains
Adirondack Mountains
Great Plains


Regions
1.
Northeast
2.
Mid-Atlantic
3.
Southeast (South)
4.
Midwest

Areas of Acquisition with dates
1. 13 colonies
2. Louisiana Purchase
3. Missouri Compromise
4. Mexican Cession
5. Oregon Territory
6. Gadsden Purchase
7. Treaty of 1818
5.
6.
Northwest
Southwest
Recap : As a AP US History student, you will have several responsibilities this summer.
Specifically, you must:
1.
Outline detailed notes for Chapter 1 (beginning with page 9 ) and all of
Chapter 2 from the textbook, American History, A Survey by Alan
Brinkley.
Be prepared for a large multiple choice quiz on these notes sometime the first week of school.
2.
Write a 500 word response essay that is due the first day of class. You may also submit it to me via email, dmcnamar@udsd.org
, early if you like.
3.
Complete the map activity and prepare yourself for a quiz on these geographical features on Thursday, September 8, 2011.
Thank you for taking the plunge into APUSH. Although APUSH is a rigorous academic program, my goal is to successfully navigate you through a year of interesting stories while assisting you in becoming analytical thinkers and writers.
Completion of this summer assignment will help prepare you for a successful year in this course, but try to remember: a one 500 word essay, two chapters of outlining, and a geography activity should not consume your free time. Don’t forget to enjoy yourself this summer with your friends and family. A well-rested student is also an academically successful student!
Do not hesitate to contact me at dmcnamar@udsd.org
if you have any questions or concerns about the course of the summer assignment. We are a team, and I am here to help you provided you are doing all that is required of an AP student.
ENJOY YOUR SUMMER