U. S. History AP
Parent Guide
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are a huge step from Pre-AP courses. For some students, this will be the first time in their lives that they actually have to study! This information is designed to help you be informed, and to help you help your student succeed in AP.
1. Know what “AP” is.
Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. History is a college level survey course developed by the College Board. It is an optional course which surveys U. S. History from the pre-Columbian era to the present. The course follows the suggested topic outline provided by the College Board.
Follow “The Courses” link at http://apcentral.collegeboard.com for more information.
AP is “above and beyond” the CCSD and State of Nevada requirements and students have until the end of April to complete the curriculum. AP is not for everyone. Every family should make a serious evaluation of whether or not the student has the time to devote to this course.
2. Learn about the College Board.
The College Board administers numerous programs and wants to help you and your child prepare for college. Use the website above and to examine helpful information about AP, PSAT, SAT and CLEP exams, preparing for college, and enrolling in college.
3. Use the Unit Plan.
The Unit Plan includes a class activities calendar, terms to know, study questions, quiz dates and test dates. If parents and students follow the unit plan there will be no surprises!!! Students should be making “100s” on their daily quizzes!
Students must complete their reading and written assignments on time. Class time is used for making connections regarding information gathered from the reading and assignments. If students haven't read or completed written work, they are not prepared and this wastes valuable class time. This will also adversely affect their grades.
Bad weather days, fire drills, etc. require that we sometimes “modify and adjust” our unit plan.
Students are notified of these changes and make corrections to their unit plan in class.
4. Ask to see your child’s notebook.
Students are responsible for all materials distributed to them. Unit tests cover the notes, handouts, assignments and all assigned readings from the Unit. Any charts, maps, graphs, political cartoons, etc… that are distributed apply to the unit and contain “testable” information.
5. Know that the unit tests are difficult.
The chief complaints I receive about tests are . . .
“These tests are hard!” Our tests are multiple choice and essay. Yes, these tests are difficult. As stated, unit tests cover the notes, assignments and all assigned readings from the unit. The tests are created using released test questions from the College Board and from other testing resources. The multiple choice questions used are almost as difficult as the questions on the AP test. During the AP test in May, students are allotted approximately 41 seconds per question. Our first test is not timed, but the subsequent tests are timed working toward that 41 second goal.
“All of the answer choices sound right!” “Multiple choice” does not equal “easy.” Choosing the correct answer involves knowing the material well enough to know what does not fit.
“I had the answer right, but I changed it!” Test anxiety leads students to overanalyze test questions and look for “tricks.” Encourage them to relax and follow their instincts.
* “My parents will kill me if I make a ‘C’!” If your children are working hard, please don’t kill them. They will get better if they read and study as expected. There are tutorial opportunities and essay opportunities to increase their scores.
6. Get connected.
Sign up for the ParentLink program. This allows you to view your student's grades, live, at anytime.
If you do not have internet access, use the Progress Reports and Report Cards as guides.
7. Contact me if you have any questions or concerns. My PVHS telephone number is 799-1450 and my email address is nkcooper@interact.ccsd.net.
If you wish to schedule a parent conference, please plan to do so when your student (and his/her notebook) can also attend.
Thank you for your support of the Advanced Placement program!
Kyle Cooper
Advanced Placement United States History Teacher
Palo Verde High School
702-799-1450
