Welcome!AP United States History

Mrs. Hornstein

What is AP US History II?

• College-level course• Designated “AP” by College Board• Curriculum modeled on College Board

requirements• Curriculum approved in College Board audit• District- U.S. History I (10th grade), U.S. History II

(11th grade)• Difference between AP, Honors & College Prep• Goals:

• Teach US History• Provide credit for graduation• Prepare students for the AP exam• Possible college credit available

• Developing students’ abilities to think conceptually about U.S. history.

• 7 themes provide areas of historical inquiry for investigation. They require students to reason historically.

• Focus on the conceptual and interpretive nature of history through 7 historical thinking skills.

Our focus

This Class…

• Topics in American History: American West – Obama Admin.

• Thesis paper (research project) required for passing the class, regardless of class grade [DBQRP]

• Class activities- unit syllabus available on class website

Quarterly grade

• Approx. 2 tests per quarter (100 pts. Each)- MC & SAQs

• Approx. 2 essays per quarter (30-100 pts. Each)

• Nightly reading with weekly reading check quizzes (10 pts. Each)

• Class participation (40 pts. as per rubric- available on class website)Total pts. in 1st marking period

will be around 550

Preparing our Students

• Workload expectation is 1-2 hours daily, depending on student’s pace and scheduling (plan ahead!!)

• Students must have positive study habits

• Students need support from us

• AP Exam review begins end of March-beginning of April

• What can parents do to help?• Ask your child to discuss his/her nightly reading

with you• Help with time management

The AP Exam Friday, May 8, 2015

• Written, administered & graded by College Board

• Fee to take exam- $91• Registration in January• Grade has NO effect on class or yearly

grade/average (scores returned in July)• See a sample exam on the College Board

website (link from class website)• Topics covered: Native peoples- Obama• SAT II in U.S. History exam- May 2nd

Pace, workload, responsibilities

• Exam covers 2 years of American History

• Requires intensive review (4-5 weeks; chronological & thematic)

• Before Spring Break: finish curriculum & develop skills necessary

• Pace is very fast long reading assignments, large units, big tests

The AP Exam

• See handout

The AP Exam

• Nationally 50-53% of students pass the exam in a given year (fewer in 2008)

• Grade of A or B in this class = great chance of passing the exam

• Passing the exam may result in college credit

• Graded on a 5 pt. scale (5 is the best)

A Little About Me (Stephanie Hornstein)…

• 16 years teaching experience• 10 years teaching AP History• BA in History Education• MA in History Education• Supervision certificate• 11 ½ years at NPHS

Items of Interest

• Grades are available on PowerSchool• Class website (link from district

website)• Please check out the parent links-

especially the College Board website (http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/courses/descriptions/index.html) for AP parents & students

Wrap Up

• Questions?• Contact Information:

shornstein@npsdnj.org

I look forward to working with you and your child this year!