Social Studies Department



Greenwich High SchoolSocial Studies ProgramTo:Students interested in Advanced Placement coursesFrom:Rich Alessi, Bella House and Social Studies AdministratorRe:Important considerations before selecting Advanced Placement U.S. History (APUSH) and AP English Language and CompositionWe want you to be comfortable and successful with your decision to take an Advanced Placement course as a sophomore. Beginning with the 2013-2014 school year, all students who enroll in AP United States History will also be enrolled in AP English Language and Composition. These two courses are teamed and complement each other. The following is provided to you as an aid in your decision-making process. Will you, as a sophomore in high school, be academically and emotionally prepared to take a college level course, with college level expectations, and accept the responsibilities of your decision?Traditionally, successful students have exhibited the qualities and characteristics described below. Do they describe you? Ability to work independently Ability to manage a demanding (college level) workload Possession of strong inductive and deductive reasoning skillsPossession of the ability to organize information and to synthesize and evaluate contrasting points of viewPossession of superior reading and writing skills Prepared to spend, depending on reading and writing skills, upwards of two hours per night doing AP US homework including weekends and breaks.Earned a B in first semester World Themes 113, English 113, and a passing score on the mandatory APUSH screening exam (for dates, see your teacher or the daily bulletin).AP United States History explores the movements, personalities, events, organizations, class, gender, ethnic, and race relations, as well as conflicts and compromises that have shaped this nation’s development. While some narrative is intrinsic to the study of history, there is an emphasis on analyzing historical themes. In other words, students will explore not merely what happened, but the socio-economic, ideological, and political dimensions of why they happened as well. To this end, students should be prepared to engage in high level thinking skills in class discussions and when reading assigned essays.On a daily basis students are to prepare for class discussions. What does this mean? You are expected to interact with the assigned readings, not merely be a passive reader who is simply searching for an answer. Thus, you will underline salient points, write margin notes, raise questions, and make connections. It is expected that, for each unit of study, the student will possess a very good working knowledge of the factual content. In other words, it is strongly recommended that early in a unit of study the student will learn the terms, personalities, events, etc. that comprises the body of basic information that relates to the topic. The fact that this course is open to sophomores requires that the academic and social-emotional maturity level of the student be considered as a factor in this decision. The high academic expectations of Advanced Placement courses require students to receive guidance about the course selection process. For those who do not pre-qualify, the student’s counselor, the Program Administrator, the prospective AP teacher(s), and the student’s current social studies and English teachers will be available for input. However, after receiving this guidance, the ultimate choice to select an Advanced Placement course is made by the student and his or her parent/guardian.Other factors to consider include:Keep in mind that by selecting AP United States History and AP English Language and Composition, you will be enrolled in college courses. Take the time to consider your screening test score and the personal commitment that will be required for success. AH 213 (Honors) and AP U.S. History receive the same weighted grade value. The same is true with English 213 (Honors) and AP English Language and Composition.For juniors and seniors, the Social Studies program offers four full year AP courses: AP United States and Comparative Government and Politics, A.P. Micro and Macro Economics, AP European History, and AP Psychology. The English program also offers AP English Language and Composition for juniors and AP English Literature and Composition for seniors.Screening ExamALL interested students must take the AP U.S. History Screening Exam on one of the testing dates. See your teacher or consult the daily bulletin for dates. There are no exceptions. There is NO additional placement test for AP English Language and Composition.The screening exam will include readings on a specific historical event from an Advanced Placement test. You will be expected to complete a series of multiple choice comprehension questions based on the reading. You are not expected to be familiar with the topic, thus you cannot study for the exam. The screening test will be timed. It is designed to give you the experience of what is expected of an A.P. student.In evaluating your screening test, the focus will be on two skills:Your ability to read and comprehend the documents, take notes, and demonstrate an understanding of the information.Your ability to work within a reasonable time frame for what is expected in the class.Summer AssignmentStudents accepted into the course will be assigned a summer assignment. (A mandatory meeting will be held in late May or early June to hand out and explain the assignment. The date will be posted around the school and in the daily bulletin). The assignment must be returned to the high school at the end of July. (More information will be available at the meeting and on the Social Studies website). There is no additional summer work for the AP English Language and Composition course.College Board ExamAll students enrolled in APUSH and AP English Language and Composition are expected to take the national AP exams in May, at their expense. Students should purchase at least two AP U.S. History review books. Preparation for the College Board should begin months in advance of the test. Financial assistance is available for any student needing help with the cost of the exam.AssessmentExams: Formal assessments will be given at the end of each unit of study. These exams will include one or more of the questions presented in the AP exam, which include:Multiple choice questions: These questions test retention of information, ability to make connections and to draw inferences.Free Response Questions (FRQ): Essay questions which require use of previous knowledge to identify and analyze themes in the curriculum.Document Based Questions (DBQ): These extended essays require the student to take a position on a significant debate in U.S. history and provide concrete arguments from prior knowledge, with support from several primary sources provided with the DBQ.Quizzes: There will be both announced and unannounced quizzes which will cover the previous night’s assignment.Participation: The participation component of the APUSH and AP English Language and Composition courses is given more weight than in the standard honors course. Students are expected to participate actively in class discussions by answering questions, responding to comments made by others in the class, identifying connections to previous knowledge, asking questions, and proposing their own interpretation of historical events.Review SessionsSeveral weeks before the AP exam, instructors will hold review sessions. In these sessions, no new material will be covered. Rather, previous units will be reviewed for content, important people, events and places will be identified, and AP-related themes will be explored. These sessions will be held either before or after school, at the instructor’s discretion. Attendance is not mandatory but strongly encouraged.Sophomore Research ProjectEvery 10th grade student must complete the Sophomore Research Project (SRP), both to receive credit for second semester U.S. History and as a GHS graduation requirement. Students in APUSH will begin their projects immediately after the AP exam. Due to the compressed timeframe for completion, students should expect to complete a significant amount of the project outside of classroom time.Carefully read each of the following conditions. When finished, both the student and parent/guardian must sign and date the Student Data Sheet /Acceptance and return to the Bella House office. I understand that these are college courses with college level expectations and I understand that my work will be held to a college level standard. The grade “A” is reserved for superior work only.I understand that Seminar Skills is a regularly scheduled part of the courses, and is not an option, and that I must attend.I understand the objective of these courses is to prepare me to take the AP US History and AP English Language and Composition exams in May, which I agree to take at my own expense. (Financial assistance is available for any student needing help with the cost of the exam).I agree to read the text as assigned, I will take notes on the readings, I will be prepared for and participate in class, and take assessments when scheduled.I understand the teachers are available for extra help.I understand the standards for academics and citizenship and the Cardinal Rules governing cheating and plagiarism and the GHS Media Center’s guidelines for the proper citation of sources.I will behave appropriately in class, treating my peers and the teacher with dignity and respect.I understand the AP USH course fulfills the United States History graduation requirement and requires the successful completion of the sophomore research project.I understand that choosing to drop either A.P. United States History or AP English Language and Composition will require that I drop both courses: NO exceptions.I understand that the GHS Honor Code is in effect at all times, and the work I produce and submit will be my own.I have read the course disclosure sheet and understand that I am accountable for my rmation and sign-off sheets will be distributed at the AP US info meetings, or upon registration to GHS.For additional information regarding the APUSH course and exam, please consult AP Central at additional information regarding AP English Language and Composition, please see or contact Ms. Brigid Barry, Sheldon House and English Program Administrator.To: Students interested in Advanced Placement United States HistoryFrom: Rich Alessi, Bella House and Social Studies AdministratorRe: Student Data Sheet /Acceptance of A.P. U.S. History ExpectationsPLEASE PRINT.STUDENT NAME: ________________________________________COUNSELOR: ______________________HOUSE: B C F S TOTHERG.S. TEACHER AND LEVEL: ___________________________________________STUDENT EMAIL: _____________________________________________________________We have read, understand, and accept the expectations and rigor of the Advanced Placement United States History course and the entrance process. We understand that once placed in an A.P. U.S. History section, requesting a change in level requires a level change in the complementary English Language and Composition course, that (i) may not be possible until the end of a quarter or at all due to limitations of class size or other contractual obligations, and (ii) will have an impact on the student’s entire schedule.* Courses are sectioned based on student requests made in March. We have read and understand our responsibilities as outlined in the course disclosure sheet.STUDENT SIGNATURE: _____________________________________ DATE: ___________PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE: ________________________________________PRINT PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME: ________________________________________PHONE: ________________________________Please return this form to the Bella House Officeprior to registering for AP US with your counselor. ................
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