Link to DBQ Review

Howard Zinn's People's History of the United States

Good link for American History resources...both primary and secondary

Digital History

Cornell Notes Template

Cornell Notes Lecture, reading/chapter/novel/article during class, power point, movies (if need to collect info.) Topic:_____________________________________________ Essential Question:   Questions/Main Ideas:	Name: ___________________________________ Class: _________________ Period: ________ Date: ____________________________ Notes:
Summary:

Class Contract and Expectations

AP United States History

Teacher: Mr. Ciampi, office Room 400, mciampi@schools.nyc.gov

Welcome to AP American History. This course will develop your knowledge and skills with the express purpose of allowing you the ability to pass this class, the Regents, and the National AP exam.  The course will be aligned with the required standards and the work will resemble the Regents and AP exams.  Most importantly, this will be treated as a college course.  You will be expected to work hard each day, both inside and outside the classroom.  If you cannot handle the course load, you will be removed from this AP course.

GRADING: 

·         Exams, Long Essays, DBQ essays                                   40%  

·         Quizzes, Short Essays                                                        30 %  

·         Classwork/Class Participation                                         15 %

·         Homework                                                                          15 %    

* All grades can be monitored on PUPIL PATH.

MATERIALS:
    
*YOU MUST:

• WEAR YOUR LANYARDS IN CLASS...EVERY DAY!
• BRING YOUR BINDERS TO CLASS...EVERY DAY!
• BRING BLUE/BLACK PENS AND HI-LIGHTERS TO CLASS...EVERY DAY!

1.       Text: America's History- 9th Edition- Henrietta, Edwards, Hindertaker, Self

·         Each student will receive a text book.  The text will be used as a source for secondary information.  Each week there will be an update of chapters and/or pages  on the blog that covers the week's material.  Reading the text is an excellent resource for content.  

2.       Review Book: The Princeton Review: Cracking the AP U.S. History Exam 2020Edition

·         Each student must purchase a review book in December.  This is an excellent resource for assessment reviews and obviously, AP Exam review.  The content is brief and is an excellent supplement to go with the text and packet materials.

3.       Supplemental Readings:

·         AP Packets (Primary Source/Historical Sources): Over the course of the year, you will receive 22 AP Packets.  They will be analyzed and assessed both inside and outside the classroom.  Most homework assignments come from these supplements. They will be hole-punched so you can add them to your binder.  If you would rather a folder, be sure to keep the sources dated to allow for easy test preparation.  I also recommend using highlighters to pull important information from these documents.   While working on specific units, those packets MUST be brought to class every day.

GUIDELINES:

1.   Attendance/Punctuality: Your attendance in the class is of the utmost importance.  Copious amounts of documents will be analyzed and discussed each day.  It is YOUR responsibility to make up all the work that is missed.  I do not tolerate lateness.  It is a distraction to the entire class.  It is amazing how much time 4 minutes is if you directly head to class immediately following the bell.

2.   Classwork/Participation:  We will be discussing major historic events each day, including the analysis of primary and secondary sources, the debating of controversial topics, and evaluation of daily essential questions.  The more active the class is, the more the class will achieve each day.  I expect each and every student to have an active voice during the class period.  You should also take notes every day.  I will go over note taking strategies early in the semester. (recommended strategy is using Cornell notes)

3.       Homework:   You will receive weekly homework assignments, mainly from unit packets.  All assignments will be posted on my APUSH blog. (see below)  Homework is expected to be done promptly and with effort, as it will greatly assist you in the understanding of the topics.  Homework will be assessed using a specific rubric. (Separate paper)

4.     Assessments: There will be a plethora of assessments throughout each marking period, including multiple choice quizzes, DBQ’s, short and long essays, and unit exams.  The tests will be aligned to the AP exam.  Answering the practice questions at the end of each text chapter and the review book are the best ways to prepare for the tests. 

5.       Effort:   I expect each of my students to work hard every day.  The more effort you put into this course, both inside and outside the classroom, the better chance you will have in excelling.  As the old adage suggests, “You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink.”  Understand?

6.   Open Door Policy: If you ever need to discuss anything with me, see me in my office room 400.  No appointments necessary. I believe in the element of honest and mature face to face conversation.  Just talk to me.  We can work out any issue.   Problems only grow larger if not stopped early on, like a snowball rolling down a steep hill.  Don’t be a snowball! J

BLOG:

            I set up a blog for this class at ciampiapush.blogspot.com.   It will serve as information bulletin throughout the school year.  All assignments, due dates, assessment dates, etc. will be posted weekly. You are required to check the blog every day!

AP EXAM:

·   This is an advanced placement class.  I expect each student to take the AP exam in May. THIS YEAR THE EXAM IS ON FRIDAY MAY 8  I will be teaching this course aligned with the AP exam curriculum, and the assessments will be based on AP exam material.  There will be review classes set up during the second term to aid in the preparation for the AP exam.