Expectations for Students Enrolled in AP/CHS United States History

Students enrolled in Ballston’s Advanced Placement U.S. History course should think ahead about the goals and challenges of the course. This is a college-level course that will require an extensive amount of reading, writing, and critical analysis of primary and secondary sources.  My philosophy in assigning summer work is to get you acquainted with some of the resources we will be utilizing during the 2017-2018 academic year.  The assignments contained in this packet are typical of what will be working with during the upcoming school year. 

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT BEFORE SEPTEMBER
1. Take the course for the right reasons.  A jump from Regents to AP is more about the work you are expected to do outside of class.   Hopefully you will rise to occasion. 

2. The pace is fast, but the course work is predictable and manageable. Get used to using the class website to help with due dates, deadlines and support links.

3. It is about the journey, not the destination. There will be times when the course drags or the work seems overwhelming. How you react to the ebb and flow of the course will serve you well when you face similar challenges in college.

4. The summer assignment mirrors the type of homework for the course. Time yourself when completing each task. Push yourself to chip away at the assignments so they are not hanging over your head the last week of August.  Put forth an honest effort when you put pen to paper.  If you nickel and dime your way through the homework you will struggle to master the material.

5. I create opportunities for success – take them. The unit tests and essays are challenging. Keep in mind I will be offering a omit program (similar to extra credit) for every major assessment.  More info will be coming your way in September.

KEY DATES for SUMMER 2018
June 6th- June9   Pick up summer reading handouts afterschool in room 242. Please visit our class website www.apushcanvas.pbworks.com [APUSH]or www.americancanvas.pbworks.com [CHS] to view the gallery of resources available to assist you with the summer assignment  

June 6h  to July 1st    Request access to our class REMIND account. Work on summer assignment. Check class website for updates.  [Sign-up instructions on page #4 of this handout]

First Week of September:  Summer assignment collected. Be prepared for an assessment based on your summer assignment.