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AP
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We have two sections, one taught by Daniel Burns and one taught by Susan Richman.
Teacher: Daniel Burns
Email: swampfox185@gmail.com
Texts Required:
Tech Needs: Full internet access.
Class Fees: $500. Costs for texts vary depending on choice of format (ebook or print) and choice of used or new.
Who should apply: This course is open to homeschooled students who will be in grades 9 through 12 in the 2010-2011 school year. There are no prerequisites, but a basic understanding of U.S. History will be helpful. Students should also be willing to regularly engage in thoughtful discussions of historical issues and events.
This course is ideal for those who have a passion for
history and enjoy an academic challenge. There will be large readings required
along with primary source documents, two essays each month, and other
assignments, so strong reading and writing skills are important. Students
should expect to devote an average of 10 hours each week to this course. I will
ask for PSAT/
Class Description: As
preparation for the AP U.S. History exam in May, the course will cover
The course will have a highly interactive website (interactive rating of 3) where students get to know each other, respond to each other’s work, ask questions, etc. It will have a format similar to the demo website and will be password protected. The textbook has a supplementary website that we will use, with timelines, study questions, quizzes, and primary documents.
An average month will include about 200 pages of textbook reading, two essays (roughly 500 words each), a number of primary documents, an interview or cartoon analysis, several quizzes, and whatever extra credit or bonus assignments the student chooses to complete.
I will post frequent updates on the website as a reminder of assignments. Parents are encouraged to check the website regularly for details about course work and student interaction. I will also send out a midyear progress report and a final progress report to parents (very useful to show evaluators or to include in a portfolio!).
Registration: Please email me for an application or if you have any questions. Class size is limited and there will be a summer reading assignment, so sign up early.
Instructor
Qualifications: This will be my seventh year teaching AP U.S. History.
Student scores on the AP exam in the last six years of my class have been
significantly higher than the national average, and I hope to continue to build
on their success in 2010-2011. I am a PHAA graduate and a graduate of
Click here to read
class reviews from past participants in Daniel Burns' section of this class
Teacher: Susan Richman
Email: richmans@pahomeschoolers.com
Texts required: free Digital History online text at http://www.digitalhistory2.uh.edu OR alternatively America and its Peoples, by Martin, et al; Barron’s AP US History 8th Edition by Kellogg.
Tech Needs: hi-speed internet access; computer capable of viewing
online videos and listening to audio lectures; highly recommended: video or
Class fees: $575. Required texts will cost approximately $16 to $75 (students have a choice of a free online multi-media text OR a standard print text – the print text can often be purchased 2nd hand very reasonably; Barron’s Guide 8th edition can be found 2nd hand).
Who should apply: Class is limited to 35 students max, and I receive
lots of applicants, so apply early. Audit option available for strong students
after the class has filled ($150), with the option of
joining the class and paying balance of tuitioin if
an enrolled student drops the class. This class is for high school students
having a strong passion for history, who have advanced writing and reading
skills. This is not an easy class, and each student must be willing to put in
the required time (roughly 8 to 12 hours of study per week, including watching
history video lectures online and other activities besides just text reading
and essay writing). I will ask for
Class Description: This class will cover mainstream US History from early colonization to the present, using an online basic college text (students also have the option of using a standard print text as a supplement to the free online multi-media text--more info on this in application) as well as many original source documents, varied Internet sources, and the archive of material on our class site. Our class archives include all past original history interviews, biography projects, history film reviews, and more, completed by past students--this year I hope to add a section where students can post reviews of ‘real world’ history sites they’ve visited, plus a section for alumni students to share what their further history activities and studies are like, especially at the college level). Students are also encouraged to use other outside sources (websites, videos, history-related novels, magazines, biographies, and visiting historical museums, etc.) for earning bonus points. Students will be required to submit two formal essays per month, similar to AP US History exam essays, as well shorter less formal responses to 'History in the News', Historical Cartoons or summaries of original History Interviews, and Document-Based Question (DBQ) Follow-Up responses. December includes a history film/documentary review project. Students also complete two major Biography projects, with one as a website or multi-media project. For those students who can readily keep on top of regular assignments, there are also many optional quick bonus assignments for extra credit-- many students really find these engaging and fascinating.
Further, we hold three simulated 'Dinner Parties' where students take on the role of various historical characters, who meet and discuss issues related to a particular era or theme (Revolutionary War era, Civil War era, Social Reform/Labor/Industry Leaders Theme). A summer history book review project is also part of the class-- I send out a list of possible titles, and students can also suggest books they own that might meet this requirement. Each week students also complete a regular round of requirements: text readings, regular reading in primary documents, readings in the New York Times historical archive, and weekly practice quizzes, while also learning about various effective review techniques. Students will also regularly be using various audio resources online, including podcast interviews with historians, important historical speeches, and more.
The class will again have a lively website with many ways for students to interact with one another, debate issues, react and respond to one another’s essays, post history interviews, take quizzes, view history lectures, listen to history podcasts, and much more. We also have a direct link and full access to our digital text website and to the print text website, and both have many excellent resources that we will use regularly. Our site also has links to many other history sites on the web.
After students apply and are accepted, I will allow access to the course
website so that families can see what is involved in on-line AP US History. The
class website is of course password protected to insure privacy as the students
learn together. The 2010-2011 website will be updated and ready for action by
Instructor Qualifications: This will be my 15th year leading this
class on-line with homeschool students, and I have also completed three
different one-day College Board workshops on teaching AP US History. I am a PA
certified teacher, and have a BA from
Click
here to find a PDF file with an application for Mrs. Richman’s APUSH
2010-2011 class
Click here to
read class reviews from past participants in Susan Richman's section of this
class
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