Course Information

July 13-17, 2009

• English Language and Literature
  

  Click the link above to view more for this course

• European History
  

  Preparing students for the AP Exam: European History
  81:606:531:R1 Pamela Wolfe -> click to go to Pamela Wolfe Bio
  RegIndex: 94659

  This course will help teachers design an AP European History course and prepare their students for the AP exam.  Participants will review the content, themes, and structure of the AP European History curriculum and focus on effective teaching strategies and learning activities that will lead to success on the exam.  An analysis of the past AP examinations will be included as well as discussion of rubrics and the grading of the free response section.  Participants will review the important aspects of each time period of the AP European History curriculum, plan their own course syllabi, and create test questions in line with the topics and themes of the course.

  European History Syllabus -> click to open syllabus

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• French Language
  

  Preparing students for the AP Exam: French Language
  81:606:534:R1 Edward Weiss
  RegIndex: 94662

• The course will present the strategies and activities that promote success for AP French Language. Discussion will focus on course design, curriculum and recent changes in the exam. Essay grading and rubric familiarization along with specific requests will be addressed. Participants will have time to interact and share "best practices." The instruction will include supplemental materials such as: software, internet, audio and video. Areas of content that present the biggest challenge to the teacher will be identified with possible solutions.

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• Spanish Language
  

  Preparing students for the AP Exam: Spanish Language
  81:606:538:R1 Louis Baskinger
  RegIndex: 94666

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  This institute is for both new and experienced teachers of AP Spanish Language. It will focus on an introduction to the AP program, the Spanish Language Exam and its listening, speaking, reading and writing components. Participants will also discuss the rubric and practicing grading samples. During the institute, participants will be given the opportunity to prepare materials for use in a pre-AP or AP year.  Participants will be given time to share “best practices” as well as the activities that they prepare during the institute.  Participants are encouraged to bring laptop computers with wireless capability

• Government and Politics - U.S.

  Preparing students for the AP Exam: Government and Politics U.S.
  81:606:535:R1 Maria Schmidt -> click to go to Maria Schmidt Bio
  RegIndex: 94663

  This course provides teachers with an overview of the basic structure and content necessary for an Advanced Placement course in Governement and Politics: United States.  The instructor will focus on the development of essential questions, course objectives, learning activities, teaching strategies, and the use of multiple resources.  Emphasis will be placed on preparing students for the AP examination.  An analysis of past AP examinations will be included as well as a review of the standards established for the grading of the annual exams.  A major portion of the course is devoted to the development of units for an AP Government and Politics course by participants including the resources necessary for the implentation of such a course.

  The course will include a "best practices" sharing session and participants are encouraged to bring a copy of a favorite lesson/activity they have used in, or that could be adapted to, an AP U.S. Government and Politics course.  If participants are already teaching the course, or know the textbook and/or any other books they will be using, they should bring theses as well.

  U.S. Government Syllabus -> click to open syllabus

• U.S. History
  

  Preparing students for the AP Exam: U.S. History
  81:606:540:R1 Timothy Cullen -> click to go to Tim Cullen Bio
  RegIndex: 94669
  
  

  The United States History seminar will focus on helping teachers to develop a comprehensive program of studies for their individual classes.  In addition to examining various methods and materials, class members will learn how to best prepare students for the AP Examination in May.  This will include an analysis of the free response question, an in-depth look at the DBQ, and hands on work with the grading rubrics.

  Teachers will have the opportunity to plan and prepare a one or two year curriculum.  We will offer a variety of materials to enhance this process including: sample research assignments, classroom exercises, a notebook of user friendly documents, and a review program to help students review for the test.

  This seminar is tailored to meet the individual needs of the teachers.  Classes focus on both the theoretical and pragmatic aspects of scholastic education in the 21st century.  This seminar also offers an avenue for follow up communication throughout the year.

• World History

  Preparing students for the AP Exam: World History
  81:606:541 Arna Margolis -> click to go to Arna Margolis Bio
• Reg Index: 94819
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  This course will familiarize participants with the methodology and content of the AP World History curriculum.  We will look closely at planning a teaching calendar as well as strategies (and materials) for teaching the specific skills and themes that shape the curriculum.  AP World History differs in some ways from the other AP history programs and examinations and we will address that, as appropriate.  The most recent examination will be a guide to understanding the program's expectations for students and how their work is evaluated.  We will concentrate on understanding the scoring rubrics and helping students meet those standards.  Time will be given to each task of the examination: multiple choice, DBQ, change over time and comparative questions.  Participants will create their own AP-style test questions as well as practice scoring sample papers.  Publisher samples will be available as well as AP materials from the College Board.

July 27-31, 2009

• Economics - Micro and Macro
  

  Preparing students for the AP Exam: Economics - Micro and Macro
  81:606:532:G1 Anthony Gyapong -> click to go to Anthony Gyapong Bio
  RegIndex: 94660

• The course will prepare participants to develop and teach an AP course in Economics. The course will include a thorough review of the content needed to teach AP economics as well as resources that are available for the AP teacher. The course will conclude with a review of past AP exam questions, with emphasis on strategies for teaching AP Economics as well as some common errors on AP Economics Exams.
  Economic Syllabus -> click to open syllabus

• Environmental Science
  

  Preparing students for the AP Exam: Environmental Science
  81:606:533:G1 James Lehner
  RegIndex: 94661
  

• Human Geography
  

  Preparing students for the AP Exam: Human Geography
  81:606:536:G1 Pamela Wolfe -> click to go to Pamela Wolfe Bio
  RegIndex: 94664
  
  

  This course will provide an overview of the AP Human Geography curriculum and help teachers design their own course.  Teachers will review lesson plans, resources, and websites for teaching each of the major topics covered in the AP Human Geography course, including geography, population, cultural patterns, the political organization of space, rural land use, industrialization, and cities.  The course will focus on effective teaching strategies, learning activities, and preparation for success on the AP exam.  Participants will begin to develop their own course outline, syllabus, and assessment tools.

  Human Geography Syllabus -> click to go to syllabus
  

• Psychology

  Preparing students for the AP Exam: Psychology
  81:606:537:G1 Alan Feldman -> click to go to Alan Feldman Bio
  RegIndex: 94665
  
  

  This workshop will focus on the teaching of psychology as a science.  The workshop will included an intensive review of the content of the AP Psychology examination; the released multiple choice and essay questions will be discussed in detail.  Additional topics will include teaching strategies and resources, demonstrations for teaching psychology, important psychologists, experiments and studies in psychology, test taking techniques for the AP Psychology exam, and using a rubric to write and score essay questions.  Participants are urged to bring a few of their favorite lesson plans.

  Psychology Syllabus -> click to go to syllabus
  

• Studio Art
  

  Preparing Students for the AP Exam: Studio Art
  81:606:539:G1 Marc Schimsky -> click to go to Marc Schimsky Bio
  RegIndex: 94668
  
  

  The APSI in Studio Art will include a review of the basic structure of all three AP Studio Art Exams as well as the components of a typical full-year AP Art program based on a sample AP Studio Art syllabus.  Then using sample AP scoring rubrics, participants will review the AP Studio Art scoring process and have two "standards settings", one for each of the two major sections of the AP Studio Art Exam - the "Breadth" and the "Concentration".  These standards settings will give participants a fairly accurate idea of how AP Art exams are actually scored by readers each year.

  Participants will also engage in a hands-on project to develop a scope of technical and conceptual strategies to meet the demands of the "Concentration Section" of the AP Art Exam.  This simple project will culminate in a "Best Practices" session where participants will need to bring some art supplies to the APSI.  A list of suggested supplies will be provided.  Near the conclusion of our final session, a segment of time will be reserved for evaluations and a brief Q & A on topics of your choice.

  Studio Art Syllabus -> click to go to syllabus
  Studio Art Supplies -> click to go to Art Supplies