AP U.S. History Test Preparation Course Plan
Course Overview
The AP U.S. History (APUSH) Test Preparation course is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary to excel on the AP U.S. History exam. This course will cover major themes, events, and figures spanning U.S. history from pre-colonial times to the present. Students will engage with primary and secondary sources, develop critical thinking, and practice essay writing and multiple-choice strategies.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Analyze and interpret historical documents.
- Develop coherent historical arguments in both written and spoken form.
- Understand key concepts, terms, and events in U.S. history.
- Prepare for the various components of the AP exam, including multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, document-based questions (DBQ), and long essay questions (LEQ).
Lesson Plan
Lesson 1: Introduction to AP U.S. History
- Topics Covered: Course overview, exam structure, key themes of U.S. history.
- Activities: Introduction activity, review of APUSH exam format.
Lesson 2: Pre-Columbian Societies and European Exploration
- Topics Covered: Indigenous cultures, motivations for exploration, early contact.
- Assignments: Reading primary sources on Native American societies.
Lesson 3: Colonization and Settlement
- Topics Covered: Spanish, French, and English colonization, interactions with Native Americans.
- Activities: Group discussion on colonial motivations.
Lesson 4: Colonial America
- Topics Covered: Development of the colonies, regional differences, social structures.
- Assignments: Compare and contrast essays on New England vs. Southern colonies.
Lesson 5: Road to Independence
- Topics Covered: Causes of the American Revolution, key events and figures.
- Activities: Timeline project of revolutionary events.
Lesson 6: The American Revolution
- Topics Covered: Major battles, Declaration of Independence, impact on society.
- Assignments: Document-based question (DBQ) preparation.
Lesson 7: The Formation of Government
- Topics Covered: Articles of Confederation, Constitutional Convention, Bill of Rights.
- Activities: Mock Constitutional Convention.
Lesson 8: Early Republic and Jeffersonian Democracy
- Topics Covered: Political parties, expansion, War of 1812.
- Assignments: Short-answer questions on political developments.
Lesson 9: Market Revolution and Reform Movements
- Topics Covered: Economic changes, social reform movements (abolition, women's rights).
- Activities: Group presentations on reform movements.
Lesson 10: Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion
- Topics Covered: Ideological justification, conflicts with Native Americans and Mexico.
- Assignments: Essay on the effects of westward expansion.
Lesson 11: Sectionalism and Slavery
- Topics Covered: Economic and political tensions, social implications of slavery.
- Activities: Debate on the morality and legality of slavery.
Lesson 12: Civil War Causes and Course
- Topics Covered: Immediate causes and key events of the Civil War.
- Assignments: Create a battle map with key battles.
Lesson 13: Reconstruction Era
- Topics Covered: Policies, successes, and failures of Reconstruction.
- Activities: Role-play key figures in the Reconstruction debate.
Lesson 14: Industrialization and the Gilded Age
- Topics Covered: Economic growth, social issues, labor movements.
- Assignments: Research paper on an industrial figure.
Lesson 15: Immigration and Urbanization
- Topics Covered: Waves of immigration, life in urban centers.
- Activities: Create a visual representation of immigrant experiences.
Lesson 16: Progressive Era Reforms
- Topics Covered: Social, political, and economic reforms during the Progressive Era.
- Assignments: Analyze primary sources from the era.
Lesson 17: America in World War I
- Topics Covered: Causes and consequences of U.S. involvement in WWI.
- Activities: Write a letter from the perspective of a soldier.
Lesson 18: The Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression
- Topics Covered: Social changes, economic boom, onset of the Great Depression.
- Assignments: DBQ practice on economic policies.
Lesson 19: The New Deal
- Topics Covered: Programs and policies, impacts on American society.
- Activities: Create a pamphlet outlining New Deal programs.
Lesson 20: World War II
- Topics Covered: U.S. involvement, home front, consequences of the war.
- Assignments: Compare and contrast strategies of WWII.
Lesson 21: The Cold War Begins
- Topics Covered: Origins, key events, and policies of the Cold War.
- Activities: Group work on Cold War foreign policy.
Lesson 22: Civil Rights Movement
- Topics Covered: Major events, key figures, and legislation.
- Assignments: Create a timeline of the Civil Rights Movement.
Lesson 23: The Vietnam War Era
- Topics Covered: Causes, major events, domestic impact.
- Activities: Group discussion on anti-war movements.
Lesson 24: Recent U.S. History (1970s-2000s)
- Topics Covered: Economic changes, foreign relations, social movements.
- Assignments: Short essays on contemporary issues.
Lesson 25: The 21st Century
- Topics Covered: Current events, technological changes, major social issues.
- Activities: Research project on a contemporary issue.
Lesson 26: AP Exam Strategies
- Topics Covered: Tips for multiple-choice questions, short answer, and essay writing.
- Activities: Practice exam with timed sections.
Lesson 27: Document-Based Question (DBQ) Strategies
- Topics Covered: Analyzing documents, synthesis, and argument building.
- Assignments: Practice writing a DBQ.
Lesson 28: Long Essay Question (LEQ) Strategies
- Topics Covered: Structuring an LEQ, developing thesis statements.
- Activities: Peer review of LEQs.
Lesson 29: Review and Practice Exam
- Topics Covered: Comprehensive review of key concepts and themes.
- Activities: Full-length practice exam under timed conditions.
Lesson 30: Final Review and Test-Taking Strategies
- Topics Covered: General test-taking strategies, final Q&A.
- Activities: Review session, confidence-building exercises.
Course Materials
- Textbook: The American Pageant (latest edition)
- Supplemental readings from primary source documents
- Access to online resources and APUSH review websites
Assessment
- Participation in group discussions and activities
- Completion of written assignments and practice essays
- Performance on practice exams and quizzes
Conclusion
This 30-lesson course will prepare students for success on the AP U.S. History exam, providing them with a comprehensive understanding of American history and developing crucial analytical and writing skills.