AP... more than just a test.
All of my AP classes have the same three goals. I will continually emphasize them:
1. to provide well-rounded content
2. to help students develop study skills, note-taking skills, writing skills, speaking skills, reading skills, analytical skills, and a work ethic that will serve them well in college and beyond
3. to prepare for the AP exam in May 2016 (I deliberately save this goal for last. The bottom line for many parents and students is that this class sets students up for the ability to gain college credit. I sincerely believe that if we achieve our first two goals, this one will take care of itself. We do not teachto a test; we test to the test. We have designed our assessments in class to prepare our students for the format of the exam. This means that essays will be timed, and that exams will be longer than they may have seen in the past.)
What you can do...
§ Be supportive. This class may be harder than classes students have taken up to this point in their academic careers. It is not uncommon for grades to be lower than they have seen before. We don’t think students should settle for lower grades, but parents should know that there is a considerable step up in skills and effort from what may have made them successful in the past. By definition, a college-level class that is geared toward (though not limited to) gifted and talented students is going ask students to perform at a more advanced level. While the workload for this class may seem daunting, it is worth noting that the average student will spend almost 30% of his/her class day with us. We encourage parents to be supportive of their children and remember several key things:
* Students are being rewarded for their grades with enhanced GPA points.
* If students are struggling, or if they have questions, this is the time for them to learn to be advocates for themselves. Encourage your students to come and talk to us. There is no shame in asking us for help; it’s why we’re here.
* Students can benefit from a “long-term” view of how they are paving the way for their college career.
§ Follow your child’s progress. There are a number of ways parents can do this. One of them is to follow the assignments/calendars posted on this website to see what students are doing in class on a daily basis. Another is to use the district’s Gradespeed program that allows parents to keep track of their child’s grades.
§ Talk with your child. These classes discuss a lot of big issues, and students will be forced occasionally to function outside of their comfort zone. The most important influence on who they are and how they view the world comes from you. We encourage you to discuss some of these big issues at home.
§ Help your child with their long-term vision. We encourage parents to help their children start planning for their future. To that end, we encourage parents to visit the College Board’s website (www.collegeboard.com) , where they can access information on the AP program, the SAT, and financial planning information. In addition, students and parents can access information on colleges and universities, including their policies for AP credit.
§ Feel free to contact me. Over the course of the year, if you have questions or would like to discuss your child’s performance in class, feel free to contact me. The best way to get in touch is via e-mail, [email protected].
All of my AP classes have the same three goals. I will continually emphasize them:
1. to provide well-rounded content
2. to help students develop study skills, note-taking skills, writing skills, speaking skills, reading skills, analytical skills, and a work ethic that will serve them well in college and beyond
3. to prepare for the AP exam in May 2016 (I deliberately save this goal for last. The bottom line for many parents and students is that this class sets students up for the ability to gain college credit. I sincerely believe that if we achieve our first two goals, this one will take care of itself. We do not teachto a test; we test to the test. We have designed our assessments in class to prepare our students for the format of the exam. This means that essays will be timed, and that exams will be longer than they may have seen in the past.)
What you can do...
§ Be supportive. This class may be harder than classes students have taken up to this point in their academic careers. It is not uncommon for grades to be lower than they have seen before. We don’t think students should settle for lower grades, but parents should know that there is a considerable step up in skills and effort from what may have made them successful in the past. By definition, a college-level class that is geared toward (though not limited to) gifted and talented students is going ask students to perform at a more advanced level. While the workload for this class may seem daunting, it is worth noting that the average student will spend almost 30% of his/her class day with us. We encourage parents to be supportive of their children and remember several key things:
* Students are being rewarded for their grades with enhanced GPA points.
* If students are struggling, or if they have questions, this is the time for them to learn to be advocates for themselves. Encourage your students to come and talk to us. There is no shame in asking us for help; it’s why we’re here.
* Students can benefit from a “long-term” view of how they are paving the way for their college career.
§ Follow your child’s progress. There are a number of ways parents can do this. One of them is to follow the assignments/calendars posted on this website to see what students are doing in class on a daily basis. Another is to use the district’s Gradespeed program that allows parents to keep track of their child’s grades.
§ Talk with your child. These classes discuss a lot of big issues, and students will be forced occasionally to function outside of their comfort zone. The most important influence on who they are and how they view the world comes from you. We encourage you to discuss some of these big issues at home.
§ Help your child with their long-term vision. We encourage parents to help their children start planning for their future. To that end, we encourage parents to visit the College Board’s website (www.collegeboard.com) , where they can access information on the AP program, the SAT, and financial planning information. In addition, students and parents can access information on colleges and universities, including their policies for AP credit.
§ Feel free to contact me. Over the course of the year, if you have questions or would like to discuss your child’s performance in class, feel free to contact me. The best way to get in touch is via e-mail, [email protected].