Rising 9Rising 9thth Grade Grade Introduction to the AP Introduction to the AP

Program at FCHSProgram at FCHS

Is AP Right For Me?Is AP Right For Me?

January 5, 2011January 5, 2011

• • Welcome and IntroductionsWelcome and Introductions

• Introduction to AP Program at FCHS • Introduction to AP Program at FCHS

• Introduction to 9• Introduction to 9thth Grade AP Human Grade AP Human GeographyGeography

AP Night AgendaAP Night Agenda

• • The goal for the AP Program at FCHS is to The goal for the AP Program at FCHS is to provideprovidestudents with students with college level rigorcollege level rigor and theand theinstructional support that will help them succeedinstructional support that will help them succeedin high school and beyond.in high school and beyond.

Advanced Placement at FCHSAdvanced Placement at FCHS

Attributes of the AP Attributes of the AP Program Program

--Rigorous subject area study with --Rigorous subject area study with emphasis on higher level thinking skills, emphasis on higher level thinking skills, reading comprehension and writingreading comprehension and writing

--A college-like experience in a high --A college-like experience in a high school setting w/ teachers trained to school setting w/ teachers trained to teach AP coursesteach AP courses

--A cumulative, subject-specific --A cumulative, subject-specific standardized assessment given at the end standardized assessment given at the end of the courseof the course

The AP FormulaThe AP Formula

A A positive attitude,positive attitude, aa commitment to commitment to put forth a strong, consistent effort, put forth a strong, consistent effort, and a motivation to excel inside & and a motivation to excel inside & outside of the classroom is more outside of the classroom is more

important than a student's academic important than a student's academic ability or potential alone. ability or potential alone.

SUCCESSSUCCESS in AP courses in AP courses

What is Advanced What is Advanced Placement (AP)?Placement (AP)?

The AP ProgramThe AP Program– A 50 year old partnership between the College A 50 year old partnership between the College

Board, colleges/ universities, and high schools Board, colleges/ universities, and high schools throughout the world that brings college-level throughout the world that brings college-level coursework into the high school settingcoursework into the high school setting

FCHS offers AP beginning in 9FCHS offers AP beginning in 9thth grade grade– FCHS provides opportunity to take college level FCHS provides opportunity to take college level

courses while still in high school and earn college courses while still in high school and earn college credit depending on AP exam score and college credit depending on AP exam score and college policy. Always check individual policy. Always check individual college/university policies for AP credit or college/university policies for AP credit or placementplacement

Are AP & Honors/Horizons Are AP & Honors/Horizons classes the same?classes the same?

AP classes are different--AP classes are different--

AP classes have college-level expectations for students AP classes have college-level expectations for students based on nationally-recognized curriculum standards;based on nationally-recognized curriculum standards;

The quantity & quality of work expected in in an AP The quantity & quality of work expected in in an AP course requires a greater student commitment of time, course requires a greater student commitment of time, energy, and effort inside of & outside of the classroom;energy, and effort inside of & outside of the classroom;

AP courses, resources, teachers & curriculum are AP courses, resources, teachers & curriculum are reviewed & approved by the College Board annually;reviewed & approved by the College Board annually;

Students may earn college credit, advanced placement, Students may earn college credit, advanced placement, or both—depending on AP exam performanceor both—depending on AP exam performance

FCHS AP Study FCHS AP Study Pathway-- OverviewPathway-- Overview

AP Courses offered from 9AP Courses offered from 9thth- 12- 12thth grades grades

Coordinated with high school Coordinated with high school graduation requirementsgraduation requirements

No travel/out of district No travel/out of district transportationtransportation

1212thth grade AP courses can be grade AP courses can be combined with PSO/ACCEL options combined with PSO/ACCEL options (college classes taught on FCHS (college classes taught on FCHS campus by college professors)campus by college professors)

FCHS AP TeachersFCHS AP Teachers

FCHS AP teachers are highly qualified to FCHS AP teachers are highly qualified to teach their AP courses & subjects--teach their AP courses & subjects--

Trained and receive on-going training by Trained and receive on-going training by the College Board to teach their AP the College Board to teach their AP courses;courses;

Endorsements and advanced degrees in Endorsements and advanced degrees in their field;their field;

Recognized as the school, district, state, Recognized as the school, district, state, and national level for their work and national level for their work

Additional AP InfoAdditional AP Info

Course Materials and ResourcesCourse Materials and Resources– – Every AP Course will include advanced/college-level Every AP Course will include advanced/college-level

tests, essays and readings (from provided textbooks tests, essays and readings (from provided textbooks and outside materials)and outside materials)

– – Many AP Courses will include some sort of Summer Many AP Courses will include some sort of Summer Reading AssignmentReading Assignment

– – Most AP Courses have supplemental materials that are Most AP Courses have supplemental materials that are available for purchase outside of school by available for purchase outside of school by students/parents, including workbooks and flashcardsstudents/parents, including workbooks and flashcards

----Reading, writing, critical thinking, organizational & Reading, writing, critical thinking, organizational & time management skills are heavily emphasized time management skills are heavily emphasized

Additional AP InfoAdditional AP Info

In addition to classroom instruction, AP Teachers work to In addition to classroom instruction, AP Teachers work to guide & support our students, including...guide & support our students, including...

• • Providing required and supplementary materialsProviding required and supplementary materials

• • Offering optional study/review sessions during the school year and Offering optional study/review sessions during the school year and prior to the AP Exams in Mayprior to the AP Exams in May

• • Establishing clear, consistent expectations for student workEstablishing clear, consistent expectations for student work

Students who choose to take AP Courses at FCHS agree Students who choose to take AP Courses at FCHS agree to meet the expectations of the teacher, including to meet the expectations of the teacher, including consistent preparation for class, asking for help when consistent preparation for class, asking for help when needed, and meeting all deadlines for work & needed, and meeting all deadlines for work & assignments. assignments.

FCHS AP Course Options: FCHS AP Course Options:

99thth Grade GradeWhy only 1 AP course in 9Why only 1 AP course in 9thth grade? grade?

AP Human Geography AP Human Geography has been designed & placed in has been designed & placed in the curriculum with the 9the curriculum with the 9thth grade student in mind; grade student in mind;

AP courses have been intentionally placed in the AP courses have been intentionally placed in the course curriculum with high school graduation course curriculum with high school graduation requirements and knowledge & skill pre-requisites in requirements and knowledge & skill pre-requisites in mind mind

Please see the Forsyth County Schools Course Digest at Please see the Forsyth County Schools Course Digest at www.forsyth.k12.ga.us for information on course for information on course sequencing, pre-requisities, and graduation sequencing, pre-requisities, and graduation requirementsrequirements

FCHS AP Options: FCHS AP Options: 1010thth-12-12thth Grade Grade

ENGLISH / LANGUAGE ARTSENGLISH / LANGUAGE ARTS

AP English Language & CompositionAP English Language & Composition AP English Literature & CompositionAP English Literature & Composition

FCHS AP Options: FCHS AP Options: 1010thth-12-12thth Grade Grade

MATHEMATICSMATHEMATICS

AP StatisticsAP Statistics AP Calculus ABAP Calculus AB AP Calculus AB/BCAP Calculus AB/BC

FCHS AP Options: FCHS AP Options: 1010thth-12-12thth Grade Grade

SCIENCESCIENCE

AP BiologyAP Biology AP ChemistryAP Chemistry AP Environmental ScienceAP Environmental Science AP PhysicsAP Physics

FCHS AP Options:FCHS AP Options:1010thth-12-12thth Grade Grade

SOCIAL STUDIESSOCIAL STUDIES

AP World HistoryAP World History AP U.S. HistoryAP U.S. History AP U.S. GovernmentAP U.S. Government AP Comparative GovernmentAP Comparative Government AP European History AP European History

FCHS AP Options:FCHS AP Options:1010thth-12-12thth Grade Grade

FOREIGN LANGUAGE & FINE ARTSFOREIGN LANGUAGE & FINE ARTS

AP Spanish LanguageAP Spanish Language AP Studio Art (2D Design, 3D Design, AP Studio Art (2D Design, 3D Design,

Drawing)Drawing) AP Art HistoryAP Art History

AP Myths and AP Myths and MisconceptionsMisconceptions

– – Everyone SHOULD take an AP ClassEveryone SHOULD take an AP Class

– – You won't get into college WITHOUT You won't get into college WITHOUT taking AP Classestaking AP Classes

– – AP is the ONLY WAY to stand out for AP is the ONLY WAY to stand out for college admissionscollege admissions

– – AP Courses will MAKE YOU A BETTER AP Courses will MAKE YOU A BETTER STUDENTSTUDENT

How do AP courses help How do AP courses help students in high school?students in high school?

Students gain important practice in:Students gain important practice in:– Organization (time & resources)Organization (time & resources)– High level critical thinking: Analyzing, High level critical thinking: Analyzing,

synthesizing, and evaluating informationsynthesizing, and evaluating information– Developing creative, narrative, persuasive, Developing creative, narrative, persuasive,

and expository writing skillsand expository writing skills AP courses give students a preview of the AP courses give students a preview of the

academic rigor of college-level work; academic rigor of college-level work; Students can concentrate on courses in certain Students can concentrate on courses in certain

areas of interest or take a variety of AP coursesareas of interest or take a variety of AP courses

Additional benefits of Additional benefits of participating in AP courses?participating in AP courses?

Stand out in college admissions and Stand out in college admissions and scholarship selectionscholarship selection– the most important factor in college admissions the most important factor in college admissions

is the ability to show that a student has chosen a is the ability to show that a student has chosen a challenging selection of academic courses in high challenging selection of academic courses in high schoolschool

Earn college credit (based on AP Exam Earn college credit (based on AP Exam scores)scores)– Network of more than 3.600 college/universities Network of more than 3.600 college/universities

worldwideworldwide– 90% of four year colleges in US award AP credit 90% of four year colleges in US award AP credit

(based on AP Exam scores and individual policies)(based on AP Exam scores and individual policies) Are better prepared for the academic Are better prepared for the academic

demands of college level work demands of college level work

More Benefits of Taking More Benefits of Taking AP CoursesAP Courses

AP Students, when they enter college...AP Students, when they enter college...

• • Outperform peers in advanced courses in collegeOutperform peers in advanced courses in college

• • Are more likely to take advanced courses in their Are more likely to take advanced courses in their AP course/subject areas when they enter collegeAP course/subject areas when they enter college

• • Are twice as likely to go into advanced study Are twice as likely to go into advanced study (graduate programs and beyond)(graduate programs and beyond)

• • Are more likely to graduate college in four years Are more likely to graduate college in four years or lessor less

Things to consider Things to consider before choosing APbefore choosing AP

Are students ACADEMICALLY prepared? (#1 Factor)Are students ACADEMICALLY prepared? (#1 Factor)

--Are students --Are students MATUREMATURE and able to cope with and able to cope with stress/pressure associated with these courses?stress/pressure associated with these courses?

– – Are students Are students RESPONSIBLE RESPONSIBLE andand MOTIVATED MOTIVATED??

– – Are Are PARENTSPARENTS ready to support their child’s ready to support their child’s success in the AP course? success in the AP course?

Am I an AP Student?Am I an AP Student? Characteristics:Characteristics:

– MatureMature– Self- motivatedSelf- motivated– Self-disciplinedSelf-disciplined– Independent worker and thinkerIndependent worker and thinker– Strong work ethicStrong work ethic

Do you have a record of academic success? Do you have a record of academic success? Do you have the time (think of family, Do you have the time (think of family,

church, athletic, and extracurricular church, athletic, and extracurricular activities)? activities)?

Common Traits of Common Traits of Successful AP Students Successful AP Students

– – High Interest in the High Interest in the SUBJECT AREA SUBJECT AREA (not just an (not just an interest in high grades...)interest in high grades...)

– – Strong communication skills Strong communication skills (Reading, Writing, (Reading, Writing, Speaking, Expressing Opinions)Speaking, Expressing Opinions)

– – Ability to recall what they know, process and Ability to recall what they know, process and understand understand NEWNEW information information QUICKLYQUICKLY

– – A A POSITIVE ATTITUDE POSITIVE ATTITUDE about about CHALLENGINGCHALLENGING academic workacademic work

– – Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectivelyeffectively

– – Are intrinsically motivated to learnAre intrinsically motivated to learn

– – Choose to take the course for themselvesChoose to take the course for themselves

How Do I Register for How Do I Register for AP?AP?

In January 2010, during middle school In January 2010, during middle school registration for next year's 9registration for next year's 9thth grade: grade:

– Speak with your current teacher(s) about a Speak with your current teacher(s) about a recommendation for AP Human Geographyrecommendation for AP Human Geography

– Talk to your current teacher(s) and Talk to your current teacher(s) and counselor if you are unsurecounselor if you are unsure

– Registration forms for AP Human Registration forms for AP Human Geography will be available during Geography will be available during registration at your middle schoolsregistration at your middle schools

Recommendations for Recommendations for StudentsStudents

Complete a Self Evaluation/High School PlanComplete a Self Evaluation/High School Plan

--Take an honest look at your work habits, goals, --Take an honest look at your work habits, goals, plans, activities, available timeplans, activities, available time

--Talk with counselors and teachers to see what they --Talk with counselors and teachers to see what they think about your level of preparedness for APthink about your level of preparedness for AP

--Talk with other students who are currently in AP --Talk with other students who are currently in AP Courses to see what they thinkCourses to see what they think

--Have a discussion with your parents about your --Have a discussion with your parents about your academic goals and plansacademic goals and plans

--Check out --Check out Collegeboard.comCollegeboard.com for college information for college information and other resourcesand other resources

Recommendations for Recommendations for ParentsParents

Evaluate your child’s readiness for APEvaluate your child’s readiness for AP

--Is he/she motivated? How are school stress and --Is he/she motivated? How are school stress and pressure handled? When things get difficult, how does pressure handled? When things get difficult, how does he/she react?he/she react?

--Is he/she able to read difficult, academic subject --Is he/she able to read difficult, academic subject material independently?material independently?

--Does he/she enjoy school & their classes?--Does he/she enjoy school & their classes?

--Is he/she organized? Get work done independently? --Is he/she organized? Get work done independently? Meet deadlines on their own? Plan ahead or is Meet deadlines on their own? Plan ahead or is everything done at the last minute?everything done at the last minute?

– – Are you ready to work with your child and support them Are you ready to work with your child and support them throughout the year in a college-level course? throughout the year in a college-level course?

FCHS AP Course Options: FCHS AP Course Options:

99thth Grade Grade AP Human GeographyAP Human Geography Mrs. Jennifer GarnerMrs. Jennifer Garner FCHS AP Students Past & FCHS AP Students Past &

PresentPresent

For More Information on For More Information on the FCHS AP Programthe FCHS AP Program

Mrs. Kim Head, FCHS Asst. PrincipalMrs. Kim Head, FCHS Asst. Principal

Mr. Michel Satterfield, FCHS Asst. Mr. Michel Satterfield, FCHS Asst. PrincipalPrincipal

Mrs. Jennifer Garner, AP Human Mrs. Jennifer Garner, AP Human GeographyGeography

www.apcentral.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com