AP Human GeographyUPDATE: 7-8-19

FYI SLIDES

FYI ONLY: Goals of AP Human Geography

Overarching Course Goals

➢ Explore how humans understand, use, and change the surface of Earth. ➢ Use the tools and thinking processes of geographers to examine patterns of

human population, migration, and land use.

Thinking Skills for the Course

● Connect geographic concepts and processes to real-life scenarios● Understand information shown in maps, tables, charts, graphs, infographics,

images, and landscapes● See patterns and trends in data and in visual sources such as maps and

drawing conclusions from them● Understand spatial relationships using geographic scales

FYI ONLY: APHG Learning Objectives➢ build global citizenship and environmental stewardship➢ engage in contemporary global issues➢ be informed about multicultural viewpoints➢ approach problems geographically➢ use maps and geospatial technologies➢ think critically about texts and graphic images➢ interpret cultural landscapes➢ apply geographic concepts [scale, region, diffusion, interdependence,

and spatial interaction, etc.]➢ see geography as relevant to the world in which they live and as a

source of ideas for solving problems locally and globally

FYI ONLY: 2016-17: Decision Making

● Discussion internally● Research, visit, discuss with external institutions

○ College Board ○ Cedarburg Public Schools○ Des Moines Public Schools: similar grading practices, high

student participation○ Seattle Public Schools: 2 of 9 high schools have required,

all-inclusive APHG courses● Momentum for course came from the teachers, not from district

administrators/Teaching and Learning● Decision to offer inclusive APHG for all students

FYI ONLY: 2017-18: Preparation

● College Board APHG Trainings [2 trainings]● Internal professional development days during the school year [8 days]

○ Background curriculum development○ Textbook selection○ Literacy development

● Summer days writing curriculum and common summative assessments [10 days]

FYI ONLY: 2018-19 Implementation● Supports

○ 25 maximum students per section [not in effect 2019-20]○ 1 full-time Special Ed teacher to coplan/coserve [not in effect

2019-20]○ .20 release time for operations/management○ Common planning time○ PD days before implementation and during implementation

● Communications to parents and students regarding the course and the test ● Ongoing days of curriculum development, common summative

assessments, professional development

This Year: Accomplishments

Tonight’s FocusAP Human Geography [APHG]

●●●●

Why Did We Shift from Global Studies to APHG? TGLOBAL STUDIES AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

GS had evolved into two different courses [East and West]. Even in any one building, we did not have a coherent curriculum.

We now have one common, shared curriculum. Our teachers did two national College Board trainings aligned to this curriculum.

GS was 100% self-sourced, which required a lot of time and energy to create, sustain, store and share the resources.

Our teachers and students now have access to a national system of resources available through College Board and through APHG listserv.

GS did not necessarily challenge high-level learners.

APHG has embedded differentiation and resources to extend learning for high-level learners.

GS was a local initiative with no direct connection to colleges.

APHG has a universal, accepted meaning to colleges, and it has a test for college credit.

AP TEST: Information P● Every AP Course has a test in May. If a student scores at least 3

(out of 5), they can typically receive some college credit. ● In any AP course, the course itself is the foundation to prepare for

the test. Additionally, a student taking the test should make use of support resources. This year we offered:○ Websites—internal and external○ Study guides, books○ Mock/sample tests○ Study sessions

● We communicated with parents and students regarding the AP test.

AP TEST: Changes P● College Board is making changes with their AP tests.

○ The “unused test” fee is increasing from $15 to $40.○ The date by which students must sign up for a test is

changing from May to October. ● The content of the APHG test is changing for the spring of 2020.

○ There will be less of a focus on recalled information. ○ There will be more of a focus on critical thinking skills and big

ideas.

Measures of Success D

●●●●

Grades DGS: Global Studies 2017-18

APHG: AP Human Geography 2018-19[Data are from second semester.]

A/B C D/F

GS APHG GS APHG GS APHG

68% 61% 20% 23% 12% 15%

AP Data D●

●

●

Teacher Survey D…

●●●●●●

Equity D●

●

●

This Year: Accomplishments D ● Team of 11 teachers advocated for and taught an AP course

as a team -- see Slide #9. ● First time WSD students use a textbook as a primary source

of learning in a Social Studies course● Submit curricular course audit ● Focus on geography/social studies [VISUAL LITERACY

skills] and LITERACY skills ● Promote district equity work● National College Board Conference: Orlando, July 2019

What Worked Well? P ●●●●●

● …●

What Are Some Challenges and Areas for Growth ? T● We will need to navigate the new protocols for AP testing, which is an

increase from $15 to $40 for unused tests, as well as a new earlier sign up date in OCTOBER instead of MARCH.

● We will need to revise our assessments due to the change in the APHG test: ○ decrease factual, recalled information ○ increase thinking skills

● We’ll need to continue focusing on teaching LITERACY skills.● We’ll need to continue to focus on differentiation for all students. ● We will need to explore how elementary and middle school social

studies can support APHG?