2010 APUSH SUMMER ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS

Mrs. Harper

Ms. Lee

Mr. Tena

  1. Acknowledge your love for APUSH and commit to some hard work that will pay off next May 6, 2011!! Read all of these instructions and follow them…soon! Don’t procrastinate!!
  1. Browse the websites of Mrs. Harper, Ms. Lee and Mr. Tena. Post a blog PRIOR TO JULY 30 at Mrs. Harper’s website acknowledging your review of them, including at least one comment for each teacher’s website (critical or affirming). You may in your comments recommend an additional site or sites that you have found over the summer. If you’re confused about “blog” check out the instructions in the “blog it” folder on Mrs. Harper’s website.
  1. Obtain the AMSCO review book for the national test.Copies can be ordered [United States History: Preparing for the Advanced Placement Examination; John Newmand and John Schmalbach; ISBN 978-1-56765-660-2] from the publisher at www.amscopub.comor used copies may be obtained through various used textbook sites on the internet. It should cost less than $20. Please contact one of us prior to the end of June if you have a difficult time obtaining it.
  1. Read the introduction on pages ix- xxxii. This will give you a great overview of the course, as well as what to expect on the national test on May 6, 2011!!
  1. Read Chapter 1, pages 1-13. Take cornell notes. Don’t skip over doing the summary portion of the notes. You will turn these in on the first day of the semester: August 30.
  1. Write out the identification and significance of the “Key Names, Event and Terms” listed on page 13. You will turn these answers in on the second day of the semester. An example of and the instructions for this ID/SIG exercise can be found on Mr. Tena’s website.
  1. Take the multiple choice question quiz on page 14-15. You will turn these answers in on the second day of the semester.
  1. Read pages 16-22. Answer the questions on page 18 and 22:
  2. How did Europeans view the people they encountered in the Americans?
  3. To what extent, if at all, were Spanish explorers and settlers able to understand and/or empathize with the culture of the Native Americans?
  4. Is the historian’s interpretation supported by evidence in the primary source documents?
  5. To what extent is Stannard’s view either supported or contradicted by Columbus’ own words in reading A?
  6. Which of the primary source documents do you think gives the strongest support for Stannard’s thesis? Why?
  7. Which of the primary source documents do you think offers the weakest support—or no support for Stannard’s thesis? Why?
  1. Complete the mapping assignment which can be found on the websites of Mrs. Harper, Ms. Lee and Mr. Tena. This will be collected on the second day of the semester.
  1. Complete the Presidents’ notecard assignment which can also be found on the websites. This will also be collected on the second day of the semester. Please secure all your notecards in a sandwich baggie that has your name on it, using a permanent marker!
  1. Visit the AP Central Website at and look at some of the released tests so you are familiar with the type of tests you’ll be taking during the year. Send Mrs. Harper an email telling her the words of the prompt that was asked of the 2009-2010 US History Exam takers for the DBQ (document based question.) Hint: Puritans. DO NOT WRITE THE ESSAY…this is easy, we just want you to see a sample DBQ and know that you’ve been at the AP website!
  1. At any time you have questions, ideas or maybe are confused, contact one of the three teachers by email!
  1. Have a great summer and come ready and prepared with a great attitude to your new APUSH class!