Advanced Placement United States History

2014 Summer Assignment

AIS/Independence High School

1967 Patriot DR.

Charlotte, NC 28227

May 30, 2014

I am happy to take this opportunity to welcome you to Advanced Placement United States History. The 2014-2015 school year will be a very busy one as we prepare for the Advanced Placement exam on May 8, 2015. APUSH is a rigorous college-level course that will require extensive background knowledge in US History.

Since this is a college-level course that requires extensive background knowledge we really cannot waste any time in preparing, and need to hit the ground running in August. To do this, every APUSH student will be required to complete the following summer assignments that will be due on the first day of class, August 25, 2014 (A-day students) or August 26, 2014 (B-day students). Please pay attention to the date that your course starts.

History is not merely a recollection of dates and facts, but rather is an argument about the past. You will be expected to interpret, analyze and synthesize facts to make logical historical arguments. Zinn is a rather controversial figure and his historical perspectives are often challenged. You are assigned this reading to challenge your thinking and to begin to understand how historical events can be interpreted in different ways. Daniel Flynn writes an article called Howard Zinn’s Biased History. I have included a link to it and asked you to write a reflection comparing Flynn and Zinn.

The assignments are listed below. Please contact me prior to June 10, 2014 if you would like to borrow a book from Independence. The People’s History can be found at the local libraries, bookstores, and on various websites. The essay questions are attached, but you may also email me for an electronic copy. All assignments and some of the readings will be available on the Edmodo site. (See below for details) All assignments must be completed as specified for credit. Good Luck!

Historically yours,

Ms. K Willett

Summer Assignments:

Assignment #1: Sign up on Edmoto for our APUSH course.

  1. Go to edmodo.com/
  2. Use the code: 9af43k
  3. Once you have set up your profile, you will see that there is a forum to post a message. Please introduce yourself and what you hope to learn about US History. Note: Everyone will be able to see this message. I encourage you to respond to each other. It is good to get used to this platform as it will be something that we will be using for the course. If you have trouble, contact me via email as soon as possible.

Assignment #2: A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn

  1. Read the book. There are copies at the library, at local and onine book retailers and at this website:
  2. For each chapter, provide a hand-written summary that addresses the major components of each chapter along with the answer to the following questions/prompts.
  3. What is the thesis of the chapter? Summarize the thesis in your own words and provide textual evidence for the thesis.
  4. How is Zinn’s argument different from “traditional” history? Provide textual evidence for this.
  5. Answer the following essay question. No typed essays please. Please put your name (first, last) in the upper right-hand corner, followed by the date on the next line. This essay will be graded as your first test grade and will be graded according to the AP rubric, and should include a thesis and be written in proper essay format. Blue or Black ink only.
  6. Zinn proposes the argument that he is telling history from the people and not from authority figures as “traditionally” taught. To what extent does he challenge “traditional” history in two of the following topics:

Native Americans

American Revolution

Industrial Workers

American Civil War

  1. You will have a test on the first day of school on Zinn’s content.

Assignment #3: Howard Zinn’s Biased History by Daniel Flynn

  1. Read the article: (you can also find it on the Edmodo site)
  2. Write a 2-3 paragraph reflection on:
  3. What are the differences between Zinn and Flynn?
  4. What criticism does Flynn put forth of Zinn as a writer?
  5. Which of these historians (Zinn or Flynn) would you rather have as your history teacher? Why?

Assignment #4: United States Map

  1. Complete the blank map of the United States attached to the summer reading assignment.
  2. Label the 50 States, along with their capitals in ink.
  3. Label the Mississippi River, Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and the Hudson River in blue
  4. Label the Appalachian Mountains, Rocky Mountains in brown
  5. Label Mexico and Canada in green
  6. Put your name (first, last) in the upper right hand corner, followed by the date on the next line.
  7. Students will be expected to label the 50 states on a map within the first week of school WITHOUT the use of their map.

Materials Needed for the First day of Class:

  1. Notebook paper, college ruled
  2. Pen (blue or black ink only!)
  3. #2 pencil
  4. Summer assignments.

Rubric for Essay on Howard Zinn’sA People’s History of the United States

“History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are.” –David McCullough

Advanced Placement United States History

2014 Summer Assignment

AIS/Independence High School

1967 Patriot DR.

Charlotte, NC 28227

The 8-9 Essay

Argument-

• Contains a clear, well-developed thesis that addresses all components of the question.

Critical Thought-

• In-depth, effective analysis addressing differing sources and content

• Relevance of outside knowledge to the argument.

Evidence-

• Supports thesis with substantial, relevant information

• Demonstrates a strong command of outside sources to inform the response

• There is a comprehensive explanation and high degree of relevance

• Provides effective analysis of change over time; emphasis placed on the question topic.

• May contain minor errors

Writing Style-

• Is well organized and well written

• Proper sentence structure and mechanics is evident

• Proper MLA format for works cited and parenthetical notations is used (if required)

• Meets required length, font, margins and numbering sequence

The 5-7 Essay

Argument-

• Contains a thesis that partially addresses the question

Critical Thought-

• Analysis is evident but is not in-depth

• Provides some analysis of change over time; not consistent throughout

Evidence-

• Demonstrates a satisfactory use of outside sources to inform the response, but the sources are not sufficiently explained

• Explanation and relevance are lacking in detail and depth

• Supports the thesis with some relevant historical information

Writing Style-

• Has acceptable organization and writing

• Minor errors in sentence structure and mechanics may be evident

• Minor errors in MLA format and parenthetical notations are apparent (if required)

• Meets the required length, font, margins and numbering sequence

The 2-4 Essay

Argument-

• Contains a confused or unfocused thesis or simply paraphrases restates the question

Critical Thought-

• Little or no analysis

• Focuses on only one category of change over time or only one category

Evidence-

• Demonstrates a minimal understanding of outside sources to inform the response

• Little or no explanation; some sources are not relevant to the topic

Writing Style-

• May be poorly organized and/or written

• Contains major errors in sentence structure and mechanics

• Errors in MLA format and parenthetical notations are noticed throughout the essay (if required)

• Meets the required page length, font, margins and numbering sequence

The 0-1 Essay

Argument-

• Lacks a thesis or simply restates the question

Critical Thought-

• Demonstrates an incompetent or inappropriate response

Evidence-

• Contains substantial factual errors

• Provides little or no historical information and no outside sources

Writing Style-

• Is poorly organized and/or poorly written

• Has major errors in sentence structure and mechanics

• Errors in MLA format and parenthetical notations are noticed throughout the essay (if required)

• Does not meet the required page length, font, mar

“History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are.” –David McCullough

Advanced Placement United States History

2014 Summer Assignment

AIS/Independence High School

1967 Patriot DR.

Charlotte, NC 28227


“History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are.” –David McCullough