Educational Advise
What advise would you give to incoming sophomores who are going to take the AP World History? Some of you have played varsity sports, competed in speech and debate tournaments, been in competitive dance competitions, performed with the school orchestra, jazz band, marching band. Some of you have been in school thearter performances, scholar bowl, robotics, and countless other school activities. Were you able to keep up with the work? Was it worth taking AP as opposed to regular World History? What skills have you noticed being improved in this class?
posted by bcoffman | 11:06 AM
14 Comments:
Although AP World History is a difficult class, it is not unmanageable and it is definitely worth taking as opposed to regular World History. The most important advice I can provide is that you must read and comprehend each chapter before taking the test. The chapters are long and often not too exciting to read, so it is important that you get on Mr. Coffman's website and review vocabulary, read chapter summaries, and take practice tests. I am in several other honors classes and I also participate in varsity soccer. As long as you stay on top of your work and try hard during in-class assignments, achieving an A in the class is still attainable, even if you are involved in other various activities. After taking this class, my study habits have improved, I have learned to write better papers, and my thesis statements have improved. Overall, I think that AP World History is definitely worthwhile and a fun class to take.
The most fundamental advice to offer to an incoming student to AP World History would be to read, and read plenty. 99 percent of everything incorporated within this class is either based upon, or included, in some way, shape, or form to the AP book. That book, literally, needs to become your best friend if you want to succeed in this class. I, personally, failed in doing so during the first semester of this class, and it shows in my grade. I swam varsity and was included in other advanced courses as well which made me “forget” to read most of the time. I do believe that taking this course gave me a far better perspective regarding world history. At the beginning of the year I did not realize how important this class is. Everyday I leave class with a new understanding about some form of historic or even current, relations. This class has given me a better understanding of the world, better writing skills, and ability to comprehend material.
I participate in band and I am enrolled in a handful of higher level courses, personally, I have been able to keep up with the work, but there has been quite a bit of stress involved. My main advice is to make sure you have a general understanding of the material. I have had a lot of trouble dealing with the textbook and as a result I tend to use the outlines, multiple choice questions, and vocabularly on the website for the textbook. This resource has provided much clarification on each chapter, plus I can grasp the main concepts. I think I may have been less stressed in regular World History, but I've stuck with it and in the long run I'm probably better prepared for courses in the future. I think my studying and note taking skills have improved over time. Also, I've been able to further develop my ability to make a logical guess on multiple questions when I don't know the answer. Overall, I think the class has been an eye-opener to how difficult courses may be in the future.
AP World History overall is no harder than any other class. It has its homework and tests and the homework helps you with the tests. If you read and take notes in class you should be okay. This year, I have become more of a procrastinator and haven't worked near as hard as I could have. I used to read the book all the time, but then I started slacking off and not reading. Believe me, don't do that. It really hurts your test scores and in the end really affects your grade. Read your book as if you were in a Comm. Arts class and do the work, it's not too difficult. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions and participate in discussions, it will help you learn more and remember the information. Just don't fall behind and you will be okay and treat it like any other class. Don't get stressed out and everything will be okay.
The advice that I would give to any incoming Freshman who wanted to take this class would be go for it. This is a fun class that won't, most of the time, put you to sleep. If you read your chapters and pay attention in class it should be a fun and rewarding class. The hardest part is finding time to read an dif you can't find time outside of school then just read it for SSR or atleast makre sure you look over the outline that's available. I was able to maintain a good grade in that class while doing many other outside activites, so it is possible to be able to do well in that class while not devoting your life to it.
The best advice I can give incoming freshman, who are considering taking AP World History, would be to definately take this class. I was extremely apprehensive to take the class, but I am so thankful that I took this oppurtunity. I have learned so much throughout the year from the foundations period to modern. AP World History is more independent based and the tests are difficult. This class does not only pertain to history; we discuss events that are happening today and have open discussions about pretty much any and everything. Mr. Coffman's website is incredibly beneficial to make sure you know and understand the material and I would reccomand using it as much as you can. The most important thing in taking AP World History is time management because if you don't stay on top of your work it can get over-whelming. Overall, AP World History is probably the most beneficial class to understand not only the past, but the cultures of today also.
The best advice I could give an incoming sophomore into AP World History is to participate in class discussions and befriend the AP World HIstory textbook. Participating in class discussions is not only interesting but also very useful in applying what you learn to current events. AP World HIstory test and quizzes are much easier when you read the textbook. If you have the opportunity to take AP World History and don't you will regret it.
I would tell the incoming sophomores that though AP World History is a challenging class that you can't afford to slack off in, it is absolutely vital in widening your range of thinking about the world today. After a year of Mr. Coffman's Class, you will know more about why anything in the world today is the way it is, than you've ever wanted to. If you think you can keep up with the readings (which are very long and tedious) and put in some effort, this will be a really rewarding class. I played basketball and participated in orchestra this year. Both are very demanding after school (basketball is about 2 and a half hours a night). I kept myself on top of my work overall and I'll finish the class with an A. I strongly recommend this class to anyone who is willing to devote themselves to working hard. Mr. Coffman definitely makes it worth your while.
AP World History is put out as, well, a class to avoid. At first, I thought that there was no way I was going to be able to keep up with the weekly reading with my busy schedule. To my surprise, I found helpful sites and notes on each chapter that really helped me stay on top of things. I think that as long as you read the chapters,and you are involved in discussion during class, you will receive the grade you deserve. The one thing I would suggest not to do is forget about reading the chapters assigned. Believe me, when you skip a chapter and then another is assigned, congradulations, you have just given yourself even more stress than intended. Even though I really hate the online tests we are given, somehow I have a decent grade in the class. AP is just like any other class you are enrolled in. If you study, and you know the information you are going to do fine in the class. Make sure you take advantage of Coffman's website and the notes for each chapter. If you just do the simple things that Coffman asks, you will be able to limit the stress and just have a great sophomore year altogether.
so far i think that the test on the weekends have really helped me out this year. i have been able to keep up with my work and haven't had any problems. Just read the book and study for tests
-Taylor Harmon
I have run cross country for two years now, the sport is greatly time consuming due to the fact that it continues throughout the year; with winter, summer, and spring training. It along with various class and yearbook consume much of my time. Though if given the chance to take regular World history I would not. I am only about a 1/2 of the way done with my sophomore year but have learned a great deal in A.P. world history. A.P. World History has helped me to learn more about time managment and current events, due to the fact that they are often tied into what we are learning. The class is definatly worth any extra time and effort it takes.
For incoming sophomores, I would tell them that AP World History can be difficult and even stressful at times, but ultimately the positives outweigh the negatives. Yes you have to take tests at home and they’re timed; but no, you do not have one every weekend; and yes, the class requires a lot of reading and note taking. For the reading, it’s best to read a little each night and sometimes it’s good to even read ahead so that you know what your teacher is talking about in class. As for taking notes, make sure they’re organized, and that you don’t copy down word for word on the Power Points unless your teacher advises to. Also, it is good idea to write down stuff that your teacher lectures you about, and not just the information they give you in their Power Points. As for extracurricular activities, you just have to be organized and not fall behind in your reading otherwise it can get pretty stressful. Even though AP World History can sometimes be overwhelming and a little stressful at times, overall, I am glad that I am taking it. Last year in my history class, I was bored because I already knew most of the information, and because it wasn’t that challenging for me. But this year, I get to go more in depth with the subjects and really take time to better understand the material. And now as a result of taking AP World History, I now know how to write a thesis statement, and correctly answer a document based question.
The best advice I would give incoming sophmores who will be taking AP World History is to actually read the book. Coming in this year I told myself I was going to read a little bit of the book everyday, and guess what it didnt happen. I believe if I would have kept up better with my reading the tests would have been way easier. Also, I would say to pay attention to Coffman all they way through the class and take notes of what he says and not just of whats on the screen. Most importantly you must come into this class with confidence that you can do it and with that you will be able to do good its really no that hard if you keep up with the work and try your best. At the end of the day by doing these few things taking AP World History will be very easy and benifital to you.
Taking AP world History was an extremely good choice I made. I have learned more in this class about history and even government than I have in all my other history classes. Yes, the concepts are difficult, however, this class has prepared me for the level of tests in college.
A lot of the skills I've learned this year, I've been able to apply in my other classes, such as writing essays in Comm. Arts. With such a great class available, it would be a mistake not to take advantage of a good opportunity.
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