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8 Tips for New Teachers on How to Be Successful in an AP® Course

8 Tips for New Teachers on How to Be Successful in an AP® Course

Over years of experience teaching an AP® course (in my case, AP® World History), I’ve been able to compile a list of “must do” tips and suggestions for teachers who have never taught an AP® course before. They offer insight into not only surviving your first year teaching AP®, but also how to guide you and your students to success.

 

Success in AP® is different for every teacher, every school, and every student, but I believe the following tips are the cornerstone to getting the most out of your AP® experience. These tips will allow you to not only make it through that pivotal first year, but provide a solid foundation for your continued success in the course. There is no magic formula to get students to pass the exam, but there are certainly some things that can speed up your learning curve.

 

Download the document below for my full list of tips for being successful teaching your first year of an AP® course! And for AP® World teachers, download my sample calendar to guide you in planning out your first year!

 

DOWNLOAD TOP 8 TIPS

DOWNLOAD SAMPLE AP WORLD CALENDAR

 

Dave Drzonek is in his 22nd year of teaching at Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park, Illinois, and has been teaching AP® World History since 2006. He is currently a Senior Reviewer and Writer for the Advanced Placement® World History coursebook by AMSCO® for Perfection Learning® and has developed and delivered AP® World History content for the online video-based AP® test prep service GetAFive. He has been a reader for the Advanced Placement® World History Exam.Dave received his Master of Arts in Teaching, Curriculum, and Instruction from Governors State University. He believes that there is no greater way to spend a lifetime than teaching.

AP Language: Teaching the MCQ

AP Language: Teaching the MCQ

With 45 questions in an hour, four answer choices per question, it’s understandable why the multiple-choice section can be intimidating.

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You've Got This! A Message for our AP® Human Geo Teachers

You've Got This! A Message for our AP® Human Geo Teachers

The AP® Human Geo test is fast approaching. But don't stress! Author David Palmer offers words of encouragement and advice for seeing your students...

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AP® Euro: Tackling the DBQ

AP® Euro: Tackling the DBQ

Many teachers consider the Document Based Question (DBQ) of the AP® European History Exam to be one of the more challenging aspects of the course....

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Hitting the Ground Running: Top Tips for a Beginning AP® Macro Teacher

Hitting the Ground Running: Top Tips for a Beginning AP® Macro Teacher

Teaching Advanced Placement® classes can be daunting. You’ll ask yourself questions like “what is the rigor?”; “How do I test them?”; “Should I stick...

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Gearing Up for the AP English Exam: Key Considerations for Second Semester Success

Gearing Up for the AP English Exam: Key Considerations for Second Semester Success

Most AP English teachers now find themselves well into this critical second half of the school year. With the AP exam quickly approaching in May (I...

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AP Psychology: Using Cognitive Psychology to Study Smarter

AP Psychology: Using Cognitive Psychology to Study Smarter

The start of a new year always a wonderful opportunity to introduce students to effective, research-backed methods for studying more effectively....

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Top 5 Tips for the AP® Econ Exams

Top 5 Tips for the AP® Econ Exams

So, it’s almost time for the AP Economics exams. Hopefully, you have started a countdown. If not, that is step one. You want to remind students (so...

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How to Approach the 2023 AP® World History Exam

How to Approach the 2023 AP® World History Exam

Experienced AP World History teacher Dave Drzonek and AP World History Exam table leader Charlie Hart discuss what students did well and what they...

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Building Classroom Community in AP® Economics

Building Classroom Community in AP® Economics

I must have convinced you of the need to build a classroom community from my first post because…you’re here. Or maybe you already know that you need...

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AP® World History: How to DBQ

As we get closer to the AP® World History Exam, students will begin to stress about the required essays they will write as part of the exam. The...

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AP® World: Cultural Diffusion Activity

AP® World: Cultural Diffusion Activity

Cultural diffusion and cultural syncretism are two important concepts in the AP® World History curriculum. Because of its importance, I’ve developed...

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APUSH: Start Small, Finish Strong—the SAQ

APUSH: Start Small, Finish Strong—the SAQ

Early in a school year it can be a real challenge to know how to begin teaching students critical skills they need to score on the AP® U.S. History...

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