Skip to the main content
Perfection Learning

Welcome.

For a better website experience, please confirm you are in:

NextStep

A community-driven blog providing resources for educators, by educators.

    Blue arrow with white text over it reads

    So You’re Teaching AP English Next Year? Start Here.

    Congratulations—or maybe condolences? You just found out you are teaching an Advanced Placement® (AP) English class next year. Whether it’s AP Language and Composition or AP Literature and Composition, the news likely came with a mix of excitement,...

    Read More
    Two girls read books in the grass

    7 Tips for Creating Engaging Summer Enrichment Activities

    Educational studies have proven time and time again that learning loss is a real phenomenon.

    Read More
    Earth day painting

    Creative Earth Day Activities for Students

    What the Earth signifies to me… We've covered that already. The Earth is suffering from pollution, and we must protect it! Been there, done that!...

    Read More
    High school students having a discussion in a classroom

    Mastering the Secondary Source SAQ for AP History Exams

    The Secondary Source Short Answer Question (SAQ) on the AP history exam presents a unique challenge: students must analyze and synthesize historical...

    Read More
    A rolled up copy of the United States Constitution sitting on top of the American flag.

    Mastering the FRQ on the AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam

    The argumentative essay question on the AP U.S. Government and Politics exam demands a synthesis of content knowledge, analytical skill, and...

    Read More
    Elementary school student looking frustrated with book

    How Schools are Killing the Love of Reading

    Ask a teenager how they feel about reading, and you’ll likely get an eye roll, a groan, or a halfhearted, “I don’t like books.”

    Read More
    United States Capitol Building and American flag

    Teaching the APUSH Long Essay Question

    The Long Essay Question (LEQ) on the AP U.S. History exam offers students an opportunity to construct a sophisticated historical argument, supported...

    Read More
    High school student working on essay

    SCOTUS and the AP Government Exam

    The Supreme Court question on the AP Government exam, a mandatory component, consistently challenges students to demonstrate a nuanced understanding...

    Read More
    High school student working on essay

    APUSH Essays: The "Irish" Thesis Formula Explained

    You may have heard about the “Irish” Thesis Formula—it is all over the internet. Some teachers like it, others hate it, but whatever you think about...

    Read More
    Bronze start with a number 5 etched into it

    APUSH Short Answer Questions: The RIDE Strategy Explained

    One of the things that I spent most of my time thinking about, when the redesigned AP U.S. History course went into effect, was how to deal with the...

    Read More