I have become obsessed with trying to find activities in the AP® World History classroom that foster analysis. Having students understand what is meant by the word “analysis” is hard enough, but then finding ways to develop it often seems to be an uphill battle. This activity came about as a result...
Teaching a young, eager, and naive student how to write a sophisticated DBQ is like teaching a similarly inexperienced athlete how to successfully clear the bar in a pole vault competition. You wouldn’t set them on the runway with a 12-foot long stick and tell them to go jump....would you?
Do you struggle with teaching over 800 years of content and building college-level skill proficiency to AP® World History students? Does teaching AP® World seem like riding an escalator, where you are never being able to get off on a floor to explore? Are you always struggling with timing and...
The teaching of AP® World History can be a daunting task at times. Teachers are asked to teach over 800 years of historical content and then develop very specific skills so that students can be successful in the class. It can leave teachers feeling like they are constantly on an escalator, moving...
Cultural diffusion and cultural syncretism are two important concepts in the AP® World History curriculum. Because of its importance, I’ve developed this activity as a fun and creative way to introduce or review the concept of cultural diffusion. It is best used at the beginning of the year as an...
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...
