Expectations for AP Courses for 2008-2009 – (See www.fcps.edu/McLeanHS/AP/index.htm for course descriptions)

 

The following chart is meant to give you an idea of how much time is needed to prepare for each class period of the AP Courses.  These entries are meant to be an approximation of time and assignments. Different teachers for the same course may have slightly different expectations but the time commitment should be about the same.  Some students will need less time and some will need more to do the assignments depending on their skills levels.

 

 

Area of Study

Reading/Class

Homework

Tests/Essays/Papers Per Quarter

Projects/Comments

Science

Biology (with SSI)

 

1.5-2 hrs

q      1-2 essays per week

q      1 quiz per week

q      2 group labs per month

q      2 unit tests per month

q                  Ecology field trip and major project. Class meets each day for 90 minutes.

 

Chemistry (with SSI)

Daily text reading and articles

1.5-2 hrs

q      Weekly lab report

q      Assessments every 2 weeks

q     Class meets each day for 90 minutes

Environmental Science

 

1 hr

q      3-4 tests per quarter

q      11th and 12th grade course

q      2 required Saturday field trips

Physics (with SSI)

2-4 pgs

 

1 hr

q      4 tests per quarter

q      Frequent quizzes

q      Class meets each day for 90 minutes

Math

Calculus AB

 

1-2 hrs

q      3-4 study hours for tests

q       2-3 tests per quarter

q      Daily quizzes

q      “Gate” quizzes, student must show mastery

q      4.5 hr Saturday final exam

q      Major project 4th quarter

Calculus BC

 

1.5-2 hrs

q      “Gate” quizzes, student must show mastery

q      Quizzes 1 hour prep time

q      Test prep 2-3 hours

q      Major project 4th quarter

q      4.5 hr Saturday final exam

Computer Science

5-10 pages of online, textbook per unit

Varies - 30 minutes of exercises plus additional time for programming assignments

q      Programming assignments require 2+ hours per assignment

q      High – level Java skills

q      High interest in programming

q      Self-motivated

Statistics

 

1.5-2 hrs

q      Several projects throughout year

q      Mid-term exam in January

q       5-6 hrs study time for unit tests

q      Good reading, writing skills needed

 


 

Area of Study

Reading/Class

Homework

Tests/Essays/Papers Per Quarter

Projects/Comments

English

English Literature (12th grade)

q      30-50 pgs

1–2 hrs

q      Major papers per quarter

 

q      Class is often taught in seminar format

English Language & Composition

(This year only 11th and 12th  grade )

1 essay  per week

 

1-2 hrs

q      3 to 4 essays per quarter.

q      Major research project

q      Class timed writing assignments each quarter

Foreign Languages

French (5th year)

q      1-7 pgs

 

1 hr

q      2-3 essays per quarter

q      1-2 tests per quarter

q      Class attendance is critical

Spanish (5th year)

German

(4th or 5th year)

q      1-15 pgs

1 hr

q      2-3 essays per quarter

q      2-3 tests per quarter

q      Class attendance is critical

Latin (4th year)

q      1-7 pgs

90 min

q      1-2 tests per quarter

q      Class attendance is critical

Social Studies

US History

(11th grade)

q      50 pgs/wk

1.5-2 hrs

q      4 essays per quarter

q      3 tests per quarter

q      1 project each quarter

q      Major research project 4th quarter

q      DBQ each quarter

European History (11th -12th elective)

q      60 pgs/wk

q      Daily journal

1.5-2 hrs

q      4 tests per quarter

q      4  in-class essays per quarter

 

q      1-2 DBQs per quarter

q      Short oral report/paper per quarter

US & Comparative Government

(12th grade)

q      50 pgs/wk

q      Daily journal

 

q      4 tests per quarter

q      8 in-class essays per quarter

q      1 research paper per quarter

q      Good time management needed

AP World History

(10th grade)

q      70-100 pages weekly

1.5-2 hrs

q      Comprehensive Multiple Choice chapter

q      4 writing assignments per quarter

q      1-2 tests per quarter

q      Sophomore only course

q      Replaces World II Honors

q      SOL test at end of course

AP Psychology

q      30 pgs/wk

q      daily quizzes

1 hr

q      3-5 tests per quarter

q      1 project per quarter

q      11th and 12th grade

Arts

Art History

q      50 pages/wk

 

 

q      Weekly journal

q      Quarterly field project

q      Weekly quizzes

q      Quarterly essays

q      2 major research projects

Art Portfolio

q       Drawing or

q       2D Design or

q       3D Design

 

q      Weekly sketch- book

q      Completion of assigned work at home

2-3 hours

q      Quarterly field projects

q      Attendance each period is critical

q      Completion of 6 or more independent works per quarter

q      Mandatory attendance of scheduled critiques

q      Exhibition & working portfolios required

q      Quarterly slides of personal work

Music Theory (Audition or Permission of Instructor)

q      20 pages

q      Extensive Listening

1-2 hours nightly

q      Quarterly tests

q      3 essays

q      Weekly aural testing

q      Midterm paper

q      Final composition