World History curriculum - AP level

[Karri]

Anyone have curriculum suggestions that would prepare ds for the World History AP exam next year? I'm trying to avoid dry textbooks if possible. Is Notgrass considered rigorous or would I need to supplement?

I'd even be interested in online courses, or even an online syllabus.

Thanks,
Karri

[Hilary]

My older son is doing AP World History this year with Pennsylvania Homeschoolers. The teacher, Mrs. Harrison, is pretty tough and keeps the students on their toes. He's learned a lot about essay-writing from her. The main text she uses is World Civilizations: The Global Experience 4th edition. There's also an accompanying student review manual that goes with it. She also has them using the Princeton Review AP study guide.

[Bev in B'ville]

with a WH professor from the local college next year for dd. We'll be using the Stearns AP Edition of the above textbook. You can buy it directly from the publisher cheaper than Amazon. There's supplements (Documents in World History, Vols. I & II) and a website to watch videos. I also purchased the Study Guide.

I highly recommend some AP practice books as well. The AP WH exam is slightly different than some. The student has 15 minutes to read the documents for the DBQ and the essay questions and then 120 minutes to write. The DBQ is an essay question designed to have the student read several documents with an underlying theme, analyze and synthesize those documents into an organized answer discussing all the implications. You can see examples of these types of questions on the AP college board website.

Also, on the college board you can see a textbook list. You can google these and see samples and contents on the web to help you make your decision. There's also a discussion board you can join where WH teachers discuss things they do in class (e.g. discussions, in-class movies, etc.)

HTH.

[JFS in IL]

DS, 16, came and read the above posts. He said there is no way to avoid a "dry" textbook, as there is "just so much STUFF" to cover in one scant year. he also says to make sure to do the DBQ practice.

This from a kid who got a 4 as a freshman on the World History AP exam.