AP Curriculum Planning & AP Course Design 3

Question 1

In AP curriculum design, what is the primary purpose of 'essential questions'?

Accepted Answer

To promote student inquiry and frame the deeper conceptual goals of each unit

Answer

Essential questions provoke sustained inquiry, helping students connect content to the big ideas and enduring understandings of the course.

Question 2

Which pacing strategy is most appropriate for an AP course when covering a dense unit before a break?

Accepted Answer

Front-load key concepts before the break and use time after to deepen and review

Answer

Front-loading core concepts before a break leverages instructional time while allowing the return period for elaboration and practice.

Question 3

When selecting supplemental texts for an AP English Literature course, which criterion should take highest priority?

Accepted Answer

The text's alignment with AP literary analysis skills and thematic complexity

Answer

Supplemental texts must support the development of literary analysis skills and engage with the thematic complexity required by the AP framework.

Question 4

A teacher notices that students consistently perform well on unit tests but score low on AP exam free-response questions. What curriculum adjustment is most warranted?

Accepted Answer

Incorporate more writing tasks that mirror AP free-response formats throughout the year

Answer

The gap indicates students need more practice transferring knowledge to AP-style extended writing tasks integrated throughout the course, not just at review time.

Question 5

Which College Board resource provides AP teachers with sample student responses scored at each performance level to guide instruction?

Accepted Answer

Publicly released AP exam scoring guidelines and student sample responses

Answer

Released AP exam scoring guidelines and scored student samples help teachers calibrate expectations and model what proficient and exemplary responses look like.

AP Practice Test

AP Practice Test

AP Curriculum Planning & AP Course Design 3