Pre-AP Program: An Overview

Pre-AP Mission Statement

We believe that "all students can perform at rigorous academic levels" and that we can "prepare every student for higher intellectual engagement by starting the development of skills and acquisition of knowledge as early as possible. " (The AP Vertical Teams Guide for English xii).

We will teach college readiness and equip students to manage and master abstract concepts.

What are the benefits of Pre-ap? Develops potential in the classroom

and beyond Builds good study habits Improves writing skills Helps students shape goals Challenges their thinking

Does Pre-AP mean more homework? While students will sometimes

experience a greater homework load, the emphasis is not on covering more material but rather on delving deeper into the subject matter. The teaching strategies in Pre-AP classes will include activities designed by the College Board that cover higher level thinking skills.

The Truth About Pre-AP Pre-AP classes are more rigorous than

regular classes

They involve deeper concentration

They involve more time and energy

They require higher expectations

Your child is a good candidate if they Have excellent study skills and habits

Ask questions and participate in class

Persevere when faced with challenging material

Possess self-discipline to plan and work ahead

Read on or above grade level

To be successful a student should Limit number of outside activities

Start small with Pre-AP; take on the subjects you excel in or love

Ask for work prior to absence or immediately after

Manage due dates accordingly

English/Language Arts

English/Language Arts Outside reading (student purchases new

novels to annotate)

Critical thinking, reading, and writing

Deep connections with and across texts

College Board Strategies

Assignments designed to challenge and prepare students for AP courses

Math

Math A change from 6th grade regular math

to 7th grade Pre-AP math means you are skipping 7th grade math

7th grade Pre-AP follows along with 8th grade math curriculum

If you take 7th grade Pre-AP math, as an 8th grader you will take Algebra

Science

Science Pre AP tests are different than regular science tests -

increased rigor.

Pre AP classes will complete (on average) one project per six weeks. These projects will require considerable time outside of class - in other words, “homework.”

Science classes require the use of technology. Please expect homework in Pre-AP classes that will require the student to have access to technology.

Social Studies

Social Studies Use a variety of AP strategies to develop historical

thinking Explore primary and secondary sources

Create and analyze both written and visual sources

Teach the AP writing process

Conduct debates, participate in Socratic seminars, and support point of view with evidence.

Still have questions?Please involve your child in the

decision making process regarding how many and which courses to take.

English-Jeanne Hays jeanne.hays@rockwallisd.org

Science-Joshua Puckett Joshua.puckett@rockwallisd.org

Social Studies-Nicole Rodgersnicole.rodgers@rockwallisd.org

Math-Dawn Johnsondawn.johnson@rockwallisd.org