Teacher Talk: Writing for AP® Success

The AP® English Language and AP® U.S. History courses share comparable writing goals. Students in both courses need similar skills to reach success on the AP® exam, and many students take both AP® English Language and AP® U.S. History at the same time. Join the AP® English Language teacher and AP® U.S. History teacher from Liberty High School in Frisco, Texas, as they will discuss how they collaborate to have their students write the Synthesis Essay and DBQ. The discussion will include the similarities and differences between the two prompts, as well as practical ways to introduce and reinforce skills in class.

Presenters: Kacie Smith and Emily Griffin

Kacie Smith has been an educator for the past nineteen years. Teaching AP® Language and Composition for over ten years, she also has experience in teaching AP® Literature and Composition and AP® Research, as well as English in various grade levels 6th-12th. In addition to her teaching experience, she is a veteran AP® Language and Composition College Board Reader, Table Leader, Applied Practice Consultant, and a former NMSI Consultant.

This is Emily Griffin's 7th year in education. She has taught AP® U.S. History for 4 years and has helped create district curriculum for American Studies, a Gifted Education class that combines AP® U.S. History and AP® Language and Composition with an emphasis on humanities. Creating and teaching this course has shaped much of her passion for cross-curricular planning and teaching, especially when it comes to writing.