Courses and Descriptions 

The 2010 AP Institute Brochure is available right here.

You can also complete the registration form online right here .

2010 Programs

The workshop sessions are small, averaging under fifteen participants. The leaders are experienced AP teachers who have developed outstanding reputations in public and private schools.  All have been readers for the AP examinations and consulting teachers for The College Board.  Each session is designed to meet the needs of the individual participants to ensure that each teacher returns to the classroom with increased confidence and strategies for success.

Biology: Session I, II, & III

Cindy Trask--St. Catherine’s High School, VA - Session I, II & III
The AP program considers the laboratory part of the curriculum as one of its major focuses.  For any teacher of the course a strong familiarity with the lab concepts is essential for their students’ success.  In this workshop, the participants will do the variety of labs and act as their students would in class. They will use the AP published labs, do the experiments, collect all data, reach conclusions, and be required to write the lab reports.  Mirroring their own students, they will make mistakes and learn the complexities of techniques and procedures.  We will discuss various time saving ideas, and also the preparation details.  Although not the focus of the week, we will discuss the exam, grading and various class procedures.  Participants are urged to bring their own materials to share with each other.

Calculus  AB: Session I, II, & III

Steve Olson--Hingham High School, MA
This workshop provides participants with a wealth of information regarding teaching calculus in harmony with the current Course Description.  Participants will consider numerous problems consistent with this newly reformed AP Calculus Course Description.  There will be sample lessons and strategies for presenting key concepts.  Each of the four calculus sessions integrates the use of TI-83 graphing calculators.  Participants with all degrees of experience with calculus and the use of technology are welcome.

Calculus  BC: Session II, & III

Victor Levine--James Madison Memorial High School, WI
This workshop provides participants with a wealth of information regarding teaching calculus in harmony with the current Course Description. Participants will consider numerous problems consistent with this newly reformed AP Calculus Course Description. There will be sample lessons and strategies for presenting key concepts. This calculus session integrates the use of TI-83 graphing calculators. This workshop is intended for teachers who currently teach BC topics or are planning to teach these topics. During the week, we will consider the topics of infinite series, improper integrals, Euler’s method, motion in the plane, parametrically defined curves and polar curves.

Chemistry: Session II

Peter Demmin--Consultant, Amherst, NY
Designed for the teacher who is relatively new to the AP setting or who is looking for a fresh start, this workshop is built around five strands of instruction:
•    AP course management and planning,
•    The AP examination with focused student strategies
•    Instructional resources
•    The development of a fundamental Chemistry lab program consistent with the recommendations in the Course Description.
Each participant will take home a year’s worth of quizzes, student problems and other resources for use in the AP class.  It also includes review of procedures for preparing syllabus as presented in the Workshop handbook. Dr. Demmin is a former Table Leader and member of the Test Development Committee.  He is a current contributor to the ACS—United States National Chemistry Olympiad and a consultant for the New York State Education Department. He brings up-to-date expertise regarding the exam.

Chemistry: Session III

David Crow--Howard's Grove High School, WI
The focus of this workshop will be the concepts of Equilibrium with emphasis on Acids and Bases, Kinetics, Electrochemistry, and Thermodynamics. For each topic, the workshop will provide: 1] teaching strategies and tips, 2] clasroom tested lab activities, and 3] problem sets, quizzes, and unit tests that are clasroom ready. Other mini-activities will be introduced that porvide fun, teachable moments in the daily AP routine. Best practices for reviewing, grading, and course management will be shared among all who attend. Participants will leave with a portfolio of material and a flash drive of files that are ready for use during their 2010-2011 school year.

Chemistry Labs: Session I

Dr. Arden Zipp--SUNY, Cortland NY
This workshop gives participants hands-on experience with a variety of Chemistry labs, ranging from traditional wet labs to computer-based labs.  Participants work in small groups to compare results, troubleshoot problems for students, and develop plans to integrate labs into existing curricula.  Participants will also be expected to work on questions and problems from recent AP Exams.  As current Table Leader, a former Chief Reader and past chair of the Chemistry Development Committee for the AP Chemistry exam, Dr. Zipp provides participants with authoritative insights how to prepare students for success.

Computer Science: Session I

Stephanie Lord--Bangor High School, ME
This course will focus on the APCS Java subset, object-oriented program design, implementation, and analysis. Standard data structures and algorithms, contextual issues and creation of a course syllabus will also be considered along with the GridWorld Case Study and preparation for the AP Computer Science exam. Participants who are already familiar with these A-level topics may either examine some topics in more depth or work with more advanced data structures.  All material will be taught in Java 5 or higher.

English Language: Sessions I, II, & III

Peter Durnan--Holderness School, NH
Participants will spend the week exploring ways to develop the curriculum of their Advanced Placement Language and Composition courses.  A full review of the AP examination itself will serve as a basis for constructing and revising teaching methods suitable to the AP course.  Class work will be discussion-based and involve small group activities aimed at sharing our best practices in the English classroom, and content will focus on elements covered on the exam including rhetorical strategies, tone, syntax, and diction.  The week will allow teachers a chance to more clearly understand the AP examination and to exchange ideas both formally and informally.

English Literature: Sessions I, II, & III

Tim Averill--Waring School, MA - Session I, II, III
Marilee Eyre--Beaver High School, UT - Session I
This workshop will provide participants with an overview of the AP curriculum, complete sample teaching units, and a discussion of methods for preparing students for the examination.  Participants will read and discuss a novel, selected short fiction, and the work of a poet who will attend a class session on his/her work. Because the program is pragmatic, all participants will receive electronic and print curriculum materials and will leave with a good sense of how to adapt the AP curriculum for use in their home schools.

Environmental Science: Session I

Jim Morrill--The Hotchkiss School, CT
Combining discussion of the AP Environmental Science curriculum and the grading of its AP Exam with work in the lab and field, this intensive workshop for rookie and veteran teachers fully prepares you for teaching APES.  There will also be ample opportunity to exchange ideas.  St. Johnsbury is an ideal location for this workshop.  We use St. J’s modern computer lab.  Lastly, there are a number of opportunities for interesting field trips close to St. Johnsbury, including a wood chip electrical generating plant, a state-of-the-art sewer plant, and locations for a soil’s workshop.

European History: Session II

James Kirkcaldy--Hingham High School, MA
This is a week of intensive workshop for new or experienced teachers of AP European History.  The workshop will concentrate on teaching strategies, core concepts, recent historiography, alternative assessments, and grading the AP exam all designed to enhance effective teaching of this course.

French Language: Session I

Mona Mulhair--Las Lomas High School, CA
This workshop provides the participants with ideas and techniques (Vertical Team Concept) that will enhance the enrollment of students in the French program leading to the AP Language and Literature. It will familiarize participants with the content and the different components of the AP Language test: listening, speaking, reading and writing, and the AP French Literature program and the required reading list.  Materials and techniques will be shared that will assist the participants, and will help their students to succeed on their AP test.  There will be samples of AP tests and the grading system for each part, including all recent changes in the test format and its grading. The workshop will provide the participants with time and opportunity for collegial interaction and exchange of successful strategies.

Physics: Sessions I & II

John Schutter--St. Andrews, FL
This workshop is designed to help prepare participants to teach a successful AP Physics course, whether it is B or C. The first few days will focus on required topics, schedule, difficulty level, appropriate textbooks and useful labs for an AP Physics course.  Then time will be taken to analyze this year’s AP test and how it was scored.  The remaining days will involve doing some labs (traditional and computer-based), demonstrations, problem-solving, and difficult concept development appropriate for the AP level.

Physics Labs: Session III

John Schutter--St. Andrews, FL
This workshop will expose participants to laboratory experience appropriate for their top students.  Each participant will investigate a variety of labs, including traditional labs, old PSSC labs, and computer-based, calculator-based labs, and handheld-based labs.  Whether preparing a tight one-year course, which requires efficient lab selection, or looking for extensions of labs for a second-year course, this workshop will provide participants with the resources they need to be successful.

Psychology: Session III

Lori Hodin--Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, MA
This workshop will provide participants with an overview of the structure and content of an AP Psychology course.  Participants will carefully analyze past exams and act as readers to evaluate student writing.  There will be an opportunity to meet with a research psychologist to discuss his/her work. Participants will learn ways to integrate new research in neuroscience into their teaching.  Demonstrations, lesson plans, unit outlines and technology will provide teachers with the resources and curriculum they need to be successful in meeting the needs of a variety of students.  This course has been revised and is open to teachers with all levels of experience, including teachers who have attended this workshop in the past.

Spanish Language – I & II

Patricia Thomas Smith--University of Massachusetts, MA
The AP Spanish Language Institute will train both experienced and new AP Spanish teachers to prepare their students for the AP exam. A detailed study of the AP Spanish Language examination includes how the test is graded, how a successful course is organized, and ideas for developing and implementing a relevant syllabus. Participants will engage in the development of both teaching strategies and materials to use in their classes:  activities within a cultural context, methods to integrate authentic materials, approaches to improve and integrate skills (writing, reading, speaking, and listening), and the use of technology and internet resources. Participants will also have the opportunity to share best practices, analyze speaking and writing rubrics, and how to incorporate technology and the language lab into an AP Spanish Language program.

Studio Art: Session III

Joann Winkler--Clinton High School, IA
This course is intended to provide participants with an overview of the Drawing, 2-D Design, and 3-D Design Portfolios.  Sessions will include: Discussions with visual examples of each of the three portfolios and each component of the portfolios. Sharing of the best practices. Discussion of teacher resources. Examination of the grading process for the AP portfolios including a "mock reading." Hands on activities - projects for both 2D Design, Drawing, and possibly 3D Design if time permits. A day of looking at art through gallery walks/ museum visits.

Statistics: Sessions I, II, & III

Brendan Murphy--John Baptist Memorial High School, ME - Session III
David Bock--Consultant, Newfield, NY - Session I & II
Participants in this course will examine the College Board’s Outline of topics, course philosophy, and expectations; review important concepts in statistics; discuss pedagogical issues; sample lessons, classroom activities, and projects; and, look at a variety of resources: textbooks, calculators, videos, software, and other materials.

US Government and Politics: Session II

Barbara McAdorey--Sachem High School, NY
The workshop provides participants an overview of the basic structure and content necessary for the Advanced Placement course in US Government and Politics.  Participants will focus on the development of a course outline and syllabus related to their specific objectives.  Emphasis will be placed on teaching strategies, learning activities and exam preparation.  An analysis of AP examinations, including the most recent exam, will be included as well as the process and standards established for the grading of the exams.  Participants will gain a clear understanding of the fundamentals of US Government and Politics and the creation of an AP course curriculum.

US History: Sessions I, II, & III

Jerry Desmarais--Spaulding High School, VT - Session I
Dr. Tracey Wilson--Conard High School, CT - Session II & III
This workshop provides participants with an overview of the AP curriculum and the most recent exam.  Participants will learn ways to integrate primary sources into existing curricula.  They will practice strategies for teaching text reading and essay writing.  Suggestion: If you have taken the course with Dr. Wilson, you might want to do it with Mr. Desmarais, as they teach differently and use different AP materials.

Vertical Teams - Pre-AP English: Session III

Ogden Morse--The Lyceum Institute, CT
The English Vertical Team course will address the curricular needs of teachers, grades 6-10. Teachers will have the opportunity to examine the concept of a vertical team, the philosophy on which it is based, and the criteria necessary for its success. Teachers will also determine topics that apply to their specific schools, work with strategies by which Pre-AP students can acquire and develop critical intellectual skills, and construct lessons appropriate for various grade levels. The workshop will focus on the collaborative nature of vertical teams and will offer formats for effective team meetings.

Vertical Teams – Pre-AP Mathematics:  Session I

Michele Ralston--St. Johnsbury Academy, VT
The Mathematics Vertical Team summer institute gives teachers opportunities to work together to develop grade-appropriate strategies for teaching the content and skills that will enhance the ability of all students to be more successful in upper-level mathematics courses. Through cooperation and collaboration, middle and high school teachers work toward forming stronger instructional cohesion and sequential development of skills and knowledge. Team building activities and the curriculum strands of FUNCTIONS, ACCUMULATION, AND RATE are emphasized.

World History: Session I

Michele Forman--Middlebury Union High School, VT
This course will help participants to teach an Advanced Placement course in World History and prepare students for the AP World History exam.  Participants will use periodization and global themes and interactions to select content coverage and develop or update a world history syllabus based on the most current course description and exam criteria.  This course will emphasize practical strategies for teaching AP including setting standards for evaluating student performance.

TOPIC SESSIONS

This summer St. Johnsbury Academy is offering in-depth workshops designed for experienced teachers.  These workshops will be taught by nationally recognized educators from around the country.  The workshops are designed to broaden a teacher’s knowledge and teaching techniques in Chemistry, and European History.  They are an excellent follow up experience to the workshops offered at the Academy’s AP Summer Institute. 

Additional information may be received by contacting the Academy at: apinstitute@stjacademy.org

European History – Topic: Integrating Art in European History: Session II

James Kirkcaldy--Hingham High School, MA
An intensive workshop for new or experienced teachers that emphasizes the integration of music and the visual arts into European History. The course will include a chronological history of Western art and music from the Renaissance to the 21st century. This core knowledge will be integrated with specific strategies and lessons to enhance key political, economic, social, and intellectual concepts.

Chemistry – Topic: Equilibrium--The Cornerstone of a Second Year Course in Chemistry: Session III

Peter Dummin--Consultant, Amherst, NY
Designed for the experienced teacher, this course will focus on developing strategies and materials that help students gain greater understanding of the phenomenon of chemical equilibrium. With this understanding will come improved problem-solving skills from both qualitative and quantitative perspectives. Participants will acquire skills based on extensive guided experience using appropriate problems presented as free response and multiple choice questions. Techniques for adapting these skills for student use will be presented. Dimensional analysis as problem-solving strategy will be emphasized. Applications of the mole concept, the law of mass action and the first and second laws of thermodynamics will be the basis for most class sessions where student-as-worker/ teacher-as-coach is applied as the over arching instructional perspective. In addition, recent examinations such as the SAT Subject Area Test (formerly SAT II), the College Board AP Exam and examinations developed by the Division of Chemical Education (American Chemical Society) will be reviewed. We will also examine the philosophical question – do teaching and learning take place at the same time – in the second year chemistry classroom and laboratory. Included will be a year’s worth of test questions, quizzes and homework problems to take home along with some tips for designing an effective first year course.

Dr. Demmin is a former Table Leader and member of the AP Chemistry Test Development committee. He is a current contributor to the ACS – United States National Chemistry Olympiad, a consultant for the New York State Education Department and author of two test preparation books.

Statistics - Topic: A Broader and Deeper Bacground: Sesson III

Dave Bock with Bob Hayden
Our goal will be to deepen participants’ knowledge of Statistics and to help experienced teachers use this added knowledge to enrich their students’ understanding of topics in AP Statistics. We’ll take an in-depth look at sampling distributions and explore ways to use simulations to enhance our grasp of statistical inference. We’ll also examine topics that are beyond the AP curriculum but shed light on AP topics. Possible examples include: Analysis of Variance sheds light on two-sample t-tests, multiple regression sheds light on simple linear regression, and study design for regression sheds light on regression assumptions.


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