Provide opportunities to check for understanding, reinforcing that the main goal of the class is learning
Students benefit from frequent checks of their understanding of content. It allows the teacher to assess the levels of student understanding to effectively tailor the next steps of instruction. Students report that frequent reminders that the main goal of the class is learning, not just passing the AP exam, help them stay focused.
We suggest implementing these strategies:
Explore Student Experiences Throughout the School Year
Click on each critical period to explore student experiences.
Strong Start
August/September
Keeping Up
November/December
Midterm Reset
January/February
Exam Prep
March/April
Due to varying school schedules and contexts, the exact timing of the critical periods will differ by school and even by class. The months provided are a guide for where teachers should be looking for experiences based on time of year. Experiences marked with “ Students Shared” were generated directly from conversations with students about what supports their success in AP.